Podcasts about part d

Send us a textEpisode SummaryWhat happens when Medicare is slowly dismantled? In this episode, we unpack the ripple effects of recent federal budget and tax policies—especially the One Big Beautiful Bill—on women's health, insurance costs, and the overall provision of care.From older women losing long-term supports, to mothers pushed out of Medicaid after giving birth, to rural hospitals shutting down, the cuts aren't just numbers on a page. They are lived realities for millions of women across every stage of life.We'll explore:How $500B in Medicare cuts will impact access to doctors, hospitals, and prescription drugsWhy women—especially low-income women, women of color, and older women—bear the greatest burdenThe domino effect on insurance premiums, hospital closures, and family financesReal-world stories of women navigating gaps in coverageWhat policy fixes and grassroots actions are still possibleKey TakeawaysDismantling Medicare isn't repeal—it's stealth budget cuts that reduce reimbursements, shrink benefits, and limit eligibility.Women are disproportionately impacted at every stage of life: from family planning to maternal care to aging.Insurance costs will rise—with projected 2026 increases of 11% for Part B and 6% for Part D.Hospital closures and provider shortages will deepen care deserts, especially in rural areas.Advocacy matters—from calling legislators to supporting community clinics and advocacy groups.Resources & Links MentionedWashington Post – What the GOP's tax bill means for your health careMarketWatch – $500 billion in Medicare cuts could result from Republican tax billInvestopedia – 10 Big Medicare Changes in 2026Support the showThe hashtag for the podcast is #nourishyourflourish. You can also find our firm, The Eudaimonia Center on the following social media outlets:Facebook: The Eudaimonia CenterInstagram: theeudaimoniacenterThreads: The Eudaimonia CenterFor more integrative reproductive medicine and women's health information and other valuable resources, make sure to visit our website.Have a question, comment, guest suggestion, or want to share your story? Email us at info@laurenawhite.com

La deuxième heure en intégralité de l'émission « Rothen s'enflamme », le rendez-vous qui vous plonge dans un vestiaire de foot. Tous les soirs, des anciens joueurs professionnels analysent et débattent autour de l'actualité du foot. Jérôme Rothen anime des

