There will be somewhat fewer plans to pick from this year, but in general people will have plenty of options, experts say. And although premiums aren’t expected to rise markedly overall in 2015 - and in some cases may actually decline - some individual plans have signaled significantly higher rates. Although the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released some specifics about 2015 premiums and plans, many details about provider networks, drug formularies and the like won’t be available until later this fall. Here’s what we know so far about Part D and Medicare Advantage. http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2014/September/30/Medicare-Open-Enrollment-Is-Fast-Approaching.aspx
Source: kaiserhealthnews.org |
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Medicare Blog | Medicare News | Medicare Information
Medicare Open Enrollment Is Fast Approaching - Here's What We Know So Far
Posted by Jeremy Davis on Fri, Oct 03, 2014 @ 10:26 AM
Tags: Medicare open enrollment, medicare enrollment october 15th, medicare deadline october 15 2014
Confusion lingers over Medicare benefits and the health care law
Posted by Guadalupe Cantu on Fri, Sep 20, 2013 @ 02:33 PM
Please give us your feedback! Do you feel there is still a tough job ahead to inform seniors about what the Affordable Care Act is and how it impacts Medicare? Do you believe all the outreach efforts from advocates and federal health officials will help millions of uninsured people to sign up for coverage by the end of March or will just stir more confusion?
Source: LifeHealthPro |
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Tags: Medicare open enrollment, Medicare benefits, health care law, Health Insurance, health insurance news, Medicare Part D, Affordable Care Act, health care reform
Seniors Should Consider Switching Medicare Part D Plans
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Nov 05, 2010 @ 09:00 AM
Setting New Medicare Skilled Care Service StandardsTwo federal courts ruled that the standards for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing home care or home health care are too strict. Before this ruling, Medicare would only pay if a patient's condition would get better with the service, mistaking the belief that Medicare will only pay if treatment makes the patient "better." In correlation with the federal court's ruling, Medicare will now pay for the service if it is needed in order to maintain routine activities in daily life or to prevent the condition from getting worse. This is most significant for those patients with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and a broken hip who need skilled care to assist them in their daily life. Medicare Cuts Payments on Prostate Cancer TherapyIn order to curb inappropriate use and save health-care money, Medicare has begun paying physicians less for common prostate cancer therapy. A University of Texas study evaluated how many times adfrogen deprivation therapy was prescribed both before and since the Center for Medicare and Medicaid lowered the reimbursement rates. They found that there was no change in those who needed the treatment; however, it was prescribed 30% less in those who showed no beneficial medical evidence of needing it. These reduced reimbursements caused a positive change in health care by limiting the unnecessary care and driving a new pattern of care. Also, in this prostate cancer therapy case, negative side effects also contributed. Thus, there were both clinical and financial benefits. Supplier Bidding Contracts AnnouncedOn Thursday the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the 356 suppliers who won contracts to provide durable medical equipment for nine areas around the country. With 1,217 contracts signed and 356 suppliers set to produce, prices will be cut by 32% saving a projected $28 billion over the next 10 years. The new program begins in January in Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, Cincinnati, Middletown, Cleveland, Elyria, Mentor, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Kansas City (MO & KS), Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Orlando, Kissimmee, Pittsburgh, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ontario. Though, a House bill to repeal the program has attracted 250 sponsors. Woodmen Plan N Released in LA and AZThis week the Woodmen of the World Plan N was released in Louisiana and Arizona. Contact us or call 1-800-998-7715 for more information on adding Woodmen of the World Plan N to your portfolio! Sources: KHN, The LA Times, The Hill, National Journal |
Tags: Medicare open enrollment, Medicare Supplement, Senior News, Woodmen of the World Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advice
New Physician-Owned Hospitals Risk Not Accepting Medicare
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 @ 09:54 AM
Democrats' Projected Bad Election YearA poor performance by Democratic Party members is expected due to the party's signature health care law, even in states that have voted Democratic predominately. A Battleground Poll shows that 54% of people are opposed to the health care law with 40% of those are strongly opposed, some favoring a repeal of the law. Participants polled by the National Republican Congressional Committee said the issue affecting their vote against the current member of Congress in their district was health care, surprisingly over the economy and jobs. The focus on health care by the administration came at the worst possible time and midterm election projections show Democrats who voted for the law not doing well at all. Especially the Democrats who voted as the decisive margin - the Stupak bloc - who are currently most at risk. The health care law is affecting both House and Senate Democratic members and the White House needs to address the opposition to the law. Or, they need to at least prepare for it, as Republicans elected plan to repeal at least part of the legislation when and if they are elected into office this November. Paul Ryan's Generation of Conservative LeadersRepublican Paul Ryan, Wisconsin, wrote the book Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders with Eric Cantor of Virginia and Kevin McCarthy of California, also Republicans in the House of Representatives. Ryan explains that Medicare is not supported well and needs help in order to continue its existence. In the book, the authors propose that those 55 or older will get Medicare as it is today, but for everyone else Medicare will start at 69 1/2. In their plan, a Medicare payment