One of the biggest shifts I’ve seen is how we navigate the world in general. Twenty-five years ago, we used paper maps to find our way. Today, GPS guides us turn-by-turn on our phones. Bill paying followed the same path. We used to write checks, address envelopes, and drop them in the mail. Now, most payments happen automatically online. Medicare enrollment evolved the same way.

In the past, enrolling in Medicare meant making an appointment at the Social Security office, bringing paperwork, and waiting to meet with someone in person. Today, you can complete the entire enrollment online in less than thirty minutes. Creating an SSA.gov account takes just a few minutes, and once you’re approved, your Medicare card typically arrives in three to four weeks. It’s not only faster it’s far more convenient, especially for people who prefer to avoid in-person government visits.

Learning about Medicare has changed too. Years ago, almost everything happened through mailed booklets, in-person meetings, or community workshops. Agents would visit people at home, lay out all the paperwork on the kitchen table, and talk through the options. While some of that still exists, most people today start their research online. They use comparison tools, digital guides, and educational videos to understand their options long before speaking with a professional.

The choices themselves have expanded dramatically. When Medicare began in 1965, there weren’t many options. Over time, new types of coverage became available, including ten standardized Medigap plans. The introduction of Medicare Advantage (Part C) in 2003 and prescription drug plans (Part D) in 2006 changed the landscape completely. Today, beneficiaries can tailor their coverage more precisely than at any point in Medicare’s history.

What’s interesting is how preferences have shifted. Looking at the last 20,623 clients I’ve worked with, 16% chose Plan N, 27% went with a Medicare Advantage plan, and 57% selected Plan G. That’s a major shift from 2023, when Plan N was chosen by only about 4% of clients. In just two years, Plan N enrollment quadrupled. Meanwhile, interest in Plan G has begun to soften, even though it remains the most popular supplemental plan nationwide.

National trends tell a similar story. Today, around 54% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, although projections show that number dropping to around 50% by 2026. Supplemental plans make up 42% of enrollments, and only 4% rely solely on Medicare Parts A and B without additional coverage.

Why are Advantage plans so popular? For many people, price is the biggest factor. Many Advantage plans have no monthly premium and operate on a pay-as-you-go structure, meaning you pay for services as you use them. They often include valuable extras like dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances, and gym memberships. Some even offer a portion of your Part B premium back each month. Another reason they’re so widespread: agents earn higher commissions on Advantage plans, which means they’re promoted far more aggressively than supplemental plans.

But Advantage plans have drawbacks too. They are local plans with local networks, which means your doctors must participate or you’re out of luck. This becomes a real challenge for people who see specialists or receive ongoing treatment. Max out-of-pocket costs reset every year, so a major health event can become expensive year after year. Plans can change or be discontinued. And pre-authorization requirements often delay medical procedures. If someone wants to switch back to a supplemental plan later, they may have to go through medical underwriting, and many people don’t qualify.

That’s why supplemental plans remain so popular with many of my clients. Plan G provides unlimited access to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare nationwide. It covers all gaps except the Part B deductible, which is around $257 in 2025. Plan N is becoming the budget-friendly favorite it covers four of the six gaps at a lower monthly premium, requiring only small co-pays in exchange. Supplemental plans don’t change year to year, and the coverage is stable and predictable.

The cost differences between Plan G and Plan N have grown wide enough that many people are choosing the savings. For example, in Arizona, Plan G is around $135 a month, while Plan N is $95 that’s a $480 annual savings. California shows a similar $360 difference. Texas mirrors Arizona with another $480 savings. In states like Washington, premiums run higher due to local regulations, but the price gap remains. These savings explain why Plan N enrollment is rising so quickly nationwide.

Medicare has come a long way over the past twenty-five years. Enrollment is easier, information is more accessible, and coverage options are far more customizable. But with more choices comes more complexity. Understanding the differences between Advantage and supplemental plans and knowing what each one means for your doctors, costs, and long-term health is more important than ever.

My goal is to help people cut through the confusion, understand how Medicare has changed, and make decisions that actually support the retirement they’ve worked so hard to build.

The post How Medicare Enrollment Has Changed: 25 Years of Progress, Options, and What Today’s Retirees Need to Know appeared first on ROI TV.