Private Medicare Plans Drive Up Health Care Costs By Offering Insufficient Coverage

Private Medicare Plans Drive Up Health Care Costs By Offering Insufficient Coverage: Two separate reports by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Health Affairs builds upon earlier research to conclude that private insurance plans under the Medicare Advantage program drive up Medicare spending. Ultimately, those private plans raise health care costs by encouraging seniors to cherry pick their health plans respective to their health, [...]/p

Report: Quality Of Medicare Plans Increased

Report: Quality Of Medicare Plans Increased: According to an analysis from Avalere Health, the star ratings for 28 percent of Medicare Advantage and 49 percent of Medicare Part D plans improved from 2012 and 2013. That makes the plans eligible for bonuses from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and special markers on Medicare’s plan-finder website. Analysts found that the [...]/p

Obamacare Strengthened Medicare Advantage To Provide More Low-Income Americans With Affordable Coverage

Obamacare Strengthened Medicare Advantage To Provide More Low-Income Americans With Affordable Coverage: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a news release today announcing that President Obama’s health reform law has successfully increased enrollment and decreased premiums in Medicare Advantage over the last two years. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius noted that the program has seen a nearly 30 percent increase in enrollment and a 10 [...]/p