Nearly Three Dozen Groups Raise Alarm Over Medicare Advantage Changes in 2025
WASHINGTON — One month since the start of Medicare enrollment, stakeholders serving Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are showing support for Medicare Advantage and highlighting potential coverage disruptions in Medicare Advantage resulting from federal policy changes. In a letter signed by a diverse group of nearly three dozen national, state, and local organizations, stakeholders call on policymakers to protect the affordability and stability of Medicare Advantage, emphasizing its vital role in the health care of millions of Americans.
“Millions of seniors may need to find new health coverage for 2025 because of recent policy changes to the Medicare Advantage program. As they review their coverage for next year, seniors across the country are finding that their plans may no longer be offered, crucial benefits have been eliminated, or out-of-pocket costs have gone up,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “A record number of seniors will choose Medicare Advantage next year, representing more than half of the Medicare-eligible population. But as the diverse groups on this letter recognize, policymakers must ensure Medicare Advantage can continue delivering quality, affordable health care for seniors with sufficient funding and stable policies moving forward. Seniors depend on Medicare Advantage, and they are counting on us to protect it.”
The 2025 coverage landscape will bring changes not seen in recent years due to recent legislative and regulatory changes. An analysis by Better Medicare Alliance shows individual Medicare Advantage plan offerings are set to decline by 6.54% next year, and many beneficiaries will face higher costs: Despite many premiums remaining consistent, the median out-of-pocket maximum will increase by 8%, rising from $5,000 in 2024 to $5,400 in 2025. These changes also include a reduction in key supplemental benefits such as nutrition, transportation, and in-home support services, which have been central to the value that Medicare Advantage delivers, especially to vulnerable populations.
Read the full stakeholder letter here.
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Better Medicare Alliance is a community of more than one million grassroots beneficiaries and 200+ ally organizations working to improve health care through a strong Medicare Advantage. Learn more at www.bettermedicarealliance.org.