Jun 05 Medicare will run out of money sooner than expected, report warns By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The report from program trustees says Medicare will become insolvent in 2026 — three years earlier than previously forecast. Its giant trust fund for inpatient care won't be able to fully cover projected medical bills starting at that point. Continue reading
May 25 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. Continue reading
May 23 Column: Not sure what to make of Trump’s drug prices plan? Here’s where to start By Philip Moeller Rushing to judgment is misguided. There are no quick fixes here, and while the Trump proposals are viewed as fatally flawed by many experts, they also include some worthy ideas. Continue reading
May 16 I am about to get divorced. What do I need to know about Social Security benefits? By Philip Moeller To be entitled to this large a benefit, you must wait until your own full retirement age to claim it. If you are strapped for funds and simply cannot wait, do this. Continue reading
May 14 Watch 9:46 HHS Secretary Azar: Trump’s drug prices proposal is better than campaign pledge President Trump laid out his long-awaited plan for tackling drug prices on Friday. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar joins Judy Woodruff to fill in the details about the plan, including how it will affect prices under Medicare, why… Continue watching
May 02 I work and collect Social Security. Can I boost my benefits? Social Security bases your benefits on your highest 35 years of wage earnings. The effect of any single year’s higher earnings will be modest. Continue reading
Apr 25 Why your observation stay at the hospital could end with a big bill By Philip Moeller If you never received notification, you might have grounds to argue that the hospital messed up. Continue reading
Apr 24 Medicare to require hospitals to post prices online By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Medicare will require hospitals to post their standard prices online and make electronic medical records more readily available to patients, officials said Tuesday. Continue reading
Apr 18 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. Continue reading
Apr 11 Congress’ latest spending bill could bring major changes to Medicare Advantage. Here’s what you need to know By Philip Moeller The upcoming changes to MA plans have the potential to trigger an even larger shift away from original Medicare. Continue reading