Medicare Advantage insurers are celebrating a major victory with new rating rules. The Trump administration has revived a bonus system that rewards insurers with high ratings. This change means insurers could see a $13 billion boost. But what does this mean for patients? The new rules bring back th
Medicare just scored some serious wins in its latest drug price negotiations. Fifteen drugs will see price drops, with some discounts reaching as high as 85%. This is huge for the over 50 million seniors who rely on Medicare. The biggest winners? Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, which trea
Medicare's open enrollment period is here, and it's crucial to understand your options. This period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, is your chance to switch or change your Medicare plan. It's important to note that the deadline is firm, even if it falls on a weekend. During this time, yo
Savings accounts are a smart way to grow your money, but picking the right one can be tricky. Recently, the Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates, which affects how much you can earn on your savings. This shift makes it crucial to understand the differences between money market accounts an
Medicare has been experimenting with new ways to pay for medical services. One of these experiments is called Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced, or BPCI Advanced for short. This program started in 2018 and includes spine surgery done outside of the hospital. The idea is to pay a set amo
Medicare supports many women, but it's missing something big. It helps over a million women of childbearing age who live with disabilities. Yet, it's the only major health insurance in the US that doesn't have to cover birth control. This is a problem. Other health plans must cover contraceptives.
Medicare Part D is a program that helps seniors afford their prescription drugs. It has been a lifeline for many, but the costs can still be high, especially for specialty drugs. These are medications used to treat complex conditions like cancer or multiple sclerosis. The price tags for these drugs
Medicare's involvement in gender-affirming surgery is a topic that deserves a closer look. It's crucial to understand that Medicare does not have a blanket policy for these procedures. Instead, each case is evaluated individually. This approach raises several questions. How many Medicare beneficiar
Medicare has rules for covering gene tests. These rules are called National Coverage Determinations. They were first put in place in 2018 and then changed in 2020. These rules are for a type of genetic testing known as next-generation sequencing. This testing looks at many genes at once. It can help
Medicare is a big deal for many people. It helps pay for health care, but how it pays can be confusing. Let's talk about how Medicare handles payments when a team of health care workers is involved. This team might include doctors and other health care professionals, like physician assistants or nur