Host Davide Soldato and guest Dr. John K. Lin discuss the JCO article "Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among Medicare Fee-For-Service Beneficiaries with Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer." TRANSCRIPT The guest on this podcast episode has no disclosures to declare. Dr. Davide Soldato: Hello, and welcome to JCO After Hours, the podcast where we sit down with authors of the latest articles published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. I'm your host, Dr. Davide Soldato, a medical oncologist at Ospedale San Martino in Genoa, Italy. Today, we are joined by Dr. Lin, assistant professor in the Department of Health Services Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Lin and I will be discussing the article titled, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among  Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries With Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer." Thank you for speaking with us, Dr. Lin. Dr. Lin: Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, just to start, to frame a little bit the study, I just wanted to ask you what prompted you and your team to look specifically at this question - so, racial and ethnic disparities within this specific population? And related to this question, I just wanted to ask how this work is different or builds on previous work that has been done on this research topic. Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. Part of the impetus for this study was the observation that despite people who are black or Hispanic having equivalent health insurance status - they all have  Medicare Fee-for-Service - we've known that treatment and survival differences and disparities have persisted over time for patients with metastatic breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. And so, the question that we had was, "Why is this happening, and what can we do about it?" One of the reasons why eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in survival among Medicare beneficiaries with metastatic cancer has been elusive is because these disparities are occurring along a lot of dimensions. Whether or not it's because the patient presented late and has very extensive metastatic cancer; whether or not the patient has had a difficult time even seeing an oncologist; whether or not the patient has had a difficult time starting on any systemic therapy; or maybe it's because the patient has had a difficult time getting guideline-concordant systemic therapy because, more recently, these treatments have become so expensive. Disparities, we know, are occurring along all of these different facets and areas of the treatment cascade. Understanding which one of these is the most important is the key to helping us alleviate these disparities. And so, one of our goals was to evaluate disparities along the entire treatment cascade to try to identify which disparities are most important. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. That was very clear. So, basically, one of the most important parts of the research that you have performed is really focusing on the entire treatment cascade. So, basically, starting from the moment of diagnosis up to the moment where there was the first line of treatment, if this line of treatment was given to the patient. So, I was wondering a little bit, because for this type of analysis, you used the SEER-Medicare linked database. So, can you tell us a little bit which was the period of time that you selected for the analysis? Why do you think that that was the most appropriate time to look at this specific question? And whether you feel like there is any potential limitation in using this type of database and how you handled this type of limitations? Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. It's a great question. And I want to back up a little bit because I want to talk about the entire treatment cascade because I think that this is really important for our research and for future research. We weren't the first people to look at along the treatment cascade for a disease. Actually, this idea of looking along the treatment cascade was pioneered by HIV researchers and has been used for over a decade by people who study HIV. And there are a lot of parallels between HIV and cancer. One of them is that with HIV, there are so many areas along that entire treatment cascade that have to go right for somebody's treatment to go well. Patients have to be diagnosed early, they have to be given the right type of antiretrovirals, they have to be adherent to those antiretrovirals. And if you have a breakdown in any one of those areas, you're going to have disparities in care for these HIV patients. And so, HIV researchers have known this for a long time, and this has been a big cornerstone in the success of getting people with HIV the treatment that they need. And I think that this has a lot of parallels with cancer as well. And so, I am hoping that this study can serve as a model for future research to look along the entire treatment cascade for cancer because cancer is, similarly, one of these areas that requires multidisciplinary, complex medical care. And understanding where it is breaking down, I think, is crucial to us figuring out how we can reduce disparities. But for your question about the SEER-Medicare linked database, so we looked between 2016 and 2019. That was the most recent data that was available to us. And one of the reasons why we were excited to look at this is because there were some new treatments that were just released and FDA-approved around 2018, which we were able to study. And this included immunotherapy for non–small cell lung cancer, and then it also included androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, the second-generation ones, for prostate cancer. And the reason why this is important is because for some time, as we have developed these new therapies, there's been a lot of concern that there have been disparities in access to these novel therapies because of how expensive they are, particularly for the Medicare population. And so one of the reasons why we looked specifically at this time period was to understand whether or not, in more recent years, these novel therapies, people are having increasing disparities in them and whether or not increasing disparities in these more expensive, newer therapies is contributing to disparities in mortality. That being said, obviously, we're in 2025 and these data are by now six years old, and so there are additional therapies that are now available that weren't available in the past. But I think that, that being said, at least it's sort of a starting point for some of the more important therapies that have been introduced, at least for non–small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer. And the database, SEER-Medicare, is helpful because it uses the population cancer registry, which is the SEER registry cancer registry, linked to Medicare claims. So, any type of medical care that's billed through Medicare, which is going to basically be all of the medical care that these patients receive, for the most part, we're going to be able to see it. And so, I think that this is a really powerful database which has been used in a lot of research to understand what kind of care is being received that has been billed through Medicare. So, one of the limitations with this database is if there is care that's received that was not billed through Medicare, we're not going to be able to see that. And this does not happen probably that frequently, particularly because most patients who have insurance are going to be receiving care through insurance. However, we may see it for some of the oral Part D drugs. Some of those drugs are so expensive that patients cannot pay for the coinsurance during that time. And it's possible that some of those drugs patients were getting for free through the manufacturer. We potentially missed some of that. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, going a little bit into the results, I think that these are very, very interesting. And probably the most striking one is that when we look at the receipt of any type of treatment for metastatic breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer - and specifically when we look at guideline-directed first-line treatments - you observed striking differences. So, I just wanted you to guide us a little bit through the results and tell us a little bit which of the numbers surprised you the most. Dr. Lin: So, what we were expecting is to see large disparities in receiving what we called guideline-directed systemic therapy. And guideline-directed systemic therapy during this time kind of depended on the cancer. So, we thought that we were going to see large disparities in guideline-directed therapy because these were the more novel therapies that were approved, and thus they were going to be the more expensive therapies. And so, what this meant was for colorectal cancer, this was going to be any 5-FU–based therapy. For lung cancer, this was going to be any checkpoint inhibitor–based therapy. For prostate cancer, this was going to be any ARPI, so this was going to be things like abiraterone or enzalutamide. And for breast cancer, this was going to be CDK4 and 6 TKIs plus any aromatase inhibitor. And so, for instance, for breast, prostate, and lung cancer, these were going to be including more expensive therapies. And so, what we expected to see was large disparities in receiving some of these more expensive, novel therapies. And we thought we were going to see fewer disparities in receiving some of the cheaper therapies, such as aromatase inhibitors, 5-FU, older platinum chemotherapies for lung cancer, and ADT for prostate cancer. We were shocked to find that we saw large racial and ethnic disparities in seeing some of the older, cheaper chemotherapies and hormonal therapies. So for instance, for breast cancer, 59% of black patients received systemic therapy, whereas 68% of white patients received systemic therapy. For colorectal, only 23% of black patients received any systemic therapy versus 34% of white patients. For lung, only 26% of black patients received any therapy, whereas 39% of white patients did. And for prostate, only 56% of black patients received any systemic therapy versus 77% of white patients. And so, we were pretty shocked by how large the disparities were in receiving these cheap, easy-to-access systemic therapies. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. So, I just wanted to go a little bit deeper in the results because, as you said, there were striking differences even when we looked at very old and also cheap treatments that, for the majority of the patients that were included inside of your study, were actually basically available for a very small price to these patients who had the eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid. And I think that one of the very interesting parts of the research was actually the attention that you had at looking how much of these disparities could be explained by several factors. And actually, one of the most interesting results is that you observed that low-income subsidy status was actually a big determinant of these disparities in terms of treatment. So, I just wanted to guide us a little bit through these results and then just your opinion about how these results should be interpreted by policymakers. Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. I'm going to explain a little bit about what low-income subsidy status is and dual-eligibility status. Some of the listeners may not know what low-income subsidy status or dual-eligibility status is. Low-income subsidy status is part of Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D is an insurance benefit that allows patients to receive oral drugs. So these are drugs that are dispensed through the pharmacy, such as the CDK4/6 inhibitors, as well as second-generation ARPIs in our study. For patients who have Medicare Part D and whose income is low enough - falls below a certain federal poverty level threshold - those patients will receive their oral drugs for much cheaper. And this is really important for some of these more novel therapies because for some of these more novel therapies, if you don't have low-income subsidy status, you may be paying thousands of dollars for a single prescription of those drugs. Whereas if you have low-income subsidy status, you may be paying less than $10. And so that difference, greater than $1,000 or $2,000 versus less than $10, one would think that the patient who's paying less than $10 would be much more likely to receive those therapies. So that's low-income subsidy status. Low-income subsidy status, importantly, doesn't apply for infused medications like immunotherapy. But it's important to know that most people with low-income subsidy status - about 88% - are also dual-eligible. What dual-eligible means is that they have both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare being the insurance that everybody has in our study who's greater than 65. And Medicaid is the state-run but federally subsidized insurance that patients with low incomes have. And so patients who are dual-eligible - and about 87% of those with low-income subsidy status are dual-eligible - those patients have both Medicaid and Medicare, and they basically pay next to nothing for any of their medical care. And that's because Medicare will reimburse most of the medical care and the copays or coinsurance are going to be covered by Medicaid. So Medicaid is going to pick up the rest of the bill. So, most of the patients who have low-income subsidy status who are dual-eligible, these patients pay almost nothing for their medical care - Part B or Part D, any of their drugs. And so, one would expect that if cost were the main determinant of disparities in cancer care, then one would expect that dual-eligibles, most of them would be receiving treatment because they're facing minimal to no costs. What we found is that when we broke down the racial and ethnic disparity by a number of factors - including LIS status/dual eligibility, age, the number of comorbidities, etcetera - what we found was that the LIS or dual-eligibility status explained about 20% to 45% of the disparities that we saw in receiving treatment. And what that means is despite these patients paying next to nothing for their drugs, these are the most likely patients to not be treated for their cancer at all. So they're most likely to basically be diagnosed, survive for two months, see an oncologist, and then never receive any systemic therapy for their cancer. And this is not just chemotherapies for colorectal or lung cancer. This includes cheaper, easier-to-tolerate hormonal therapies that you can just take at home for breast cancer, or you can get every six months for prostate cancer, that people who even have poorer functional status are able to take. However, for whatever reason, these dual-eligible or LIS patients are very unlikely to receive treatment compared to any other patient. The low likelihood of treating this group of patients, that explains a large portion of the racial and ethnic disparities that we see. Dr. Davide Soldato: And one thing that I think is very interesting and might be of potential interest to our listeners is, did you compare survival outcomes in these different settings? And did you observe any significant differences in terms of racial and ethnic disparities once you saw that there was a significant difference when looking at both receipt of any type of treatment and also guideline-directed treatments? Dr. Lin: We saw that there were large disparities in survival by race and ethnicity when you look overall. However, when you just account for the patients who received any systemic therapy at all - not just guideline-directed systemic therapy - those differences in survival essentially disappeared. And so, what that suggests is that if black patients were just as likely to receive any systemic therapy at all as white patients, we would expect that the survival differences that we were seeing would disappear. And this is not even just looking at guideline-directed systemic therapy. This was looking just at systemic therapy alone. And so, while guideline-directed systemic therapy should be a goal, our research suggests that if we are to close the gap in disparities in overall survival among black and white patients, we must first focus on patients just receiving any type of treatment at all. And that should be the very first focus that policymakers, that leaders in ASCO, that health system leaders, that physicians, that we should focus on: just trying to get any type of treatment to our patients who are poorer or black. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. And this was not directly related to the research that you performed, but going back to this very point - so, increasing the number of patients that receive any kind of systemic treatment before looking at guideline-directed treatments - what would you feel would be the best way to approach this in order to decrease the disparities? Would you look at interventions such as financial navigation or maybe improving referral pathways or providing maybe more culturally adapted information to the patients? Because in the end, what we see is disparities based on racial and ethnicity. We see that we can reduce these disparities if we get these patients to the treatment. But in the end, what would you feel is the best way to bring patients to these types of treatments? Dr. Lin: I think the most important thing is to understand that these disparities are not primarily happening because of the high cost of cancer treatment. These disparities are happening because of other social vulnerabilities that these patients are facing. And so these vulnerabilities could be a lot of things. It could be mistrust of the medical system. It could be fear of chemotherapy or other treatments. It could be difficulty taking time off of work. It could be any number of things. What we do know is when we've looked at the types of interventions that can help patients receive treatment, navigation is probably the most effective one. And the reason why I think that is because when patients don't receive treatment because of social vulnerability, I sort of look at social vulnerability like links in a chain. Any weakest link is going to result in the patient not receiving treatment. This may be because they have a hard time taking time off of work. This may be because they had a hard time getting transportation to their physician. It may be because they had an interaction with a physician, but that interaction was challenging for the patient. Maybe they mistrusted the physician. Maybe they're worried about the medical system. If any of these things goes wrong, the patient is not going to be treated. The patient navigator is the only person who can spot any of those weak links within the chain and address them. And so, I think that the first thing to do is to get patient navigation systems in place for our vulnerable patients throughout the United States. And this is incredibly important because in Medicare, patient navigation is reimbursable. And so this is not something that's ‘pie in the sky'. This is something that's achievable today. The second thing is that it's really important that we see these vulnerabilities happening for patients who are dual-eligible, who have both Medicare and Medicaid. One of the reasons why this is important is because there has been a lot of research outside of what we've done that has shown vulnerabilities for dual-eligible patients who have Medicare for a number of different diseases. And the reason why is because, although patients are supposed to have the benefits of both Medicare and Medicaid, usually these two insurances do not play nicely together. It creates a huge, bureaucratic, complex mess and maze that most of these patients are unable to navigate. And so many of these patients are unable to actually receive the full reimbursement from both Medicare and Medicaid that they should be getting because those two insurers are not communicating well. And so the second thing is that national cancer organizations need to be supporting policies and legislation that is already being discussed in Congress to revamp the dual-eligible system so that it facilitates these patients getting properly reimbursed for their care from both Medicare and Medicaid and these systems working together well. The third thing is that Medicaid itself has many benefits that can allow patients to receive care, like they have transportation benefits so that patients can get to and from their doctor's appointments with ease. And so I think this will be additionally very, very helpful for patients. The last thing is, you know, it's possible that future innovations such as telemedicine and tele-oncology and cancer care at home can also make it easier for some of these patients who may be working a lot to receive care. But what I would say is that our study should be a call for healthcare delivery researchers to start piloting interventions to be able to help these patients receive systemic therapy. And so what this could look like is trying to get that care navigation and implement that in clinics so that patients can be receiving the care that they need. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. That was a very clear perspective on how we can tackle this issue. So, I just wanted to close with a sort of personal question. I was wondering what led you to work specifically in this research field that is very challenging, but I think it's particularly critical in healthcare systems like in the United States. Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. One of the most important things for me as an oncologist and a researcher is being able to know that all patients in the United States - and obviously abroad - who have cancer should be able to receive the kind of care that they deserve. I don't think that patients, because their incomes are lower or because their skin looks a certain color or because they live in rural areas, these shouldn't be determinants of whether or not cancer patients are receiving the care that they need. We can develop and pioneer the very best treatments and breakthroughs in oncology, but if our patients are not receiving them - if only 20% of our patients with colon cancer or lung cancer are receiving any type of systemic therapy, who are black - this is a big problem. But this is something that I think that our system can tackle. We need to get these breakthroughs that we have in oncology to every single cancer patient in America and every single cancer patient in the world. I think this is a goal that all oncologists should have, and I think that this is something that, honestly, is achievable. I think that research is a powerful tool to give us a lens into understanding exactly why it is that certain patients are not getting the care that they deserve. And my goal is to continue to use research to shed light on why our system is not performing the way that we all want it to be. Dr. Davide Soldato: Circling back to your research, actually the manuscript that was published was supported by a Young Investigator Award by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. So, was this the first step of a more broad research, or do you have any further plans to go deeper in this topic? Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. First, I want to thank the ASCO Young Investigator Award for funding this research because I think it's fair to say that this research would not have happened at all without the support of the ASCO YIA. And the fact that ASCO is doing as much as it can to support the future generation of cancer researchers is incredible. And it's a huge resource, and having it come at the time that it did is critical for so many of us. So I think that this is an unbelievable thing that ASCO does and continues to do with all of its partners. For me, yeah, this is definitely a stepping stone to further research.  Medicare Fee-for-Service is only one part of the population. I want to spread this research and extend it to patients who have other types of insurances, look at other types of policies, and also try to conduct some of the cancer care delivery research that's needed to try to pilot some interventions that can resolve this problem. So hopefully this is the first step in a broader series of studies that we can all do collectively to try to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in cancer care and survival. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, I think that we've come at the end of this podcast. Thank you again, Dr. Lin, for joining us today. Dr. Lin: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure to be a part of this. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, we appreciate you sharing more on your JCO article, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries With Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer." If you enjoy our show, please leave us a rating and review and be sure to come back for another episode. You can find all ASCO shows at asco.org/podcasts. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.

