Liz Weston: Seniors on Medicare seek strategies to deduct medical costs
Dear Liz: My wife and I are in our early 90s and are lucky to have health insurance. Yet, we face significant out-of-pocket costs. As you might guess, we will be retiring soon and will rely on Social Security, pensions, and investments for income. Are we able to use a flexible spending account funded with […]
Two additional lawsuits against Medicare negotiation dismissed in federal courts
This week, federal judges in Texas and Connecticut dealt another blow to the pharmaceutical industry by rejecting challenges to the constitutionality of the Medicare drug price negotiation program, while also upholding a related appeal. In Connecticut, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit backed a prior ruling by U.S. District Judge Michael P. […]
UnitedHealth set to discontinue Medicare Advantage plans for 600,000 individuals
Dr. Oz Discusses Medicare and Medicaid “Special interests push the misleading story points to stop the most ambitious healthcare reforms of all time,” remarked Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In recent news, UnitedHealthcare announced it will be dropping some of its Medicare Advantage Plans that collectively serve […]
Court confirms the rejection of US Chamber’s challenge to Medicare negotiations
The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed a lower court’s decision on Wednesday to dismiss a challenge to the Medicare drug price negotiation program put forward by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The court reiterated that these officials had no standing to sue. This ruling comes almost a year after a federal judge had […]
Significant alterations to Medicaid are expected in 2026. What will happen to Medicare?
TAMPA, Fla. – Staying Healthy in Retirement Lois Mange and her husband are trying their best to maintain an active lifestyle. “We try to stay healthy, walk, and hit the gym as much as possible,” she shared. Of course, they’re getting older, and there are many things they need to consider. That’s precisely why they […]
OMC is on the verge of losing its Medicare payments
Olympic Medical Center Faces Medicare Contract Termination Port Angeles – Olympic Medical Center is at risk of losing its Medicare provider contract after concerns were raised about the hospital’s adherence to essential patient care standards. A letter dated June 30, 2025, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated that a follow-up survey […]
Around 500,000 residents of Louisiana rely on Medicare Advantage, but some argue it is too expensive.
Medicare Advantage Concerns in Congress Washington – Medicare Advantage, a personalized insurance option, is crucial for about half a million residents in Louisiana, but there’s a growing call for change from Congress. Despite its popularity, some critics argue that the Medicare Advantage program may lead to inflated health issues among patients, consequently drawing more funds […]
House GOP expands investigation into Medicare fraud at Florida transplant facility
House GOP Demands Records Following Medicare Fraud Allegations WASHINGTON – House Republicans are seeking records from organ procurement centers in Florida after allegations surfaced about a Medicare fraud scheme. Whistleblowers have claimed that staff members may have inappropriately reimbursed individuals and overcharged for work hours, leading to concerns about their practices. On Thursday, the House […]
Modifications to Prior Approval Policy for Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Recent Medicare Developments on Treatment Approvals There have been two significant updates regarding advance approval for treatments and services for those enrolled in Medicare. Generally, health insurance plans don’t cover various treatments without prior approval from the insurance firms, which has stirred some controversy over the years. Original Medicare itself typically doesn’t require pre-approval for […]
Support for legislation to stop upcoding in Medicare Advantage
AARP has voiced its support for legislation aimed at curtailing a controversial practice affecting Medicare Advantage. This program has been under scrutiny due to providers allegedly inflating costs by misclassifying diagnoses to secure higher reimbursements. Senior advocacy groups have rallied around bipartisan measures designed to tackle this “upcoding” issue. They argue that correcting these practices […]