medicare
Policy Options for Addressing Social Security & Medicare Solvency Issues
The focus on resolving the rapidly eroding financial positions of our country’s two critical senior safety net and income security programs—Social Security and Medicare—is growing. As we look ahead to the incoming congressional session, various solutions will likely enter the…
Medicare Advantage saves money
Medicare recipients who migrate from traditional Medicare to the Medicare Advantage program have saved the federal government $144 billion over the last decade, according to the latest study by Elevance. They found: “What happens in the MA system indirectly affects…
Is a Medicare Advantage plan right for you?
It is the time of the year again when all those Medicare Advantage plans advertise how wonderful they are and give you all sorts of additional benefits, but are they right for you? During Medicare’s Open Enrollment season, which will…
Medicare Part B costs have outpaced COLA for years
Data shows that Medicare Part B premiums have been rising faster than COLA for years, which is why many seniors are struggling to make ends meet. Mary Johnson, Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, her analysis shows that “From 2005…
2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2025 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Part A and Part B. CMS also released the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for Parts B and D. The standard…
What’s Ahead for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2025
We already know what to expect relative to Social Security benefits in 2025–the much-discussed 2.5%–cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)–but we also know that that’s not the full story. As noted in a post by Jeffrey Quiggle, an editor and reporter at TheStreet…
Sign up for Medicare Part B Online, by Fax, or by Mail
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is underway through December 7. This is an annual opportunity for people with Medicare to review their coverage and, if needed, make changes to their plans. If you already have Medicare Part A and want to…
Take the time to review your health plan
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2025 runs from October 15, 2024, to December 7, 2024. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can review their current coverage and make necessary adjustments for the upcoming year. Tricia Neuman, a senior vice president…
Ask Rusty – About Signing up for Social Security and Medicare Part B at 70
Dear Rusty: I just turned 69 years old in August 2024 and am still working full time. I signed up for Medicare Part A but, it is my secondary insurance because I have great health insurance through where I work.…
Changes coming to your Part D plan in 2025
The 2025 Medicare open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans is from October 15, 2024, to December 7, 2024. Medicare enrollees can choose or make changes to their Medicare Advantage plan and Medicare Part D prescription drug…