Why Can’t Medicare Negotiate Lower Drug Prices for Part D?
“Part D already costs about $80 billion a year and is on track to double by 2022 as benefits improve and Baby Boomers retire. For two reasons, a significant chunk…
CMS Proposes Dropping 2 Classes of Part D Covered Drugs & Limiting Plan Offerings
Here’s a short video from the Kaiser Family Foundation on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ proposed changes to the Part D prescription drug benefit. Currently CMS requires Part D…
Are Americans Over Prescribed?
Below is an infographic with some disturbing facts about the cost and numbers of prescriptions Americans are taking. This article, Pill Nation: Are Americans Over Medicated? is provided by The…
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…
