Pennsylvania Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec 7 with Expanded Plan Options
The Medicare open enrollment period in Pennsylvania closes on Sunday, December 7, 2025, targeting residents aged 65 and older for enrollment or plan changes effective January 2026. Pennsylvania offers 334 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, an increase from the previous year, with many plans featuring low or $0 premiums. The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage has decreased to $22.99, and 12 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans are available with premiums starting as low as $6.60 monthly. Assistance is available through the Medicare Plan Finder and helpline services to help beneficiaries evaluate plan options based on coverage needs and costs. Officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration emphasized the importance of timely enrollment to avoid penalties, noting that some individuals with disabilities may qualify for Medicare benefits before age 65. They also clarified special enrollment periods like the Medicare Advantage open enrollment from January 1 through March 31, allowing plan changes or returns to Original Medicare. Seniors working past age 65 with employer coverage may have different enrollment timelines. Additional drug cost assistance programs are highlighted, notably Pennsylvania's PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly), which caps prescription costs for eligible low-income seniors. The Extra Help program provides further cost relief on co-pays. An added benefit exists for widows and surviving spouses delaying retirement until age 70, resulting in higher Social Security benefits. These support mechanisms aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve coverage accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries. This enrollment initiative and informational outreach reflect ongoing efforts to optimize Medicare coverage awareness and utilization in Pennsylvania amid a complex regulatory environment. Stakeholders stress the importance for beneficiaries to review and select plans proactively, considering affordability and coverage adequacy. This event underscores key compliance deadlines and availability of multiple plan options, catering to diverse financial and health needs within the state's senior population.