Value-based care in Medicare Advantage Plans
In our last post, we discussed the shift in the healthcare industry from fee-for-service to value-based care. However, Medicare advantage plans oriented toward value-based care do already exist. This is manifested through what are known as ‘star ratings’ of plans. Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Plans are scored by Medicare on how they perform […]
COVID-19 continues the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care
The new coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the change in how healthcare is being delivered. One of the most interesting shifts is in how the healthcare system is being compensated. First, it is important to understand what the two major concepts (‘fee-for-service’ and ‘value-based care’) mean. Fee-for-service is defined by HealthCare.gov as ‘a method in which […]
HSA limits have increased in 2021
The amount that individuals are able to contribute to an HSA in 2021 will now be $3,600–a $50 increase from 2020. Meanwhile, families are able to contribute up to $7,200, which is a $100 increase from 2020. On Medicare? You can no longer contribute to an HSA, but you can use HSA dollars to pay […]
Guarding your personal information and Medicare number during the pandemic
Maintaining tight control of your identity and personal information has always been important. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, though, we may all be more vulnerable than ever to cases of identity theft and even Medicare fraud. This is due to the uncertainty that is characteristic of the pandemic. Fear of the virus may lead to […]
Buster Brown from Outa Town hits the road!
This week marked the first visit for Buster Brown who loves spreading the love and visiting Senior Centers. Here he is at The Terraces of Boise visiting and making people smile!!
New Medicare Cards
The New Medicare Card mailing is complete! Everyone currently on Medicare should have their new card with the randomly-generated Medicare number replacing Social Security Numbers on Medicare cards and in Medicare systems. This number is also known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The biggest reason CMS took the SSN off of Medicare cards is […]
Your Personal Resource
There is great value in having an independent agent at your fingertips. At absolutely no cost to you, you have a local advocate when you need it most. I am here to assist you each and every year in evaluating new plans and plan changes that may affect you. I value our relationship and am […]
Medicare Advantage Plans continue to grow.
Medicare Advanatage Plans have grown from 18% to 30% as a proportion of the total Medicare spending from 2007 to 2017. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans has been steadily increasing over the measured decade from 2007 to 2017. 33% of Medicare beneficiaries were covered by Medicare Advantage plans in 2017, when ten years earlier, just 19% […]
Hang up on Medicare scams!
I had a client call me today to touch base and see if a call he had received was really from his Medicare plan or if it was a scam. Based on our conversation it was definitely a scam! The caller kept requesting more information from him and luckily he realized it was a scam […]