Nov 18 The surprising news about 2017 Medicare premiums and deductibles you may have missed By Philip Moeller Last week, as the shock and awe over Donald Trump's election victory continued to consume us, Medicare announced roughly 10 percent increases in 2017 rates for many Part B premiums and the program’s annual deductible. This is a very big… Continue reading
Nov 16 Column: Who’s paying the true cost of Medicare By Philip Moeller There is a myth that consumers have completely paid for their Medicare. Yet, our payroll taxes come nowhere close to paying for program expenses. Continue reading
Nov 02 Here’s how to find the Medicare Part D drug plan right for you By Philip Moeller For 2017 plans, active shopping may yield the greatest benefits in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Continue reading
Oct 26 Column: Questionable Social Security and Medicare policies put seniors in a bind By Philip Moeller Social Security announced last week that its annual cost of living adjustment would be a paltry three-tenths of 1 percent in 2017. This small increase is not only unfair to Social Security recipients, but will also trigger an absolute mess… Continue reading
Oct 18 Average senior’s Social Security check to increase a measly $4 in 2017 By Philip Moeller Social Security’s annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA, will be only 0.3 percent in 2017. Continue reading
Oct 14 Watch 4:05 News Wrap: Medicare rolls out new system for paying doctors By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, Medicare is changing the way it compensates doctors and other clinicians. Starting in 2019, care providers will be allowed to choose whether they want to be paid for quality instead of quantity. Also, swollen rivers… Continue watching
Oct 14 Medicare unveils far-reaching overhaul of doctors’ pay By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Medicare on Friday unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it compensates doctors and other clinicians. Continue reading
Oct 12 Are you prepared for Medicare open enrollment? By Philip Moeller Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries are free to select new plans. Continue reading
Oct 05 Signing up for Medicare? Read this cautionary tale first By Philip Moeller Let this story be your cautionary guide for Medicare's more practical roadblocks. Continue reading
Sep 28 How do the Affordable Care Act and Medicare interact? By Philip Moeller By design, state health exchanges and Medicare are not supposed to work together. Continue reading