New proposal would standardize broker commissions, add mental health services and more The federal government is continuing its efforts to protect older Americans signing up for Medicare coverage for the first time or switching to a new health plan during open...

How the nation’s health insurance coverage for older adults and people with disabilities works Ever since President Lyndon Baines Johnson made Medicare the law of the land in 1965, hundreds of millions of Americans have relied on this program to help them get...

Answers to questions about how the new law affects insulin, vaccines, other Rx prices and more The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will help millions of Americans better afford their life-sustaining medications and also help them pay for other out-of-pocket health...

While most services come with a cost, some preventive screenings, vaccines and counseling are covered without charge We worry a lot about what Medicare beneficiaries must for pay out of pocket, such as monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and copays for doctor visits...

Those who are 65 or older typically rely on Medicare to get the healthcare they need. Medicare has two primary types of coverage. For hospital costs and other inpatient care, Medicare Part A is the go-to standard. When you need to see a doctor or get other outpatient...

How the federal insurance program helps older Americans afford the health care vital to their well-being What is Medicare? For more than 58 years, it’s been the program that older Americans and people with disabilities turn to for their health care coverage. In 2023,...

Nursing home care is costly, but there are ways to manage without going broke. Many people grow up with grandparents who lived for years in their homes and, despite various illnesses and conditions, never saw the inside of a nursing home. That still may be true for...

New enrollees increasingly opting for the private insurance alternative to the federally-run program For decades, as Americans approached their 65th birthday, all they had to do to get Medicare, the nation’s government-sponsored health insurance for older adults, was...

Trustees project solvency until 2031, but Congress still must act for the long term For the second year in a row, the trustees who oversee Medicare’s finances say the trust fund that helps pay for inpatient hospital care for 65 million beneficiaries has gotten...

Popular but pricey blood thinners, diabetes medications, cancer treatments make historic list he names of the first 10 Medicare drugs whose prices the federal government will negotiate directly with manufacturers were released Aug. 29. It marks the first time in...

Answers to common questions, including the July 1 implementation for pumps One of the first provisions to take effect of a new law designed to cut prescription drug costs for tens of millions of Medicare enrollees is a $35-a-month cap on out-of-pocket costs for...

Starting in 2024, more people will qualify for the full Medicare Part D assistance program With up to 3 million more Medicare enrollees with low incomes and limited resources eligible in January 2024 for additional financial assistance to pay for their Part D...

Starting in 2024, more people will qualify for the full Medicare Part D assistance program With up to 3 million more Medicare enrollees with low incomes and limited resources eligible in January 2024 for additional financial assistance to pay for their Part D...

July inflation report suggests next year’s boost likely to be around 3%, analysts say After two years that saw Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) soar to their highest level in four decades, beneficiaries will likely see a more modest increase in their...

Which path you take will determine how you get your medical care — and how much it costs As you think about how Medicare will cover your health care needs, your first major decision should be whether you want to enroll in federally run original Medicare or select...

Errors can prove costly to new enrollees Missing deadlines, delaying enrollment or choosing the wrong plan can cost you a bundle when it comes to Medicare. Here’s a list of 10 common mistakes new Medicare enrollees make and how to avoid them, according to the Medicare...

CMS projects average monthly prescription drug charge to fall nearly $1 The average monthly premium for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is expected to fall slightly in 2024, to $55.50, a 99-cent drop from the 2023 average of $56.49, the Centers for Medicare...

If your total income is more than $25,000 for an individual or $32,000 for a married couple filing jointly, you must pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits. Below those thresholds, your benefits are not taxed. That applies to spousal...

No. Medicare covers only ear-related medical conditions, not routine hearing care, hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids. But with the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, you can now find lower-cost options....

You’ll need to plan to pay for some common medical expenses Medicare covers the majority of older Americans’ health care needs, from hospital care and doctor visits to lab tests and prescription drugs. Here are some needs that aren’t part of the program — and how you...

