Hold on to your Social Security Cards, folks--big changes are on the horizon for Medicare in 2025, and it's time to start taking notes and making plans. Medicare patients in Michigan and beyond are bracing for some of the most significant updates in decades, thanks to the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.

RELATED: Michigan Cities With the Highest Percentage of Workers OVER 65

Medicare Part D enrollees will now have the option to spread out prescription drug costs with manageable monthly payments. This welcome lifeline will allow Michigan's seniors to stop choosing between rent and medications.

New Prescription Payment Plans: Helping Michigan Seniors Spread the Cost

Prescription bottles are seen next to a Medicare Health Insurance card.
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According to AARP, the headline grabber of Medicare changes for 2025 is the shiny new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on drug expenses. That means no more selling family heirlooms to cover sky-high pharmacy bills (at least, we hope).

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But don't get too comfy--there is a catch. With Medicare absorbing up to 60% more drug costs, some members may see "noticeable changes in premiums and coverage." That means prices are going up. This is especially true for those with standalone drug plans (PDPs).

Premium Hikes and Plan Reductions Not Impacting Some Michigan Medicare Patients

A chalkboard with a drawing of the outline of the State of Michigan is seen with the words MEDICARE above. Sitting next to the chalkboard is a stack of sticky notes, upon the top note is written JANUARY 2025
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If you're on one of those fancy plans that cover prescriptions with a $0 premium, you're in luck. Medicare Advantage plans are keeping their premiums steady, unlike PDPs, where costs are increasing. Promises have been made to keep those premium hikes to a "modest" $35 a month--but still, no one's throwing a parade for that.

RELATED: Retiring, Out Of State, Gen Xers 'Starting Fresh' In Michigan

Michigan seniors, make sure to review your plan during open enrollment (October 5, 2024 - December 7, 2024). Otherwise, you might end up with a bigger bill than you budgeted for.

Michigan Cities With the Highest Percentage of Workers Over 65

While most things have a beginning and an end, for some Michigan workers, there's no end in sight. Changes in the economy, not-so-great 401(k)s, or love of the job are just a few of the reasons given for staying on the job. U.S. Money Reserve did the research, analyzing data from the US Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey, to determine the ten metro areas in Michigan that stay on the job well past retirement age. For full methodology, see the link in the #1 entry.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

The Rudest Cities In America

The language experts at Preply have researched and conducted surveys to determine which city is the rudest in the nation. Here's a look at Preply's 2024 Rudest Cities in America (for full methodology and more insights, see the link in the #1 rudest city in the country).

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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