Medicare Issues Projected Drug Premiums for 2018

Medicare Issues Projected Drug Premiums for 2018: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that average monthly Medicare Part D premiums will decrease slightly in 2018.  Based on the Medicare Part D plan carrier bids, the 2018 average base monthly premium is estimated to be around $33.50 per month, a decrease of around $1.20 from the $34.70 actual average premium reported in 2017. See the Q1Medicare Group article: https://q1medicare.com/q1group/MedicareAdvantagePartD/Blog.php?blog=2017-CMS-Press-release—Medicare-Issues-Projected-Drug-Premiums-for-2018-&blog_id=639&frompage=18

Some Preventive Service Visits Come With a Cost

Medicare covers many preventive services to help you live a healthier life. There is no extra cost to you for certain preventive screenings, visits and services. However, if your doctor performs a service during a preventive health visit that isn’t covered under the preventive benefit, you may have to pay all or a portion of the cost for that non-preventive service. See the Medicare made Clear article: https://blog.medicaremadeclear.com/Some-Preventive-Service-Visits-Come-With-a-Cost/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=standard&mrcid=email_fed_p&utm_content=nl20175b&WT.mc_id=880554

Premiums and Tax Credits Under the Affordable Care Act vs. the American Health Care Act: Interactive Maps:

This article includes interactive maps that compare county-level estimates of premiums and tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with what they’d receive under the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in 2020. The maps include premium tax credit estimates by county for current ACA marketplace enrollees at age 27, 40, or 60 with an annual income of $20,000, $30,000, $40,000, $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000. Read the Kaiser Family Foundation article: http://kff.org/interactive/tax-credits-under-the-affordable-care-act-vs-replacement-proposal-interactive-map/

2017 Premium Changes and Insurer Participation in the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplaces

Health insurance premiums on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces (also called exchanges) are expected to increase faster in 2017 than in previous years due to a combination of factors, including substantial losses experienced by many insurers in this market and the phasing out of the ACA’s reinsurance program. Read the Kaiser Family Foundation article: http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/2017-premium-changes-and-insurer-participation-in-the-affordable-care-acts-health-insurance-marketplaces/

Medicare Part D Late-Enrollment Premium Penalties will increase in 2017

The Medicare Part D late-enrollment premium penalty is an additional monthly cost paid by Medicare Part D beneficiaries who did not enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan when they were first eligible. The penalty is permanent and you will pay the penalty as long as you have Medicare drug coverage. 2017 Medicare Part D Late-Enrollment Premium Penalties will increase by 4.5%. Read the Q1Medicare.com article: https://q1medicare.com/q1group/MedicareAdvantagePartD/Blog.php?blog=2017-Medicare-Part-D-Late-Enrollment-Premium-Penalties-will-increase-by-4-5-&blog_id=579&frompage=11

 

When Is a Good Time to Start Receiving Social Security Benefits?

Full retirement age refers to the age when a person can receive their Social Security benefits. You can start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or any time after that. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be, although it stops increasing at age 70. Your monthly benefits will be reduced permanently if you start them any time before your full retirement age. If you decide to receive benefits before you reach full retirement age, you should also understand how continuing to work can affect your benefits. Read the Social Security Blog: http://blog.socialsecurity.gov/when-is-a-good-time-to-start-receiving-social-security-benefits/

10 Essential Facts About Medicare’s Financial Outlook

Medicare, the nation’s federal health insurance program, often plays a major role in federal health policy and budget discussions. Medicare is likely to be back on the federal policy agenda as Congress debates repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and also if policymakers turn their attention to reducing entitlement spending as part of efforts to reduce the growing federal budget deficit and debt.

By many measures, repealing the ACA’s provisions related to Medicare would increase program spending and worsen the financial outlook for the program. To sustain Medicare for the long run, policymakers may need to consider additional program changes to modify program revenues, benefits, spending, and financing. Read the Kaiser Family Foundation article: http://kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/10-essential-facts-about-medicares-financial-outlook/

 

What Are the Implications of Repealing the Affordable Care Act for Medicare Spending and Beneficiaries?

The Affordable Care Act included many provisions affecting the Medicare program and the millions of people who rely on Medicare for their health insurance coverage. This article explores the implications for Medicare and beneficiaries of repealing Medicare provisions in the ACA. Read the Kaiser Family Foundation article http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/what-are-the-implications-of-repealing-the-affordable-care-act-for-medicare-spending-and-beneficiaries/

Slowing Down Hospital Discharge Requires Fast Action

Every older adult admitted to a hospital as an inpatient has the right to challenge a discharge if he or she feels unprepared to leave. But few people understand the process that’s involved. Frequently, seniors and their families are caught by surprise when a transfer from the hospital is at hand. Read the Kaiser Health News article http://khn.org/news/slowing-down-hospital-discharge-requires-fast-action/

Medicare Sets Modest Part B Premium Increases For 2017

Medicare Sets Modest Part B Premium Increases For 2017: Medicare has announced the “Part B” premium for 2017, and for most beneficiaries it’s a modest increase. Next year’s tiny Social Security cost-of-living increase means that about 70 percent of Medicare recipients will be protected from rising medical costs. For this group, the average premium will be about $109 a month.  Read the Kaiser Health News article http://khn.org/morning-breakout/medicare-sets-modest-part-b-premium-increases-for-2017/