Oct 1 (Reuters) -

Health insurers Cigna ( CI ), CVS Health ( CVS ), Humana

and Centene ( CNC ) on Tuesday released details on their

government-backed health insurance plans for next year for

people aged 65 and above.

The announcements come ahead of the beginning of enrollment

for Medicare Advantage plans on October 15, which will continue

through December 7.

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers

who are paid a set rate by the U.S. government to manage

healthcare for older people looking for extra benefits not

covered in regular Medicare coverage.

Cigna ( CI ) said it will offer some prescription drug plans with

low premiums that will help save costs.

CVS' health insurance unit Aetna estimates 83% of

Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in the United States will have

access to a $0 monthly premium plan.

Humana, which has a total of 793 individual Medicare

Advantage plans across the country for next year, said all plans

that provide coverage for prescription drugs will see some

benefit enhancements in 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The health insurers will also offer special needs plans,

where individuals are enrolled under Medicare and receive

assistance from Medicaid that covers medical expenses for people

with low income.

The companies will provide dental, hearing and vision

coverage as well.

Centene ( CNC ) said it will offer $0 copay for primary care

physician visits on all plans and for certain drugs at preferred

pharmacies for most plans.

Medicare Advantage plan enrollment is projected to grow to

35.7 million people in 2025, the Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid Services said on Friday.