Understanding Medicare Costs and Options in 2025

Medicare can feel overwhelming—especially with new rules, rising costs, and changing plan options each year. As your local agent serving Southwest Florida, I’m here to simplify the process and answer the questions I hear most often in 2025.

How Much Does Medicare Cost in 2025?

Medicare costs have changed this year. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance)

  • Most people pay $0. However, if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, it can cost up to $518 per month.

• Part B (Medical Insurance)

  • The standard premium is $185 per month in 2025 and increases annually. There is also a $257 annual deductible.

• Part C (Medicare Advantage, MA) - I like to call this the "all-in-one combo"

  • The majority of these plans are offered at no cost by private insurance companies, include additional benefits that increase savings.

  • MA-only (Medicare Advantage-Only or Medical Only) plans do not cover prescription drug coverage and are appropriate for people that have additional coverage for prescriptions, such as VA coverage. They often have veteran-orientated names such as Honor or Patriot Plans.

  • MAPD (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans) are MA plans that include prescription drug coverage. These are the most common type of plans available.

• Part D (Drug Coverage)

  • These plans are called PDP, which stands for Prescription Drug Plan. They are stand-alone plans that only cover prescriptions and are generally needed if a client wants a supplement plan.

  • The national base premium is $36.78. Your actual cost may vary based on your income.

What’s the Difference Between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare?

This is one of the most common questions I get. Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Original Medicare	Medicare Advantage
Coverage	Part A & B	Part A, B, and often D
Network	Any provider that accepts Medicare	Usually, HMO or PPO networks as other types are rare.
Extras	Very limited. Does not include prescription drug coverage and other extras covered by MAPDs	Often includes dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships, drug coverage, savings on your Part B premium, and more.
Cost	20% coinsurance after deductible*	Varies by plan—can include copays and out-of-pocket max

*This was simplified for comparison. Medicare has deductibles and copays on some services. For a full comparison, please reach out to me and I will be happy to clarify.

Not sure which option is right for you? I offer free Medicare Plan Reviews to help you compare and choose with confidence.

When Can I Change My Medicare Plan?

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15th to December 7th

• Open Enrollment Period (OE) January 1st through March 31st, you are allowed to change from one Medicare advantage (MA) plan to another MA plan or change to a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP).

• Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) These are triggered by life events, such as moving or losing coverage. Read the complete CMS list of SEPs here

What’s New in Medicare for 2025?

The 2025 federal budget includes changes that could impact Medicare funding and benefits. While no immediate cuts are in place, future sequestration could reduce Medicare spending by up to $500 billion over the next decade. Staying informed and reviewing your plan annually is more important than ever.

Read more about how the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act (OBBBA) affects your Medicare. Read Here

Need Help? I’m Right Here in Southwest Florida

Whether you’re new to Medicare or just want to make sure you’re getting the most from your plan, I’m here to help.

Schedule a Free Medicare Plan Review

Let’s make Medicare simple—together. To schedule, Click Here. You are also welcome to call me to see if a Medicare review would be helpful to you.

Serving Fort Myers and all of Southwest Florida, I am available for personalized support. Call or text anytime at (239) 309-9267. You can also visit me at Fleamasters Flea Market from Friday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

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