Kirsten Axelsen is an economist specializing in Medicare reimbursement, payer negotiations, and innovative reimbursement contracts. She’s a fellow of the Aspen Institute and a visiting scholar with the American Enterprise Institute. She joins host Duane Schulthess to unpack bipartisan pressure on drug prices, the Part D redesign’s rapid shift of catastrophic costs to plans, and the resulting premium versus coverage tradeoffs and PDP exits. Axelson explains why forecasting IRA impacts is uncertain, how nine versus thirteen-year timelines tilt incentives toward biologics, and why price controls can weaken both generic entry and biosimilar uptake. The discussion explores MFN-style ideas and trade uncertainties, vertical integration around biosimilars, and practical fixes from EPIC-like timelines to building a faster, more connected U.S. clinical-trial ecosystem with better participant support. Politics & Incentives: Trump MFN attempts, bipartisan pressure on high drug prices, and insurer dynamics versus the pace of biomedical innovation. Part D Redesign: The rapid shift of catastrophic costs to plans, premium versus coverage tradeoffs, PDP exits, and access challenges in rural areas. Modeling & Consequences: Limits of CBO forecasts, uncertainty bands, design choices around price controls, and risks to post-market and follow-on research. Competition Levers: Small molecule disincentives, low biosimilar uptake on formularies, generic entry pressures under price controls, and plan behavior. Policy Paths: EPIC-style timeline fixes, negotiation mechanics, MFN and trade uncertainties, and making U.S. clinical trials faster, more connected, and participant-friendly. Recorded on July 28, 2025. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ready to take control of your retirement? Start your Retirement TEAM Action Plan at ARHQ.com or call 419-794-3030 to speak with a retirement planning specialist today! In this conversation, Scott Kirchner discusses the intricacies of Medicare, addressing common questions and misconceptions that seniors often have. He emphasizes the importance of understanding enrollment periods, the differences between Medicare parts, and the potential penalties for late enrollment. Additionally, he highlights overlooked questions that seniors should consider, such as the impact of HSAs and VA benefits on Medicare enrollment. The conversation concludes with details about an upcoming educational workshop aimed at providing further insights into Medicare benefits and changes. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement, so you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030 Learn More: ARHQ.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating Medicare prescription drug coverage can be overwhelming. In this episode, we break down what's covered under Part B and Part D, highlight what's not included, and explain how to manage non-formulary drugs. Plus, discover strategies to help you lower your costs and make informed choices about your coverage options.

Are you confused about which vaccines Medicare covers? We've got you covered! In this episode, we break down how Medicare Part B and Part D protect you with essential vaccines like flu shots, shingles, and more. Discover where to get your immunizations, why they're crucial for your health, and how to stay protected every step of the way! Tune in to learn more.

Introducing the 2025 Medicare Prescription Payment Plan! This innovative program allows you to pay your Part D drug costs in manageable monthly installments. Discover how it works, who's eligible, and the simple steps to enroll. Say goodbye to unpredictable medication expenses and take control of your health care costs today!

