Category archives: Medicare
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2 weeks ago
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After small or no increases the past couple of years, Medicare’s Part B premium will rise sharply in 2020. The basic monthly premium will increase $9.10, from $135.50 a month to $144.60.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the premium increase on November 8, 2019. N... [read more]
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2 months ago
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Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7. Don't let this period slip by without shopping around to see whether your current choices are the best ones for you.
During this period you may enroll in a Medicare Pa... [read more]
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5 months ago
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Hospice care is supposed to help terminally ill patients maintain their quality of life at the end of their life, but two new government reports find that serious problems in some hospices may be actually causing harm to hospice patients. The reports propose that additional safeguards are needed.
... [read more]
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6 months ago
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At the doctor's office and want to know if a procedure is covered by Medicare? There is an app for that. Medicare has launched a free app that gives beneficiaries a quick way to see whether the program covers a specific medical item or service.
The "What's Covered" app allows you to search or br... [read more]
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7 months ago
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Hospital patients who need additional care after being discharged from the hospital are usually sent to either an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Although these facilities may look similar from the outside, Medicare offers very different coverage for each... [read more]
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9 months ago
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Medicare covers preventative care services, including an annual wellness visit. But confusing a wellness visit with a physical could be very costly.
As part of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare beneficiaries receive a free annual wellness visit. At this visit, your doctor, nurse practitioner or ... [read more]
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10 months ago
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A new report that combines nursing home quality data with a survey of family members ranks the best and worst states for care and paints a picture of how Americans view nursing homes.
The website Care.com analyzed Medicare's nursing home ratings to identify the states with the best and worst ... [read more]
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12 months ago
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If you are paying for your own insurance, you may think you do not need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. However, not signing up for Medicare Part B right away can cost you down the road.
You can first sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is the seven-mon... [read more]
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1 year ago
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When personal injury lawsuits are settled, the underlying settlement figure may be less than initially meets the eye due to attorneys’ fees, expenses and other costs. To ensure the resulting settlement best protects the plaintiff's long-term financial interests, as well as their health and quality o... [read more]
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1 year ago
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Social Security payments are set to grow next year, although for some recipients the extra income will be slightly offset by an increase in Medicare premiums and deductibles.
Announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) on October 11, 2018, and effective December 31, Social Security pay... [read more]
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1 year ago
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The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8 percent increase in benefits in 2019, the largest increase since 2012. The change will put an additional $468 anually in the pocket of the average retired beneficiary.
Cost of living increases are tied to the consumer price index, and an... [read more]
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1 year ago
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Do you have the right Medicare plan? It is fall, which means it is time to think about whether your current plan is still giving you the best coverage or whether a new plan could save you money or offer better coverage. Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or swit... [read more]
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