New to Medicare? Find Out the Advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dana Cutter   

Open Enrollment CountdownNov 15th the First Day of Medicare Open Enrollment

Are you turning 65?  Are you older and considering retirement? Welcome to the first day of Medicare open enrollment  - called the Annual Election Period.  You can expect the same basic benefits from every Medicare Advantage plan with modest differences in premiums, cost sharing and different ways to access doctors and hospitals. All insurers will follow the same rules on how they market their products and each insurer will use the same basic set of brochures to help you compare your options.  Finally, the government will provide you with a Web site where you can research each of your options side-by-side and even compare customer satisfaction rates (www.Medicare.gov).
 
Congress Closer than Ever to Healthcare Reforms PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dana Cutter   
Sunday, 08 November 2009 13:39

Affordable Health Care for America ActIf You Are 50 and Over You Have a Huge Stake in these Reforms

On Saturday, November 8th the House approved a rule (in a 220-215 vote) setting parameters for considering Affordable Health Care for America Act H.R.3962 and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R.3961). However, a floor vote was not taken on H.R.3961.  The AMA reports that the House is now expected to consider H.R.3961 during the week of November 16, 2009. As originally drafted, H.R.3691 would repeal the now 21.2 percent Medicare payment rate reduction for physician services in 2010 and restructure the sustainable growth rate (or SGR) formula.
 
CMS Announces 2010 Medicare Part A and B Premiums & Deductibles PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dana Cutter   
Monday, 19 October 2009 00:00

Medicare Part A and BImportant facts about 2010 Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B

On October 16, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released display copies of Notices announcing Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles for calendar year 2010.
 
Medicare Plans Terminate, Raise Premiums, Raise Copays! What Will You Pay in 2010? PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Dana Cutter   

Medicare Plans TerminateHealth Insurers Announce Terminations of Medicare Advantage PFFS, PPO and a few HMO plans

 

Each year, private Medicare insurance plans evaluate their ability to effectively provide Medicare insurance. As the Medicare rules change from time to time (read more), private Medicare insurance companies have to make decisions about whether to continue to offer the same insurance plans, raise premiums, or terminate plans. This year, many private Medicare insurance carriers have made the decision to terminate their Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service, PPO and even in a few cases their HMO plans. You can expect that the plans that remain will raise premiums and increase the amount of services that require a copay. Bottom line, you'll have less choices and you will pay more – $5 and $60 more – than you paid in 2009.

 

 
 
Try Our Free Medicare Donut Hole Calculator or Part D Coverage Gap PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dana Cutter   
Saturday, 26 September 2009 08:58

Doughnut Hole CalculatorMedicare Doughnut Hole Calculator or Part D Coverage Gap

The Doughnut Hole is something that most Medicare Beneficiaries worry about at some level. Although the proposed legislation surrounding closing the Doughnut Hole has been in the news lately, it likely won’t be implemented this year.

In the meantime, seniors are left with few options for managing their Medicare drug costs. That’s why our partner DestinationRx (click on "Find a Plan") created a specific tool to help consumers find out when in the year they will hit the Doughnut Hole and how they can potentially avoid it altogether.

 

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Medicare Increases 2010 Medicare Part D Coverage for Seniors PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dana Cutter   
Saturday, 26 September 2009 08:54

Part D Standard BenefitAs you are all aware, we are now in the 2010 Medicare Annual Election Period. In the coming weeks, Medicare will begin releasing information about the 2010 Medicare plans. Some of this information includes:

    • Medicare Part A deductible changes
    • Medicare Part B premium and deductible changes
    • Average Medicare Part D premiums

When the information becomes available, we will be sure to update the blog and point to where you can access the most recent content. At that time, we will update the 2009 Chart with 2010 changes.

Medicare has updated some 2010 information already, including the 2010 standard prescription drug plan benefit. According to the Medicare.gov website, the 2010 standard prescription drug plan benefit increased, on average, by 4.66%.

 

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