In the Medicare Advantage Minute we hear even more detail about the difficulties United Healthcare seems to be mired in. The Department of Justice is investigating charges of Medicare fraud & anti-trust violations.  So what else is new? Your Medicare Benefits 2025: Obesity Behavioral Therapy and how Medicare might cover that if you needed it. Soon-to-be-client Mary is wondering what action she should take to find out where her Part B Medicare application is hung up. Fortunately, Mary is an overachiever who has submitted her application early enough before her deadline that there is unlikely to be a troubling delay. That is not true for many other applicants! "Big Fan Terry" checks in to report that his choice of a High Deductible Plan G worked out great. His Medical treatment has resulted in only a small out-of-pocket expense and his recent 8%rate increase amounted to a frightening $4 per month! Finally, Stalker Susie has promised to try out the Kindle version of  "Medicare Drug Plans; A Simple D-I-Y Guide" and report back on how useful it was in her search for the "best" (cheapest) Part D drug plan. Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES! For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode of The Broker Link, Josh Slattery breaks down key carrier updates that will impact Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in 2026. Highlights include:

Ecoutez RTL Soir avec Gaël Giordana du 05 août 2025.Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In the Medicare Advantage Minute segment, United Healthcare cites the murder of their CEO in a move to stifle criticism from the press.                                           Gee, that should make them a lot of friends! In a selection from "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" we learn how Medicare would cover Nebulizers and Nebulizer medications. A couple of valued clients inform me about trouble in Paradise! They move from Minnesota to Green Valley, AZ and some alert employee of their Part D prescription drug plan decided to do a little snooping. Eventually, the Minnesota plan was cancelled and the husband was unable to obtain any more meds. During that investigation another mystery presented itself, this one centering on a theft of enrollment; a Medicare participant was notified that her drug plan had been automatically cancelled due to enrollment in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan. That would have netted some thief a $600+ sales commission. Fortunately, the Content Curator took quick action and the damage was reversed. Listen carefully for a hint as to how one can improve a drug plan customer service encounter. Susan is so eager to become a client she wants to lock in her Medicare supplement plan six months ahead of time. Didn't work out exactly as planned for her. Finally, Dirk needs some guidance as to when to enroll in Medicare, his 65th birthday month or the month his wife retires.  Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

This Day in Legal History: Medicare and Medicaid Signed into BeingOn July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965 into law, creating the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The signing took place at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, with former President Harry S. Truman—an early advocate for national health insurance—present and symbolically receiving the first Medicare card. Medicare was designed to provide hospital and medical insurance to Americans aged 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history. Medicaid, created alongside Medicare, offered healthcare assistance to low-income individuals and families.At the time, nearly half of Americans over 65 had no health insurance. The passage of Medicare was a landmark achievement of Johnson's Great Society initiative and built on decades of political struggle over healthcare reform. The legislation amended Title XVIII of the Social Security Act and was strongly opposed by many in the medical establishment and conservative politicians who labeled it as “socialized medicine.” Nevertheless, the program gained rapid popularity and provided immediate relief to millions.Administered by the federal government, Medicare initially had two parts: Part A, covering hospital insurance, and Part B, covering outpatient and physician services. It has since evolved to include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and options for private plans (Medicare Advantage). The law reshaped the American healthcare landscape and established the principle that access to healthcare for seniors was a federal responsibility.The U.S. Senate confirmed Emil Bove, a former lawyer for Donald Trump and senior Justice Department official, to a lifetime seat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a narrow 50-49 vote. Bove faced unified Democratic opposition and criticism from over 900 former DOJ employees, who claimed he undermined the department's integrity. His nomination prompted a Democratic walkout during the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote and drew sharp condemnation from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.Despite controversy, Republicans praised Bove's background as a federal terrorism prosecutor and his legal work defending Trump in several criminal cases. His confirmation shifts the appellate court's balance back in favor of Republican appointees. Critics cited Bove's alleged directives that defied judicial authority and political interference in a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Bove denied wrongdoing in both instances. His confirmation is part of Trump's renewed effort in his second term to reshape the judiciary, following over 230 appointments in his first term. Trump has also nominated another close adviser, Jennifer Mascott, to the same court.Trump lawyer Bove confirmed to US appeals court, overcoming Democratic opposition | ReutersBove Confirmed to Appeals Court After Whistleblowers Emerge (1)A White House crypto task force established by President Trump is set to release a highly anticipated report outlining the administration's policy goals for the digital asset sector. The report, expected Wednesday, will address tokenization, market structure legislation, and a regulatory framework for blockchain-based financial products. Created by executive order shortly after Trump took office in January, the group is led by Bo Hines and includes top officials such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and SEC Chair Paul Atkins.The document is expected to support expanded use of tokenization, which converts traditional assets like stocks and real estate into blockchain-based tokens. The report may call on the SEC to create a framework enabling firms like Coinbase to offer tokenized securities, though specific language remains under wraps. It will also outline the White House's preferences for crypto legislation currently advancing in Congress, including follow-up to the recently passed stablecoin law.Trump has made pro-crypto policies a centerpiece of his administration, reversing many of the enforcement actions taken under President Biden, such as lawsuits against Coinbase and Binance. While the industry sees the report as a roadmap for mainstream integration, concerns remain about conflicts of interest, particularly given Trump's financial ties to crypto ventures and meme coins. The administration has denied any ethical violations.White House set to unveil closely watched crypto policy report | ReutersThe Trump administration has formally requested the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, citing public interest and mounting pressure over the government's handling of the sex trafficking cases. Prosecutors filed late-night motions with U.S. District Judges Richard Berman and Paul Engelmayer, arguing that the sealed testimony should now be disclosed, though the judges had previously asked for stronger legal justification. Grand jury records are typically secret, with limited exceptions for disclosure.Trump said he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the unsealing after the Justice Department reaffirmed its conclusion that Epstein died by suicide and that there was no list of elite clients—a stance that frustrated some Trump supporters who suspect a cover-up. Epstein died in 2019 before his trial; Maxwell, convicted in 2021, is serving a 20-year sentence and has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn her conviction.In a related effort, a Florida judge recently denied a separate request to release grand jury records from earlier state investigations into Epstein, ruling they did not meet legal exceptions. Even if the federal judges allow the current transcripts to be unsealed, the documents may not reveal new information, since much of the testimony was covered during Maxwell's trial. The transcripts also wouldn't encompass the full scope of investigative material held by the government.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former Trump lawyer, recently met with Maxwell for two days, reportedly seeking any names or evidence she could provide about others potentially involved. Neither Blanche nor Maxwell's attorney has commented in detail on those meetings.Trump administration asks judges to release Epstein, Maxwell grand jury transcripts | ReutersA Massachusetts jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay over $42 million to Paul Lovell, who developed mesothelioma after decades of using the company's talc products. Lovell and his wife sued in 2021, claiming the talc contained asbestos that he unknowingly inhaled, and accused J&J of failing to warn consumers despite knowing the risks. The jury awarded damages for pain, suffering, and medical costs.J&J denied any wrongdoing, calling the verdict “junk science” and saying its products are asbestos-free and safe, with plans to appeal the decision. The company ended U.S. sales of talc-based baby powder in 2020. This case adds to a string of multi-million-dollar verdicts against J&J in talc-related mesothelioma lawsuits, although some have been overturned on appeal.J&J is facing over 63,000 active lawsuits, and possibly up to 100,000 claims in total, most alleging ovarian cancer from talc use. The company's attempts to resolve the claims through bankruptcy have failed in court three times, including a $10 billion settlement proposal rejected in March. The Lovell case is part of ongoing litigation that continues to test J&J's legal strategy and product safety claims.Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $42M after jury finds talc caused man's cancer | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Get access now to 7 Figure Medicare University: Lifetime access:https://sevenfigureu.com/On this episode of the Seven Figures or Bust podcast, we dive into the latest CMS Part-D update and what it means for agents and clients alike. We break down the key changes, how they'll impact your business, and what you need to do to stay ahead. Don't miss this critical industry update!Learn more about getting your own VA with Hire Heroes here: https://app.hireheroes.com/signup?fpr=christian43Join our free private Facebook group for insurance agents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551409828919739/Welcome to the Christian Brindle channel brought to you by Christian Brindle & Christian Brindle Insurance Services. This channel is here for the sole purpose of bringing training, tips, success stories, and personal development from Christian Brindle. Christian is a published author, hosts the ever popular Everything Medicare Podcast, and made six figures in the Medicare business by the time he was 25 years old.

