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Medicare to start negotiating prices for 10 drugs in 2024

Dec 29, 2023
But drug companies are trying to stymie the effort with a raft of lawsuits.
Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices will apply to just 10 medications for now, including treatments for heart disease and diabetes.
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Medicare expands mental health coverage

Dec 25, 2023
Loosened restrictions on who can bill the program for mental health services mean more options for Americans, especially in rural areas.
The Jan 1. change to Medicare will make some 400,000 providers, or 40% of the mental health workforce, eligible to bill the program.  
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Open enrollment season is a heyday for scammers

Nov 7, 2023
Some estimates put Medicare fraud, including elder abuse, in the neighborhood of $60 billion a year.
Some estimates put Medicare fraud,  including elder abuse, in the neighborhood of $60 billion a year.
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How will Medicare decide a fair price for drug negotiations?

Dan Gorenstein of Tradeoffs explains what factors the federal insurance program will look at and what the next steps are.
The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law last year gives Medicare new muscle to try to negotiate lower drug prices.
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For seniors who use medical cannabis, the expense can be considerable

Jun 16, 2023
More than three dozen states have legalized the medical use of cannabis products. But for some patients, it’s not an affordable option.
While insurance and Medicare will cover the cost for most FDA-approved medications, those who chose medical cannabis typically pay for it out of pocket.
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Congress is looking at changes to Medicare. Hospitals aren't thrilled

A little-known payment change could save the federal government $150 billion over the next 10 years.
Right now, there are cases where Medicare pays hospitals more than double what it pays independent doctors for the same care.
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What’s the difference between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage?  

There’s been a push for original Medicare recipients to switch to Medicare Advantage, but the plans have seen controversy.
Medicare Advantage plans have seen a number of scandals, Marketplace's senior economics contributor explains why.
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Medicare rejected a controversial Alzheimer's drug. Participants still ended up paying for it.

Oct 24, 2022
Medicare raised premiums late last year in preparation to cover the drug Aduhelm. Ultimately, Medicare rejected coverage of the drug, with limited exceptions.
Biogen initially priced its Alzheimer’s treatment drug at $56,000 a year. That figure was factored in when Medicare set Part B premiums late last year.
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Over-the-counter hearing aids bring savings and convenience

Oct 17, 2022
Over 40 million Americans with some form of hearing loss could benefit from the ease of buying a hearing aid at their local pharmacy.
Hearing aids are now available over the counter in the United States.
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Medicare may soon be able to negotiate prescription drug prices

Aug 8, 2022
The health policy reform is part of the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, which could aid 48 million Medicare recipients.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Inflation Reduction Act will save Medicare $288 billion over the next decade.
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