When a new Medicare beneficiary becomes eligible for enrollment, there are two general options for coverage, Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. While Medicare Advantage is gaining in popularity, the majority of seniors still elect Traditional Medicare because it gives them the freedom to choose their providers and manage their own care. However, with the creation of the pilot Medicare Direct Contracting program (DC), some seniors may unknowingly have their care managed by for-profit companies anyway. Created by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services late in the Trump administration, the Medicare DC program allows private insurance companies and other for-profit [...]

Every year there are a few tweaks and changes to Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those 65 and older. The most predictable changes: increased premiums and deductibles. 2022 brings the largest Medicare Part B increase in history–a $21.60 increase. The 2022 premium is $170.10. Medicare Part B covers physician appointments and outpatient services.  Reasons for the increase include: Rising healthcare costs due in part to COVID-19 A congressional act to lower the planned 2021 Part B premium with the difference being repaid via the 2022 increase CMS’s decision to save money to cover the expense of the potentially [...]