Medicare names first 10 drugs up for price negotiations with the government
Medicare names first 10 drugs up for price negotiations with the government Popular — and pricey — blood thinners and diabetes drugs are on the list. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday announced the first 10 prescription drugs that will...
Here are 25 Medicare Part D drugs that have skyrocketed in price
Here are 25 Medicare Part D drugs that have skyrocketed in price Medicare Part D drug prices have increased by an average of 226% since market entry. These 25 drugs are responsible for $80.9 billion in total Part D spending in 2021. The new report (PDF) from...
New Weight Loss Drugs Carry High Price Tags and Lots of Questions for Seniors
New Weight Loss Drugs Carry High Price Tags and Lots of Questions for Seniors Corlee Morris has dieted throughout her adult life. After her weight began climbing in high school, she spent years losing 50 or 100 pounds then gaining it back. Morris, 78, was at...
Twin Cities area hospitals experience financial stress of ‘labordemic’
Twin Cities area hospitals experience financial stress of 'labordemic' Allina Health System said this month it would eliminate 350 positions. Medical centers, in general, are struggling with labor costs, as well as that of drugs and supplies. Hospital operators...
Meal for Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Cut Mortality, Improve Outcomes
Meal for Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Cut Mortality, Improve Outcomes Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries given home-delivered meals in the four weeks after being discharged from a hospital were not only less likely to be readmitted within 30 days, they were...
What to know about the new Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi
What to know about the new Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Thursday gave full approval to Leqembi, the first drug that can change the course of Alzheimer’s disease. The move gives patients a glimmer of hope, and patient...
CVS Health Make Aggressive Primary Care Moves; Are More on the Way?
CVS Health Make Aggressive Primary Care Moves; Are More on the Way? The year isn’t even half over and already CVS Health has made five significant moves to further entrench its position as a player in primary care. But there’s more to the drug store giant’s strategy...
Should Wealthy Clients Delay Taking Social Security?
Should Wealthy Clients Delay Taking Social Security? Wealthy clients, having no immediate need for the money at retirement, often don’t take Social Security until age 70 or beyond. What are the tax plusses and minuses of this move? “For wealthy clients, Social...
Time Is Running Out To Avoid Cuts To Social Security Benefits
Time Is Running Out To Avoid Cuts To Social Security Benefits Social Security has long been considered the “third rail” of US politics—the implication being that if you touch the program, you’ll suffer a nasty shock. But time is running out to implement changes...
Social Security 2023: Recent Study Shows Quarter of Americans Underestimate Their Benefits By $5,000
Social Security 2023: Recent Study Shows Quarter of Americans Underestimate Their Benefits By $5,000 Many older Americans are pleasantly surprised when they receive their first Social Security check. According to a new study from the National Bureau of Economic...
Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
Does Medicare cover dental care? What beneficiaries need to know Good oral health, including regular checkups, cleanings, and oral cancer screenings, can help prevent gum disease as well as tooth decay and loss. Yet traditional Medicare does not cover dental...
What Divorced People Need to Know About Social Security
What Divorced People Need to Know About Social Security The end of a marriage doesn’t necessarily end eligibility for family benefits Forty-four percent of Americans nearing retirement age do not know that divorced people can collect Social Security benefits...
Most of the Public Worries About the Future of Medicare But Sees Debate About Medicare Cuts More as Playing Politics than Actual Plans
Most of the Public Worries About the Future of Medicare But Sees Debate About Medicare Cuts More as Playing Politics than Actual Plans Bipartisan Majorities View Medicaid Positively and Think It’s Working Well for Low-Income People With a divided Congress...
Feds Crack Down on Medicare Advantage Marketing
Feds Crack Down on Medicare Advantage Marketing Starting Sept. 30, if Joe Namath, William Shatner or Jimmy Walker wants to sell you on Medicare Advantage (MA), they are going to have to disclose what insurance plan they are advertising. And these television...
As inflation starts to subside, a lower Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2024 may be on the horizon
New government inflation data shows inflation is cooling — and that could point to a lower cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for Social Security beneficiaries next year. The Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers, or CPI-U, rose 5% from a year ago and 0.1% in...
Saving money with the prescription drug law
A new prescription drug law that went into effect January 1, 2023, will help save money for people with Medicare. This law improves access to affordable treatments and strengthens the Medicare program. Here’s what the law means for you: More vaccines covered People...
The Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Health Care Costs for Millions of Americans
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden is delivering on his promise to lower prescription drug costs, make health insurance more affordable, and make the economy work for working families. This law means millions of Americans across all 50 states, the...