The Medicare Part D ‘donut hole’ coverage gap goes away in 2025. Until then, here’s how it works. Nerdy takeaways You enter the donut hole when you and your plan spend a total of $5,030 in 2024. In the donut hole, you pay up to 25% out of pocket for all covered...

Changes in income, marital status, work hours and other life events can exempt enrollees from surcharges Most people who enroll in Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits, diagnostic tests and other outpatient services, pay a standard monthly premium, $174.70 in...

New analysis finds limiting out-of-pocket drug spending will help older Americans afford medications Had the upcoming cap on out-of-pocket spending on Medicare Part D-covered prescription drugs been in effect in 2021, 1.5 million enrollees would have saved money on...

6 skills that will help you care for the ones you love As family caregivers, we play many roles: scheduler, money manager, house cleaner, health aide, nurse, navigator, nurturer and more. Perhaps the most important role is advocate, as we ensure the best possible care...

Your guide to buying Medicare ​supplemental health insurance If you decide to enroll in original Medicare, one way you can help pay the extra costs the program doesn’t cover is to buy a supplemental — or Medigap — insurance policy. Here’s what you need to know if...

Average premiums could go down, but some could see large increases 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...

Medicare drug coverage helps pay for prescription drugs you need. It's optional and offered to everyone with Medicare. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, consider getting Medicare drug coverage. If you decide not to get it when you’re first eligible, and...

KEY POINTS The government has made several changes to Medicare that could reduce your prescription drug costs in 2024. It has also expanded coverage for things like mental health and chronic pain treatment. Those signing up during a special enrollment period will be...

The new year rings in more Rx drug savings, higher Part B premiums and new Advantage rules What’s new for Medicare beneficiaries in 2024? A lot — including changes that expand care and make coverage more affordable. For starters, Medicare’s more than 65 million...

ach calendar year brings a new set of changes to Medicare, from premiums and deductibles to rules and regulations. To get the most from Medicare in 2024, it’s helpful to understand what will be different. Here’s a primer on 2024 Medicare changes: Part A costs will...

2024 will bring some positive changes and expanded Medicare benefits. Below is a summary of some of these changes with references for more information. You can also view your 2024 Medicare & You handbook for more information. Prescription Drug Savings Starting...

Changes are coming to Medicare costs and coverage in 2024. Announced in time for the annual open enrollment period, which continues through December 7, the adjustments affect both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. It’s crucial that enrollees stay...

About half of all Medicare beneficiaries will be enrolled in MA plans next year The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is projected to increase by 64 cents in 2024, but officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) say that...

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...

Quality, affordable health care is crucial to aging well, and Medicare makes it possible for millions of older adults in the U.S. However, the system can be confusing and it’s easy to make mistakes. “Our messy health insurance system causes anxiety for everyone,” says...

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...