In the "Medicare Advantage Minute" we learn that many Medicare Advantage insurance companies have stopped paying sales commissions to agents that sell some of their Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Later in the episode we receive the same interesting news from Blue Shield of California. How does a company expect to sell products through insurance brokers without paying sales commissions? In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn how Medicare is likely to handle claims for Mental Health Care (Partial Hospitalization). Finally, client Larry reported that Globe Life of NY was planning to increase the monthly premium of the HDG plan he and his wife have been enrolled in. What he may not have realized is that it was the first rate increase in four years...unheard of for any but the much-maligned HDG supplement plans! Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode of The Broker Link, Josh Slattery dives into the 2026 Final Rule and its impact on the health insurance landscape. While this year's changes are more modest compared to previous updates, several important developments were discussed: GLP-1 Coverage & Debit Card Rules: Proposed changes to expand GLP-1 drug coverage for obesity and revise flex debit card use were not included in the final rule. SSA Qualification Process: The process for Medicare Special Enrollment Periods is now more complex, requiring verification from past claims or providers. Part D Risk Adjustment: Updates were made to help stabilize the Part D market amid growing cost pressures. Medicaid Impacts: The “Big Beautiful Bill” introduced major changes, including work requirements and stricter eligibility limits for Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage Update: Penetration rates have reached 53%, but 6% of enrollees faced plan terminations this year. Josh also shares insights on the current regulatory climate, market volatility, and what agents should watch for as policy changes continue to evolve. Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our show!  New episodes are available every Tuesday. Join our Community! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brokerage-inc-/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebrokerageinc/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebrokerageinc/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrokerageIncTexas  Website:  https://thebrokerageinc.com/ 

Exploring Heather Schreiber's 5 costly Social Security traps and exploring options of how to handle them. I've seen it time and again throughout my career: the intricacies of navigating Social Security can trip up just about anyone. So when I saw the headline “5 Sneaky Social Security Traps” in Heather Schreiber's newsletter, I knew right away this was going to be something that deserved a closer look on the podcast. Let's dive into these 5 Social Security traps–and these aren't just random quirks—that can lead to unexpected gaps in income, tax surprises, or permanent reductions in your benefits.  1. The Entire Month Rule You might think that turning 62 means you're automatically eligible for Social Security that month. Not quite. Social Security has a quirky rule: you have to be 62 for the entire month to receive benefits for that month. If your birthday is on June 15, you don't qualify for June's benefit. Instead, your eligibility starts in July, and your first payment doesn't arrive until August. What's even weirder is that the SSA counts your birthday as the day before you were born. So if you're born on June 2, you're considered 62 starting June 1 and therefore eligible for June benefits (which are paid in July). If you're planning on your Social Security check arriving the month you turn 62, you could be left waiting an extra month or two—potentially throwing off your cash flow. 2. Rest in Peace, Now Return to Sender Just like you must be alive the entire month to earn that month's benefit, if someone passes away mid-month, they don't qualify for that month's Social Security payment—even if it's already been deposited. This can be a shock to surviving spouses or family members when the SSA takes that money back. If a loved one passes away on June 14, and the June payment was already deposited in early July, that money must be returned. It wasn't “earned” under SSA rules. So whether you're filing for your own benefit or helping a family member, remember: Social Security is earned month-by-month—and only if you're alive for the full month. 3. Lump Sum FOMO: When Free Money Isn't Always Free When you file for Social Security after your full retirement age, you have the option to take up to six months' worth of benefits retroactively. That sounds great—who doesn't like a lump sum? But here's the catch: taking that lump sum means your official filing date is backdated. So if you file at age 68.5 and take six months retroactive payments, SSA treats you as if you filed at 68—reducing your benefit by 4%. That “free” $18,000–$20,000 could cost you thousands more over the course of your retirement. Sometimes it's worth it, but many people take the lump sum without realizing the long-term cost. 4. Under-Withholding Today May Lead to Regret Tomorrow Here's a situation I see far too often: retirees who start taking Social Security, forget to set up federal tax withholding, and then get a surprise bill come tax season. Unlike pensions or employer paychecks, Social Security doesn't automatically withhold taxes unless you fill out a separate form (Form W-4V). If you don't do this and your Social Security income is taxable, you could owe hundreds—or thousands—at tax time. Take the time to set up appropriate withholding levels. SSA allows you to choose from 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%.  5. Medicare IRMAA and the Two-Year Lookback When you hit age 65 and enroll in Medicare, your premiums for Part B (and possibly Part D) can go up significantly if your income from two years ago was high. This IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharge can sneak up on you—especially if you had a one-time event like a Roth conversion, large capital gain, or business sale. If you had a significant drop in income due to retirement, job loss, or other life event, you can appeal your IRMAA using a life-changing event form (SSA-44). I've helped dozens of clients successfully reduce th...

In this episode, host Duane Schulthess sits down with Ipsita Smolinski, Founder and Managing Director of Capitol Street and faculty at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. They unpack the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug-pricing mechanisms, assess economic projections against emerging industry data, and discuss how changing R&D incentives, trade policy complexities, and regulatory uncertainty are reshaping the biopharmaceutical landscape. Key Topics: Data-Driven Strategy: A look at how economic modeling and real-world data underpin policy recommendations for biopharma legislation and health policy. IRA Drug-Pricing Mechanisms: Exploration of CPI-U–based inflationary rebates, the Part D overhaul with a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap, and the phased rollout of Medicare negotiations in 2026. Forecasts Versus Impact: Examination of the CBO’s initial estimate of two drugs every ten years compared to later indications of a far greater effect on individual companies. R&D Incentive Shifts: Analysis of the nine-year exclusivity for small molecules versus thirteen years for biologics and its influence on venture capital flows. Trade, Tariffs, and Regulation: Discussion of EPIC Act prospects, most favored nation pricing proposals, tariff implementation challenges, China’s expanding trial footprint, and the call for clearer FDA and NIH guidance. This episode illuminates how the IRA, economic forecasts, and global policy dynamics are influencing drug pricing, innovation incentives, and supply chains. It’s essential listening for policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and anyone invested in the future of healthcare economics and biopharma strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A comprehensive discussion on Medicare, led by Steve Gurney from Positive Aging Community, with insights from panelists Michelle Thomas and Don Oellerich, Ph.D. The session covers essential information for retirees about Medicare, including eligibility, enrollment periods, costs, and the interaction between Medicare and job-based or retiree coverage. The panelists explain the four parts of Medicare: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part D (prescription drug plans), and Part C (Medicare Advantage plans). They highlight the importance of understanding Medicare's coverage limitations, such as the lack of long-term care and routine dental or vision care, and discuss options like Medigap policies to supplement coverage. The session also addresses enrollment strategies, penalties for late enrollment, and the nuances of Medicare Advantage plans. The panelists encourage attendees to utilize resources like the Medicare Plan Finder and local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) for personalized counseling. The discussion concludes with a Q&A session, addressing specific concerns about federal retiree benefits, TRICARE, and in-home care services under Medicare.Don Oellerich, Ph.D. Medicare Counselor, Arlington County's State Health Insurance Assistance Program Michelle Thomas, MPA Program Coordinator, Arlington Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance ProgramSlidedeck External-Transportation-FAQ.pdfFlyer Arlington VICAP Medicare FEHB Fact Sheet - June 2025.pdfView recording at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/what-we-should-all-know-about-medicare

Keep track of your AEP prep to-do checklist with help from Ritter's certification center and Ritter Blog weekly roundups. Listen to find out how to access carrier AHIP, NABIP, MA and PDP certification, product training details, and more!   Read the text version   Resources: eBooks & Guides for Insurance Agents: https://ritterim.com/guides/ FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-nabip-medicare-certification/ Ritter Insurance Marketing Certification Center: https://docs.ritterim.com/products/certification/ What Is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672   References: “Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 30 May 2025. “Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training.” Ahip.Org, AHIP, www.ahip.org/courses/medicare-fraud-waste-and-abuse-training. Accessed 30 May 2025. “Miramar:Agent.” Miramar-Agent.Com, Miramar, miramar-agent.com/KnowledgeBase/Article?kb=5. Accessed 30 May 2025. “Medicare Certification System.” Pinpointglobal.Com, Pinpoint Global, www.pinpointglobal.com/medicare-certification-system. Accessed 30 May 2025.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Les footballeurs parlent aux footballeurs ! « Rothen s'enflamme », le rendez-vous des passionnés du ballon rond revient pour une deuxième saison !

