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ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES TO MEDICARE PART D IN YEARS IS HAPPENING IN 2025

One of the biggest changes to Medicare Part D in years is happening in 2025

On Tuesday, October 1, new Medicare plans for 2025 will be released. What this means to participants is that as of this date, they are able to sit down with a licensed insurance agent to talk about their options. But, where to begin? 

“It’s important to note that everyone who participates in Medicare is free to make their own choices,” says Scott McEvoy, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. “They can opt to go it alone, making their selection for the coming year, or they can tap into the knowledge base of someone like me.”

Scott suggests calling his office to make an easy, informative appointment to meet with him. “That’s where many of my clients like to begin,” he suggests. “It can be overwhelming to sift through the options available to you. But when you schedule a time to meet with me or someone on my team, you won’t have to try to figure things out. I’ll provide you with information about important changes and the options available to you to help you find a plan that best suits your needs.”

Medicare Annual Enrollment begins on Tuesday, October 15, and continues through to Saturday, December 7. 

“Many people wait until the enrollment period begins to schedule a time to meet with me,” Scott says. “That’s perfectly fine, but it can be a busier time as there may be other people interested in reviewing plan changes. If you schedule between October 1 and October 15, it will likely be less busy. You can slow down and take the time to understand your options, then, when the enrollment period begins, you can simply pop in and firm up your choice. I believe it’s important to meet with a licensed insurance agent as I can offer personalized guidance to help those in need of understanding their options. And the best part is, there is no charge for my services.”

Scott says that some people choose to review their options without his guidance because they’re afraid it’s going to cost them more to come to him, but that simply isn’t the case. “There is absolutely no cost for my help, and the comfort of knowing you’ve been presented with options that make sense for you can be valuable,” he says. 

Medicare Part D Improvements

While the nuances of plans from different carriers may change for 2025, the biggest improvement will be to Medicare prescription drug plans.

In response to the Inflation Reduction Act, for the first time in 2025, all Medicare prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D plans) will offer enrollees the option to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in the form of capped monthly installment payments instead of all at once at the pharmacy.*

Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMS) is detailing improvements to the structure of the Part D drug benefit for the coverage year 2025 that will result in lower drug costs for millions of people with Medicare. Annual out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $2,000 for people with Medicare Part D.*

“This change is really significant,” Scott attests. “Last year the cap was $8,000. The other improvement to Part D means that you can spread the amount you have to pay over 12 months and handle it in installments, which for some people could be a tremendous advantage.”

Scott also notes that the out-of-pocket cap for 2025 could impact other aspects of your current Medicare plan, so it’s important to know if your coverage is still the same. 

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is located at 9551 Vista Way in Garfield Hts. To reach Scott McEvoy or a member of his team, call 216-815-1850. Virtual, phone and office appointments are available. 

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency nationwide except in MA. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability may vary by state. Agents may be compensated based on enrollment. No obligation to enroll. 51531-HM-0924 *Source: CMS.gov/inflation-reduction-act-and-medicare.


FEATURED

Local support for ACA choices

By Scott McEvoy • December 12, 2025
Choosing a healthcare plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a personal decision, and your choice needs to reflect your unique situation. I offer one-on-one consultations and take the time to explain the different plan options to you. Open Enrollment for a plan under the ACA is now until Monday, December 15, for a January 1 effective date. With changes to the ACA happening every year, you might be wondering if your eligibility for a premium tax credit still exists, or you’re wondering about the right steps to take to apply your premium tax credit and any applicable deadlines. I can help you understand your eligibility and help you receive the financial support available to you. Premium tax credits can represent significant cost savings and you’ll want to make sure you can take advantage of any available opportunities. 2026 Changes Typically, the ACA market is host to an annual slew of changes, and 2026 is no exception. Here is a list of some of the changes (Source: cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/hhs-notice-benefit-and-payment-parameters-2026-final-rule) you might expect to see applied to your plan of choice: Monthly plan costs could increase due to changing market conditions and adjustments to premium tax credits. Annual income must be verified. Coverage must be renewed during Open Enrollment to keep any federal financial support. As always, my guidance is available at no cost to you. I look forward to hearing from you. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is located at 9551 Vista Way in Garfield Hts. To reach Scott McEvoy or a member of his team, call 216-480-1385 . Virtual, phone and office appointments are available. 

Do you remember December 1978?

By Scott McEvoy • December 12, 2025
If you attended high school in 1978, you are likely nearing age 65, the point when you will start making decisions about your Medicare options. To learn more about your options, give me a call to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation informational meeting. In the meantime, enjoy recalling these memories from December 1978: Top 5 Singles – December 16, 1978 #1 “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” – Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond #2 “Le Freak” – Chic #3 “Too Much Heaven” – The Bee Gees #4 “I Just Wanna Stop” – Gino Vannelli #5 “My Life” – Billy Joel Top-Grossing Movie Week of December 13 “Midnight Express” December 1978 Events The Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL), the first U.S. pro basketball league for women, played its first game. At Milwaukee Arena in Wisconsin, the Chicago Hustle defeated the Milwaukee Does, 92-87. The feature film “Superman,” directed by Richard Donner and featuring a relatively unknown actor, Christopher Reeve, in the title role, had its world premiere at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. “Richard Pryor: Live in Concert,” the first full-length feature movie consisting of only stand-up comedy, was recorded during a single performance by the comedian at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California. The first Susan B. Anthony dollar in the U.S. was produced, being struck by the Philadelphia Mint. The coins would not be released until July 2 of the following year. The LaserDisc, the first commercial optical disc storage medium and a precursor to the DVD, went on sale. It was introduced at stores in Atlanta, and marketed in the U.S. under the name MCA DiscoVision, designed to play on the Magnavision videodisc player manufactured by the Magnavox company. Cleveland became the first major U.S. city to go into default on its financial obligations, as the December 15 deadline to arrange for payment of $15.5 million in loans expired without the City Council agreeing upon a means of paying on its debts to six Cleveland banks. The career of Ohio State University football coach Woody Hayes came to an end after 28 seasons and five NCAA national championships, when Hayes punched a player in the closing minutes of the 1978 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. The game between Ohio State and Clemson University was televised across the United States. Hayes was fired the next day. —Source: Wikipedia

MEDICARE 2026 YOUR OPTIONS YOUR CHOICE

November 20, 2025
When it comes to Medicare, you get to decide who supports your journey.

