Medicare News

A sweep of Medicare fraud nationwide has resulted in the largest takedown of criminal activity in the program’s history. According to the Department of Justice on Wednesday, 300 people have been indicted in various schemes resulting in approximately $900 million worth of fraudulent billing. About half of these schemes involved home health fraud. Bilking federal programs out of money has

Medicare is projected to run out of funds by 2028 – two years earlier than predicted last year – according to a new report by the program’s trustees. Last year, trustees of the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund predicted that the program would reach insolvency by 2030. That prediction has changed this year, and now the trustees are reporting that

Medicare Part B, or medical insurance, is crucial to senior’s healthcare, offering a wide array of services and equipment. This program’s incredibly popular, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency overseeing U.S. healthcare, expects 52 million Americans to be enrolled in Part B in 2016. Most Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) enrollees use Part B

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about 57 million people are currently enrolled in Medicare, many of which are 65 years or older. And while Medicare covers a wide array of conditions and treatments, medications approved to treat obesity are denied coverage by law. This is actually a major issue for Medicare beneficiaries, as the American

An estimated 3 million Americans are now affected with Hepatitis C, which is more than AIDS. Research shows that the majority of patients are baby boomers. As such, Medicare spending for this condition increased to more than $9 billion in 2015. And while this may be a relief for Hepatitis C patients, all Medicare beneficiaries’ insurance costs have increased. Research

For the last 50 years, Medicare has provided millions of Americans with quality healthcare. Members do pay certain costs, including deductibles, premiums and copays. However, there are steps to take to manage and even lower Medicare costs. A selection of doctors have revealed essential medical screenings. These tests may be the best way to prevent smaller health-related issues from turning

New bipartisan bill touts Medicare reimbursements for telehealth A growing movement in the nation’s healthcare system is the use and implementation of telehealth. As defined by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), telehealth involves using electronic information and telecommunications technologies to deliver health-related services and information. Basically, telehealth enables two-way, real-time, interactive communication between patients and healthcare providers based in

Medicare recipients, especially those with economic disadvantages, could see better healthcare and lower costs in 2017 as a result of proposed changes by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS released its recommendations for the Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Programs in February and is nearing the end of a comment period. The deadline to comment

CMS releases new 2017 rates for Medicare health and drug plans The public now has the chance to look at two new government data records focusing on ambulance and home health care agencies providing medical services to those on Medicare and through Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released data to inform the public, strengthen those services

The 2016 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) has recently ended, having run from Oct.15-Dec. 7, 2015. One important option to consider for your PDP, whether for 2016 or beyond, is the selection of a preferred pharmacy for you and your family. According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), in 2016,