October 1, 2024

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period begins October 15

Western New Yorkers are encouraged to review their 2025 plan options with an Independent Health RedShirt^®

BUFFALO, N.Y. (October 1, 2024) – With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period scheduled to run from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries will soon be able to select their Medicare medical and prescription drug coverage for 2025.

When it comes to Medicare, this is traditionally the busiest time of the year because of the variety of options and factors to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan. However, due to the impact that the Inflation Reduction Act will have on Medicare Part D drug coverage for 2025, industry experts believe this year’s enrollment period could be especially challenging and confusing for Medicare beneficiaries.

Enacted in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act has been gradually phasing in key amendments over the past two years. The most significant changes go into effect in 2025 including a new cap on Medicare Part D cost sharing which will see Medicare Advantage health plans assume full liability for a member’s drug costs (including Medicare’s subsidy) once a member spends $2,000. Medicare Advantage plans will also be required to offer coverage of recommended vaccines and insulin with low out-of-pocket costs and offer members a prescription payment plan for high-cost medications.

“These will be the biggest changes to Medicare prescription drug coverage requirements since Part D was introduced in 2006,” said Cathy Aquino, Vice President of Sales, Medicare, Consumer and Small Business Markets, Independent Health. “In order to counter the financial impact of these new requirements, many health plans have had to adjust their premiums, member cost sharing and drug formularies for 2025. As a result of these changes, Medicare beneficiaries have had even more questions about their coverage than usual. This is why talking with an Independent Health Medicare RedShirt^® expert is so important this year.”

Plan options for everyone
As the area’s top-rated plan for many years, Independent Health will continue to offer a variety of Medicare Advantage products and outstanding benefits to help meet everyone’s varying health care and budget needs in 2025. For example:

• Independent Health will be introducing a new $0 HMO plan called Encompass 65 Direct HMO as well as a new PPO plan called Medicare Passport Connect PPO.
• Independent Health will once again offer its Assure Advantage HMO C-SNP and Family Choice HMO I-SNP Special Needs Plans. Assure Advantage is designed for people with congestive heart failure or related conditions, while Family Choice is specifically designed for people who reside in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
• Independent Health will continue to provide the very popular SilverSneakers Fitness Program, which gives members access to thousands of participating fitness locations nationwide with no activation fee. In addition, they can use a smartphone, tablet or computer to view a variety of SilverSneakers workout videos at home.
• Independent Health Medicare Advantage plans will include a range of $0 Wellness Benefits, including:
  • $0 routine eye exam
  • $0 preventive dental services
  • $0 preventive care services (including colonoscopy, mammogram, immunizations, and more)
  • $0 Enhanced Annual Wellness Visit (EAV), which is a comprehensive annual exam and conversation with your doctor about your health
• Independent Health members can earn up to $100 in Redshirt Rewards for completing certain health actions. They can then redeem their rewards for a gift card of their choice from a participating retailer.
• The majority of Independent Health members will receive comprehensive dental coverage with up to $2,000 for in-network services.

“Our variety of plan options and coverage underscores how important it is to talk to us this fall,” said Aquino. “Independent Health is here to be your partner in Medicare, and together, we’ll find the plan that best meets your health care and budget needs. Plus, our locally based team of RedShirts^SM are always here to provide you with their support and expertise, not only during the annual enrollment period but throughout the entire year.”

Meet one-on-one with a RedShirt
To ensure it maintains the high-quality coverage and services that its members deserve and expect,

Independent Health has made some adjustments to its Medicare Advantage plans and Part D drug formularies for 2025. By getting a personalized RedShirt^® Benefit Review, Independent Health members will be able to better understand what these changes mean to them.

Independent Health members and non-members alike are invited to visit one of Independent Health’s five year-round Medicare Information Centers or temporary walk-in locations that are conveniently located throughout the region⁴. A RedShirt will meet with individuals one-on-one to help them determine what coverage will be best for them in 2025.

“From Niagara County all the way down to the Southern Tier, we’re ready to provide Western New Yorkers with the personalized attention they deserve and answer any Medicare-related questions or concerns they may have,” said Aquino.

To learn more about Independent Health’s Medicare Information Centers and walk-in locations, visit www.independenthealth.com/FindARedShirt. For those who would prefer to speak with a RedShirt by phone, please call (716) 635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405 (TTY users call 711), Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about Independent Health’s 2025 Medicare Advantage plans, please visit www.IndependentHealth.com/Medicare.