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The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey:  Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary and a Bright Future Ahead

September 29, 2016 By Niall Brennan, Chief Data Officer, CMS This year marks the 25th anniversary and the one millionth beneficiary interview for the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), a survey that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) first fielded in 1991. This in-person survey of 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries collects valuable information about aspects of the Medicare program …

CMS releases new prescription drug cost data

CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries Second annual release provides clearer look into Medicare Part D costs and services Continuing the commitment to greater data transparency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) today released privacy-protected data on the prescription drugs that were paid for under the …

CMS finalizes controversial Medicaid outpatient drug rule

By Virgil Dickson  | January 21, 2016 By April 1, state Medicaid agencies must start reimbursing pharmacies for prescription drugs based on actual acquisition costs according to a final rule released Thursday. Medicaid programs until now have reimbursed pharmacies for prescription drugs based on the ingredient costs for the drug and a dispensing fee for filling the prescription, according to the …

Medicare handbook

CMS News – Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Today!

Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Today Individuals with Medicare can shop for high quality health and drug plans The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the beginning of the Medicare Open Enrollment period where people with Medicare can shop for a Medicare Advantage (MA) or Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) for 2016. The Medicare Open Enrollment period happens every …

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Medicare Drug Plan Enrollees Would Face Average 13 Percent Premium Increase Unless They Switch Plans During Open Enrollment, New Analysis Finds

Second Analysis Finds Modest Shifts in Medicare Advantage Plan Options When Medicare’s 2016 open enrollment begins Oct. 15, current enrollees in stand-alone Medicare Part D plans are projected to face an average 13 percent increase in premiums if they remain in their current plan for 2016, a new analysis finds. Medicare Part D: A First Look at Plan Offerings in …

Medicare Part D is coming up!

Many people are still working when they’re first eligible for Medicare, and they need to decide if they should get Medicare Part B coverage. Those newly eligible for Medicare who are still working or have employer coverage have important decisions to make. It’s important they understand how and when to enroll, as well as the consequences of not enrolling. Those …

Medicare handbook

Go Paperless With “Medicare & You”

Did you know you can read the red, white and blue “Medicare & You handbook” right on your smart phone, computer or tablet? Visit Medicare.gov to find all of the same information online you’re used to seeing in your printed handbook. Learn what’s new, get Medicare costs, and find out what Medicare covers. Even better, we update the handbook information on the …

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The Michigan Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program statewide service offers free counseling for the 2015 Medicare Plan changes and new enrollments.

October 15th starts the Medicare Open Enrollment period for 2015. Now is the time to change plan benefits, provider networks, drug formularies and monthly premiums. During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, October 15th to December 7th, all Medicare beneficiaries have the option to change their plans for 2015. This includes anyone with Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage Health Plan or …