Celebrating Its 48th Year, Data Shows Medicare Program is Strong
A day before Medicare’s 48th birthday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new information confirming a strong Medicare program. Over 6.6 million people with Medicare have saved…
Big Pharma Pockets $711 Billion in Profits by Robbing Seniors, Taxpayers
This article is written by Ethan Rome, Executive Director, Health Care for America Now Here’s an outrage that must be changed: Big Pharma has been systematically price-gouging the Medicare program…
Learn About a Little Known Special Election Period for Part D When Moving Out of State
Medicare has only a few clearly defined periods where people can enroll into, switch or disenroll from Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Yet, just as in…
Elaine Speaks of Medicare & California-Specific Issues, Common Misconceptions, & Current Hot Topics
Last month an editor at Caring.com contacted Elaine Wong Eakin, our Executive Director with a host of questions about CHA, what we do, California-specific Medicare issues, common mistakes or misconceptions…
What’s New in Part D for 2013? Lowered Costs, New Covered Drugs, Appeal Changes…
Starting January 1, 2013, beneficiaries who reach the Part D coverage gap, or donut hole, will continue to see their costs decrease. Next year beneficiaries will pay 47.5% of the…
Beneficiaries in Low-Rated Plans Given Opportunity to Change Coverage
The 2013 quality ratings for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans were posted on Medicare.gov in early October. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rates plans…
CVS Caremark Pays $5 Million in Reimbursements for Deceptive Part D Drug Pricing
Earlier this month the Federal Trade Commission announced that it is refunding close to 13,000 beneficiaries who paid significantly more than they should have for their prescription drugs in their…
Take a Moment to Review Beneficiary Mailings from CMS, Social Security & Health Plans in 2012/2013
Every year a host of mailings from the Centers from Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security and Medicare Advantage health plans are sent to millions of Medicare beneficiaries. Some…
CMS Announces 2013 Costs & Policy Updates for Medicare Parts C & D
Early this month, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced 2013 payment and policy updates for both Medicare Part C and D plans. Below are a few of the…
Learn Tips for Taking Prescriptions Safely
Poisoning from medications happens all to frequently, and people 65 and older are especially at risk. In fact, each year there are nearly 100,000 adverse drug-related emergency hospitalizations in the…