New Focus On ConcussionsThe Senior Citizens League's estimate is based on an expected Part B increase of .50 per month, from 4.00 in 2018 to 5.50 per month in 2019, as estimated by the Medicare Trustees in June of this year. "A Part B increase any more than .50 per month would mean that even more people at even higher benefit levels would potentially be affected by the Social Security 'hold-harmless' provision again in 2019," Johnson notes..The Social Security 2100 Act would make Social Security benefits more generous by:.About one quarter of all Medicare beneficiaries are covered by Medigap polices. Out-of-pocket costs under Medicare are considerable, and most beneficiaries supplement their coverage either by purchasing a Medigap policy or joining a Medicare Advantage plan. Unlike Medicare Advantage, however, Medigap enrollees in most states are not able to switch to another Medigap policy during fall open enrollment, because insurers are not required to cover pre-existing conditions outside of the individual's initial enrollment period. Seventy-two percent of survey participants support extending guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions to Medigap, allowing Medigap enrollees greater freedom to switch to other, less costly, Medigap plans. … Continued
Care Labor Pain Is No Laughing Matter Or Is ItCongress Departs Without Passing New Economic Relief Bill and why it Matters to Seniors.The 5 or so million Americans aged 50 to 64 who currently buy insurance on the individual and small business exchanges could compare a Medicare-X plan to those offered by private insurance plansm and choose which works best for them. Guaranteeing Medicare-X in every ZIP code would ensure there's always an option for Americans not yet on Medicare. And, because participants' premiums would cover the full cost of the plan, it wouldn't raise taxes, add to the deficit, or take resources from the Medicare trust fund. Medicare-X would allow price negotiation under Part D, but would not touch the benefits offered through traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage..High Costs for Prescription Drugs More than Just Prices … Continued