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The 2021 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines determine the income level requirements for people applying for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also known as the "Extra Help" program that helps pay Medicare prescription drug costs.

The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) income brackets became inflation adjusted in 2020.  Consequently, people with an annual income under $165,000 who are at the low end of their . . .

CMS released the 2021 low-income premium subsidy amounts (or Benchmark premiums) for Medicare Part D plans on July 29, 2020. In 2021, four regions will lower their Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) benchmark premiums and 30 regions will increase their benchmark premium.

If the retail value of your formulary drug purchases are over $345, you will enter the 2021 Donut Hole and, as was true in 2020, you will receive a 75% discount for all formulary drugs while in the Coverage Gap.

On January 15, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final 2022 Announcement that included the 2022 defined standard benefits for Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage.

The 2020 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines determine the income level requirements for people applying for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also known as the "Extra Help" program that helps pay Medicare prescription drug costs.

If the total retail cost of your formulary medications is over $345 per month, you will exceed your Medicare Part D plan's $4,130 Initial Coverage Limit and enter the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap sometime in 2021.

On February 5, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter that included the 2021 proposed defined standard benefits for Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage - and proposed changes to Medicare plans.

Starting in 2020, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) income brackets will be adjusted for inflation.  Consequently, people at the low end of their 2019 IRMAA income bracket wil . . .

CMS released the 2020 low-income premium subsidy amounts (or Benchmark premiums) for Medicare Part D plans on July 31, 2019, and in 2020, 33 regions will lower their Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) benchmark premiums and only 1 region will raise their benchmark premium.

The Donut Hole (or Coverage Gap) is a term used to describe a "gap" or pause in your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage where - prior to 2011 - you were 100% responsible for the cost of your . . .

Updated  2/5/2020 See:  2020 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (FPL): 2020 LIS Qualifications and Benefits   (https://Q1News.com/812.html) The 2019 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidel . . .

On April 1st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2020 Announcement and Final Call Letter that includes the defined standard benefits parameters for 2020 Medicare Part . . .

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans expressly excludes coverage for vitamins - although some Medicare plans do cover "excluded" drugs such as B-12 vitamin injections as "Bonus" or Supplemental dru . . .

The 2022 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) begins today, October 15th, and continues through December 7th. During the next seven weeks, you can add, change, or drop your 2022 Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan.

in 2022, over 2,800 counties (or Zip Code areas) include at least one Medicare Advantage plan with a Part B premium “Giveback” (equating to about 14,000 unique plan/county combinations of different 2022 Medicare Advantage plans) with Part B give-backs ranging from $1 to $148.

The 2022 Medicare Advantage plan information recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shows that Medicare beneficiaries can expect more Medicare Advantage plans in m . . .

An initial review of the stand-alone 2022 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs), recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), shows that Medicare beneficiaries . . .

As noted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), monthly Medicare Advantage plan premiums have remained stable or declined over the past several years — and this trend cont . . .

The Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) landscape will be changing again in 2022, with 15% of 2021 SNPs discontinued and the introduction of so many new SNPs that we have a 19% increase in the total number of 2022 SNPs across the country.

In addition to overall lower-premium 2022 Medicare Advantage plans, thirty-four percent (34%) of all 2022 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) will have a $0 premium and $0 initial drug deductible (up from 30% in 2021)

Each year a Medicare Advantage plan's Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) threshold can change and in 2022, 19% of Medicare Advantage plans have a $7,550 or $6,700 MOOP and slightly more plans will have a MOOP at, or below $3,450.

The total number of 2022 Medicare Advantage plans will increase by 10% in 2022, however, many 2021 Medicare Advantage plans will be terminated or merged into other 2022 plans. Therefore, many counties will see significant changes in their 2022 Medicare Advantage plan landscape.

An analysis of 2022 Medicare Advantage plan data shows that there will be 10% more Medicare Advantage plans available in 2022 as compared to 2021. Across the country, the total number of 2022 Medicare Advantage plans will increase to 5,033, as compared to 4,568 plans in 2021.

Based on the current 2021 Medicare Part D plan enrollment (September 2021) and increases in 2022 Medicare Part D plan premiums, we estimate that around 84% of current 2021 PDP enrollees may have a premium increase in 2022 - unless they change to other, more-affordable 2022 plans.

Stand-alone 2022 Medicare Part D plan premiums range from a low of $5.50 to the highest premium of $207.20. The national average 2022 Part D premium is $47.55 (without considering plan enrollment).

The total number of stand-alone 2022 Medicare Part D plans will decrease down to 766 offered across the country as compared to 996 plans offered in 2021 - a 23% drop in PDP options - with the average number of 2022 Part D plans per state falling to 23.

The vast majority 2022 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will have some initial deductible ranging from $100 to $480.

Based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released 2022 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) landscape data, most states will offer fewer Medicare Part D plans . . .