Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Millions On Medicare Face Unprecedented Premium Increases
The Wall Street Journal: Medicare Rates Set to Soar
That is creating uncertainty for many seniors on Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care such as doctor’s visits. About 30% of the roughly 52 million people enrolled in Part B could see a 52% rise in those premiums if Congress and the Obama administration don’t find a way to freeze or reduce the increase. Open enrollment for Medicare for 2016 starts Thursday, though Congress could subsequently act to prevent the rise. (Armour and Tergesen, 10/14)
The Wall Street Journal: Few Options For Seniors Facing A Jump In Medicare Premiums
Unless Congress or the Obama administration intervenes, nearly one-third of Medicare beneficiaries may see a 52% increase in 2016 premiums for Part B, which covers doctor visits and other types of outpatient care. There are steps some affected individuals may be able to take to sidestep the increase, but there can be significant trade-offs. (Tergesen, 10/14)
USA Today: Medicare Part B Premiums To Rise 52% For 7 Million Enrollees
But 2016 might not be anything like 2015 for some 30% of Medicare beneficiaries — roughly 7 million or so Americans. That’s because premiums for individuals could increase a jaw-dropping 52% to $159.30 per month ($318.60 for married couples). And for individuals whose incomes exceed certain thresholds, premiums could rise to anywhere from $223.00 per month up to $509.80 (or $446 to $1,019.60 for married couples), depending on their incomes. (Powell, 10/14)
With open enrollment beginning Oct. 15, experts advise all Medicare recipients to evaluate plan options, including prescription drug coverage -
The New York Times: Check Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, Then Check It Again
Thursday is the start of the annual open enrollment period for Medicare, the federal health plan for people over age 65. If you have traditional fee-for-service Medicare and you are satisfied with your coverage, you don’t need to change anything. But if you also buy a stand-alone prescription drug plan, or if you are enrolled in a private Medicare managed-care plan — known as a Medicare Advantage plan — health experts say you should review your policy and compare options, even if you are happy with your current coverage. (Carrns, 10/14)
Kaiser Health News: Don’t Just Renew Your Medicare Plan. Shopping Around Can Save Money.
Ten years after a prescription drug benefit was added to Medicare, 39 million older or disabled Americans have coverage to help pay for their medicine, including most of the 17 million with private insurance policies known as Medicare Advantage, an alternative to traditional Medicare. The annual enrollment period for these private drug and Advantage plans for 2016 starts Thursday and runs through Dec. 7. (Jaffe, 10/15)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Medicare Enrollment Begins Thursday
In seven years as coordinator of the Allegheny County Apprise program that offers counseling on different Medicare plan options, “I have never seen this volume of calls” from seniors worried about what to do, Bill McKendree said Wednesday. ... Much of the anxiety, Mr. McKendree said, has to do with the ongoing battle between Pittsburgh health giants Highmark and UPMC following the expiration of their contract, with the latest dispute concerning whether UPMC must include insurer Highmark’s Medicare Advantage members in its network next year under consent decrees both parties signed last year. A final ruling on that is now in the hands of the state Supreme Court and may not be announced before the open enrollment period ends. (Twetd, 10/15)
In other Medicare news -
CQ Healthbeat: Medicare Cuts Would Reduce Access To Colonoscopy, Doctors Say
Proposed cuts in Medicare payments could cause many doctors to reduce the number of colonoscopies they perform for the elderly and disabled or drop this patient population entirely, reducing access to a widely used form of screening for the nation’s second-most deadly cancer, physicians’ organizations argue. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is expected to release the final version of the payment rule later this month. In it, the agency will set the rates for different forms of colonoscopy procedures and likely will explain its response to arguments raised by doctors. (Young, 10/14)
The Associated Press: St. Tammany Parish Leads State In Medicare Spending
Five Louisiana parishes, led by St. Tammany, are among the 20 counties with the highest Medicare per capita spending in the country. That's according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. St. Tammany ranked No. 10 at $11,146 in 2013, the latest data available. The figures were adjusted to account for differences in Medicare prices and beneficiaries' health risk. (10/14)
