If you’re on Medicare or approaching age 65, you’ve probably noticed something feels different this year. You’re not imagining it. 2025 has brought the biggest wave of Medicare disruption in over 20 years — and millions of consumers are feeling the impact.
From rising costs to disappearing plans and fewer trustworthy agents, many people are left confused, frustrated, or even abandoned. But you’re not alone — and there is help available.
At The Modern Medicare Agency, we’re here to make sense of the chaos and help you navigate it with clarity, honesty, and expert support.
Medicare Costs Are Climbing — And They’re Not Slowing Down
Let’s get right to it — Medicare is getting more expensive in nearly every area:
- Part B premiums and deductibles are higher in 2025.
- Part A hospital deductibles have gone up.
- Medigap Plan G saw an average 12.8% rate hike, while Plan N increased by 12.1%.
- In some states, premium increases have jumped 20%–40%, hitting retirees on fixed incomes hard/
- More states are adopting the “Birthday Rule,” which allows plan changes during your birthday month without medical underwriting — good for consumers, but carriers raise rates to protect against added risk.
Many experts believe part of this surge is still the aftermath of COVID-19. During the pandemic, people delayed treatments and procedures — and now, those conditions have worsened, requiring more complex, higher-cost care. Medicare (and insurance carriers) are paying the price. And for those on Medicare Supplements, there’s a major new change coming: Original Medicare is rolling out prior authorization protocols. This has traditionally been a Medicare Advantage feature — and a big complaint for many consumers. Now, Medicare is adopting it too, aiming to cut unnecessary costs and improve care coordination. While not ideal for everyone, it’s a sign that cost containment is becoming critical across the board.
Part D Drug Coverage: Donut Hole Gone… But What’s the Catch?
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, one big win in 2025 is the elimination of the Part D “donut hole.” This helps roughly 10% of Medicare consumers avoid that dreaded middle gap in prescription coverage.
But as always, there’s a trade-off:
- Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays are up.
- Many plans added more coinsurance tiers (you pay a percentage, not a flat fee).
- Most carriers no longer pay agents to help with Part D plans, making it harder to find guidance on one of Medicare’s most confusing areas.
Worse yet, some agents will only recommend plans that pay them — even if it’s not your best fit. This puts more pressure on you, the consumer, to do all the research on your own.
And looking ahead to 2026? Part D will implement a $2,100 cap on annual out-of-pocket costs — great news for high drug spenders, but potentially another financial burden on insurance carriers, which could result in higher premiums or fewer plan choices.
Medicare Advantage in 2025: Big Changes, Fewer Choices
This year saw massive shakeups in Medicare Advantage plans across the country:
- Close to 2 million plans exited the market entirely.
- Over 10 million more underwent significant changes.
- Many carriers pulled a move called a “walkover” — they changed coverage drastically instead of canceling plans, hoping to reduce costs and probably encourage high utilization consumers to leave.
Even popular perks like dental, vision, flex cards, and grocery benefits have been cut back, replaced, or made harder to use.
All this is happening because in 2025, Medicare Advantage carriers received no reimbursement increase from the government — the first time in years. Combine that with the added drug costs from the Inflation Reduction Act along with rising plan usage and you’ve got a recipe for cost-cutting across the board.
Where Did All the Medicare Agents Go?
One of the biggest problems for consumers this year is simply finding someone you can trust to help.
Here’s the reality behind the scenes:
- Hundreds of Medicare Advantage plans now pay agents $0 in commission.
- Most insurance carriers rely on independent agents to support and grow their business.
- But when those agents aren’t paid, they may not do the right thing for the customer.
- Carriers admit they don’t have the staff to support all Medicare consumers — not during the Annual Enrollment Period, and certainly not throughout the year.
- Independent agents don’t get a salary, health benefits, or bonuses — they only earn when they enroll someone and still handle customer service for free.
This is why it’s more important than ever to find a full-time Medicare advisor who works year-round and puts your needs ahead of commissions.
What About 2026?
If 2025 felt like a Medicare earthquake, 2026 may be the aftershock.
Experts predict:
- More plan cancellations, especially in underperforming counties.
- Shrinking provider networks.
- Higher premiums and cost-sharing.
- Further agent commission cuts, making it even harder to get help.
- More complex plans with fewer support systems.
With costs going up and support going down, consumers are left to figure it out alone — unless they have a strong advocate on their side.
How The Modern Medicare Agency Helps You Stay Ahead
We’re not just here during enrollment. At The Modern Medicare Agency, we help our clients:
Review their coverage every year
Watch for carrier changes, coverage updates, and price hikes
Compare ALL options — not just the ones that pay us
Provide ongoing, personalized support year-round
Explain things in plain English — no pressure, no gimmicks
Whether you’re brand new to Medicare or reviewing your coverage after 10 years, you deserve a partner who keeps you informed, protects your interests, and makes Medicare make sense.
Let’s Talk — No Sales Pitch, Just Real Help
If your Medicare plan changed, disappeared, or is just too expensive, don’t stay in the dark.
Let’s chat. No pressure. No obligations. Just real answers from someone who puts people first — not insurance companies.
Serving clients nationwide
Call Paul Barrett at 631-358-5793
Book a free call at www.modernmedicareagency.com
Email: paul@modernmedicareagency.com
Final Thought:
Medicare is changing fast — and not always for the better. But you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Let’s simplify it, together.