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes several provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare and reduce drug spending by the federal government, including a number of changes to the Medicare Part D drug benefit. These changes include a cap...

If you have Original Medicare, your doctor, other health care provider, or supplier may give you a written notice if they think Medicare won’t pay for the items or services you’ll get. This notice is called an “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage,” or ABN. The...

Updated Medicare Advantage and Part D policies ensure the overall Medicare program remains strong and stable for the 65 million beneficiaries today and future generations to come, payments to private insurance companies are accurate, and taxpayer dollars are well...

A new prescription drug law that went into effect January 1, 2023, will help save money for people with Medicare. This law improves access to affordable treatments and strengthens the Medicare program. Here’s what the law means for you: More vaccines covered People...

Many Americans are asking themselves “How can I get free healthcare in the U.S.?”, an answer may be in the hands of legislators. One national health insurance plan for all Americans called “Medicare for All” is an idea being promoted, among others, by Vermont Senator...

If you have Original Medicare, your doctor, other health care provider, or supplier may give you a written notice if they think Medicare won’t pay for the items or services you’ll get. This notice is called an “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage,” or ABN. The...

When it comes to Medicare, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all. That’s because every person has individual health needs. Coverage varies based on where you live, which doctors and hospitals you prefer, and whether you want to pay more money upfront or pay as...

Approximately 61 million Americans live in rural Tribal, and geographically isolated communities across the United States. These communities often experience significant health inequities. Compared to urban Americans, rural Americans are more likely to have heart...

Plan includes increased taxes for high-income earners and more prescription drug negotiations President Joe Biden’s federal budget proposal will include increasing Medicare taxes for people earning more than $400,000 a year and expanding and accelerating prescription...

KEY POINTS Roughly 29.1 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans. Each year from Jan. 1 through March 31, those beneficiaries can switch to another Advantage Plan or drop their current one altogether. Here’s what to be aware of if you consider making a...

he 2023 Physician Fee Schedule updates include new billing codes and more ways to access care Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releases several policy proposals and updates with many taking effect on January 1 of the new calendar year....

Medicare is a great way to get health coverage as you get older, but the timing for enrolling or changing plans can be tricky. Opportunities to sign up for Medicare or switch to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan are usually limited to very specific and standard...

When you enroll in Medicare Part B, the federal government picks up the tab for most of your health care costs. Most, but not all. Medicare Part B premiums can be a surprising and costly retirement expense for many people. The minimum monthly Medicare Part B premium...

Scams to steal your personal information are at an all-time high. It’s important to continue to safeguard personal documents such as your Social Security card. A Social Security card is not an identification document. In many situations, you only need to know your...

For starters, they’re both options for people with Medicare, but Medigap coverage supplements original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage is a private insurance alternative to federally run Medicare. They’re very different, and their unique types of coverage can’t be...

Medicare fraud is widespread and is among the long list of health care fraud schemes that cost the government billions of dollars annually. Medicare scammers continue to evolve their methods, making their ploys increasingly more believable. Recently, a RetireMed...

Three important documents grant caregivers permission to consult with a parent’s doctor, access medical records, ask questions about claims and make health care decisions on a parent’s behalf: Health care proxy Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act...

Making sense of the alphabet soup of health care choices Medicare is complicated and can be confusing to sort through. To make it easier, the program has been broken down into four basic parts that include coverage for everything from hospital care to doctor visits to...

Reforms embedded in the Inflation Reduction Act will bring savings to seniors this year. Already some lawmakers are aiming to repeal the changes. Steve Lubin spent a lot last year on insulin to control his Type 2 diabetes. A retired nurse in Philadelphia, Mr. Lubin...

How did the donut hole change for 2023? As has been the case in previous years, the thresholds where a person enters and exits the “donut hole” increased in 2023. We’ll explain this in more detail below, but the short story is that the initial coverage limit increased...

