Next year is looking like a tough one for seniors. They will be forced to bear increases in premiums for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage in the upcoming year.

Seniors will have a 45-day window from Nov. 15 until Dec. 31 to decide if they want to switch plans or stay with the program where they are currently enrolled.

Medicare Part D premiums will increase 7 percent to $30 per month. Medicare Advantage policies will increase 22 percent to $39 per month.

Information about the Medicare plans is beginning to circulate. Seniors will need to research the plans and see how their current prescription drugs are going to be treated by the insurance plan that they currently have. Information is available at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227 for personalized assistance.

Relief in the form of increases in Social Security is unlikely. This is due to the fact that the consumer price index has been very low for the past 12 months. The AARP wrote a detailed letter to Congress last month asking for a one-time emergency payment of $250 per person. It could help out, but won’t supply too much support for seniors’ rising medical expenses.