Just about everyone has heard of Medicare and Medicaid, however, not everyone fully understands just what they are, and the difference between the two. It is important to note that while the names might sound alike, they are completely different programs. While Medicaid is funded by social security tax contributions and is offered to those who meet certain income requirements, Medicare is available to most people who meet the age requirements, and is not based on income. Both programs are beneficial to millions of people in the United States, and…
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Over half of seniors using exchange for private Medicare plan to reevaluate in 2011 AEP
A survey that included the participation of 372 seniors who have previously bought private supplemental Medicare plans showed that 58 percent are now using the 2011Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) to rethink their insurance needs. When the seniors were asked why they were reevaluating their plans, the top three reasons were: • 45 percent wanted to make certain that they were receiving the best coverage for their needs • 19 percent had experienced an increase in premiums • 9 percent had experienced an increase in out-of-pocket expenses. Another 35 percent…
Read MoreMedicare issues that baby boomers should understand
An eHealth Inc. subsidiary, PlanPrescriber, has issued its “Top 6 List”, which is a report that contains issues that individuals who are considering the Medicare Supplement plan – especially baby boomers – will want to think about before the end of the 2012 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This period started on October 15, 2011, and will continue until December 7, 2011. In the majority of circumstances, beneficiaries of Medicare who also have a supplement plan and want to alter their prescription drug coverage in Part D for next year will…
Read MoreThe Medicare Information Solution: part 1
Health insurance can be a concern throughout a person’s entire life, but Medicare helps to ease that anxiety once retirement age comes around. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any concerns about Medicare itself. Primarily, this consists of which programs to choose. As a senior citizen, healthcare coverage can be quite complicated, as the system is based upon a number of different forms of insurance, some of which are public, and others that are private. One person may require up to four different insurance programs; each of which needs…
Read MoreAn overview of Medicare plans and what they cover
Medicare health insurance is a program that is federally administered and is made available to people with certain specific forms of disability, permanent kidney failure, or people who are 65 years of age or older. There are several different types of Medicare plans, the basics of which are as follows: • Medicare Part A – provides coverage for hospital care (among institutions that accept Medicare) and has no monthly premium for its beneficiaries, as long as they have been employed and have paid FICA taxes for a minimum of a…
Read MoreMedicare regulations may be causing shortage of cancer drugs
A month’s long shortage of cancer drugs may be the result of Medicare regulations. For several years, Medicare has provided coverage for cancer patients, allowing them to obtain treatments that they would otherwise have no access to. While Medicare offers this coverage, however, the number of cancer fighting drugs has been falling steadily. The phenomenon may be the result of a regulation within the Medicare system that dictates that doctors must purchase cancer drugs, not patients. Traditionally, patients have been responsible for purchasing their own medications as prescribed to them…
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