Latest News
United Healthcare billing practices being scrutinized by Dept. of Justice
Probably the nation’s largest healthcare provider, United Healthcare (UHC) Group, has confirmed that it will fully cooperate with an investigation by the Federal Department of Justice (DOJ) into its Medicare billing practices. Professing full confidence that UHC’s billing processes are…
No Surprise! Most unhappy with their Social Security payments
Although not exactly a blockbuster finding, a recent survey found that by far the majority of seniors are dissatisfied with their monthly Social Security payment. That, of course, is the result of runaway inflation in the past several years, which…
Don’t Obsess over Social Security!
At least one pundit who regularly watches what’s happening with the nation’s most important retirement program isn’t personally obsessing over Social Security’s looming financial issue. The issue at hand is a fact which has been reported by the Trustees of…
Social Security Customer Service: Improving, but slowly.
Since being appointed as the new Commissioner of Social Security, Frank Bisignano is spearheading an intense drive to improve the agency’s customer service. In fact, according to the SSA, service levels have, indeed, improved year-to-year in spite of 70% higher…
Should “means testing” exist for Social Security and Medicare?
In this somewhat unconventional opinion piece, the author opines that both the Social Security and Medicare programs are suffering financial difficulties, largely because many who receive benefits do not actually need them. The author, himself a fairly affluent businessman, contends…
What you should know about Medicare
Medicare is the nation’s most important healthcare program. In fact, over 68 million people are now enrolled in this important program, enacted in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson. But as encompassing and important as Medicare is, it doesn’t cover all…
Prior Authorization Targeted by CMS Medicare
Under the guise of fraud and waste prevention, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS),along with dozens of large healthcare insurance companies, have revealed forthcoming changes to the “Prior Authorization” process. Prior Authorization is a process used by various…
Retiring Soon? Suggestions on where to retire.
Retirement is, indeed, a complex decision. Of course, the size of your retirement nest egg is a critical factor, and how much regular monthly income you will need will depend a lot on where you choose to retire. Many will…
Was Income Tax on Social Security really eliminated?
There has certainly been much discussion on this topic since the so-called “one big, beautiful bill” was passed by both Houses of Congress and enacted as law by President Trump. Many, including the Social Security Administration and the Trump Administration…
Is the Social Security issue even worse than reported?
The latest (June) report from the Trustees of Social Security predicts that the SS Trust Funds will be fully depleted in 2033, unless Congress acts soon to reform the program. But, according to at least one retirement research outfit, the…