MEDICARE

Jun 25 2025HEALTH

Medicare's Missing Piece: Why Contraceptive Coverage Lags for Women with Disabilities

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.

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Jun 23 2025HEALTH

The Price Tag on Seizure Meds: A Fresh Look

The battle against epilepsy is a lifelong one. People with this condition often need to take medication to manage their seizures. Unfortunately, the cost of these drugs has been going up over time. This is where Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company comes in. They have come up with a way to make these m

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Jun 17 2025HEALTH

Community Helpers Boost Kidney Care for Medicare Users

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a big deal in the healthcare world. It costs Medicare around 82 billion dollars each year. This is a huge chunk of money. So, finding ways to manage it better is crucial. One approach that's gaining traction is using community navigators. These are people who understa

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Jun 17 2025POLITICS

The Senate's Plan: Big Changes to Healthcare and Taxes

The Senate Republicans have rolled out their version of a major bill. This bill is part of a bigger plan for the country. It includes some big changes to healthcare and taxes. The bill is 549 pages long. It extends tax cuts that were set to expire. It also includes new rules for tips and overtime pa

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May 16 2025HEALTH

Home Care: The New Normal for Dementia Patients

The landscape of dementia care is shifting. More people with dementia are choosing to stay in their homes. This is a big change from the past, where nursing homes were the go-to option. But this shift brings its own set of challenges. One key player in this change is Medicare-funded home health care

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May 16 2025HEALTH

The Impact of New Laws on Medicare Drug Costs

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

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May 10 2025HEALTH

The Power Play of Medicare Advantage Plans on Hospital Costs

Healthcare costs are a hot topic, and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are shaking things up. These plans are private health insurance options that people with Medicare can pick instead of the standard Medicare. They often come with networks of hospitals and doctors, which can change how hospitals set

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May 01 2025HEALTH

Medicare's Role in Gender-Affirming Surgery

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

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Apr 28 2025HEALTH

Long-Term Results of Medicare's Shared Savings Program

The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) has been around for a while. It aims to cut down on healthcare costs. The program uses a group of doctors and hospitals called Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). These groups work together to provide better care and save money. At first, the program sh

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Apr 18 2025HEALTH

How Often Are Cancer Gene Tests Rejected by Medicare?

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

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