By Mary Johnson Should seniors with Medigap supplements that provide “first dollar coverage” be required to pay more up-front? Should Medicare continue to pay for services based on medical necessity, or should the gov ...
Category: Medicare Part B Articles
Best Ways To Save: Watch Those Hospital “Observation Stays”
Big bills for uncovered charges are surprising some seniors after some hospital stays that aren’t considered inpatient services by Medicare. The problem occurs when the hospital classifies your stay as “observation” whic ...
Legislative Update: April 2012
Medicare’s Doctor Payment Formula Breeds Uncertainty By Legislative Analyst, Jessie Gibbons Fourteen times in the last ten years, lawmakers have voted to override mandated pay cuts to doctors who accept Medicare pa ...
Government Forecast — Three More Years Of Historically Low COLAs
Benefits May Fall For As Many as Six Million, Says New TSCL Impact Analysis Although consumers may not see it yet, government economists predict that inflation will be far lower than normal over the next three years. ...
Best Ways To Save: When Should You Enroll In Medicare?
Failure to enroll in Medicare on time can cost you thousands in extra Medicare premium penalties during the course of your retirement. (See examples in “The High Cost Of Delaying Medicare Enrollment”) Medicare’s exhausti ...
The High Cost Of Delaying Medicare Enrollment
By Mary Johnson Do you turn 65 this year? Are you or your spouse still working and receiving health insurance benefits from a current employer? Are you age 65 or older now, but haven’t signed up for Medicare Parts A, ...
Medicare Part B Premium Rises — How Much Will It Take Of Your COLA?
The Medicare Part B premium (covering doctors and outpatient services) is rising for most seniors in 2012. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced the base monthly premium will be $99.90. Th ...
Medicare Part B Premiums $96.40
COLA Announcement Expected Soon By Mary Johnson Next year seniors will pay a standard monthly Part B premium of $96.40. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced the monthly Part B premium ded ...