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
Medicare Plan Annual Notice Of Change (ANOC): What To Look For
from our friends at: United HealthCare Over the next few months, you’re probably going to receive a lot of information about Medicare. It’s all meant to help you understand your coverage choices and make informed decisions during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7). There is one piece of Medicare mail, though, that you want to be … Read More
When To Go To Urgent Care vs. The Emergency Room
from our friends at: California Broker Magazine Knowing which illnesses and injuries require urgent or emergency care can be challenging. Patients often avoid high out-of-pocket expenses and long wait times at an in-network urgent care center, but not all medical conditions are appropriate for these clinics. Saving time and money is important for your clients and their employer too. So, … Read More
House Committee Passes Bill That Would Allow Medicare To Cover Weight Loss Drugs
from our friends at: NBC News The vote, by the Ways and Means Committee, is one of the first steps needed to reverse a more than two-decades-old ban prohibiting the government from paying for the drugs. For more than two decades, a law has prohibited Medicare from paying for weight loss drugs, cutting off access to millions of potential patients … Read More
The Costs Of Untreated Mental Health In The Workplace
from our friends at: LinkedIn As we continue to observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss the significant costs associated with untreated mental illness, particularly in the workplace. The impact of mental health on employees and organizations is often overlooked, leading to substantial financial losses and decreased productivity. In this article, we will explore the costs of untreated mental … Read More
The State Of US Women’s Heart Health: A Path To Improved Health And Financial Outcomes
from our friends at: McKinsey.com Women are biologically different from men A woman’s cardiovascular health is influenced by biological factors that are rooted in unique life stages. Women and men share many traditional risk factors for the development of CVD, such as obesity, smoking, and diabetes. But the relative impact of these may vary because of biological differences and behavioral … Read More
Keeping ACA Premium Tax Credits High May Cut 2025 Group Health Use
from our friends at: BenefitsPRO Congress will have to decide soon whether to continue a big, temporary increase in premium tax credit subsidies for Affordable Care Act public exchange plan coverage. If Congress lets the subsidy increase lapse, that could increase enrollment in employer-sponsored health coverage by about 4 million, to 151 million, according to an Urban Institute analysis. Some small employers might react … Read More