December 2025 Newsletter
Amy : What do elderly elves use to walk around?
Michael : Candy Canes.
Friends,
I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with your families.
If you still need help with your Medicare decision for 2026, The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs through Sunday, December 7, 2025. Also, please keep in mind you can make a change from a Medicare Advantage plan to a different one or change to original Medicare with a drug plan in the first quarter of 2026 during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) .
If you have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for January 1,2026 because your PPO Plan was non-renewed, then you have until Wednesday, December 31, 2025 to enroll, but I’d prefer to be done by Saturday December 20, 2025.
At this late date, please use my plan enroll link to enter your information or for drug plan changes, you can consider using www.medicare.gov then find health and drug plans. All Drug Plans terminated all agent contracts for drug plans.
Kind Regards,
Michael Antonini
What’s New
The 2026 Medicare Part B premium has been announced and it’s going to be $202.90, which is a little less than what I projected in my September newsletter.
The Part A Hospital Deductible will be $1,736 in 2026.
The Part B deductible is going up from $257 to $283 in 2026.
The Part D deductible is going up from $590 to $615, the maximum out of pocket is $2,100 and there is no more coverage gap in 2026.
The High Deductable Plans G and F have a $2,950 deductible.
Here is a link to more information from CMS on this.
Also, The Center For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just announced that 15 drugs for cancer and chronic disease will have reduced pricing beginning in 13 months on January 1, 2027. Here is a link to the recent press release from CMS .
Ask an Expert: How Do Year-End Scams Work, and How Do I Protect Myself?
Q: I keep getting calls and letters this time of year saying my Medicare plan needs to be “verified immediately.” How do I know what’s real?
A: December is a prime month for scammers. People are distracted by the holidays, and Medicare’s January 1 plan changes give fraudsters an opening to sound convincing. A few simple rules keep you safe:
Medicare will never call asking for your Social Security number, bank details, or Medicare ID. If someone pressures you for personal information, it’s not legitimate.
Your plan does not require “instant verification.” Real updates come by mail in your Annual Notice of Change or your plan’s monthly statements. There’s no need to “reactivate” coverage.
Scams often use urgency as a tactic. If the message is rushed or emotional, pause. A real plan or provider gives clear, patient communication.
Be careful with links. Emails that ask you to “log in to confirm your benefits” often lead to fake portals designed to steal information.
When in doubt, check with me. If something looks off, send it my way. I’ll tell you quickly if it’s legitimate.
A calm moment of review beats a fast response every time. Staying mindful keeps your identity safe and your benefits protected.
Important Dates
AEP: Through December 7, 2025
Full Cold Moon: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Winter Solstice: Sunday, December 21, 2025 10:03 a.m. EST
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah 2025!
Happy December Birthdays and Anniversaries!
P.S. What did one ornament say to the other? I like hanging with you.
All the best,
Michael Antonini