My client had the best Medicare insurance available at a very small cost, but decided to drop Part B and her Medicare supplement for over a year while waiting for Social Security enrollment. Bad move! She has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. She now must wait until next year to re-enroll in Part B and she may never qualify to get her great supplement again. We started this episode by detailing some of the employee layoffs that at least 18 insurance companies must endure due to uncontrolled expenses. This apparently includes 30,000 to be terminated from United Health Group, the largest health insurance company of them all. In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment, we learn how Medicare covers Kidney Disease Education for those suffering from those afflictions. Finally I give a short history of the origins and a couple of the quirks of Part D prescription drug plans.      Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

Web: www.JonesHealthLaw.comPhone: (305)877-5054Instagram: @JonesHealthLawFacebook: @JonesHealthLawYouTube: @JonesHealthLawThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Preclusion List under its authority to administer Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs. The list features healthcare providers and prescribers who are precluded from receiving payment for items or services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in MA plans or for prescriptions covered under Part D.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) maintains the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) under the authority of the Social Security Act §§ 1128 and 1156. Exclusions are imposed on individuals or entities found to have engaged in certain misconduct, such as fraud or patient abuse.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the important and often confusing world of Medicare Part D with Medicare expert Shawn Southard. With the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare provisions in 2025, significant updates have changed the way Medicare drug coverage works, especially for those nearing or already in retirement. Whether you're currently working and covered by an employer plan or about to transition to Medicare, this episode breaks down exactly what you need to know to avoid unnecessary costs and lifelong penalties.Listen in to learn about how Medicare Part D changes affect your coverage decisions, how employer coverage and Medicare interact, and why understanding creditable drug coverage is now more crucial than ever. Shawn also discusses HSA and Medicare rules, key timelines for enrollment, and strategies to avoid the dreaded Medicare late enrollment penalty. This is a must-listen for anyone planning to retire comfortably while staying informed and protected when it comes to their Medicare Part D options.In this episode, find out:· What exactly Medicare Part D covers and how it works.· How the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare provisions lower out-of-pocket drug costs.· What "creditable" drug coverage means and how to know if your employer plan qualifies.· When and how to enroll in Part D to avoid Medicare penalties.· How HSA and Medicare rules impact your decision to delay enrollment.Tweetable Quotes:“With Medicare Part D changes, what used to be a no-brainer may now require a complete reevaluation.” – Murs Tariq“Missing a 63-day window could mean a lifetime of penalties—knowing your coverage status is critical.” – Radon StancilResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

We started out with the Medicare Advantage Minute during which we learned that the "Final Rule" for MA and Part D drug plans for 2026 has been published. Learn 14 (or fewer) exciting things about what the future holds for those plans. In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn exactly how Medicare would cover Kidney Disease Education. This is an awkward way of saying that Medicare will pay to educate people about the ravages of Kidney Disease. Did you know that Massachusetts is one of only three states that is allowed to design their own Medicare supplement plans? Well, they did a really bad job of it and they don't seem to care at all. Finally, when it comes to GLP-1 drugs fight diabetes and also happen to promote weight loss, they may not be as wonderful as hoped. Six out of 10 patients stop taking these drugs before seeing meaningful results and many health insurance companies have stopped covering them.   Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

The Medicare Advantage Minute segment once again illustrates the fact that very few appeals were filed by MA victims of prior authorization refusals. However, the majority of those appeals resulted in reversals of the denials! In "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" we learn how Medicare covers insulin, including the newly created $35 monthly out-of-pocket limit! Moments before recording time a plea for assistance arrived from a victim of the barrage of MA plan brutality that happens to everyone who turns age 65. After hearing a radio interview he decided to emerge from hiding and take a chance on Medicare for the Lazy Man. Finally, How can one appeal a Part D lifetime late enrollment penalty? Just listen to find out! Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

Au cœur de la nuit, les auditeurs se livrent en toute liberté aux oreilles attentives et bienveillantes de Roland Perez. Pas de jugements ni de tabous, une conversation franche, mais aussi des réponses aux questions que les auditeurs se posent. Un moment d'échange et de partage propice à la confidence pour repartir le cœur plus léger.Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Bible Study and Commentary on Matthew 27:50-54Miracle at the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ - Some Graves Open and Bodies are Resurrected

Dans son émission média, Thomas Isle et sa bande reçoivent chaque jour un invité. Aujourd'hui, Philippe Bailly de NPA Conseil au sujet du départ d'Anne-Sophie Lapix du JT de France 2 et du projet de réforme de l'audiovisuel public. Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

The name of the biopharma game this season is vaccines—and RFK Jr. wasted no time returning from Memorial Day Weekend before making news on this front, removing the COVID-19 vaccine from the list of recommended immunizations for healthy kids and pregnant women on Tuesday. This follows a rash of recent moves, including a new risk-based strategy for the approval of new COVID vaccines focused on adults over 65 and high-risk individuals six months to 64 years of age and a request that Moderna and partners Pfizer and BioNTech update the myocarditis risk on their vaccines' labels.This increased vaccine scrutiny by the FDA and Department of Health and Human Services is having a significant impact on biopharma companies, several of whom have received stop-work orders on next-gen COVID vaccines. Meanwhile, Moderna last week pulled the biological license application for its combination COVID-19/flu vaccine, anticipating a request for additional data on flu shot efficacy from the FDA, as mRNA technology continues to be scrutinized after playing the hero during the pandemic. Also last week, the White House released its Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, which took aim at vaccines, along with pharma lobbying and GLP-1s.Also on the policy front, a California judge issued an order Thursday that indefinitely stops HHS' goal of reducing its divisions from 28 to 15 and firing upwards of 10,000 employees, among other reorganization and mass layoff plans. And speaking of government plays that could receive judicial pushback, we received a couple of new updates on the Most Favored Nation (MFN) front: first, President Donald Trump appointed his CMS chief Mehmet Oz as the leader of drug pricing negotiations, calling him “one tough hombre,” and second, HHS provided new guidance for streamlining the process for states to import drugs from Canada.In the obesity realm, Eli Lilly is calling out the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In an open letter last week, Lilly voiced its displeasure with the agency for a final ruling that left its Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy out of Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage in 2026.And in the R&D realm, we returned from the long weekend to sad news from Rocket Pharmaceuticals, as the company reported that its pivotal Danon disease trial is on hold after the death of a young patient. The death—extremely sad on a human level—is also a setback for the gene therapy space, which had been buoyed earlier this month by the success of a personalized CRISPR treatment received by baby KJ.Finally, BioSpace looks ahead to ASCO#25 where Dan Samorodnitsky will be on the ground in Chicago.

