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Medicare Medicare A & B

Medicare Tips: Part B

Unlike Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing or hospice facility, Part B covers through outpatient care, services from doctors and other providers, durable medical equipment and many preventative screenings. Individuals already receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B effective the first day of the […]

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Medicare A & B Part D Prescription Drug

Changes to the NY Medicare Savings Program in 2023

If you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and have limited income you may be able to get assistance with your health care costs through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP)  If eligible, you will receive help paying the Medicare Part B premium, (currently $164.90) and automatically get Extra Help, the federal program that […]

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Medicare A & B

Medicare 2023 Parts B and D IRMAA Premiums

2023 Medicare “Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount” to Part B and Part D Premiums The 2023 standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $164.90. However, it seems from the number of client calls we have received this week many will be charged an additional Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Parts B and D […]

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Medicare A & B Part D Prescription Drug

Medicare Covered my COVID-19 Test Kit – $0 copay

Recently I’ve been hearing conflicting stories on whether COVID-19 over-the-counter test kits are covered by Medicare and, if so, what card should members present for billing. (Previously, we could order kits free of charge through the federal government but that has ended.) And so I went in to my local CVS (my drug plan’s preferred […]

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Medicare Medicare A & B Medicare supplement Part C Medicare Advantage Part D Prescription Drug

About the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15th through December 7th, is when Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in or change their Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to take effect January 1. Some Important Tips to Consider if you are now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan: Yes, […]

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Medicare A & B Medicare supplement

Medicare 2022 Part A, Part B and IRMAA Premiums

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set the premium amounts for Medicare Part A and Part B for the calendar year 2022. 2022 Medicare Part B Premiums The 2022 standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $170.10, a $21.60 increase from the $148.50 standard amount for 2021.   2022 Medicare […]

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Medicare A & B Medicare supplement

Medicare 2021 Part A and Part B: Premium and Deductible Changes

[This page is best viewed in landscape mode] On November 6, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. Medicare Part A Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care services. […]

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Medicare A & B

Enrolling in Medicare Part B and the Coronavirus Crisis

If receiving your Social Security retirement benefits before age 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. The coverage usually begins the month of your 65th birthday and the Part B Medicare premium is withheld from your Social Security benefit payment. Many individuals working past age 65 and still insured through […]

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Medicare A & B Patient Health

Medicare’s Observation Status Makes Inpatients Into Outpatients (via NPR)

Beware of the “Admitted for Observation” Billing Code A daughter’s story: “An ER doctor examined her, saw that she couldn’t move her leg, couldn’t really even hold her body upright and had trouble with her memory. He said he would admit her to the hospital’s observation unit to figure out what was going on. He […]

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Medicare A & B

Switching Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies

Reasons Why New Yorkers Switch Their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies: You’re paying for benefits you don’t need. You need more benefits than you needed before. Your current Medigap policy has the right benefits, but you want to change your insurance company. Your current Medigap policy has the right benefits, but you want to find a […]