(Information Provided by Medicare.Gov)

What’s New and Important?

Medicare strives to improve access to affordable treatments to keep you healthy. Check out what’s new this year to help you manage your health.

Saving money on your prescription drugs

Starting in 2025, if you have Medicare drug coverage (Part D), Your annual maximum out of pocket drug cost will be $2,000. Once you reach this maximum, You Will Not have to pay a copayment or coinsurance. You will go to $0 payments on all your prescription meds for the rest of this year.

Coinsurance amounts for some Part B-covered drugs may be less if a prescription drug’s price increased higher than the rate of inflation.

Lower costs for insulin and vaccines

Your Medicare drug plan can’t charge you more than $35 for a one-month supply of each insulin product Part D covers, and you don’t have to pay a deductible for it.

If you take insulin through a traditional pump that’s covered under Medicare’s durable medical equipment benefit, that insulin is covered under Medicare Part B. You won’t pay more than $35 for a month’s supply and the Medicare deductible no longer applies.

Recommended adult vaccines are also now available at no cost to you.

Changes to telehealth coverage

You can still get telehealth services at any location in the U.S., including your home, until the end of 2024. After that, you must be in an office or medical facility located in a rural area to get most telehealth services. There are some exceptions, like for mental health services.

Managing and treating chronic pain

Medicare now covers monthly services to treat chronic pain if you’ve been living with it for more than 3 months.

Better mental health care

Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare will cover intensive outpatient program services provided by hospitals, community mental health centers, and other locations if you need mental health care.

More times to sign up for Medicare

If you recently lost (or will soon lose) Medicaid, you may be able to sign up for Medicare or change your current Medicare coverage. There are other special situations that allow you to sign up for Medicare.

COVID-19 care

Medicare continues to cover the COVID-19 vaccine, and several tests and treatments to keep you and others safe.

What will Part B premiums be in 2025?

Medicare Part B standard rate will increase from 174.50 to $184.50. Those with much higher incomes will pay more.

What will the Part B deductible be in 2025?

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $157 in 2025.