Join us at the Seven Figure Medicare Agent Summit: https://sevenfiguremedicareagentsummit.com/On this episode of the Seven Figures or Bust podcast, we address the growing trend of non-commissionable Medicare plans and what it means for agents. With major carriers like Aetna, Cigna, and Elevance Health shifting certain Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to non-commissionable status for 2025, agents face new challenges in maintaining their income streams . We delve into strategies for navigating these changes, including diversifying your product offerings and ensuring compliance with CMS guidelines when discussing non-commissionable plansGets Leads from Lead heroes here: https://leadheroes.com/Learn more about getting your own VA with Hire Heroes here: https://app.hireheroes.com/signup?fpr=christian43Join our free private Facebook group for insurance agents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551409828919739/Welcome to the Christian Brindle channel brought to you by Christian Brindle & Christian Brindle Insurance Services. This channel is here for the sole purpose of bringing training, tips, success stories, and personal development from Christian Brindle. Christian is a published author, hosts the ever popular Everything Medicare Podcast, and made six figures in the Medicare business by the time he was 25 years old.

Du lundi au vendredi, Julien Pichené fait le point sur l'actualité des médias. Aujourd'hui, Léa Salamé est revenue sur la polémique concernant les propos tenus par Thierry Ardisson, Mimi Marchand jugée à partir d'aujourd'hui, elle est soupçonnée notamment d'avoir fait chanter Karine Le Marchand, la rumeur de remplacement d'Anne-Sophie Lapix qui présente le JT de 20H sur France 2 depuis 2017, des changements en vue pour BFM TV, la saison 2 de "Cat's Eyes" et Florent Manaudou a décroché un rôle dans la série "A priori". Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this standout episode, three healthcare leaders unpack how they're transforming regulatory pressure into real-world impact. Melissa Skelton Duke (Banner Health), Dina Homer (HealthTeam Advantage), and Bita Farrokhroo (MedWatchers) share practical strategies for driving medication adherence, optimizing Part D performance, and bridging digital and cultural gaps to better serve diverse member populations. Learn how Banner is reframing adherence through member empathy, how HealthTeam Advantage aligns every employee to Stars performance, and how MedWatchers is consolidating fragmented workflows for a 29% lift in gap closure. With an NPS of 93, this is one of our highest-rated episodes in over 11 years. Download the Episode Guide: We're piloting a brand-new Episode Guide summarizing key insights and speaker highlights. Download the Guide to follow along and deepen your understanding of today's discussion. Thank you to MedWatchers for supporting this episode. With 180 pharmacists on staff, they're a trusted clinical partner to more than 300 health plan contracts—delivering over 2.7 million pharmacist-led interventions annually across Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial populations. Learn how they're helping plans improve adherence, reduce readmissions, and scale Stars-aligned strategies at www.medwatchers.com.

The Medicare Advantage Minute is pre-empted so that we can spend the time examining the current state of Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP).  We also do some speculation about the economic pressures facing these plans and what changes might be necessary for the year 2026. In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" we learn the eligibility requirements and the extent to which Medicare will cover Hepatitis B screening and treatment. Finally, a quiz reveals the healthiest states vs. the unhealthiest states in the USA for older Americans. Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode of the Power of Zero Show, host David McKnight looks at every possible tax or cost that may result from a Roth conversion. The first tax you'll have to pay when executing a Roth conversion is federal income tax.  Whatever portion of your IRA you convert to Roth is realized as ordinary income and piled right on top of all your other income. David is an advocate for not converting to Roth unless you think your federal tax rate in retirement is likely to be higher than it is today. The second tax you could end up paying when doing a Roth conversion is state tax. The situation will vary depending on where you live – in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, you don't have to pay state tax, including on Roth conversion. Do you live in Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, or Pennsylvania? Then, you'll have to pay state tax, but Roth conversions are exempted. If you're thinking about moving to one of these states to avoid paying these taxes, just know that, while they may not charge income tax on Roth conversions, they do make up for it in other ways (sales and property tax, for example). IRMAA – the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – is the third cost you could end up paying when doing a Roth conversion. IRMAA represents an additional charge you could be required to pay on your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. The next potential tax you could pay as a result of doing a Roth conversion is Social Security taxation. The fifth cost you could incur because of a Roth conversion is NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax) – also known as the Obamacare surtax. NIIT is a 3.8% surtax on the lesser of your net investment income or the amount of your modified adjusted gross income that exceeds the threshold of $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married filing jointly. The sixth tax you could potentially pay as a result of doing a Roth conversion is an indirect one and results from the phase out of certain credits or deductions. The list of credits and deductions includes child tax credits, student loan interest deductions, the saver's credit, and education credits. Underpayment penalties is the seventh tax you could potentially pay by doing a Roth conversion. David explains that many people opt to pay taxes on their Roth conversion in the fourth quarter. The problem, however, lies in the fact that when you pay the taxes on your Roth conversion out of cash in the fourth quarter, the IRS expects you to have paid taxes on that Roth conversion evenly throughout the year. The eighth and final tax you could end up paying as a result of doing a Roth conversion applies to those who are getting health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Does your Roth conversion push you above the subsidy threshold? If so, know that you could have a partial or total loss of subsidies or may have to repay subsidies at tax time. “Think of all of these additional taxes or costs as tradeoffs, not problems or unintended consequences,” says David. For example, you may pay increased Social Security taxation during your Roth conversion period, but will then eliminate Social Security taxation altogether by the time your conversion is complete. If President Trump extends his tax cuts, then the national debt will grow to $62 trillion by 2035. Most experts believe that the only way we can service this massive debt load is to dramatically increase income tax rates. According to a recent Penn Wharton study, if the U.S. doesn't right its fiscal ship by 2040, no combination of raising taxes or reducing spending will prevent the nation's financial collapse. Remember: while it's true that Roth conversions do cause you to pay additional taxes and expenses in the short term, they do dramatically reduce those costs over the balance of your life, once your conversion is complete. Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Penn Wharton

President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping drug pricing policy this week, seeking to lower drug prices in the U.S. by up to 80% through a reprisal of the Most Favored Nation rule he attempted to introduce in his first term. The rule would essentially link U.S. prices to those paid in other nations where medications are cheaper. Biopharma reaction was one of tentative relief, with BMO Capital Markets analysts suggesting the executive order had “more bark than bite.” Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that among the next 15 drugs to undergo IRA-prescripted price negotiations could be drugs payable through Medicare Part B, and not just Part D, where the first two rounds have applied.  Into all of this action steps Vinay Prasad, the outspoken oncologist and hematologist who was named last week as the next director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. While the S&P Biotech ETF fell by more than 5% upon the news, overall reaction was fairly measured, with cell and gene therapy executive Audrey Greenberg summing up Prasad's selection as “anything but a status quo appointment.”  Over in the weight loss and obesity space, Eli Lilly can't seem to lose. This weekend, Lilly announced full data from a head-to-head trial showing a “superior benefit-to-risk ratio” for its Zepbound over Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. And last week, the Indiana-based pharma won a court battle against compounders when a judge sided with the FDA, stating that tirzepatide—the active ingredient in both Zepbound and diabetes sister drug Mounjaro—was no longer in shortage. Add on a presidential shoutout during Trump's Monday press conference for its U.S. manufacturing investments, and it really was Lilly's week.  Flying less high are some 2,000 Bayer employees who lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2025 as part of the company's new operating model, which is intended to make Bayer “much more agile.” On a less direct flight is Galapagos, which reversed course on plans to spin out a portion of the company and find a new CEO. Instead, CEO Paul Stoffels will make a quicker exit and the Belgian biotech could sell off its cell therapy assets as it looks to build up a new pipeline in house, having abandoned the spinout idea altogether. Stay tuned.  Finally, in ClinicaSpace this week, we took a deep dive into the HIV treatment space, where companies like Gilead and Immunocore are targeting a cure, while the Trump administration slashes funding for HIV research.  

