Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Tax Bill Or Health Bill?
Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Sarah Kliff of Vox.com, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss the inclusion of health policies into the current tax cut debate, including a possible repeal of the fines for people who fail to maintain health insurance.
Medicare Seeks Comment On Ways To Cut Costs Of Part D Drugs
Medicare is examining how rebates and discounts could be shared in some way with Part D beneficiaries to reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
Pressure Builds To Cut Medicare Patients In On Prescription Deals
Medicare officials have been discussing a rule change that would give beneficiaries a share of the secretive fees and discounts that are negotiated for prescription drugs.
Liquid Gold: Pain Doctors Soak Up Profits By Screening Urine For Drugs
With the nation’s opioid crisis, urine testing has become a booming business and is especially lucrative for doctors who operate their own labs, a Kaiser Health News investigation finds. And dozens of practitioners have earned ‘the lion’s share’ of their Medicare income exclusively from urine drug screens.
‘No One Is Coming’: Hospice Patients Abandoned At Death’s Door
U.S. hospice agencies promise to be available around-the-clock to help patients dying in their homes. But a Kaiser Health News investigation shows that, in an alarming number of cases, that promise is broken.
Medicare Vs. Medicare Advantage: How To Choose
Despite Medicare Advantage plans’ increasing popularity, several key features remain poorly understood. Here is what you need to know.
A Few Pointers To Help Save Money And Avoid The Strain Of Medicare Enrollment
Most beneficiaries have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to decide on drug coverage and whether to switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Social Security Giveth, Medical Costs Taketh Away
Out-of-pocket health costs eat up about 18 percent of retirees’ incomes.
Adultos mayores tendrán ajustes del Seguro Social, pero pagarán más por el Medicare
Millones de adultos mayores pronto serán notificados (si no lo han sido ya) que las primas del Medicare para servicios médicos están aumentando y podrían consumir el ajuste de costo de vida que recibirán el próximo año del Seguro Social.
Despite Boost In Social Security, Rising Medicare Part B Costs Leave Seniors In Bind
With higher premiums on tap for many Medicare enrollees, here’s help figuring out the particulars of the Part B puzzle and how it affects you.