As Medicare’s Open Enrollment period – also known as the Annual Election Period or Annual Coordinated Election Period – approaches, the Center for Medicare Advocacy is spotlighting issues beneficiaries should consider as they make important decisions … [Read more...] about Spotlight on the Importance of Medigap
Medigap
Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
A Case Study in Favor of Traditional Medicare“Should I choose traditional Medicare with a supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan?”This is a question Center for Medicare Advocacy (Center) attorneys and advocates hear increasingly often. … [Read more...] about Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
CMA Senior Policy Atty. Kata Kertesz Publishes Article on Need for Medigap Protections
Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Kata Kertesz had her article, “Expansions of Medigap Consumer Protections are Necessary to Promote Health Equity in the Medicare Program,” published last week in the Stetson University College of … [Read more...] about CMA Senior Policy Atty. Kata Kertesz Publishes Article on Need for Medigap Protections
Connecticut Expands Medigap Options for Medicare Beneficiaries Under Age 65
Effective July 1, 2021, Connecticut Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for Medicare by reason of disability will be able to select standardized Medicare Supplement (“Medigap”) plan D, in addition to plans A and B. (Medigap plan C remains available … [Read more...] about Connecticut Expands Medigap Options for Medicare Beneficiaries Under Age 65
Article Raises Concerns about Medicare Advantage and Calls Attention to Limited Medigap Access
A recent Bloomberg News article highlighted an important issue for Medicare beneficiaries: limited access to Medigap plans. The Center for Medicare Advocacy has long advocated for improved access to Medigap plans for all Medicare … [Read more...] about Article Raises Concerns about Medicare Advantage and Calls Attention to Limited Medigap Access
Improve and Expand Medicare: Ensure Medigap Access
Recently, the Center for Medicare Advocacy laid out our Medicare Platform for the New Congress. One of the core considerations to improve Medicare for all beneficiaries, now and in the future, is the need to preserve and expand consumer … [Read more...] about Improve and Expand Medicare: Ensure Medigap Access
CMS to Clarify Medigap Section of the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool
Concerned that Medicare beneficiaries could reject proper consideration of Medigap supplement plans because of undefined and significantly high costs listed in an “Estimated Annual Cost” column for Medigaps in the Medicare.gov CMS Plan … [Read more...] about CMS to Clarify Medigap Section of the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool
Medigap News: Disparities in Enrollment Rights; Bill Introduced to Strengthen Medigap Access and Protections
Kaiser Family Foundation ReportA report recently issued by the Kaiser Family Foundation, “Medigap Enrollment and Consumer Protections Vary Across States” (July 2018), “provides an overview of Medigap enrollment and analyzes … [Read more...] about Medigap News: Disparities in Enrollment Rights; Bill Introduced to Strengthen Medigap Access and Protections
Barriers to Medigap Coverage for Beneficiaries Under Age 65
Medicare is commonly known for providing health insurance for older people; however, a significant portion of the program’s beneficiaries are under age 65.[1] Individuals with permanent disabilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) qualify … [Read more...] about Barriers to Medigap Coverage for Beneficiaries Under Age 65
Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk
Among proposals aimed at reducing federal spending for Medicare, some are suggesting that Medigap insurance be restructured to increase the cost-sharing burden on beneficiaries and/or add a surcharge for those that choose plans offering … [Read more...] about Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk