Medicare Blog

Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual physicals you were used to with group coverage. If you’ve had Medicare Part B for more than 12...

Retirement is great – or at least it can be. However, quitting work alone isn’t enough to deliver happiness. That’s why many seniors keep working well into their golden years. For those who prefer to spend the twilight of their life enjoying the trappings of leisure,...

Key Points Partial retirement is when you retire from your full-time position, but might work part-time to produce a reduced income. You may consider partial retirement if you enjoy working and want to continue or if you need to work for the extra money. Your Medicare...

Key Points Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday, allowing you to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare start date depends on when you enroll; if you sign up in the three months before your birthday,...

Key Points Original Medicare allows beneficiaries to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. If you have a Medigap plan, you can still see any provider that accepts Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans may have network restrictions that can...

Key Points Unfortunately, seniors can be a prime target for scammers, and many will try to trick seniors into falling for their Medicare scams. Scammers use several different tactics to try and scam Medicare beneficiaries and make attempts by phone or email. Scammers...

Retiring soon and wondering what to do with your health savings account (HSA)? You’re not alone – many people find the rules around HSAs and Medicare to be confusing. Here’s what you need to know about having an HSA after 65, spending your contributions and avoiding...

Learn how to navigate the system to get the best coverage for your loved one Medicare can be complicated when you’re making your own health care decisions, but it has an extra layer of complexity when you’re trying to help a sick or aging relative navigate the system....

Discover 6 ways to access care fast, even if your doctor is busy. Hint: You may not need to go in person. Doctors’ offices are busier than ever these days. Sometimes it can be tough to book a timely appointment with your primary care provider. You might be sick or...

Expensive medications? You’ll save thousands. Dementia or mental health care? More options   Key takeaways Changes from Inflation Reduction Act are in effect now. Lower out-of-pocket limit in Part D drug plans erases old “donut hole.” You may find weight loss...

A bumper crop of revisions, including a stronger drug benefit, means the plan you enrolled in for 2024 may not be the best fit next year. Americans on Medicare will see big, and welcome, changes next year. The program’s prescription drug insurance will be much...

Big changes to Medicare plans are in store for 2025 as open enrollment is underway. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for older adults ages 65 and older. Open enrollment for 2025 Medicare plans runs through December 7. Some major changes in 2025 include a...

Key lessons learned from the 2025 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP); plus actionable strategies for Medicare Advantage plans looking to improve member experience and reduce costs. 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for Medicare plans nationwide. As the market...

“How much can I expect to pay out of pocket for Medicare coverage?” It’s something you might be wondering if you’re age 65+ or about to turn 65. Medicare expenses are a big concern for many older adults, especially those on a fixed or limited income. The first step to...

Key takeaways: The Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the “donut hole” will end in 2024. As of January 1, 2025, Medicare Part D plans will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit. If you reach that threshold, your plan will pay for all of your covered medications in full...

Two important changes are coming for Medicare Part D beneficiaries in 2025 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act: Annual out-of-pocket (OOP) cap of $2,000 for prescription drugs. Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP), which will allow beneficiaries who opt in...

Big changes are coming to Medicare in 2025, and they could make a major difference in your prescription drug costs. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare beneficiaries will see the most significant updates to the program’s drug coverage since it was first...

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released information about Medicare costs in 2025, including the 2025 premium, deductible and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Part A and Part B. The agency also announced the income-related monthly...

Key components of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Part D reforms will be fully implemented for plans offered in 2025. These changes, including the total elimination of the “coverage gap” coverage period, the establishment of a $2,000 cap on beneficiary out-of-pocket...

Medicare payment rules prohibit coverage for a service if a beneficiary is not financially responsible for the care or if another government entity is obligated to provide or pay for the item or service. For years, the Medicare rules interpreting and implementing this...