Medicare Blog
10 Common Medicare Mistakes to Avoid
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...
Medicare Part D Premiums to Dip Slightly in 2024
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...
How is Social Security taxed?
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...
Does Medicare cover hearing aids?
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....
10 Things Medicare Doesn’t Cover
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...
Changes to Medicare Part D in 2024 and 2025 Under the Inflation Reduction Act and How Enrollees Will Benefit
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...
Your Medicare Protections
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...
HHS Updates 2024 Medicare Advantage Program and Part D Payment Policies
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...
Saving money with the prescription drug law
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...
What Does Medicare for All Mean?
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...
Your Medicare Protections
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...
Expert Answers to Your Top 5 Medicare Questions
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...
Addressing Rural Health Inequities in Medicare
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...
Biden Budget Would Extend Medicare Solvency by 25 Years
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...
Medicare users still have time to change, drop 2023 Advantage Plan coverage. What to know
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...
Physician Fee Schedule Updates: 2023 Medicare Reimbursement Rates and New Codes
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....
Do I qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period?
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...
Medicare Part B Premiums, Explained
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...
Social Security Cards Are Safer at Home
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...
How are Medigap and Medicare Advantage different?
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...
4 Tips to Protect Yourself from Medicare Fraud
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...
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