Why you shouldn’t ignore Medicare open enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, and it’s your chance to review, switch, or drop your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan. Ignoring this window could cost you money or coverage. Plan costs and benefits change yearly. Your current plan might raise premiums, change its drug list, […]
How to buy a Medigap policy?
In Original Medicare, you generally pay some of the costs for approved services. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private company that helps pay your share of costs. Step 1 – Decide which plan you want. Medigap policies are standardized, and in most states are named by letters, Plans […]
Here are some of the key changes to Medicare for 2026
Medicare beneficiaries will see several important changes in 2026. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B increases to $202.90, up 9.7% from 2025’s $185 premium. The annual Part B deductible also rises to $283, compared to $257 in 2025. These increases reflect rising healthcare costs and will impact most Medicare beneficiaries’ budgets. On the […]
What is the Medicare Summary Notice ( MSN) ?
It’s not a bill. It’s a notice that people with Original Medicare get in the mail every 3 months for their Medicare Part A and Part B-covered services. The MSN shows: – All your services or supplies that providers and suppliers billed to Medicare during the 3-month period. – What Medicare paid. – The maximum […]
What plan provides both Medicare and Medicaid coverage?
Medicaid vs Medicare: You can have both A Dual Special Needs Plan is a special Medicare Advantage coordinated-care plan. It is an all-in-one plan that combines your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, your Medicaid benefits and additional health benefits such as vision, dental or fitness. Medicare-Medicaid […]
Medicare Prescription Changes for 2026
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which began in 2025, continues in 2026 to help beneficiaries manage out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D. This plan works alongside your existing drug coverage, spreading costs over the calendar year from January to December. Key Features: – Available to all Medicare drug plan or Medicare […]
How is the Social Security COLA for 2026 going to affect Medicare premiums?
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 is 2.8 percent, giving most beneficiaries a modest increase in their monthly benefits. At the same time, the standard Medicare Part B premium is rising to $202.90 per month, an increase of $17.90 from the $185.00 premium in 2025. While the COLA provides extra income, it may not […]
Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services
The Original Medicare program may be available to you if you suffer from end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis at any age. When you enroll for Medicare health benefits, your effective date of coverage will be determined by the type of treatment you receive. The Medicare program is a health insurance program available to people who […]
2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced the 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles, which reflect increases from 2025 levels. Starting January 1, 2026, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $202.90, up from $185 in 2025. The annual deductible for Part B will increase to $283, […]
Medicare Part B Premiums for 2026
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month. The annual deductible is $283, which you must pay before Medicare begins covering its share of your outpatient services. After meeting the deductible, you typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services. Not everyone pays the same premium. Medicare uses […]