You can thank the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for some of the biggest Medicare changes in the past few years — including a welcome reprieve from the high costs of prescription drugs.
12 Things That Are Free Under Medicare
We worry a lot about what Medicare beneficiaries must for pay out of pocket, such as monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and copays for doctor visits and prescription drugs. But what many enrollees may not realize is that there are services that won’t cost them a cent.
You can get vaccines and screenings for a number of illnesses and see your doctor each year for a wellness visit. You can also get counseling to help you kick smoking or manage your diabetes. You won’t be subject to any out-of-pocket charges for these services as long as you use a healthcare provider who participates in Medicare or, if you get your healthcare through a Medicare Advantage plan, an in-network medical professional.
Does Medicare Cover Dental in 2024? Benefits and Eligibility
Finding the right health care plan for you can be a daunting process. When determining your health care needs, don’t forget to include dental services in the overall equation.
Need a Walker or Wheelchair? How to Find a Free Medical Equipment Loan Program Near You
If you have a serious illness, a disability, or hip or knee replacement surgery, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication – and medical equipment, too. They may recommend mobility and bathroom devices and other tools to help aid your balance and save your energy. The goal is to help you be as safe and independent as possible as you heal or adapt to a new medical condition.
But you may be surprised to find out that private insurance or Medicare either doesn’t cover all the gear you need or doesn’t cover it nearly as well as you had hoped. Or maybe you don’t have insurance. That’s when it pays to check out a medical equipment loan program near you.
Medicare Seeks to Cut Drug Costs for People in Part D Plans
The Biden administration said this week it intends to challenge insurance companies to deliver better service to people enrolled in Medicare, including applying discounts on drugs covered by Part D more directly to their pharmacy costs.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday unveiled a 360-page proposed rule that seeks many changes in how insurers manage their federal contracts. This proposed rule, for example, also would require insurers to show that they have enough contracted medical professionals when they want to create new Medicare Advantage plans or to expand existing ones.
