Warn seniors about purchasing a Medicare Advantage plan

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Medicare open enrollment period began Tuesday, and big changes are in store for Medicare Advantage patients in 2025.

It's a good idea to review your plans and protections now to avoid any surprises next year.

Medicare changes coming next year will impact thousands of seniors, with higher out-of-pocket costs, higher prescription drug deductibles and fewer additional benefits.

More than 1.8 million Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans in 2024 that will no longer be offered in 2025, according to an analysis by Oliver Wyman.

Mike Harper has been in the insurance business for more than five decades at Haskell Harper LLC in Atlantic Beach. Harper sent his customers a letter ahead of Medicare's open enrollment period warning them against enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, which often comes with a $0 monthly premium.

“I want them to know they have options,” Harper said. “I want them to be educated about these options and not sucked into the free medical, dental, free, free view. I mean, that's nice. That's a nice advantage. But what is it really worth?”

The letter also explains that Harper abruptly retired from work after a life-changing cancer diagnosis this summer. He is now in hospice care and has made it his dying wish to warn seniors about a Medicare Advantage plan.

“What I recommend to people is if they're looking for another low-cost option, go to a high-deductible plan, F or G high-deductible, depending on when they're born,” Harper said.

The advice for seniors is to review their annual change notice and see what may be changing. This year, more than 16 million enrollees have no-deductible drug plans. But in 2025, more than 45% of these members will have to pay a deductible for at least some medications.

Harper urges everyone to take open enrollment seriously. Anyone can change their coverage on their own by going to Medicare.gov and comparing their options.

“It's just that these plans are being promoted without talking about the impacts and downsides. (They) never talk about the fact that once you get into a plan, you may not be able to get out of it. You need to undergo a risk assessment if you are not happy with the fact that your doctor does not accept it and it may be too late for you to change anything.”

Those with Medicare Advantage plans must actively select new plans before December 7 if they want to switch. If no selection is made and your policy is no longer offered next year, you will be enrolled in traditional Medicare coverage.