Apr 24 How will my tax return affect my Medicare premium? By Philip Moeller Medicare’s high-income surcharges apply to an entire calendar year, writes columnist Philip Moeller. Continue reading
Apr 22 Watch 4:23 News Wrap: Countries buying Iranian oil to face U.S. penalties In our news wrap Monday, five nations that buy Iranian oil risk losing their favored status with the U.S. unless they halt imports in a matter of weeks. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the goal is to deprive… Continue watching
Apr 22 Medicare and Social Security stay on unsustainable financial paths, reports show By Philip Moeller Mostly unchanged from last year's report, the outlook for Social Security improved slightly. Its solvency was extended to 2035 due to significant changes in the program’s disability insurance fund. Continue reading
Apr 17 Column: Will I be penalized for not getting Medicare at 65? It depends By Philip Moeller If you are employed and have employer group health insurance, you did not need to get Medicare when you turned 65, columnist Phil Moeller explains. Continue reading
Apr 09 Feds break up $1.2B Medicare orthopedic brace scam By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press The Justice Department announced charges against 24 people across the U.S., including doctors accused of writing bogus prescriptions for unneeded back, shoulder, wrist and knee braces. Others charged included owners of call centers, telemedicine firms and medical equipment companies. Continue reading
Apr 05 HHS watchdog to examine Medicare chief’s publicity spending By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Democrats complained that Seema Verma has steered taxpayer money to political allies at the same time her agency slashed the ad budget for the Affordable Care Act, hindering enrollment. Continue reading
Apr 03 How this Medicare loophole can lead to surprise medical bills By Philip Moeller Patients look to hospital staff to take care of them and help them get better, not to expose them to additional health and financial problems. Continue reading
Mar 29 Watch 9:50 Why federal judge turned down work requirements for Medicaid in two states This week saw President Trump resurface the political debate over health care, as he declared his intention to repeal the Affordable Care Act. At the same time, a federal judge blocked work requirements the administration had tried to implement on… Continue watching
Mar 13 How can I get more help for an ailing, older parent? By Philip Moeller Many people mistakenly think that Medicare covers lots of things that it doesn't, only to learn the reality of its limitations when they or a loved one is denied coverage. Continue reading
Mar 06 Why later enrollment in supplemental Medicare can cause problems By Philip Moeller Changing your supplemental health insurance once you've had your Medigap plan for more than six months can limit your options if you have preexisting conditions, columnist Phil Moeller writes. Continue reading