Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know in 2025

Arnett Evans
7 days ago
4 min read

Your Guide to Making Smart Medicare Choices This Fall

Senior couple reving Medicare Open Enrollemnt plan options for 2025 with licensed broker.

Medicare Open Enrollment, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), runs each year from October 15 through December 7. This is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can review and make changes to their current coverage for the following year.

Whether you're enrolled in Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, or Part D prescription drug coverage, this is your opportunity to switch, update, or drop plans based on your evolving health and financial needs.

Why Medicare Open Enrollment Matters

Choosing the right Medicare plan isn't just about monthly premiums; it's about making sure your doctors are in-network, your prescriptions are covered, and your out-of-pocket costs are manageable.

Each year, plan benefits, provider networks, and costs may change. If you don't take action during Open Enrollment, you could be locked into a plan that no longer fits your needs in 2025.

Key Decisions You Can Make During Open Enrollment:

Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
Enroll in, drop, or change a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

What's Changing in 2025?

Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces updates that may affect your plan options. In 2025, some of the notable changes include:

Part D Prescription Cost Caps under the Inflation Reduction Act
Adjusted income-related monthly premiums
Expanded telehealth services under some Advantage plans
New extra benefits like grocery cards, fitness memberships, and transportation assistance (depending on location and plan)

Tip: Check your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter carefully; this outlines what's changing in your current plan for the new year.

How to Prepare for Open Enrollment

Being prepared makes the process faster and smarter. Here's what to gather before reviewing your options:

Your Medicare care
List of current prescriptions and dosages
Name of your preferred doctors and pharmacies
Summary of your medical needs over the past year
Your monthly budget for healthcare expenses

With this information, you'll be ready to compare plans side by side

Medicare Open Enrollment by State

At Arnett Evans & Company LLC, we specialize in guiding Medicare beneficiaries in:

Tennessee- especially Memphis and surrounding ZIP codes
Florida- where options vary greatly by county
Texas - including Houston, Dallas, and rural areas
Mississippi, where Advantage plan choices are expanding
Maryland with many strong Part D options
Michigan - including both urban and rural coverage options

Medicare Advantage availability is ZIP-code specific, so it's crucial to get a personalized quote.

Use our quoting tool to see available plans in your area.

Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage depends on your:

Budget: Advantage plans may offer lower premiums, but higher max-out-of-pocket costs. With Original Medicare, you would have to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan if you don't have credible coverage and want to avoid possible penalties.
Provider Access: Original Medicare allows nationwide access; Advantage uses networks.
Extras: Advantage often includes dental, vision, hearing, and even OTC benefits. Original Medicare doesn't offer these extra benefits.

Still unsure? Our licensed brokers provide free consultations to help you understand which path suits your health and lifestyle best.

Don't Forget Part D Prescription Coverage

Even if you don't currently take medications, enrolling in a Part D plan (or Medicare Advantage plan with built-in drug coverage) is important.

Failing to enroll when first eligible can result in lifetime penalties. During Open Enrollment, you can switch to a plan that better covers your current prescriptions and preferred pharmacies.

Medicare enrolle avoiding common enrollment mistakes during open enrollment

Common Medicare Open Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few costly errors we help our clients avoid every year:

Not comparing plans: Your plan may have higher copays or dropped providers next year.
Missing the deadline: If you wait until December 8, you'll have to wait until next AEP.
Assuming all Advantage plans are the same: They differ by ZIP code, benefits, and network.
Not checking the formulary: Make sure your medications are still covered and affordable.
Failing to ask for help: A licensed broker can clarify options and help avoid coverage gaps.