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Medicare Open Enrollment Period Updates for 2025
Watch the recording below!
This webinar covers the basics surrounding Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, with an emphasis on considerations for people with longer-term and chronic conditions, including:
- Overview of annual enrollment period and available options
- Choosing between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare
- Policy updates for 2025
- Practical tips for choosing your coverage
This presentation concludes with a discussion on the important consideration for people with Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions along with Q&A.
Presented by Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Director David Lipschutz and Senior Medicare Advocate Melanie Lambert with special guests from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Mason Zeagler, Senior Federal Government Relations Manager, and Maria De Leon, Patient Council Member.
With gratitude, this program is presented in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Watch Recording
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Download Slides and Chatlog
Take Action | Support the Increasing Medication Access for Seniors Act (H.R.8725)
New patient protections are coming to Medicare prescription drug plans in 2025.
For the first time ever, out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be limited to no more than $2,000 per year, and enrollees will have the option to make monthly payments instead of all at once at the pharmacy. These new patient protections are gamechangers for the Parkinson’s community and we need to maximize their impact!
That’s why we’re urging Congress to pass the Increasing Medication Access for Seniors Act (H.R.8725). This bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit annual reports to Congress that include the number of Medicare enrollees who have chosen to make monthly payments and outline how HHS is working to make it possible for patients to opt in to monthly payments when picking up their medications at the pharmacy.
Most people living with Parkinson’s in the U.S. receive health care coverage through Medicare. Support the community by asking your representative to support this bill today!
Presenter Bios
David Lipschutz, Co-Director, Law & Policy, joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy in June 2010. Based in the Center’s Washington, DC office, David engages in public policy issues surrounding Medicare and related coverage as they impact Medicare beneficiaries. This work includes federal administrative and legislative advocacy, collaboration with other consumer advocates to address systemic issues, and monitoring, analyzing and commenting on current Medicare-related policy developments. He is also a contributing author to the Center’s Medicare Handbook. David earned his B.A. degree from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1993 and his J.D. degree from University of California, Davis in 1999.
María L. De León, MD, is a fellowship trained movement disorder specialist and an avid research and policy advocate. She was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) in 2008 and with Lupus a few years later. Through her work with the Parkinson’s Advocates in Research program, Dr. De León aims to decrease the disparity in health care treatment among minorities. She is the author of two books about her experience as a woman living with YOPD and the cultural barriers Hispanics face when it comes to obtaining a PD diagnosis and treatment and participating in clinical research. Dr. De León serves on The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Patient Council and previously served on the Parkinson’s Foundation’s People with Parkinson’s Advisory Committee. She is a blogger for Brain and Life magazine, Health Union and her own blogs: defeatparkinsons.com and parkinsonsdiva.org. Dr. De León received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and her MD from Hahnemann Medical School.
Mason Zeagler is a Senior Federal Government Relations Manager at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. He leads federal lobbying efforts on behalf of the organization’s access to care policy priorities. He received his Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mason has a personal connection to Parkinson’s disease and a passion for helping members of our community engage in policy advocacy.
Melanie Lambert comes to the Center with a background in public service, advocacy, and program management, and with a passion for promoting health equity and social justice. As Senior Medicare Advocate, Melanie contributes to the Center’s outreach and advocacy efforts and provides direct support to Medicare beneficiaries who contact the Center for assistance. Prior to joining the Center, Melanie administered and coordinated a variety of grants and programs serving older adults and individuals with disabilities for the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), including serving as the CHOICES/SHIP Director from 2019 to 2023. Melanie holds a policy-focused Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Connecticut.