healthcare
2025 saw lowest inflation in 5 years, but seniors are still struggling!
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the government’s watchdog for inflation, and BLS recently announced that the 2025 actual inflation rate was 2.7% – the lowest since the year 2020. Lower inflation is, of course, a good sign,…
“Medical Marijuana” not covered by Medicare Advantage
“Cannabis” products have become increasingly popular in recent years, and some physicians now suggest using products often referred to as “medical marijuana.” Increasingly, doctors seem prone to prescribing the use of these products, often when all other medical procedures for…
2026 Healthcare Costs Going Up!
I guess it’s not terribly surprising that healthcare costs, along with most other living expenses, are going up next year. And, for healthcare, those increases are significant – from the Medicare premiums seniors must pay for their coverage, through the…
Medicare Changes for 2026
It likely not news, but healthcare costs continue to take a big chunk out of every senior’s pocketbook, and the forthcoming 2026 year certainly reflect that ongoing trend. Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are going up, and deductibles…
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…
Medicare changes in the “one big beautiful bill”
While it isn’t yet approved by the U.S. Senate, the much heralded “one big beautiful bill” (2025 H.R.1), in its current form, provides some significant improvements for the nation’s Medicare program. Specifically the bill: ** Relaxes current restrictions limiting Health…
Rural Hospitals Suffer as Medicare Advantage Plans Prosper
Medicare Advantage plans are private healthcare insurance plans which replace “original government provided Medicare,” and which are increasing popular. The reason for that popularity is that, for little or no additional cost, Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional coverage for…
Medicare Advantage vs. “original Medicare” and “Medigap”
Managing healthcare costs in retirement can be a daunting task. And no less daunting is how to chose between “original Medicare” provided by the federal government and “Medicare Advantage” provided by private insurers. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to…
About the Medicare Advantage “blitz” during Annual Open Enrollment
If you’re like me, you are likely receiving a good amount of mail – email and via the U.S. Postal Service – and, perhaps text messages, offering you wonderful benefits if you simply switch your healthcare coverage by calling “this…
Healthcare Costs in Retirement…Often Overlooked in the Planning Process
Predicting cash needs in retirement is a daunting task. It often focuses on day-to-day living expenses (e.g., housing, food clothing, travel, etc.) compared to expected income streams (e.g., Social Security, interest on savings, retirement account withdrawals, etc.). That makes sense,…