from our friends at: Medicare Rights Center 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 adjustment amounts (IRMAA) for Part B and Part D for people with income above … Read More
How Health Care Could Change Under The New Trump Administration
from our friends at: NPR Former President Donald Trump’s election victory and coming return to the White House will likely bring changes that scale back the nation’s public health insurance programs — potentially increasing the uninsured rate, while imposing new barriers to abortion and other reproductive care. The reverberations will be felt far beyond Washington, D.C., and could include an … Read More
How to Actually Understand What You’re Buying on the Healthcare Exchange
from our friends at: Lifehacker I’m convinced that the luckiest people in America are those who have a decent health insurance plan paid for by their employer—but just one, so there’s nothing to choose. For the rest of us, each November’s open enrollment period starts anew the painful process of choosing the least worst plan offered by your employer. But … Read More
Upcoming Changes To Fully Insured Health Plans In California: What Employers Need To Know
from our friends at: Mondaq The California legislative season drew to a close September 30th, with Governor Newsom signing several Senate and Assembly Bills that increase the benefits fully insured health plans in California must cover, focusing on maternal healthcare, preventive care, and AI protections. Fully insured health plans provide coverage through an insurance policy purchased by an employer and … Read More
Arm Position During Blood Pressure Check May Lead To Wrong Reading, Study Finds
from our friends at: NBC News Blood pressure readings may not be accurate unless a person’s arm is positioned correctly, a new study suggests. A comparison of blood pressure readings taken while people held their arms three different ways — leaning on a surface, resting on the lap or hanging by the side of the body — showed certain positions could … Read More
These Medicare 2025 Changes Could Save You Money
from our friends at verywellhealth Prescription Drug Costs Capped at $2,000 Per Year Under new rules for 2025, out-of-pocket medication expenses will be capped at $2,000. This limit applies to deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for covered drugs but doesn’t apply to premiums. The cap also doesn’t apply to drugs not covered by your plan. That’s why it’s important to check if … Read More
Voting May Be Good For Your Health
from our friends at Medicare Rights Center A new article in Health Affairs urges states and localities to reduce barriers to voting and improve civic participation to bolster community health. Voting is linked to improved health potentially both by steering the country, state, or locality toward important policy goals and by improving the individual’s sense of hope, community and opportunity. … Read More
Medicare and Social Security FAQ
Below are a few of the more common Medicare and Social Security questions that arise and whom to call for answers. Medicare (www.Medicare.gov | 1-800-Medicare) 1. What is covered under Medicare Part A and Part B 2. Original Medicare’s deductibles and other costs 3. Information on how to appeal a Medicare claim 4. Authorize another person to oversee your account/talk … Read More
Changes To Part D: Lower Out-Of-Pocket Costs In 2024 and 2025; Simplification In 2025
from our friends at: Medicare Rights Center Many people with Medicare Part D drug coverage—in particular those who reach the catastrophic coverage phase—may experience unexpected costs and significant confusion as their out-of-pocket obligations change throughout the year. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) brings much-needed consumer protections and predictability to these coverage phases, limiting financial exposure for everyone and generating significant … Read More
FDA Approves Blood Test For Colon Cancer
from our friends at: American College of Surgeons The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new blood test to detect colon cancer, which could have significant implications for increasing screening for a form of cancer that increasingly is being diagnosed in younger individuals who will subsequently require treatment by surgeons. The blood test, Guardant Health’s Shield, does … Read More