When first implemented in 2006, Medicare Part D plans had a built-in gap in coverage. During this coverage gap (aka, “Donut Hole”) drug plans paid nothing toward the cost of your medications. But that’s no longer the case. In 2012, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implemented a phase-in of discounts for beneficiaries in the Coverage […]
Medicare Open Enrollment 2013… It’s Here!
Medicare 2013 open enrollment is here and the number of Medicare Advantage plans with four- and five-star ratings is up from 106 in 2012 to 127 in 2013 (CMS, Modern Healthcare’s “Window to Washington” reports, Zigmond, 10/12). The CMS plan ratings rank plans on a one- to five-star scale. The quality information is collected from […]
Obama Crows About Private Medicare Provider Success while Bashing GOP Plans
While the President sharply criticizes Mitt Romney over plans to further privatize Medicare, he crows about the success of private health plans in delivering prescription drug benefits and health care services to Medicare beneficiaries. The Obama administration reports that it’s satisfied with the private plans. “Medicare Advantage premiums down 7 percent on average, enrollment up […]