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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action this week that should make it easier to get a lower cost near-copy of a brand-name insulin, Lantus, at the pharmacy. Semglee has been approved as both biosimilar to, and interchangeable as a substitute for Lantus, a widely used long-acting insulin. Biosimilar drugs are not […]
Occasionally I receive calls from clients questioning the “facility fee” charged by their physician and, of course, why their healthcare plan did not pay for it. Earlier this week, NPR’s All Things Considered aired an informative six minute segment (click here to listen) explaining how a Cleveland Ohio Medicare beneficiary’s copayment bill was ten times […]
This year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) was a busy time and we are grateful for the scores of individuals and couples who permitted our team of agent advisors to help with their 2021 Part C Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription drug plan selection. (The December 7 deadline did not […]
“Not only is Dan quite knowledgeable on this subject, he is welcoming and explains Medicare in an understandable manner.” ~ Lori R. (November 14, 2020) This past summer New Hampshire Magazine interviewed Dan as part of its September 17 “Understanding Medicare” article. New Hampshire resident Lori R. is approaching Medicare eligibility and wanted to learn […]