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CMS Approves Medicare Coverage of 'Breakthrough' Medical Devices

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new rules that require Medicare to cover medical devices that the Food and Drug Administration designates as "breakthrough" technology.

The rule paves the way for giving Medicare recipients access to the latest...

CMS Rolling Out $35 Insulin Model for Medicare Part D

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has invited Part D drug plan insurers to put in proposals for a new Part D model that would provide Medicare recipients with access to affordable insulin costing no more than $35...

COVID-19, Drug Coverage Fuel Migration towards Medicare Advantage Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing costs of prescription drugs are prompting more Medicare enrollees to switch from traditional plans to Medicare Advantage plans, a new study has found.

The study by MedicareAdvantagePlans.org found that 45% of poll respondents said...

Does Medicare Cover Long-Term Care?

Many Americans are grossly underinsured against the risk of devastating long-term care costs.

According to the 2020 annual "Cost of Care Survey" from Genworth, the average yearly cost for a semi-private room in a long-term care skilled nursing facility is $93,075 and rising, while the...

Don't Judge a Medigap Policy Only by Its Premium

When you're shopping for a Medigap insurance policy, it can be tempting to focus on one number: The monthly premium. For several reasons, however, it is wise to consider various factors.

A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance...

Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries Choose Medicare Advantage over Fee-for-Service

Dual-eligible Medicare beneficiaries are more likely to choose Medicare Advantage plans over traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare.

A recent study from the Better Medicare Alliance found that 44% of Medicare beneficiaries who also qualify for Medicaid are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, versus...

Executive Order to Pave Way for Medicare Changes

President Trump on Oct. 3 announced an executive order that aims to give Medicare recipients more access to innovative and affordable plan options, as well make it easier to find physicians that take new Medicare patients.

The order directs the Department of...

Executive Orders Take Aim at Medicare Drug Costs, More

President Trump in late September issued three executive orders that would affect Medicare outpatient drug prices, protect people with pre-existing conditions from health insurance pricing discrimination and end surprise billing.

The main, and most substantive, order would fix prices that Medicare...

Fewer Medicare Advantage Plans Receive High-Quality Ratings

There are fewer Medicare Advantage plans receiving high-quality ratings for their 2021 offerings than for this year's.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has reported that 49% of 400 Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage received four stars or more (the...

Five Medical Services Medicare Doesn't Cover

While Medicare, and especially Medicare Advantage, comes with a number of great and low-cost benefits, it does not cover all health care services that you may need after you turn 65.

Keep in mind that the following list includes things that Original Medicare...