Trump Administration Reverses Plans to Expand Medicare Coverage for Obesity Drugs The Trump administration has officially halted a Biden-era initiative that aimed to extend Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include obesity drugs, a move set to impact millions of Americans coping with obesity, disproportionately affecting seniors and lower-income groups. While supporters saw the proposed expansion as a progressive step towards tackling one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges, critics have raised concerns over the potential cost burden. Below, we untangle the implications of this decision, exploring its economic, medical,…
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Mind the Gap: Things to Know Before Picking the Best Medicare Supplement Plan
Whether you have just turned 65, are about to turn 65, or are looking after a loved one who already has, keeping abreast of Medicare policy changes and picking the best Medicare supplement plan can seem like a daunting task. While the basic Medicare supplement plans (Plans A – N) are standardized at the federal government level, there are still many variations and nuances that occur at the state level. For example, some states may charge different rates for males than they do for females; some states won’t ask questions…
Read MoreHealth insurance companies may combine as Aetna makes offer for Coventry
The American consolidation would be worth $5.6 billion if accepted. Health insurance company, Aetna Inc., has made a $5.6 billion offer to acquire its competitor, Coventry Health Care Inc., in order to boost its share of the most rapidly growing American government-backed Medicaid and Medicare programs. Aetna would gain over 5 million customers if this purchase is completed. This most recent announcement is made right on the heels of another major acquisition, when WellPoint Inc. purchased Amerigroup Corp. in a massive broadening of its Medicaid business. This type of consolidation…
Read MoreMedicare supplemental insurance is confusing the majority of seniors
Research shows that 82 percent of people over 65 years don’t know how or where to buy it. Upon reaching the age of 65, most Americans will receive part A and will choose to be covered by part B as well, but beyond that, Medicare supplemental insurance appears to be causing seniors a significant amount of confusion. A survey was performed by a group called Medicare Medics, to examine the way in which individuals who newly qualify for the benefits are managing. It included participation from people 65 years of…
Read MoreLearning more about healthcare and open enrollment for Medicare
The Medicare open enrollment period is already well underway, as is the healthcare enrollment for people who receive health insurance from their employers and individuals who haven’t yet gone over their current coverage package for 2012 are being advised to hurry up and get started. For those individuals who haven’t yet missed their window of opportunity for changes in employer-sponsored insurance, the sooner they have a look at their current health insurance and compare it to what is available, the better, because any changes that are made by employers or…
Read MoreThe Medicare Information Solution: Part 2
This article is continued from Part 1. Retiree benefits are received by approximately one in every three Medicare beneficiaries, and are a form of supplemental coverage from the retirement health plan provided by their former employers. For these individuals, Medicare began quite simply. They would use both Parts A and B, and then would simply use the insurance from their former employers to cover the out-of-pocket costs such as prescription drugs. The majority of individuals who have this option available to them will take it. However, employers are offering this…
Read MoreNew search tool for Medicare Part D for 2012 available through Q1Medicare.com
The Medicare Part D prescription drug plan search tool – also known as the PDP Finder – is now launched through Q1 Medicare and this stand-alone feature is now available for use. This tool gives Medicare beneficiaries such as seniors a look at all of the different Medicare Part D plans available for 2012 for their areas quickly and easily. These plans are offered along with the primary details for all drug tiers of coverage, such as the monthly premiums, “Donut Hole” coverage, the initial deductibles, and cost sharing/co-payment information.…
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