President's Forum 146 -- NRLN Video on Accessing Medigap Plan Prices
To make a decision between the original Medicare path or the Medicare Advantage (MA) path, it is important to make a choice between MA with out-of-pocket protection and one of the Medicare Supplemental Plans (Medigap) that pay the 20% not covered by original Medicare.
KNOWING MEDIGAP PRICES BY PLAN IS CRITICAL!
The NRLN had urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to post prices by zip code for Medigap plans. Now that CMS has made Medigap pricing data available by zip code and plan type we want to make it easy to navigate the CMS website. Jacqueline Lawson, NRLN webmaster, has created a step-by-step video on the NRLN homepage at www.nrln.org to guide individuals through the process of accessing the various Medigap plans and the prices available in the zip code area where they live.
Bill Kadereit
National Retiree Legislative Network
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MEDICARE AND YOU HANDBOOK 2023
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Medigap Plans NOW available for selection on the Medicare.gov website. Learn How to Choose!
NRLN urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to post prices by zip code for Medigap plans. Now that CMS has made Medigap prices available view our video to see how to navigate the CMS website to select a Medigap plan.
AREF creates white papers to protect Social Security and Medicare
Congress Needs to Strengthen Funding for Social Security and Medicare
Social Security and Medicare programs both continue to face significant financing issues according to the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ report issued March 31, 2023.
Based on the Trustees’ best estimates, this year’s reports show that:
- The Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, one year earlier than reported last year. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of scheduled benefits.
- The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund is projected to be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits through at least 2097, the last year of this report’s projection period. By comparison, last year’s report projected that the DI Trust Fund would be able to pay scheduled benefits through at least 2096, the last year of that report’s projection period.
NRLN Leaders in Washington D.C. | Announcement from Bill Kadereit [Video 1:24]
Watch NRLN President Bill Kadereit’s video from Capitol Hill February 28 – March 1 during the NRLN’s Fly-in to Washington, DC to lobby for important retiree issues.
NRLN Is Moving Ahead in 2023 After Legislation Success in 2022
Following a successful 2022 (see list below), the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) has a challenging 2023 agenda. Social Security and Medicare is being attacked and we are defending the programs.
We need every dollar we can raise and every Action Alert we can send – please HELP US, HELP YOU!
Ask friends, neighbors, social clubs and family members to sign up at www.nrln.org. NRLN, Association and Chapter leaders attending the Fly-in to Washington, DC, February 27 – March 1, 2023, lobbied for these proposals in 35 meetings with members of Congress and staffs:
- Pension De-risking: When pension “de-risking” occurs with the purchase of an insurance annuity, pension plan participants lose the protection of PBGC and ERISA. The NRLN’s proposal is to protect beneficiaries by requiring a secondary insurance policy in case the initial insurer defaults or the annuity is transferred.
- Prevent Privatization of Medicare: CMS give $53 billion in taxpayer subsidies to private insurance companies for Medicare Advantage plans in 2022. The new ACO REACH will receive even more subsidies. The NRLN advocates stopping rebates to private plans but grandfather current recipients and level the playing field between private plans and original Medicare.
- Reduce Prescription Drug Prices: The NRLN is lobbying for legislation to end pay-for-delay and other brand name drugmakers’ tactics that obstruct generic drugs from coming to market. We want the importation of safe and less expensive drugs from Canada and other countries that meet FDA quality standards. Drug ingredients and manufacture of most drugs must be returned to the USA from foreign countries.
Bill Kadereit,
NRLN President
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When you watch the podcast, Alyson Parker, NRLN Executive Director will inform you about the NRLN’s year-end push to gain passage of:
* Recoupment
* Susan Muffley Act
* Heath Care Tax Credit
* Pension Surplus Usage
* Annual Funding Notice
Alyson continued her comments by describing the NRLN process taking place to develop the NRLN’s 2023 Legislative Agenda. She noted that protecting retirees in de-risking (when a company sells its pension plan to and insurance company) will be an NRLN priority in 2023.
Bill Kadereit, NRLN President, opened his section of the live podcast with comments on Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. He said MA competition with Medicare was approved by Congress because insurance companies promised they could perform better.
In the last section of the live podcast, Ed Beltram, NRLN VP-Communications, presented questions from NRLN members for Alyson and Bill to answer.
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NRLN Grassroots Network is the name for having support from NRLN members to respond to Action Alerts plus having Region, State and Congressional District leaders to support the NRLN’s Washington, D.C. lobbying efforts.
Two Medical Bills Should Be Passed
Ask your U.S. Representative to become a co-sponsor of two bills: H.R.35, Close the Medigap Act of 2023 which would prohibit discriminatory pricing and coverage denials for patients seeking supplemental Medigap coverage.
In the News
The articles and opinion pieces below are for information and are not necessarily a reflection of the NRLN’s position on issues.
The NRLN is nonpartisan and its positions on retirement issues are presented in its Legislative Agenda and white papers that can be accessed from under the Legislative Agenda tab on the website main menu.
