Q1Medicare.com - Latest Medicare News

The 2019 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" pro . . .

Since 2011, people with Medicare who earn over $85,000 have been paying an additional monthly premium or Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for their Medicare Part D prescription drug p . . .

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.

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 Donut Hole or Coverage Gap is a term used to describe a gap or pause in your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan coverage where, prior to 2011, you were 100% respon . . .

In certain situations, people with Medicare may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allowing them to join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan , or switch . . .

2020 Update   See: 2020 State Low-Income Subsidy Benchmark Premium Amounts - with a comparison of benchmark changes since 2006 at https://Q1News.com/763.html. The Centers for Medicare and Me . . .

About $3,019 - maybe even a little more depending on your Medicare Part D plan. However, your actual savings in the 2019 Donut Hole will depend on several things including: (1)  How much yo . . .

As you may know, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans update their plan formularies (drug lists) throughout the plan year and the June 2019 Medicare Part D formulary updates included 30 new drug . . .

As you may know, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans update their plan formularies (drug lists) throughout the plan year and the May 2019 Medicare Part D formulary updates included 60 new drugs . . .

Medicare plans change every year and during the next seven weeks, you will have the opportunity to add, change, or drop your Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan - with your new plan changes taking effect January 1st, 2020.

Based on current enrollment, around 11.3 million Medicare beneficiaries will see their stand-alone 2019 Medicare Part D premiums increase in 2020 - with 1.5 million people currently enrolled in Part D plans that will see their premiums double in 2020.

Over 1.1 million people are currently enrolled in non-renewing 2019 Medicare Advantage plans and may lose their 2020 Medicare plan coverage unless they enroll in a 2020 plan - and 3 million other people will be automatically moved to another 2020 Medicare plans

A preliminary analysis of 2020 MA/MAPD shows Medicare beneficiaries can expect a more Medicare plan options in many areas, continued low monthly premiums, and slightly more Medicare Advantage plans offering some Donut Hole coverage

As noted in our "More 2020 Medicare Advantage plan choices..." article, the total number of 2020 Medicare Advantage plans will increase by 15% in 2020. However, when viewed in detail, many 2019 Me . . .

The Medicare Advantage plan Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) threshold limits how much you will spend on co-payments and co-insurance for eligible Medicare Part A (in-patient or hospitalization) and Medi . . .

As can be seen in the table below, in 2020, there will be 982 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) having a $0 initial deductible and a $0 monthly premium ($0/$0 plans) - . . .

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage plan with plan benefits, healthcare provider choices, and drug formularies (list of covered drugs) designed to accommodate the needs of a . . .

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 continu . . .

As noted in a recent press release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), "Medicare Advantage continues to be popular, with enrollment projected to increase to an all-time high of . . .