GO LOCAL

November 20, 2025
Local guidance available at no cost can be invaluable when it comes to selecting an ACA plan for 2026. 

WHAT DOES YOUR PLAN COVER?

November 20, 2025
Schedule your policy review with Scott McEvoy of HealthMarkets Insurance Agency .

DO YOU REMEMBER JULY 1978?

July 16, 2025
Call Scott McEvoy to discuss your Medicare options.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET INJURED?

July 16, 2025
In the event your are unable to work, how would you manage your expenses?

DO YOU REMEMBER JUNE 1978?

June 10, 2025
If you attended high school in 1978, you are likely nearing age 65, the point at which you will start making decisions about your Medicare options. To learn more about your options, give me a call to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation informational meeting. In the meantime, enjoy recalling these memories from June 1978: Top 5 Singles – June 17, 1978 #1 “Shadow Dancing” – Andy Gibb #2 “You’re the One That I Want” – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John #3 “Baker Street” – Gerry Rafferty #4 “It’s a Heartache” – Bonnie Tyler #5 “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” – Johnny Mathis / Denise Williams Top-Grossing Movie Week of June 14 “Damien: Omen II” June 1978 Events • The CyberVision 2001 home computer was introduced, appearing in select Montgomery Ward department stores, and billed as being “programmed to talk...play games, teach math, or help with your tax return.” • “Piano Jazz,” the longest-running cultural program on the U.S. National Public Radio (NPR) network, was broadcast for the first time. • The Washington Bullets won the championship of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the U.S. state of Washington, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics, 105-99, in Game 7 of the best-of-7 series. • Affirmed held off Alydar to win the Belmont Stakes and would be the last horse to win the U.S. Triple Crown of Horse Racing (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) for 37 years, until 2015. • Baseball player Pete Rose singled against the Chicago Cubs to begin what became the longest hitting streak in National League history. The streak reached 44 games, becoming the first to challenge to Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941, before ending on
August 1. • “Grease,” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, premiered in U.S. theaters before being shown worldwide. It went on to become the highest-grossing musical film of the year. • The comic strip “Garfield” went into nationwide syndication. • The musical “Evita,” written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, premiered in London’s West End at the Prince Edward Theatre. • The rainbow flag of the LGBT movement was flown for the first time, in its original form, at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. —Source: Wikipedia

TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE

June 10, 2025
Picture this. You’re on a cruise ship heading to Alaska, enjoying the scenic views. You might assume your regular health insurance would cover any medical costs that arise. However, what you might not realize is that the ship had to cross through international waters, and technically you were out of the country. This could potentially affect whether your medical insurance will pay. That’s where travel health insurance comes in. And I’m not talking about the kind of insurance that will cover you if your luggage gets lost or your trip gets cancelled. I’m talking about a type of insurance that could help you avoid unexpected medical bills that might arise once you’ve left the U.S. Travel health insurance helps cover the cost of unexpected illnesses or injuries while traveling, including doctor visits, hospital stays and prescription medications. Plans may include coverage for emergency medical transportation.1 Some plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.1 A quick check with the U.S. embassy in the country you plan to visit will alert you to what your insurance will cover outside of the country. Travel insurance could help you with your medical needs while traveling. And, as always, my guidance is available at no cost to you.

DO YOU REMEMBER MAY 1978

By Scott McEvoy • May 5, 2025
If you attended high school in 1978, you are likely nearing age 65, the point at which you will start making decisions about your Medicare options. To learn more about your options, give me a call to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation informational meeting. In the meantime, enjoy recalling these memories from May 1978: Top 5 Singles – May 13, 1978 #1 “If I Can’t Have You” – Yvonne Elliman #2 “The Closer I Get to You” – Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway #3 “With a Little Luck” – Wings #4 “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” – Johnny Mathis / Denise Williams #5 “Night Fever” – The Bee Gees Top-Grossing Movie Week of May 10 “F.I.S.T.” May 1978 Events • The first use of an electronic messaging system to send an unsolicited message to a large number of recipients for the purpose of commercial advertising, now commonly called spamming, was made when a representative of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), Gary Thuerk, sent the same message, simultaneously, to 393 users of ARPANET, the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network • Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, both natives of Merrick, New York, who had completed a correspondence course on ice cream making, opened an ice cream parlor in Burlington, Vermont, with an investment of $12,000, creating Ben & Jerry’s. • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. agency in charge of meteorology, announced it would end the practice of solely using female names for storms and hurricanes. After Tropical Storm “Aletta,” the next storm was identified as “Bud.” • Charlie Chaplin’s coffin was found buried 2 feet deep in a cornfield 9.3 miles from the Swiss cemetery from which it was stolen more than two months earlier. • At the age of 53, Mavis Hutchinson of South Africa, referred to in the press as “The Galloping Granny,” became the first woman to run across the continental United States as she arrived in front of New York City Hall. • The first legal gambling casino in the eastern United States opened at 10 a.m. in Atlantic City. • Al Unser won the Indianapolis 500, finishing eight seconds ahead of Tom Sneva. • The price of mailing a letter in the United States increased from 13 cents to 15 cents. —Source: Wikipedia