Looking For Lower Medicare Drug Costs? Ask Your Pharmacist For The Cash Price.
Sometimes a drug plan鈥檚 copayment is higher than the cash price, and under a little-known federal rule, pharmacists have to tell Medicare beneficiaries that 鈥 but only if they ask.
Medicare Advantage Plans Cleared To Go Beyond Medical Coverage 鈥 Even Groceries
Under new federal rules unveiled this week, these privately run alternatives to traditional Medicare might provide air conditioners, rides to medical appointments and home-delivered meals.
Planes de Medicare Advantage pronto servir谩n hasta para hacer las compras
Los Centros para Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid ampliaron la forma en que definen los beneficios “relacionados directamente con la salud”, que las aseguradoras pueden incluir en sus p贸lizas.
Lifting Therapy Caps Is A Load Off Medicare Patients鈥 Shoulders
Last month鈥檚 budget deal means Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for physical and occupational therapy indefinitely. Plus, prescription drug costs will fall for more seniors.
Home Care Agencies Often Wrongly Deny Medicare Help To The Chronically Ill
Agencies sometimes turn away Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health problems by incorrectly claiming Medicare won’t pay for their services, say patient advocates.
A Few Pointers To Help Save Money And Avoid The Strain Of Medicare Enrollment
Most beneficiaries have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to decide on drug coverage and whether to switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Money-Saving Offer For Medicare鈥檚 Late Enrollees Is Expiring. Can They Buy Time?
Sept. 30 marks the end of Medicare鈥檚 temporary offer to waive penalties for certain late Medicare enrollees with Affordable Care Act insurance coverage.
Counting On Medicaid To Avoid Life In A Nursing Home? That’s Now Up To Congress.
Tighter Medicaid budgets could jeopardize states鈥 home-based services that help older adults and disabled people live in their homes instead of more expensive nursing homes.
Feds To Waive Penalties For Some Who Signed Up Late For Medicare
People who were using marketplace plans instead of Medicare may qualify for the reprieve. They have until Sept. 30 to apply.
Volunteers Help Ombudsmen Give Nursing Home Residents 鈥楢 Voice鈥 In Their Care
Ombudsman’s offices represent long-term care residents on issues such as admissions and discharges, food, physical environment and abuse.
By Law, Hospitals Now Must Tell Medicare Patients When Care Is ‘Observation’ Only
Not being officially admitted 鈥 a status known as observation care 鈥 can have financial consequences for beneficiaries, and patients had often complained they were not informed.
Judge Accepts Medicare鈥檚 Plan To Remedy Misunderstanding On Therapy Coverage
Many seniors are denied coverage because therapists mistakenly believe that they must be making improvements to qualify for coverage.
Medicare鈥檚 Coverage Of Therapy Services Again Is In Center Of Court Dispute
According to a settlement four years ago, Medicare was supposed to make clear to therapists that their services are covered even if beneficiaries are not improving. But that is not yet widely accepted.
21 Medicare Health Plans Warned To Fix Provider Directory Errors
Federal officials release names of insurers who ranked poorly in a recent review of their online directories鈥 accuracy.
New Nursing Home Rules Offer Residents More Control Of Their Care
People in these facilities are now guaranteed more flexibility on food and roommate choices, as well as improved procedures for grievances and discharges.
COBRA, Retiree Plans, VA Benefits Don鈥檛 Alleviate Need To Sign Up For Medicare
Thousands of people mistakenly think that if they have insurance, they can wait to sign up for Medicare Part B. Generally, insurance other than that provided by a current employer will not exempt them from Medicare鈥檚 strict enrollment requirements.
Medicare Bars New 鈥楽eamless Conversion鈥 Efforts For Some Seniors
Some insurers have been allowed to move customers on the health law’s marketplaces into their Medicare Advantage plans when they become eligible for Medicare, but seniors complain they didn鈥檛 always know it was happening.
Officials Warn Some Older Marketplace Customers To Switch To Medicare
The government is sending emails and letters to some seniors to warn them that if they are eligible for Medicare and stay on the health law’s exchange, they will have to repay any subsidies they receive and if they miss their Medicare enrollment opportunity, they will face a life-long penalty.
Protecting California鈥檚 Seniors From Surprise Hospital, Nursing Home Bills
Lawmakers approve bill to help Medicare patients with “observation care鈥 costs.
FAQ: Hospital Observation Care Can Be Costly For Medicare Patients
A guide to help Medicare patients receiving observation care.
