Two years ago, a settlement agreement ended Medicare’s use of the “improvement standard.”  At least it was supposed to.  But, despite the agreement some beneficiaries continue to be denied coverage and federal officials are refusing to take any further action to ensure that providers are aware of the change. Under the long standing improvement standard, … Read more

Each year, Medicare beneficiaries get another chance to switch their plans. Most people will have a choice between 30 or more plans.  For a lot of people, having so many choices can be mind-boggling and so they stay with the same plan year after year despite the fact that their plans change.  Maybe it’s not … Read more

By Caroline Mayer Originally printed on Oct 07, 2014,  Provided by Kaiser Health News. “Welcome to America’s hottest talk line. Ladies, to talk to interesting and exciting guys free, press 1 now. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you . . . .” Wait! I thought I was calling Social Security to ask a … Read more

They say variety is the spice of life but the average Medicare beneficiary must choose between 18 private Medicare Advantage plans and 35 stand-alone Part D drug plan options.  The point of all those options is to make it possible to make choices that will allow you to have the best coverage for your situation.  … Read more

If you’ve recently had a loved one in a nursing home you may have heard someone say that because your loved one is no longer improving, Medicare will no longer pay for their care.  Last year, in a settlement agreement, Jimmo v. Sebelius, the federal government agreed to end its long-standing practice of denying coverage … Read more