medicare
Operationalizing the scope of the Medicare drug negotiations
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allowed Medicare to directly negotiate the prices of certain high-expenditure, single-source drugs without generic or biosimilar competition. The first set of negotiated prices will take effect in 2026. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid…
Medicare’s efforts to root out improper payments, fraud, waste and abuse
The Medicare program covers 68 million people and represents 15 percent of all federal spending. There are 1.4 million healthcare providers and almost a dozen different payment systems; improper payments and fraud have occurred. Despite actions over the years to reduce…
The latest Medicare scam
A new Medicare scam is on the rise, entitizing seniors to “free” or at “no cost to you” genetic testing. These scammers try to convince you by saying it will help detect certain diseases, such as cancers. They will arrange…
Don’t forget healthcare when planning your retirement
Of course, healthcare in the form of coverage for doctor visits and medical tests are, for most Americans, substantially covered by Medicare and/or Medicare Advantage plans from private insurers. But reality is that Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and a potentially…
“Telehealth” restrictions may happen later this year with Medicare
“Telehealth” – meeting with your doctors over the phone or online, came into being earnestly during the pandemic. That’s because of pandemic-induced restrictions and the fear of COVID-19 – restrictions and fears which have large gone by the wayside. Nevertheless,…
Ask Rusty – Will My Medicare Premium Change because I Sold Investment Property?
Dear Rusty: I have questions concerning the deduction of money from my Social Security benefit amount as relates to the sale of investment property. I am 66 years old and have been drawing Social Security since I turned 62. My…
“Buyer’s Remorse” for your Medicare Advantage plan? There is still time to switch.
There is no question that the “Medicare Advantage” program has seen phenomenal growth in recent years. “Medicare Advantage” plans are alternative healthcare plans offered by private insurers to replace “original Medicare” provided by the Federal Government. The attraction is obvious…
Details Emerging on the Social Security Overpayment Recovery Process
Since last week’s announcement of a return to stringent Social Security benefit overpayment recovery rules, many have been left wondering about the details. For example, how quickly will I be affected if I get a notice, or what about the…
House Appropriations Committee Refutes Misinformation on Social Security Cuts
In a post yesterday on appropriations.house.gov, the House Appropriations Committee countered partisan allegations of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security cuts in the legislation passed by the House Tuesday to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September.…
President Trump Doubles Down on Pledge to “Not Touch” Social Security
Speaking yesterday on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures program, President Trump reiterated his promise that Social Security and Medicare will not be touched except by efforts to expose and remove incidents of fraud, waste, and abuse in the systems. A…