Susan Jaffe

Illustration of doctor holding Medicare Advantage sign

SHUTTERSTOCK

When hospitals ditch Medicare Advantage plans, thousands of members get to leave, too

Sen. Ron Wyden wants more transparency around how Advantage members can escape plans after their doctors and hospitals drop out

Apr 29

SHUTTERSTOCK

Medicare drug plans are getting better next year. Some will also cost more.

Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.

Oct 21, 2024

From left, pharmacists Brent Talley of North Carolina, Scott Pace of Arkansas,and Clint Hopkins of California.Independent pharmacists say a Biden administration measure to lower drug costs for Medicare patients is hurting their cash flow. | ELIZABETH TALLEY; KORI GORDON; JOEL HOCKMAN/KFF HEALTH NEWS

Biden plan to save Medicare patients money on drugs risks empty shelves, pharmacists say

Pharmacies are facing shortages of medications and workers, in addition to struggles with drug supply middlemen. Federal officials are taking a hands-off approach

Jun 13, 2024

Bart Klion says the doctors who have treated him and his wife “have made it possible for us to live an active and productive life.” But those health care providers are leaving the Klions’ Medicare Advantage plan. The New York couple were told they needed to find new doctors or other health insurance by March 31. | HANS PENNINK/KFF HEALTH NEWS

Your doctor or your insurer? Little-known rules may ease the choice in Medicare Advantage

As patients get caught in insurer-hospital contract disputes, they may be able to tap federal rules allowing special enrollment under “exceptional circumstances,” allowing beneficiaries who qualify to change plans or return to original Medicare

Mar 31, 2024

SARCIFILIPPO/PIXABAY

Dodging the Medicare enrollment deadline can be costly

Once open enrollment ends, there are limited options for a do-over. But most seniors will generally allow their existing policy to renew automatically, like it or not.

Dec 7, 2023

SARCIFILIPPO/PIXABAY

Uncle Sam wants you … to help stop insurers’ bogus Medicare Advantage sales tactics

Federal officials encourage seniors and other members of the public to become fraud detectives by reporting misleading or deceptive sales tactics to 800-MEDICARE

Dec 2, 2023

AKKALAK AIEMPRADIT/SHUTTERSTOCK

Feds rein in use of predictive software that limits care for Medicare Advantage patients

Patients, providers and advocates say a tool insurers use often predicts a date of discharge that coincides with the date coverage cuts off, even if the patient needs further treatment that government-run Medicare would provide

Oct 5, 2023