for the purchase of private health coverage would be distributed. To start the vouchers would cover $11,000 and they would increase with inflation. If beneficiaries have any money left at the end of the year, it will go into a medical savings or go toward long-term care insurance. Additionally, the payment amount would also depend on income, health status, and initially region with those earning under $80,000 a year receiving the full benefits. The midterm reelection gives them position to propose their ideas, if Republicans get control of the House, and protesters set up rallies to warn seniors about these issues before they vote. November is Around the CornerAre you ready for this year's Annual Enrollment? Monday is November 1st, and with only a few days left before Annual Enrollment starts on the 15th, make sure you contact Precision Senior Marketing to add all of the best Medicare Supplement products to your portfolio. From Forethought and Gerber Life to Woodmen of the World/Assured Life, Sentinel Life, and United of Omaha, we have the Medicare Supplements your clients are looking for. Give PSM a call at 1-800-998-7715 and enjoy a profitable Annual Enrollment season! Sources: KHN, USA Today, The Hill, National Journal |
Tags: Medicare open enrollment, senior market news, Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare News, health care reform
Health Care Law will Affect Medicare Advantage Seniors Most
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Oct 22, 2010 @ 08:40 AM
Choices in Medicare Advantage Plans Equal Less ConfusionIn 2011, Medicare Advantage premiums and Medicare Part D prescription drug packages will rise approximately 5% from 2010. One reason for the rise in cost is that there will be fewer options in Medicare Advantage. Some senior advocates say seniors were confused in the past by too many options and therefore some ended up making ill-informed decisions out of frustration. Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center says "People still have good choices, but they also have less choice, which makes it easier to choose." With the lowest cost prescription drug plan being offered from Humana and Wal-Mart Preferred RX, Baker also warns not to be too swayed by price and to make sure all drugs are covered on the approved list with no restrictions. Seniors have from November 15th to December 31st to decide on a new plan. Forethought® Medicare Supplement Product ReleaseThis week, the Forethought® Medicare Supplement product was released in Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia. Forethought Benefits Include:
Mutual of Omaha offers Seminar PackagesJust in time for Annual Enrollment, Mutual of Omaha is offering a point-of-sale seminar package including a PowerPoint presentation, speaker notes, and an invitation flyer or postcard to send to invite perspective attendees. States that have already approved the package include AR, AZ, CT, DC, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, and WV, with new states being approved continuously. The seminar package was created to help attract and educate groups of new prospects about the advantages of owning a Medicare Supplement, reasons to own a Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement, and a brief history of Mutual of Omaha. Materials are currently available under your Sales and Professional Access (SPA) account at Mutual of Omaha in the Forms and Materials section. For more information about getting contracted to sell Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement, click here. Sources: KHN, The Washington Post, The Tennessean, Mutual of Omaha |
Tags: Medicare open enrollment, senior market news, Medicare News, Medicare Advantage News, Forethought Medicare Supplement, Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement
![]() As many of you already know, Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment begins November 15 and will last until the end of the year December 31. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week released the final $6.3 million of a total $49.6 million in total funding allocated for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). SHIPs use this money to fund local community programs that provide personalized help to Seniors who want to know more about Medicare and other health insurance information. SHIP programs are expected to focus heavily on less fortunate Seniors who typically have little knowledge of the Medicare system and the benefits they are entitled to. For more information on the SHIPs in your state, click here. For this open enrollment season many in the industry expect to see an increase in Medicare supplement enrollments due to several changes to Medicare Advantage that will occur in 2010. MA beneficiaries can expect to see an average premium increase of nearly 22% (a $7 increase to $39/month). Despite the increases, CMS states that roughly 87% of Medicare beneficiaries will still have access to a MA plan that doesn’t require a premium. Additionally, CMS expects 7% of MA beneficiaries will have to choose a new health plan or a Medicare supplement as their plans (typically PFFS and low enrollment plans) will be discontinued at the end of this year. CMS will also increase its oversight of Medicare marketing activities. There are now stronger rules governing the commissions that can be paid to independent sales agents and how MA plans identify themselves. CMS will significantly increase its secret shopping activities, including individual marketing sessions. So we advise that you be extra vigilant in your compliance efforts this season. Mutual of Omaha has already published its disenrollment guidelines, which you can check out here. As usual, Seniors will have access to www.medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE this season. Of course, these are good resources for agents such as yourself, if only to ensure that your information aligns with the official source. For all open enrollment related information, click here. As always, we’ll keep you updated with the latest news and product information to help make this open enrollment season a successful one for your organization. Sources: CMS, Senior Journal |
Tags: Medicare open enrollment, Senior Market Advice, Senior Market Success, senior market blog, senior market news, Medicare Advantage, Health Insurance, Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Senior Market, Medicare Discussion, Medicare News, senior insurance market news, Medicare Advantage News, Medicare Sales, Medicare Advice, CMS, Medicare Solutions