How Medicare Beneficiaries Can Pick The Best Drug Plan For Their Pocketbook
With the open enrollment period running through Dec. 7, PBS Newshour offers advice for choosing a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Meanwhile, PBS' Next Avenue looks at who might be affected by a 52-percent Medicare Part B premium increase in 2016, how to lessen the pain and what might stop the hike.
PBS Newshour:
Your Guide To Choosing A Medicare Drug Plan That’s Right For You
For 2016, active plan shopping will yield big benefits in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. ... Premiums will be 13 percent higher in 2016 than in 2015, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported, and will average more than $41 a month. However, there will be an enormous range of plan costs, with bare-bones plans costing little and others charging $100 monthly premiums. Many insurers also will be raising less visible expenses, such as annual deductibles (which can go as high as $360 in 2016) and drug coinsurance payments. (Moeller, 10/21)
PBS' Next Avenue:
The Lowdown On The 52 Percent Medicare Premium Increase
You probably heard that there’ll be no Social Security cost-of-living increase for beneficiaries in 2016. But what you may not know is that a ripple effect of this, for millions who’ll be covered by Medicare next year, could be a 52 percent boost in their monthly Medicare Part B premiums (Part B is the part of Medicare that pays for doctor visits and other outpatient care). Here’s why, what might prevent the steep Medicare hike from happening and what Medicare beneficiaries affected can do if it will occur. (Rosenblatt, 10/21)
