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Community

Community Involvement

April 22, 2023 Every Earth Day weekend, the NYS Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails New York host Canal Clean Sweep, a weekend of spring clean-ups on sections of the Canalway Trail. On April 22, Dan and his team of volunteers will meet at Lions Park in Niskayuna, NY at 10:00 am and for two […]

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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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Part C Medicare Advantage

Another Open Enrollment Period?

Medicare’s 2023 Open Enrollment Period, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period, concluded on December 7. Since there are three other Enrollment Periods (Initial, General and Special) it is no surprise that when we hear about a fifth Enrollment Period – this one begins on January 1 and ends March 31 – we shake our […]

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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

What is a High Deductible Medigap Plan?

Once Original Medicare approves a claim, it will deduct from its approved amount that which you are responsible for and pay the difference directly to the provider. That amount you are responsible for; the Part A deductible, the Part B deductible and Part B 20% co-share is often paid through the purchase of a secondary […]

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Medicare Part D Prescription Drug

The New Law and Medicare Part D

Well, just as we are finishing up the annual federal and carrier Medicare Advantage and Part D certifications for 2023, the US House and Senate passed a bill (H.R. 5376 titled Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) which includes some important changes to the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some of these changes take effect […]

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Part D Prescription Drug

Comparing Insulin Costs

One in every three Medicare beneficiaries has diabetes, and over 3.3 million Medicare beneficiaries use one or more of the common forms of insulin. On January 26, Benita Lee from GoodRx Health published a detailed analysis comparing the costs of 28 brand and generic insulins. GoodRx research shows shows that the average retail price for […]

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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 […]