top of page
Blog


CHANGES COMING TO MEDICARE IN 2027
Michael T Braden September 8, 2026 MEDICARE NEWS Photo of Braden Medicare Insurance's Changes Coming To Medicare In 2027 Poster While the maximum out-of-pocket and deductible amounts for Part D are set, the full picture for 2027 isn't quite complete yet. Now, all eyes turn to the fall, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially releases the upcoming figures for standard Part B premiums, along with the deductible amounts for Medicare Part A (Hospi


BREAKING DOWN THE MEDIGAP FOREIGN TRAVEL BENEFIT
WHICH MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT/MEDIGAP PLANS INCLUDE FOREIGN TRAVEL BENEFITS
Six of the ten standardized Medigap plans include a foreign travel emergency benefit: Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N. The remaining four, Plans A, B, K, and L, do not include this benefit at all.


DOES MEDICARE COVER CANCER TREATMENTS
Michael T Braden June 6, 2026 MEDICARE NEWS DOES MEDICARE PAY FOR CANCER TREATMENT? Yes. Medicare covers most chemotherapy and cancer drugs, which can reassure you that your treatment options are supported. Your out-of-pocket costs depend on whether the drug is infused in a clinic (Part B) or taken orally at home (Part D). Here is what each plan type pays, what chemo costs with Medicare, and how new negotiated drug prices are lowering costs for cancer patients. Yes, M


WHAT IS A MEDICARE SUMMARY NOTICE
Your MSN shows you what services were billed, whether or not Medicare approved these services, if a claim was denied, how much Medicare paid, and the balance of what you may be responsible for.


BRADEN MEDICARE INSURANCE'S 2027 AEP CHECKLIST
BRADEN MEDICARE INSURANCE'S 2027 AEP CHECKLIST


MEDICARE'S NEW GLP-1 BRIDGE PROGRAM
Medicare is launching a new short-term program called the GLP-1 Bridge, providing Part D enrollees access beginning July 1, 2026. This article explains who qualifies, what drugs are covered, and how to get started. For years, people covered by Medicare had little to no access to prescription medications approved specifically for weight management. That changed May 6, 2026, in a major announcement sure to have dramatic implications for seniors & the pharmaceutical industry


Medicare Part D: A New Era of Affordable Drug Prices
Having been an Independent Medicare Broker for over 10 years, I was always frustrated by the sky-high prices seniors had to pay due to Medicare's Prescription Drug Prices. Finally, the first 10 drugs with their Medicare costs lowered took effect on 1/1/2026. This has been long overdue, and it will be a blessing for far too many Americans who rely on Medicare every day. But Medicare is not stopping there. Beginning in 2027, we will see Medicare lowering the costs of at least


HAPPINESS IN RETIREMENT, COMPARING WHAT MAKES RETIREES HAPPY
I started wondering: what are the most common driving forces among people once they decide to quit working full-time? For many, the biggest influence on their decision was their spouse or their family. Oftentimes, people bury themselves in work to mask the pain and hurt of losing someone near and dear to them. And it is harder to imagine being joyful in retirement. But I found this exercise interesting and wanted to share it with you, hoping that some of you will find it


HOW MEDICARE HANDLES YOUR BILLINGS
Whether you are new to Medicare or a seasoned Medicare Beneficiary, there are times when Billing issues can pop up out of nowhere and rain on your parade. In today's article, we wanted to pull back the curtain and give you a better understanding of how Medicare Billing works, both with Original Medicare and with Medicare Advantage plans. Our goal is to inform you of the differences so you can know what to expect.


MEDICARE & EMERGENCIES
When a health crisis strikes, your primary focus should be on recovery, not whether your insurance will cover the bill. Medical emergencies change everything because they remove your ability to plan. You do not have the time to research in-network facilities, compare out-of-pocket costs, or wait for approvals. You need immediate, life-saving care. Understanding how your coverage handles these unpredictable moments is vital for your peace of mind and your financial security.


Understanding the Medicare WISeR Program: A New Approach to Healthcare
The Medicare WISeR Model is a quality assurance program created by CMS to review a limited set of medical services that have historically been prone to misuse.


MEDICARE RELEASES PREMIUM COSTS FOR 2026
Navigating the world of Medicare can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when the costs change each year. Understanding these adjustments is essential for budgeting and
The official 2026 numbers have been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We are here to walk you through these new costs, explain what they mean for you, and show you how to manage them effectively.


NAVIGATING THE MEDICARE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (AEP)
The Medicare enrollment period is a designated time each year when beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare coverage. This period typically runs from October 15 to December 7 annually. During this time, you can:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
Enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage.


WHAT MEDICARE WILL COST IN 2026
Understanding the wonderful, wacky world of Medicare can often feel overwhelming, especially when the costs change each year. Understanding these adjustments is essential for budgeting and ensuring appropriate coverage for your healthcare needs.
WHAT WILL MEDICARE COST IN 2026
WHAT COSTS ARE COVERED BY MEDICARE
When we talk about “Medicare costs,” we are generally referring to a few different types of payments you might make:
Such as: Premiums, Deductibles, Co-Pays & Co-I


THE MEDICARE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD STARTS OCTOBER 15th
The Medicare AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) runs from October 15th through December 7th every year. During AEP, about 48 million Medicare Beneficiaries will make at least one change to their Healthcare portfolio for the 2026 Plan Year.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs each fall. During the AEP, Medicare beneficiaries can change their current Medicare Advantage Plan or their Stand-Alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.


WHAT IS MEDICARE EASY PAY
Once you start receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, Medicare premiums will be automatically deducted from those payments. But until then, you may be better off paying Medicare online by using Medicare’s automatically deducted monthly payment system called Easy Pay If you did not work enough quarters to qualify for Premium Free Medicare Part A, or if you are a High Wage Earner who has been assessed with an IRMAA surcharge, you will be billed for


MEDICARE CHANGES IN 2026
Thankfully, there are not nearly as many new concerns as last fall, but I think it's still good to share the information. The most significant nationwide trend is that healthcare costs continue to rise rather than level off. We have seen that MOOP amounts continue to increase, along with Medicare Advantage, Part B Premiums, Part B Deductibles, Medicare Supplement Premiums, and Medicare Part D Deductibles.


Updates On Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
Michael T Braden September 24, 2023 MEDICARE NEWS Some of you may remember the Article we wrote last year after it was announced that Medicare would start negotiating Prescription Drug Prices in 2024. Medicare will deal directly with drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. Initially, they would select the 10 most-prescribed (Non-Generic) Medications for 2024. Then they would continue to negotiate 10 per year. Although the new pricing won't take effect until Januar


The Amazon Rx Pass For Medicare Beneficiaries
AMAZON'S RxPass HAS YOU COVERED
While other savings programs charge for each medication, Rx Pass is always $5 a month —no matter how many generic prescription medications you take.
AMAZON RxPass HAS A LOW FLAT FEE ON 50 GENERIC MEDICATIONS FOR SENIORS.
Every Amazon Prime Member who is a current Medicare Beneficiary can join RxPass and begin to take advantage of these unbelievable savings.
SUBSCRIBE FOR JUST $5 PER MONTH


Stem Cell Therapy
Yes, Medicare Covers Stem Cell Therapy, but only in specific cases. The first important consideration is that Medicare stem cell therapy coverage is only available if your doctor deems the procedure medically necessary. Furthermore, Medicare coverage for stem cell therapy will only apply to services approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
bottom of page