Join Sarah as she dives back into CMS regulations! This week, she highlights 5 regulations from the 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule.   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 5 Things About the 2026 CMS MA and Part D Rate Announcement: https://lnk.to/asgf20250411 CMS 2025 Marketplace Integrity & Affordability Proposed Rule: https://lnk.to/asgf20250314 CMS Updates to MA and Part D for CY 2026: https://lnk.to/asgf20250425 Expanded Medicare Telehealth Benefits Extended Through September 2025: https://ritterim.com/blog/expanded-medicare-telehealth-benefits-extended-through-september-2025/  Recent ACA Coverage Changes Reversed with 2025 Marketplace Proposed Rule: https://ritterim.com/blog/recent-aca-changes-reversed-with-2026-marketplace-proposed-rule/   References: “CMS Finalizes 2026 Payment Policy Updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-2026-payment-policy-updates-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-programs. “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final. “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, 15 Apr. 2025, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/15/2025-06008/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare.     Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

  The Friday Five for April 25, 2025: Dr. Oz shares MAHA vision as CMS admin CY 2026 Part D Coverage Cost Breakdown CY 2026 Selected Drug Subsidy Cost Breakdown Provisions Not Finalized in 2026 MA and Part D Final Rule Impact of Non-Finalized Provisions on Agents   Dr. Oz shares MAHA vision as CMS admin: Simmons-Duffin, Selena. “5 Things to Know as Dr. Oz Prepares to Lead Medicare and Medicaid.” NPR.Org, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025, www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/25/g-s1-55766/dr-mehmet-oz-medicare-medicaid-cms-trump. “Dr. Mehmet Oz Shares Vision for CMS.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 25 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/dr-mehmet-oz-shares-vision-cms. Olsen, Emily. “Dr. Oz Sworn in as CMS Administrator.” Healthcaredive.Com, Healthcare Dive, 21 Apr. 2025, www.healthcaredive.com/news/dr-mehmet-oz-sworn-in-cms-administrator/745880/.   CY 2026 Part D Coverage Cost Breakdown: “Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instructions. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025. “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, 15 Apr. 2025, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/15/2025-06008/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare.   CY 2026 Selected Drug Subsidy Cost Breakdown: John, Stephnie A., and Abdie Santiago. “The IRA in 2025: The Future of Medicare Part D.” Mintz.Com, Mintz, 13 Feb. 2025, www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2146/2025-02-13-ira-2025-future-medicare-part-d. “Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual – Chapter 5.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/files/document/chapter-5-benefits-and-beneficiary-protection-v92011.pdf. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025. “Factsheet: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/files/document/fact-sheet-medicare-selected-drug-negotiation-list-ipay-2026.pdf. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.   Provisions Not Finalized in 2026 MA and Part D Final Rule: “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. Tong, Noah. “Medicare Advantage Final Rule Excludes Anti-Obesity Drug Coverage under Medicare, Medicaid.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 4 Apr. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/medicare-advantage-final-rule-excludes-anti-obesity-drug-coverage-under-medicare-medicaid. “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/15/2025-06008/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. “Medicare Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications.” Aspe.Hhs.Gov, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 26 Nov. 2024, aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/127bd5b3347b34be31ac5c6b5ed30e6a/medicare-coverage-anti-obesity-meds.pdf.   Resources: 2025 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D: https://ritterim.com/blog/2025-maximum-broker-commissions-for-medicare-advantage-and-medicare-part-d/ 3 Additional Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg656 4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg655 5 Things About the 2026 CMS MA and Part D Rate Announcement: https://lnk.to/asgf20250411 CMS Updates, Content Library, & More! https://lnk.to/asgf20250328 Recent ACA Coverage Changes Reversed with 2025 Marketplace Proposed Rule: https://ritterim.com/blog/recent-aca-changes-reversed-with-2026-marketplace-proposed-rule/ Subscribe to the Ritter Blog: https://ritterim.com/blog/ The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/asg657   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Aujourd'hui, Antoine Diers, Fatima Aït-Bounoua et le Dr Jérôme Marty débattent de l'actualité autour d'Alain Marschall et Olivier Truchot.

CMS just released the 2026 MA and Part D Rate Announcement! Listen to learn more about what this means for the upcoming coverage year.   Resources: 3 Additional Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg656 4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg655 CMS Updates, Content Library, & More! https://lnk.to/asgf20250328 Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/contentlibrary  The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/asg657   References: “2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Advance Notice Fact Sheet.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 10 Jan. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-advance-notice-fact-sheet. “2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-rate-announcement. “Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/2026-announcement.pdf. Tong, Noah. “CMS Finalizes 5.06% Medicare Advantage Benchmark Increase.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 8 Apr. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-finalizes-506-medicare-advantage-benchmark-increase. “CMS Finalizes 2026 Payment Policy Updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-2026-payment-policy-updates-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-programs. “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final. “Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instructions.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Lynn Nonnemaker and Amy Kelbick join Julia Grabo to discuss the two Medicare Advantage (MA) final rules released in the past week and how they fit into the Administration's other initiatives and larger priorities.

The Trump's administration has decided not to cover costly injectable drugs for obesity, under Medicare's Part D prescription drug program. The AP's Jennifer King has more.

This week in the Breakroom, Lynn Nonnemaker joins Maddie News to discuss the upcoming Medicare Advantage and Part D final rate notice and what stakeholders should be looking out for.

Today's episode addresses five reasons why a Roth IRA is one of David KcKnight's favorite tax-free investments.  Unlike other retirement accounts, Roth IRAs give you 100% liquidity on all contributions. While David isn't necessarily suggesting that you use your Roth IRA as an emergency fund, it's nice to know that you won't have to wait until age 59 ½ to be able to access those funds. If you happen to take out your Roth IRA contributions, you can put that money back within 60 days as long as your Roth IRA was not involved in a rollover during the 12 months preceding the date of distribution. Tax regrowth is a second reason why David is an advocate for Roth IRAs. For David, going for a Roth IRA could be the right move if you believe that your tax bracket in retirement is likely to be higher than it is today. The Penn Wharton School of Business recently said that if the U.S. doesn't write its fiscal ship of state by 2040, no combination of raising taxes or reducing spending will prevent the financial collapse of the country. Some experts are even predicting that tax rates could have to double in order to honor the nation's massive financial obligations. A third huge benefit of a Roth IRA is that whatever money you don't spend during your lifetime passes to your heirs, 100% tax-free –though they'll have to liquidate those dollars within 10 years. Thinking about Roth IRAs? Just know that distributions from Roth IRAs don't count as provisional income. In other words, they don't count against the thresholds that cause Social Security taxation. David explains what can cause up to 85% of your Social Security to become taxable at your highest marginal tax bracket – leaving a huge hole in your Social Security. David has done the math hundreds of times: when you pay tax on your Social Security, you run out of money five to seven years faster than people who don't pay tax on their Social Security. Finally, Roth IRAs are a tool worth leveraging for the fact that Roth IRA distributions don't count as income-related monthly adjustment amount (also known as IRMAA).  That translates to distributions from your Roth IRAs not counting against the thresholds that cause your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums to go up. David sees the Roth IRA as one of the crown jewels in the IRS tax code.     Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Penn Wharton

When eligible people turn 65, they can sign up for Medicare. One thing to consider is drug coverage, or Part D. Reset learns more about Medicare drug coverage and answers listener questions with Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program director Sandy Leith. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Send us a textFr Joe Krupp continues teaching on DiocletianCheck out the recently released JIBM Web site at:  https://www.joeinblackministries.com/Please use the following link if you would like to financially support Church of the Holy Family: https://pushpay.com/g/hfgrandblanc?sr...Faith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Breaking down faith, culture & big questions - a mix of humor with real spiritual growth. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify