Weekly News

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) reported that Medicare Wellness Programs have the ability to improve physical and mental health in seniors. The six programs have been found to help reduce obesity, prevent falls, and most importantly help those with chronic conditions. These medicare programs are offered as a way to keep seniors…

When the Trump Administration announced a rule to stop cost-sharing subsidies to insurance companies, there were threats of lawsuits. The threats have now become a reality, with an insurance co-op recently filing a lawsuit against the federal government. Cost-sharing reduction payments were set up under Obamacare to ensure that customers would be able to receive…

The US government and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, have proposed an increase in Medicare Advantage payment rates. The increase will be an average of 1.84 percent. This increase is up from the 0.45% that plans got last year from the government. Health insurers will receive these payments to help benefit the…

Health insurance premiums and deductibles can become costly, and continuously go u p every year depending on the plan. There are ways to help ease the burden of a high premium/deductible plan that is cost-effective while receiving the medical services you need. Compare Plans More than 90% of people end up not looking into their…

A Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) was announced by the CDC to begin in 2018. The model will be added as a covered benefit for Medicare enrollees who meet the criteria. The program started April 1, 2018. [caption id="attachment_1019" align="alignleft" width="300"] New Medicare Programs For Diabetes Can Result In You Saving Big![/caption] Diabetes affects more…

The Affordable Care Act is once again facing a new challenge, this time by Republican states trying to dismantle it once and for all. The basis of the claim filed is that since the individual mandate was removed, it makes the whole ACA unconstitutional. The individual mandate is the ruling that people must have insurance…

The Trump Administration has finally finalized expanding insurance companies ability to sell short-term health insurance plans for up to 3 years (36 months). This will allow consumers to buy less expensive and less comprehensive insurance policies for a longer time. The old rule for short-term health insurance was that it cannot last for more than…

Details have emerged after a report was released on the investigation into Medicare drug prices. The report "Manufactured Crisis: How devastating drug price increases are harming America's seniors,” and its findings were released by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, Democrat-Missouri. This report talks about the hiked up drug prices for senior citizens and how it needs…

Short term health insurance plans have taken the spotlight in the news due to Trump announcing the extensions of short term plan durations. Rather than having a limit of 3 months, it has been extended to a year. If you are thinking of choosing between a short term plan and a long term insurance plan,…

When it comes to determining if a short-term health insurance plan or a major medical health insurance is best for you, there are many factors you must consider. Two of the main things to consider are how long you want coverage and what you want to be covered. Short-term plans aid people when a catastrophic…

Usually we are unaware of how much salt we consume in a day. Around 75% of the things we eat already have salt in it, even things like bread, and cereal. It is important to keep an eye on our salt intake in order to prevent any serious health conditions. High sodium intake can cause…

The GOP tax bill that the Republicans have been working on, can lead to major cuts in Medicare funding and spending in 2018. The bill is estimated to cut $25 billion from Medicare starting 2018, and resulting in $400 billion over the next ten years. The Congressional Office has estimated a $1.5 trillion deficit to…

Uber has announced a new business line called Uber Health that will provide a ride-hailing platform for healthcare providers. Uber is offering to take patients to their medical appointments, as long as they are operating in the area. The health care providers that will use this business will be the ones billed for the services,…

In 2017 when President Trump did away with cost-sharing subsidies, it forced insurers to raise premiums. The cost-sharing subsidies helped pay back insurers for giving customers lower premiums due to their income status. Due to the halt in the subsidies, health-insurance premiums have been rising for those who have to buy their own insurance, approximately…

Medicare Supplement Insurance Does Not Have a Deadline Many senior citizens think that the Medicare Open Enrollment period is the only time they can purchase a Medicare Supplement plan. But, there is no deadline to purchase Medicare Supplemental Insurance. During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, everyone is busy picking a plan that is best for…

Medicare Advantage Plans have become very popular over the years, and like other insurance plans, changes occur every year. The most common changes are the list of drugs that are covered, how much your insurance company charges for them, premiums, and the percentage the plan pays towards your medical expenses. Changes can leave customers confused…

The fourth quarter is when senior citizens learn about their social security benefits and Medicare. They find out if they will receive higher social security, and how much, also how much monthly premiums will be for Medicare. Most people with Medicare will face higher premiums in 2018. Medicare Part B insurance covers outpatient care, preventative…

Plans will be at least 34 percent higher in 2018 due to Trump’s decision to halt cost-sharing subsidy payments to insurers. Because the Trump administration ceased these cost-sharing payments to insures, insurance companies raised premiums to compensate for the loss of these reimbursements. This termination of subsidies has also caused some insurers to drop out…