With 2023 fully underway, there are new costing guidelines associated with Medicare that went into effect Jan. 1. CNBC noted that copays and deductibles for Medicare Part A (which includes hospital stays) are going up, while Part B premiums and deductibles (outpatient...

With almost one in two seniors now enrolled in the privatized health plan alternative to traditional Medicare known as “Medicare Advantage,” look for growth to escalate in 2023 and beyond. Though there have been probes into aggressive marketing practices and other...

KEY POINTS Roughly 29.1 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans. Each year from Jan. 1 through March 31, those beneficiaries can switch to another Advantage Plan or drop their current one altogether. Here’s what to be aware of if you consider making a...

Planning well in advance of your Medicare eligibility can help you get every dollar in Medicare benefits you have coming to you. Here, in a nutshell, is what you should do and when you should do it. 12-6 months before your 65th birthday Set up your post-retirement...

The new year brings a cap on insulin copays, free vaccines, lower premiums and more Some of the biggest changes to Medicare in years take effect in 2023, with more than 65 million Americans paying lower premiums and deductibles and about to feel the effects of...

With 2023 fully underway, there are new costing guidelines associated with Medicare that went into effect Jan. 1. CNBC noted that copays and deductibles for Medicare Part A (which includes hospital stays) are going up, while Part B premiums and deductibles (outpatient...

Every year Medicare costs can change. Costs for the upcoming year are announced in the late fall, and the new costs go into effect January 1. For 2023, Medicare costs decreased for Medicare Part B, but increased for Part A. What is the Medicare Part B premium for...

KEY POINTS New rules that will be beneficial for some Medicare enrollees are going into effect Jan. 1. The idea is to eliminate any delays in coverage that some new beneficiaries experience, depending on when they enroll. Additionally, individuals who didn’t sign up...

It can. If you are what Social Security considers a “higher-income beneficiary,” you pay more for Medicare Part B, the health-insurance portion of Medicare. (Most enrollees don’t pay for Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization.) Medicare premiums are based on...

A year-by-year implementation timeline of the Inflation Reduction Act’s health provisions The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will transform Medicare’s prescription drug coverage through provisions that for the first time will allow the program to negotiate prices of...

Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap (also called the "donut hole"). This means there's a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs. Not everyone will enter the coverage gap. The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have spent a...

Medicare premium costs are changing next year. In 2023, Medicare Part B premium prices will be cheaper, while Part A premiums and deductibles will become slightly more expensive. This is because the Social Security Administration each year adjusts costs associated...

KEY POINTS The specific drugs that a plan covers can change from year to year, as can their cost, which makes it worthwhile to make sure there’s not a better plan for you. Additionally, some Medicare-related provisions in the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act...

On September 27, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2023 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Medicare...

When it comes to Medicare, the question we hear most often after “What does it cost?” is, “What does it cover?” There are no simple answers, but you can start here to find general answers to some of the most common questions about Medicare coverage. What does Medicare...

You probably know that your Medicare Part B premium can change each year. Do you know why? Or how the amount is calculated? Or why it may increase? Medicare costs, including Part B premiums, deductibles and copays, are adjusted based on the Social Security Act. And in...

Changes for 2023 include premium and deductible increases for Part A, lower rates for Part B, and better Part D coverage due to the Inflation Reduction Act Key takeaways The standard Part B premium is decreasing to $164.90 for 2023. The Part B deductible is also...

After a 9 percent increase from 2021 to 2022, enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program is expected to surpass 50 percent of the eligible Medicare population within the next year. At its current rate of growth, MA is on track to reach 69 percent of the...

Uncertainty about paying for long-term care remains problematic among midlife and older adults. Long-term care is expensive.  According to Genworth's Cost of Care surveys, in 2021 the national median monthly cost of a private nursing home room was $9,034, with the...

