The Medicare open enrollment period takes place now through Dec. 7, and seniors are being encouraged to sign up for the correct Medicare plan for their needs for 2025. To kick off Medicare’s open enrollment period, top federal, state and city leaders held a town hall in Detroit, Michigan.

Among the names at the town hall events were U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm and Dr. Meena Seshamani, Deputy Administrator of U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Director of the Center for Medicare, joined Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters, Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox and Denise Fair Razo, chief public health Officer for the City of Detroit.

New Medicare Benefits

“Medicare’s cost savings aim to help seniors get the care they need, when they need it, without having to ration or delay their care,” Palm said in a statement. “Nobody should be forced to choose between their health and paying for the basics. Seniors who are tired of paying three to four times more for their prescription drugs than people in other countries will finally see change.”

“New benefits in Medicare through President Biden’s and Vice President Harris’ new lower cost prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, can deliver real savings, including a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs for covered prescription drugs each year, a $35 cap on covered insulin each month, and free vaccinations against dangerous illnesses such as shingles and RSV,” a statement explains.

During the open enrollment period through Dec. 7, seniors can pick a new Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) or enroll in traditional Medicare with coverage that will begin Jan. 1, 2025.

“Every year, your health changes and so do health care plans. We encourage seniors and their families to take a look at the options available to them as they choose their Medicare plans during open enrollment because there are more comprehensive benefits than ever before. This year, there may be a new plan that better meets your unique needs so we encourage everyone to take the time to shop for a plan during Open Enrollment,” Dr. Seshamani said.

Seshamani added, “There are new, important savings through things like the out-of-pocket prescription drug cap that is going to make a real difference for Michigan seniors. For the first time in history, Medicare is finally negotiating lower drug prices for seniors and Medicare is committed to doing everything we can to help seniors keep more of their money, while enrolling in plans that best meet their needs.”

Lower Prescription Drug Prices for 2025

One key point going into 2025 is that during the summer, “Medicare successfully negotiated a reduction in list prices for 10 common and costly medications, including a 79% cost reduction for diabetes medication Januvia to thousands of dollars in savings for medications like Imbruvica – used in the treatment of blood cancers – and Enbrel, a common medication for people with autoimmune conditions. The savings from those negotiations begin in 2026, with another cycle of negotiations on the next up to 15 drugs to begin next year.”

“We encourage seniors to work with trusted advisors to ensure they are in the best plan for their needs and budget,” Fox said. “Free local help from certified counselors is available to help seniors compare plans and more by calling the Michigan Medicare Assistance Program at 800-803-7174.”