medicare advantage

Two people walk inside a Medicare Services office on the last day for enrollment in the Medicare Part D program May 15, 2006 in New York City. You will not face a penalty for signing up for Medicare after age 65 if your employer signs a form indicating you have insurance coverage. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

2020 brings more private insurance plans for Medicare patients. Here’s why you need to look closely

By Philip Moeller

Courtesy: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

These tips can help you navigate Medicare’s updated online tool

The new Plan Finder tool, which has some improvements, could cause confusion for Medicare beneficiaries making their annual enrollment selections, columnist Philip Moeller writes.

By Philip Moeller

Motor home on beach, couple holding hands in background, rear view, dusk

Column: Why these unique Medicare Advantage plans are poised for popularity

Medicare medical savings accounts permit people to receive fee-for-care health services anywhere in the U.S.

By Philip Moeller

U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Women in Healthcare panel hosted by Seema Verma (R), Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, at the White House on March 22, 2017. Photo By Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Column: How to navigate Medicare options as Trump officials boost private plans

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services appears to be accelerating its shift away from original Medicare toward Medicare Advantage programs, writes columnist Philip Moeller.

By Philip Moeller

One of the disadvantages of the Medicare Advantage plans is that they often have a limited network of doctors. Photo by John Fedele/Getty Images

The good, the bad and the ugly of picking Medicare Advantage plans

During open enrollment, beneficiaries should consider all the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans, writes columnist Philip Moeller.

By Philip Moeller

Medicare open enrollment has begun. Here’s how to navigate your options

By Philip Moeller

The 43 million people who use private Medicare Advantage plans will likely need to use the online Plan Finder tool to evaluate plans during in the 2019 enrollment period, which runs through Dec. 7.

Why you should consider switching your Medicare coverage during open enrollment

By Philip Moeller

Medicare's open enrollment period could be especially complicated this year, in part because if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you also will have the entire first quarter of next year to change your plan.

Column: This plan to add broad non-medical benefits to Medicare Advantage is a big deal. Here’s why

By Philip Moeller

Beginning next year, Medicare Advantage plans will be permitted for the first time to broadly cover non-medical expenses that can help Medicare enrollees improve their health.

Senior advocates say new draft guide to Medicare distorts facts. Here’s what you need to know

By Philip Moeller

Medicare advocacy groups are concerned that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is improperly putting its hand on the scales to tilt them further in favor of private Medicare Advantage plans.

I had surgery out of state. Why is Medicare refusing to pay?

By Philip Moeller

If you have basic Medicare, you should be able to see any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare's payment schedule. The story may be different if you have a private Medicare Advantage plan.