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Alzheimer's Drug Costs Spur Reconsideration of Medicare Part B Rate Hike

The Biden administration is considering reducing the 15% hike for the standard Medicare Part B premium for this year after the maker of the new Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm announced that it would halve the price of the controversial medication.

Beware: Medicare Doesn't Cover Everything

Many retirees get an unpleasant surprise after turning 65 and signing up for Medicare: It doesn't provide complete coverage of health care costs. In fact, there are some very large gaps that can be financially devastating to ordinary Americans.

A recent study from Fidelity estimated...

How to Pick the Best Medicare Advantage Plan for You

The first three months of the year is the open enrollment period for people who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.

From Jan. 1 to March 31, Americans who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can:

• Switch to...

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...