Former New Hampshire Doctor Pleads Guilty in $1.9 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By Associated Press – May 25, 2023
FDA grants full approval to Pfizer’s Paxlovid By Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill – May 25, 2023
DuPont STEM Career Catalyst Program Achieves Milestone in Education Partnership Press Release – May 25, 2023
Multivitamins may help slow loss of memory as people get older By Linda Carroll, NBC News – May 24, 2023
Brain and spine implants enabled a paralyzed man to climb stairs and walk on rough terrain, study shows By Aria Bendix, NBC News – May 24, 2023
‘It’s not their money’: Older Americans worried debt default means no Social Security By Peter Charalambous, ABC NEWS – May 23, 2023
A more aggressive FTC is starting to target drug mergers and industry middlemen USA TODAY – May 22, 2023
Drug price caps in Inflation Reduction Act exacerbating shortages, Gottlieb says By Julia Shapero, The Hill – May 21, 2023
Couples 55 and older will be able to contribute more than $10,000 to health savings accounts NBC News – May 18, 2023
After OpenAI hearing, A.I. experts urge Congress to listen to more diverse voices on regulation By Lauren Feiner, CNBC – May 19, 2023
What Is the Difference Between a Skilled Nursing Facility and a Nursing Home? By Payton Sy, RN, US News – May 18, 2023
Opinion: Why we must care for our caregivers and address the nursing home staffing crisis By Rep. Steven Horsford and Mary Kay Henry – The Hill, May 18, 2023
Sen. Bernie Sanders renews push for Medicare for All to end ‘totally broken’ health-care system By Lorie Konish, CNBC – May 17 2023
Debt ceiling woes point to need for Social Security, Medicare reform, experts say By Lorie Konish, CNBC – MAY 16 2023
Chronic pain is more common than diabetes or depression. Better treatments are emerging. By Aria Bendix, CNBC – May 16, 2023
CDC warns that mpox cases may increase this spring, summer: ‘The outbreak is not over’ By Saleen Martin, USA TODAY – May 16, 2023
Supreme Court wades into Trump hotel records fight By Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney, Politico – May 15, 2023
WHO advises against artificial sweeteners for weight control and disease By Joseph Choi, The Hill – May 15, 2023
Appeals Court Puts Brakes on Order That Could End US Health Law’s Preventative Care Mandat By Alex Brandon, Associated Press – May 15, 2023
PBGC Approves Supplemented SFA Application for Local 966 Plan Press Release – May 15, 2023
Why Lyme disease symptoms go away quickly for some and last years for others By Caroline Hopkins, NBC News – May 14, 2023
Social Security, Medicare, federal salaries: What payments may be delayed in debt ceiling standoff By Greg Lacurci, CNBC – May 13 2023
Social Security advocates brace for U.S. debt default with payments to beneficiaries at stake By Rob Wile, NBC News – May 13, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT
Avoid Ticks (and Lyme Disease) This Summer By Cara Murez, US News – May 13, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
U.S. can avoid default in July if Treasury can make it through June cash crunch, Congressional Budget Office says By Christina Wilkie, CNBC – May 12, 2023
Medicare, FDA urged to press ahead with new Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi By Christina Van Waasbergen and Joseph Choi, The Hill – May 12, 2023
Get Relief With the Most Common Asthma Medications By Miriam Jones Bradley, US News – May 12, 2023
Senate panel advances drug pricing bills, including PBM reforms By Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill – May 11, 2023
First-ever drug-resistant ringworm infections found in US: CDC By Stephen Neukam, The Hill – May 11, 2023
Covid transformed the U.S. labor market, and it isn’t done yet By J.J. McCorvey, Sara Ruberg and Brian Cheung. CNBC – May 11, 2023
WHO Declares Global Mpox Outbreak Over By Cara Murez, US News – May 11, 2023
The Most Common Allergy Medicines By Mandi Harenberg, US News – May 11, 2023
Insulin companies, PBMs pass the blame as they face bipartisan ire on pricing By Joseph Choi, The Hill – May 10, 2023
Eli Lilly CEO vows not to raise insulin prices again, while Novo Nordisk and Sanofi hedge By Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC – May 10, 2023
10 Strategies to Maximize Social Security That Work By Emily Brandon, US News – May 9, 2023
Khanna, Sanders to call for action aimed at easing burden of medical debt By Hanna Trudo, The Hill – May 8, 2023
New Hope Against Painful Skin Issues Caused by Cancer Radiation Therapy By Denise Mann, US News – May 8, 2023
Everyday Internet Use by Older Adults Might Help Keep Dementia at Bay By Alan Mozes, US News – May 8, 2023
Dancing With Default By Tim Smart and Kaia Hubbard, US News – May 5, 2023
FDA recalls more than 500K COVID tests over bacteria risk By Jared Gans, The Hill – May 5, 2023
Distributor limiting allocation of low dose Wegovy By Joe Jacquez, The Hill – May 5, 2023
Do All Heart Attack Survivors Need Long-Term Beta Blocker Meds? By Amy Norton, US News – May 4, 2023
What would a debt ceiling failure mean for Americans? By Aris Folley, The Hill – May 3, 2023
FDA Approves First RSV Vaccine By Dennis Thompson, USNews – May 3, 2023
Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Slows Decline in Thinking in Late-Stage Trial By Cara Murez, USNews – May 3, 2023
Some of the billions in farm bill funds could flow to lawmakers writing the bill By Garrett Downs, Politico – May 2, 2023
Jeffries preps for Plan B as historic debt default looms By Scott Wong and Ali Vitali, NBC News – May 2, 2023
New ‘E-Tattoo’ Is Worn on Chest to Track Your Heart Health By Alan Mozes, US News – May 2, 2023
The Hill’s biggest health care battle you haven’t heard about By David Lim and Burgess Everett, Politico – May 1, 2023
PBGC Approves SFA Application for United Furniture Workers Fund A PBGC Press Release – May 1, 2023
Local 436 Plan Averts Insolvency and Reduction of Benefits Through Receipt of Special Financial Assistance PBGC Press Release – May 1, 2023
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