Medicare: What Happens When You’re in the Hospital for Observation?
Did you know that you could go to the hospital for treatment, stay there a few days, but never get officially admitted? It's called observation care and you can end up paying more if it happens to you. If the hospital feels that you're not sick enough to be admitted...
Choose Your Medigap Plan Wisely
A recent article by CBS News highlighted some of the results from the 2016 National Medicare Supplement Price Index, saying that the difference between the lowest and highest costs for Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans can vary by as much as 68 percent, so you can save yourself a lot of money by comparing all of your Arizona supplement plan options.
Money Magazine Highlights Medicare Advantage Trade-Offs
A recent article in Money Magazine cautioned readers to think carefully before jumping into a Medicare Advantage plan just because it may be less expensive than some Medigap plans. The author pointed to a recent survey that projected an average cost of $350 per month...
Does Medicare Advantage Reduce Avoidable Hospitalization?
The American Association of Family Physicians is reporting that a Robert Graham Center study has found that Medicare Advantage enrollees have a 10 percent lower rate of hospitalizations compared with traditional Medicare beneficiaries. The results varied by state,...
Medicare Advantage Market Update
The Kaiser Family Foundation came out with their 2016 Medicare Advantage update this week. It shows that 31% of Medicare recipients are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage program nationwide. This percentage has been steadily growing since 2008 when 22% of recipients were enrolled in Medicare Advantage. The study reported that 38% of Arizona residents are enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs.
Medicare Advantage Plans Still Popular in Arizona
Medicare Advantage Plans with their all-in-one Medicare packages are maintaining their popularity in Arizona, according to Google Trends.
Medicare Will Pay Your Doctor to Discuss Future Critical Care Options
When you’re healthy, discussing critical care and end-of-life options with your doctor is never at the top of your list of things you want to do, but making these decisions early can provide a great deal of assurance and comfort to your loved ones if anything does happen to you. In the event of a sudden illness or tragedy, your family will want to know that they’re making the right decisions for your care. Having access to your living will or advance directive will help them do that.
New Plan Aims to Curb Medicare Drug Inflation
With roughly 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, the federal government is implementing a plan to make it less lucrative for your physician to prescribe the most expensive prescription drugs for your condition.