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The CPI-E tends to grow about 0.25 percentage point more quickly than the CPI-W on average, but there can be wide differences between the two. For example, if the CPI-E were used to calculate the COLA it would be 1.2% in 2020, vs. 0.5% based on CPI-W data through March 201We had similar situation in 2016 and 2017 when the COLA was zero and 0.3%, respectively. The CPI-E would have yielded 0.6% instead of zero, and 1.5% instead of 0.3%. Those are not big differences, but like interest, compound over time. For anyone depending on Social Security for half of their income or more, every dollar makes a difference - and adding up over time may be enough to buy an extra week's worth of groceries..It turns out than among seniors who are not vaccinated, the biggest problem may be access to the vaccine as opposed to opposition to getting the shot..What numbers are those?.There are other reasons why your dad might have received that bill. While Medicare Advantage enrollees would not have to pay cost sharing due to COVID-19, they might if hospitalized due to other reasons, such as heart attack or kidney failure. You may need to call your dad's health plan and find out how the reason for hospitalization is described on the bill..According to the study, the 250 top selling drugs, each with one manufacturer and no competitive products on the market, account for 60% of net total Medicare Part D spending. The top 50 selling drugs, also with one manufacturer each and no competitors, account for 80% of total Medicare Part B spending..Why Does My Doctor's Office Need to Call My Insurer Before Scheduling a CT Scan?.TSCL is adamantly opposed to using COLA cuts to reduce the federal budget deficit. "With thousands of dollars in Social Security and Medicare benefits at stake, we urge everyone who cares about their Social Security and Medicare benefits to contact their lawmakers in Congress NOW," Benton says..Although Social Security recipients didn't receive an annual cost of living adjustment this year, many are reporting that their costs are rising, and household budgets are getting squeezed, says The Senior Citizens League. Donna C. of New York, recently wrote to TSCL saying, "No inflation? Are you serious? What about the price of electricity, food, drugs, local taxes? All, going up. We can barely survive now, and you say there's no inflation? Who figures this stuff out and who decides?" she asks..Due to your income, you are subject to paying high income premium surcharges for both Part B and Part D drug coverage. The income brackets that determine the amount of your premiums have been adjusted for inflation this year after no adjustments in 2011 through 2019.