Inflation Reduction Act limits out-of-pocket drug costs, caps insulin copays, makes vaccines free For the first time in Medicare’s history, the amount of money that beneficiaries in drug plans will have to pay for their prescriptions each year will be capped, thanks...

KEY POINTS The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $5.20 lower next year. The deductible for Part B also will be less than it is for 2022. Medicare officials also have announced the Part A deductible and coinsurance amounts. The 2023 monthly premium...

Over the next few months, you’re probably going to receive a lot of information about Medicare. It’s all meant to help you understand your coverage choices and make informed decisions during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7). There is one piece...

If you’ve been shopping for Medigap plans, you may have discovered that a couple of them (Plan G and Plan F) cover something called “Part B Excess Charges.” If you’re not sure what excess charges are, you’re not alone. Fortunately, they’re a rather rare occurrence for...

You are eligible for Medicare at age 65, but you may not need to sign up then. The best time to enroll in Medicare depends on whether you or your spouse is still working and you have health insurance from that employer. If you make the wrong decision, you could end up...

Medicare can be complicated, but several great resources can help you get answers to your Medicare questions — whether you want to know more about costs, coverage, eligibility, enrollment or how to choose supplemental policies. 1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plays an important role in protecting the health and safety of all Americans as they journey through the health care system. This is especially true during a pandemic, natural disaster, or other emergencies....

COVID-19 has exacerbated the nation’s struggle with mental health and substance use disorders (collectively called “behavioral health conditions”), fueling a full-blown crisis. For some Americans during the pandemic, this has meant feeling depressed and hopeless,...

The key to qualifying for some paid services is whether your loved one is 'homebound' Medicare, the government's medical insurance for people age 65 and older and younger people receiving Social Security disability benefits, isn't designed to pay for 24-hour care for...

​Extra benefits attracting enrollees, but experts say plans can deliver better on their promises As Medicare Advantage plans approach their 25th birthday — the law that created the current system allowing private health care providers to offer a one-stop-shop...

You may have extra time to sign up in 2022 If you have been unable to enroll in Medicare since the start of 2022 because of problems with the Social Security Administration’s phone system, you can ask for extra time to sign up — even if your initial enrollment,...

When Kristen Tyler was caring for her father, she didn’t know that the federal government had programs that could help her dad afford the thousands of dollars his health care and medications cost. Now Tyler is helping others learn about the Medicare Savings Programs...

Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Medicare covers the vaccine for anyone who has Medicare due to their age, a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Be...

Signing up for an online Medicare account, previously called a MyMedicare account, can help you manage your Medicare information electronically. An online account is a great resource for getting personalized information about your Medicare coverage, claims and costs....

You may be 65 years old and ready to enroll in Medicare, but unless your spouse has a disabling medical condition, your mate won’t qualify until age 65. That’s because Medicare doesn’t operate like health insurance that you may have through your employer. It’s not a...

What the programs cover, and what they don’t What role does the federal government play in assisting Americans in need of long-term care? The answers, which lie primarily within two programs — Medicare and Medicaid — may surprise you. Here is a breakdown of the...

No, Medicare doesn’t automatically cover prescription drugs you get at a pharmacy, but you can buy a Medicare Part D plan from a private insurer to help cover those expenses. You can either get a stand-alone Part D plan or purchase a Medicare Advantage plan that...

 Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient stays in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, some home health services and end-of-life hospice care. Even though most people don’t pay premiums for Medicare Part A, the coverage still has other out-of-pocket costs: A...

How the federal insurance program helps older Americans afford the health care vital to their well-being What is Medicare? For more than 55 years, it's been the program that older Americans and people with disabilities turn to for their health care coverage. In 2022,...

You’ll need to plan ahead to pay for some common medical expenses Medicare covers the majority of older Americans’ health care needs, from hospital care and doctor visits to lab tests and prescription drugs. Here are some needs that aren’t a part of the program — and...

