Consumers have one major defense against rising costs, shrinking provider networks and disappearing benefits: Medicare’s fall open enrollment period. Each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, you can add, drop or switch Medicare plans.

CMS provided the new updates ahead of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, scheduled from October 15, 2025, to December 7, 2025.

Medicare Advantage plans are known for offering extra benefits beyond what original Medicare offers, and one such benefit gaining popularity is the Medicare Part B giveback, sometimes called the “premium reduction” or “money back” benefit.

"Medicare part B might be going up, but Medicare part D which is the benefit where you go to the drugstore, that's actually going down a little bit and the Medicare Advantage prices, in general, are dropping so there's some up, there's some down," said Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Medicare consists of a few different parts. If you have original Medicare, you'll need Part A for hospital care, Part B for outpatient care, and Part D for prescription drug coverage. Parts B and D charge enrollees monthly premiums (though some no-premium Part D plans do exist). But Medicare Part A is generally free for enrollees.

Half of American seniors are enrolled in traditional Medicare, meanwhile another half rely on privatized Medicare.

The Medicare Part B Give Back Benefit is a rebate that some Medicare Advantage plans may offer. It involves the plan carrier paying some or all of the Medicare Part B monthly premium. Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are bundled ...

Medicare costs are rising significantly in 2026, with Part B premiums set for one of the largest hikes in the program's history and Part D plans facing steep increases as well. At the same time, insurer pullbacks are reshaping the Medicare landscape, making this open enrollment period even more important than normal.