Prescription Drugs – Blog
-
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Ends Sunday, Dec 7th
Posted by
on
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…
Filed Under:
-
Key Federal Medicare Updates for 2026: H.R.1, Final Rules, New Protections, and Challenges Ahead
Posted by
on
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,…
Filed Under:
-
Get Ready for Medicare’s Open Enrollment: Tips & Resources to Make Your Best Coverage Choices
Posted by
on
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…
Filed Under:
-
$2,000 Prescription Drug Cap Is Now in Effect
Posted by
on
As of January 1, 2025, everyone with Part D prescription drug coverage now has their out-of-pocket costs capped at $2,000 for the calendar year. This great news is expected to save an an additional $7.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs for 19 million seniors and others on Medicare, according to the U.S. Department of Health and…
Filed Under:
-
CMS Updates FAQs on Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
Posted by
on
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently updated a Frequently Asked Questions document on the new voluntary Medicare Prescription Payment Plan starting January 1, 2025. In it they address the eligibility of drugs covered by a pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance program (PAP) for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, among other questions. Read the updated FAQs for details.…
Filed Under:
-
New Changes Will Help Beneficiaries Afford Drug Costs
Posted by
on
As mentioned in our recent article, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 made changes to Medicare Part D to help beneficiaries manage out-of-pocket costs so they can better afford their medications. In 2025, there will be an annual out-of-pocket maximum, or limit, on the amount Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have to pay. In 2025, the…
Filed Under:
-
Medicare Part D Reforms: What They are & What starts in 2025
Posted by
on
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 has made many positive changes to the Medicare program. For Medicare’s Part D Prescription Drug benefit, the IRA includes significant prescription cost-savings that took place in 2023, 2024 and two more coming in 2025 – the $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs and the Medicare Prescription Payment Program.…
Filed Under:
-
Watch for Your Annual Notice of Change Document this month
Posted by
on
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage and/or Part D drug plan, you will receive an “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) and “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) from your plan by September 30th each fall. The ANOC and EOC make reviewing your plan changes for 2025 easier, as all the changes are in these letters. They will…
Filed Under:
-
Medicare’s Open Enrollment is Approaching: A Review of What It Is & What to Do
Posted by
on
Medicare’s Open Enrollment is just over a month away, and runs October 15 through December 7. It is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage. The last change you make will take effect on January 1. It’s important to take action during Medicare’s Open Enrollment to make sure…
Filed Under: