Medicare Annual Enrollment Starts October 15th — Are You Ready?
For Montana seniors, Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) - running from October 15 through December 7, 2025 - is the most important window of the year. It’s the time when you can:
Switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
Add, drop, or switch a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
But here’s the challenge: with dozens of plan options available across Montana - each with different premiums, networks, and drug lists - choosing the right one isn’t easy.
The Hidden Complexity of Medicare
Most people think Medicare is straightforward - but here’s what really makes it tricky:
Premiums vs. Out-of-Pocket Costs: Some plans advertise low monthly premiums, but higher deductibles and copays can mean you pay more overall.
Prescription Drug Formularies: Every Part D plan has its own list of covered drugs. A medication covered affordably in 2024 may be excluded or placed in a higher cost tier for 2025.
Doctor & Hospital Networks: Medicare Advantage plans often restrict where you can go. In rural Montana, your closest hospital or specialist may not be covered.
Extra Benefits: Dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships, even meal delivery - benefits vary widely, and not reviewing options could mean missing out.
Penalties: Delaying enrollment in drug coverage (Part D) can trigger a lifetime penalty, even if you’re healthy today.
How Golden Valley Medicare Simplifies the Process
At Golden Valley Medicare, our role is to take all of this complexity off your shoulders. Here’s how we help Montana seniors:
Customized Plan Comparison: We compare every Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and Part D option available in your county.
Prescription Cost Check: We run your exact list of prescriptions through each plan to identify the lowest-cost coverage.
Doctor & Hospital Match: We verify that your preferred providers and hospitals are included.
Clear Cost Breakdown: We look beyond premiums to show you what you’ll actually pay - copays, deductibles, and coinsurance included.
Local Expertise: We know the realities of rural healthcare in Montana, and we help ensure you’re not stuck with a plan that doesn’t fit your lifestyle.
Why Start Now?
Many seniors wait until late November to review their coverage. That often leads to rushed decisions or missed opportunities. Preparing before October 15 means you’ll enter AEP with confidence, knowing you have the information you need to choose wisely.
Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 – December 7, 2025.
Schedule your free Medicare review with Golden Valley Medicare today and get ahead of the rush.
With so many moving parts, Medicare can feel overwhelming. But with Golden Valley Medicare, it becomes clear, simple, and tailored to you.