Retirement Healthcare and Medicare
Retirement expert Bob Carlson’s research and knowledge on how to get the most out of healthcare options
Found 325 Articles.
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Is a Five-Star Medicare Plan Right for You?
Medicare has a star rating system for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. A top rating could benefit both plan members and sponsors. The plans are rated from one to five stars (with half stars awarded) based on a number of measures of quality of care, member experience, and plan administration. Five stars […]
Getting Ready for Medicare Decision Time
Many people make the wrong choices for Medicare. They choose the plans that aren’t best for them and consistently pay more out of pocket than they should. That’s been clear from a number of studies over the years. Some advisers conclude that 90% or more of Medicare beneficiaries spend more of their own money than […]
The Coming Medicare Changes
Changes are coming to Medicare. They recently were put on the books to begin in a few years. The changes are the result of Medicare’s “doc fix.” You might be aware that in 1997 the formula for reimbursing doctors for treatment provided under Medicare was changed. The formula slashed reimbursement rates and would save Medicare […]
Small Number of Drugs Are Most of Medicare’s Cost
When people dig into the data on medical spending, especially government’s share of the spending, they always reach one conclusion. A relatively small number of people consume most of the medical care in this country. Most people are relatively healthy, don’t use much medical care, and don’t take many drugs. But people with chronic conditions […]
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Determining the Best Age to Buy Long-Term Care Insurance
What’s the best age to buy long-term care insurance? I hear that question a lot. Let’s run through the factors. Most people are considering the lifetime trade off between the premiums paid and the benefits eventually received. They want coverage but they don’t want to begin paying premiums too long before care is needed. For […]
The New Medicare Changes
Congress recently passed, and the President said he will sign, a new law containing what’ known as “the doc fix.” Some years ago Congress decided to save money on Medicare and Medicaid by setting up a schedule that reduced the amounts that would be paid to doctors. The reimbursement schedule was unrealistically low, often paying […]
Medicare’s Problem Overpaying Hospitals
Medicare started releasing detailed data fairly recently, and some outsiders have been studying the data closely for anomalies, overcharging, and other problems. Leading the way has been The Wall Street Journal with a series of articles pointing to problems and inconsistencies. The latest study (subscription might be required) shows how Medicare might be overpaying some […]
Medicare Advantage Plans Receive a Boost
Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Advantage plans are supposed to be made less attractive. The government is supposed to reduce the amount the plans receive per enrollee. But that hasn’t happened. The plans are very popular, enrolling about 30% of Medicare beneficiaries and rising. For the third year in a row the government announced […]
