Medicare Advantage
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Medicare’s Open Enrollment Ends Sunday, Dec 7th
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Medicare’s Open Enrollment is almost over! It ends on Sunday, December 7. Also referred to as the Annual Election Period (AEP), this is an important time to closely evaluate your current health coverage and whether it is still a good fit for 2026. If not, you can switch health plans, return to Original Medicare or…
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Congress Introduces Reform Package to Rein in Medicare Advantage and Strengthen Traditional Medicare
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As Medicare beneficiaries continue to face aggressive marketing, denied care, and confusion during Open Enrollment, lawmakers in Congress have introduced major reforms to address longstanding problems in the Medicare Advantage (MA) system. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) along with 12 co-sponsors introduced a package of eight bills last month designed to crack down on private insurance…
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Are You Receiving Unwanted Calls from Medicare Advantage Plans? Tips to Stop the Onslaught
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The onslaught of unsolicited marketing materials and phone calls from Medicare Advantage plans during Medicare’s Open Enrollment can be overwhelming and frustrating. The same is true when one is nearing the age of Medicare eligibility. Fortunately there are some actions you can take to quell the onslaught. Below are some tips from the Medicare Rights…
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Understanding Open Enrollment, Supplementing Medicare & Medicare Changes in 2026
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Have questions on how to navigate Medicare’s Open Enrollment period (Oct 15 – Dec 7)? Curious about ways to supplement Medicare outside of Medicare Advantage plans? Wondering what’s new with Medicare in 2026? If so, watch our recorded webinars, What’s New With Medicare in 2026? and What You Need to Know About Supplementing Medicare During Open…
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Medicare Advantage Flex Cards Do Not Affect Medi-Cal Eligibility
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Some people have been concerned about using Medicare Advantage Flex Cards for fear that it would be counted as income and potentially affect their Medi-Cal eligibility. Yet, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently confirmed that these Medicare Advantage Flex Cards — prepaid cards some plans give members to help cover expenses like dental,…
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Sutter Health Leaving UnitedHealthcare’s Individual Medicare Advantage HMO Network in 2026
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UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and Sutter Health have agreed to end their contract for Individual Medicare Advantage HMO plans with some providers in some counties beginning January 1, 2026. This means that some Sutter hospitals and doctors will no longer be in-network for these plans. Contrary to incorrect information some providers have given out, this change does not affect: People enrolled in UHC Individual Medicare…
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Key Federal Medicare Updates for 2026: H.R.1, Final Rules, New Protections, and Challenges Ahead
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California Health Advocates recently hosted a webinar with David Lipschutz, Co-Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, covering major federal developments that will impact Medicare beneficiaries in 2026 and beyond. The webinar reviews the sweeping health care cuts in H.R.1, new Medicare Advantage rules designed to strengthen appeal rights, streamline prior authorization, and improve transparency,…
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Get Ready for Medicare’s Open Enrollment: Tips & Resources to Make Your Best Coverage Choices
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Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs October 15 – December 7 each year, and is almost here! This is an important time to review your current coverage and other options to make sure your Medicare coverage meets your needs for the year ahead. Any changes you make will take effect on January 1, 2026. What can you…
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New Rule Brings Provider Directory Data to Medicare Plan Finder, With Enrollment Protections for Beneficiaries in 2026
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Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will be required to share provider directory information with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in a standardized format for publication in the Medicare Plan Finder (MPF), according to a new CMS rule. This is good news and is a change that will make it…
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