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Learn More About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides meaningful financial relief for millions of people with Medicare by improving access to affordable treatments and strengthening the Medicare Program both now and in the long-run. The new drug law makes improvements to Medicare that will expand benefits, lower drug costs, keep prescription drug premiums stable, and improve the strength…

Catch up on the latest in Medicare News and Developments.

Please click below to learn about the latest Mediare news and developments that may apply to you.

CMS Issues New Policies to Provide Greater Transparency for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription drug programs that will improve experiences for dually eligible beneficiaries and provide greater transparency for the MA and Part D programs.

CMS Expands Coverage of Lung Cancer Screening with Low Dose Computed Tomography

Feb 10, 2022 Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing a national coverage determination (NCD) that expands coverage for lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT) to improve health outcomes for people with lung cancer. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related…

CMS Proposes Medicare Coverage Policy for Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed National Coverage Determination (NCD) decision memorandum. The proposed National Coverage Determination would cover Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved monoclonal antibodies that target amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease through coverage with evidence development (CED) – which means that FDA-approved drugs in this class would be covered for people with Medicare only if they are enrolled in qualifying clinical trials. The proposed National Coverage Determination is open to public comment for 30 days.

CMS Takes Steps to Protect Georgians from Harmful Effects of Work Requirements and Premiums in the Medicaid Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Georgia will no longer have authority to require work activities as a condition of Medicaid eligibility, or charge premiums beyond those allowed under the Medicaid statute, in its Georgia Pathways to Coverage demonstration.

Medicare’s “Part B” premium jumping by $21.60 a month next year, one of largest increases ever

Medicare’s “Part B” outpatient premium will jump by $21.60 a month in 2022, one of the largest increases ever. Officials said Friday a new Alzheimer’s drug is responsible for about half of that.

CMS Reminds Eligible Consumers They Have Coverage for COVID-19 Booster Shots at No Cost CMS Reminds Eligible Consumers They Have Coverage for COVID-19 Booster Shots at No Cost

Oct 22, 2021

Following the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent action that authorized a booster shot of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines for certain populations and a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding eligible consumers that coverage is available under Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and in the commercial health insurance market for this critical protection from the virus, including booster shots from all three manufacturers, without cost sharing.

Get Ready – Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Next Month (10/15 – 12/7/2021)

Medicare’s Open Enrollment period – also known as the Annual Election Period or Annual Coordinated Election Period – runs from October 15 through December 7.  During this time all Medicare beneficiaries can reevaluate their coverage, and make changes, whether they are in Original/Traditional Medicare with separate Part D drug coverage, or in a private Medicare Advantage plan. Beneficiaries should review their coverage every year to determine if their current options meet their specific health care needs.

Medicare Upgrades: Biden Plan Would Enhance Dental, Vision, and Drug Price Coverage

Written by Roz Plater on August 17, 2021 — Fact checked by Maria Gifford