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Prescription Drugs - Blog

California Health Advocates > Prescription Drugs - Blog

CMS’ Finalized Rules Will Lower Drug Costs & Increase Consumer Protections

Posted by Karen Fletcher on May 12, 2022

drug costs - wood scales with stack of pills

In late April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued finalized rules to both strengthen consumer protections in Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans, and reduce out-of-pocket drug costs for beneficiaries. As summarized in CMS' recent fact sheet, this final rule revises the MA and Part D regulations related to marketing and communications; the … [Read more...] about CMS’ Finalized Rules Will Lower Drug Costs & Increase Consumer Protections

Filed Under: Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drugs - Blog

CHA Calls for Increased Consumer Protections & Oversight of Part C & D Plans

Posted by Karen Fletcher on March 9, 2022

oversight - Man with binoculars, women with loudspeaker and spy glass.

California Health Advocates worked together with Center for Medicare Advocacy to submit comments on the proposed rule for Medicare Part C and D. While we wholeheartedly support several of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS’) stated goals of the proposed rule, namely to “strengthen consumer protections to ensure MA and Part D beneficiaries have accurate and … [Read more...] about CHA Calls for Increased Consumer Protections & Oversight of Part C & D Plans

Filed Under: Letters and Comments to Policymakers, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drugs - Blog

Victory in Medicare’s Coverage of “Off-Label” Prescription Drugs

Posted by Karen Fletcher on February 23, 2022

"off-label" prescription pills

Do you or someone you know take a prescription drug to help with an "off-label", or non-FDA approved, condition? This is a legal and common practice where doctors can prescribe medicines for treating less common conditions. Yet, until recently, Medicare denied coverage of these drugs. On February 11, 2022, however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reversed … [Read more...] about Victory in Medicare’s Coverage of “Off-Label” Prescription Drugs

Filed Under: Prescription Drugs - Blog, Professionals

Why Did Medicare’s Part B Premium Rise 14.5% in 2022?

Posted by Karen Fletcher on January 26, 2022

senior black woman looking surprised

If you're on Medicare, chances are you had a bit of a shock when seeing the 2022 Medicare Part B premium amount. It went up by $21.60, from $148.50 in 2021 to $170.10 in 2022. That's a 14.5% increase, and is one of the steepest increases in Medicare's history. So why was there such a significant increase, particularly when there was only a $3.90 increase between 2020 and 2021? … [Read more...] about Why Did Medicare’s Part B Premium Rise 14.5% in 2022?

Filed Under: Prescription Drugs - Blog, Medicare Basics

Proposed Rule Would Lower Part D Drug Costs, Increase MA Plan Oversight & More

Posted by Karen Fletcher on January 19, 2022

pile of red and blue pills on top of Rx paper

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a proposed rule with needed and welcomed changes for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Some of the changes include: lowering Part D out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries starting January 1, 2023, increasing marketing oversight and holding plans accountable for misinformation - including information … [Read more...] about Proposed Rule Would Lower Part D Drug Costs, Increase MA Plan Oversight & More

Filed Under: Prescription Drugs - Blog, Low-Income help, Medicare Advantage

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Do you have comments or concerns about your Medicare coverage? Issues regarding getting your needed prescriptions from your Part D plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan representative's marketing practices? Let us know at comments@cahealthadvocates.org.

We are dedicated to making Medicare's program work well for all beneficiaries. Your feedback from your own or your client's concerns and experiences with Medicare, will guide our Medicare advocacy efforts with key policy and decision-makers in both California and nationally with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Congress.

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