The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will end on December 7. With just days left, AAA is urgently reminding Medicare eligible recipients to review their plan needs with a professional to ensure adequate healthcare coverage in 2025.

“If you are currently on Medicare, you should have received an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in the mail around October 15,” explains AAA Medicare Manager Alyssa McGovern. “We are finding many folks have overlooked that letter because it came when there was a higher volume of mail with the presidential election or they are used to a passive enrollment, where their plan automatically rolls over.”

However, this year, nearly every carrier has eliminated a plan, and McGovern says many area residents are on plans that have been eliminated. Those losing their plan will need to select a new plan by December 7 or their coverage will revert to original Medicare as of January 1, 2025.

Following the Federal government’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), AAA points out additional changes to Medicare plans, particularly in terms of prescription drug coverage, for 2025. Therefore, it is very important for recipients to review Medicare plan coverage options for 2025 to ensure that they are enrolled in a plan that best meets their healthcare needs. AAA’s Medicare advisors can guide individuals to ensure they receive adequate coverage.

Medicare is the federal insurance program for people who are 65 or older or certain younger people with disabilities. AEP is the time of year when everyone who is Medicare eligible can make changes to their plans.

AAA partners with many different insurance carriers to present a wide range of options so that recipients can maximize what their plan offers. Unlike many providers, AAA doesn’t work for insurance carriers, so advisors can offer unbiased assistance to help recipients find a Medicare plan to meet their needs. Services are available to all Medicare eligible individuals in the community, both AAA members and nonmembers alike.

The public can learn more by visiting www.AAA.com/Medicare to schedule an appointment online.

AAA works with familiar carriers like Highmark, Excellus, Univera and Independent Health, offering more than 80 plans to tailor coverage to individual needs. Within the plans, Medicare has four main "Parts" that cover specific services. These are:

• Part A for hospital insurance. This is for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and some health care services.
• Part B for medical insurance. This covers certain doctor's services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative services.
• Part C aka Medicare Advantage. This is Medicare through a health care provider.
• Part D for prescription drug coverage. Part D adds prescription drug coverage to original Medicare and Medicare-related plans.