Hawkeye Reporter

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period is currently underway and will continue through December 7, 2025. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, Iowans can still enroll online at medicare.gov. They are encouraged to create or log into their Medicare accounts to compare available plans, find providers, and speak with representatives.

In 2026, out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs under Medicare Part D will be capped at $2,100. "When I served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I steered through Congress historic reforms that added the first-ever, voluntary prescription drug coverage benefit to Medicare. Since then, I’ve worked to ensure Part D is implemented as Congress intended," said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

New enrollees are advised to consider a drug plan with a low monthly premium even if they do not currently take prescription medication in order to avoid future late enrollment penalties. Waiting to enroll may result in an additional charge of 1 percent of the national base beneficiary premium for each month delayed.

It is also recommended that beneficiaries review their “annual notice of change” documents to ensure their current plan continues to meet their needs for the coming year. They should verify that their medications remain on the formulary and confirm which providers and pharmacies are included in their network or listed as preferred providers.

For personalized assistance regarding Medicare options, Iowans can contact the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for free counseling by visiting shiip.iowa.gov or calling (800) 351-4664.

Senator Grassley also addressed efforts to reduce wasteful spending in federal health programs: "As a taxpayer watchdog, I conduct robust oversight of federal programs to ensure hard-earned taxpayer dollars aren’t lost to waste, fraud and abuse." He referenced his recent letter sent as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to UnitedHealth Group seeking information about its Medicare billing practices following reports suggesting improper conduct contributed to $8.7 billion in extra payments in 2021.

"Stories like these undermine confidence in our health care system and fraudulent activity drives up costs to beneficiaries and the taxpayer," Grassley stated. He noted continued efforts urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to recover improper payments—recently reported at over $87 billion for fiscal year 2024—and improve oversight.

Grassley’s oversight has also extended into fraud related to Obamacare programs. His office received information indicating insurance agents used targeted internet ads leading up to five million consumers being improperly enrolled in subsidized federal marketplace plans at an estimated cost of $20 billion.

He further pressed CMS after findings showed California had improperly claimed nearly $53 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements for illegal immigrants last year. More recently, he followed up with Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator, about concerns regarding provider taxes potentially used as kickbacks increasing federal funding shares for populations not eligible for Medicaid funds.

"Proper stewardship of federal health care programs is essential to keep affordable access to health care for tens of millions of Americans for whom these taxpayer-funded programs are intended to serve," Grassley concluded.