If you are at least 65 and aren’t covered by an employer health insurance plan, then you will probably need to enroll in Medicare. Every year, there are copays, deductibles, and premiums to be paid. These numbers usually rise slightly each year, so you don’t have to...

Look for higher premiums and deductibles in the new year, but also more help with insulin, mental health The biggest change Medicare's nearly 64 million beneficiaries will see in the new year is higher premiums and deductibles for the medical care they'll receive...

Wondering about Medicare Part D plans? Medicare beneficiaries across the nation have the option of enrolling in Medicare Part D to get help with their prescription drug costs. Plans offered under Medicare Part D are available in two ways. If you have Original Medicare...

Hispanic adults living in the 12 states that refused to expand health coverage to the poor after the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 would benefit most from policy proposals to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 60, a new analysis shows. Nearly 43% of...

Medicare fraud and abuse  can happen anywhere, and usually results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone. Some examples include: A provider that bills Medicare for services or supplies they never gave you, like charging you for a visit you never had, or a...

The standard Part B premium amount is $170.10 for 2022. Those in a higher income bracket could pay as much as $578.30 a month for Part B. Below, we’ll go over the standard Part B premium, the premium surcharge, how to pay your premium, and how to get help paying the...

Perhaps you got your copy of the 2022 “Medicare & You” handbook in the mail last fall, as you did the year before that. And the year before that. Maybe it’s time to go digital. When you sign up for the e-version of the “Medicare & You” handbook, you’ll get...

Short answer There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage. Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage. Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more...

On January 19, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule (Final Rule) that codifies certain provisions proposed by the agency in a February 18, 2020 proposed rule (Proposed Rule). CMS issued a separate final rule on June 1,...

Around 40% of Medicare Advantage plans have no monthly premium, but did you know some plans actually reduce your Part B premium? The Medicare giveback benefit, or Part B premium reduction plan, is becoming more available and popular among beneficiaries. Though not an...

Every year, changes come to Medicare. In 2022, Medicare has several new benefits and adjustments to speak of. As a beneficiary, it’s important to keep up with these developments. Below, we’ll provide the information you need to know about how Medicare is different...

EACH year typically brings with it a number of tax changes - and 2022 is no different. Below we round up key changes and inflation adjustments by the IRS, which will affect the tax return you file in 2023. Standard deductions change The standard deduction ensures that...

Short answer There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage. Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage. Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more...

Look for even more seniors to flock to Medicare Advantage in 2022 as the Biden administration, health insurers and investors bolster this privatized form of health coverage for those 65 and older. Already, established health insurers including UnitedHealth Group’s...

Medicare Part D and the donut hole By Karen Lewis-Smith Regional Director, Government Programs, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington "Donut hole" brings to mind a sweet morning treat, which couldn't be further from its meaning in the Medicare world. As a...

KEY POINTS Cost adjustments can affect premiums, deductibles and other cost-sharing aspects of Medicare. Beneficiaries who have limited income might qualify for Medicaid or other programs that reduce out-of-pocket costs,  while higher-income beneficiaries pay more for...

Look for higher premiums and deductibles in the new year, but also more help with insulin, mental health The biggest change Medicare's nearly 64 million beneficiaries will see in the new year is higher premiums and deductibles for the medical care they'll receive...

Every year Medicare costs can change. Costs for the upcoming year are announced in the late fall, and the new costs go into effect January 1. For 2022, Medicare did increase costs for both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.  What is the Medicare Part B Premium for...

It’s difficult to detect high blood pressure. High blood pressure (also called “hypertension”) usually doesn’t have any warning signs until it causes more serious health issues, like heart attack and heart disease, stroke, eye damage, kidney disease, and vascular...

Are you a guy who puts off doing a task and later wishes he’d just done it? Take care of your body. If you’re a man with Medicare, ask your doctor if you should get tested for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, or both. Getting screened is the smart move—screening...

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2022 Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts, and the 2022 Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Most people with Medicare will see a 5.9 percent...