Page 2 - Robert Laszewski News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The Medicare conference agreement fails the two criticalrequirements of a responsible drug benefit program for the nation'sseniors.  The original idea underlying this legislation wasnever just about adding drug coverage to Medicare.  It wasabout doing so in a way that would not lead to huge additionalliabilities to future generations, and in a way that would reformthe program so that it could respond to the changing needs of theelderly and disabled.   But the agreement will not leadto that.

Health care experts expect broad coverage of the drug, but what that means for patients will vary widely depending on their insurance plan.

Time to say goodbye to some insurers’ waivers for Covid treatment fees Just as other industries are rolling back some consumer-friendly changes made early in the pandemic — think empty middle seats on airplanes — so, too, are health insurers. Many voluntarily waived all deductibles, copayments and other costs for insured patients who fell ill with Covid-19 and needed hospital care, doctor visits, medications or other treatment. Setting aside those fees was a good move from a public relations standpoint. The industry got credit for helping customers during tough times. And it had politic...

Several million people stand to save hundreds of dollars in health insurance costs, or more, under the Democratic coronavirus relief legislation on track to pass Congress.

Getty Images Several million people stand to save hundreds of dollars or more in health insurance costs under the Democratic coronavirus relief legislation on track to pass Congress. Winners include those covered by Obamacare or just now signing up, self-employed people who buy their own insurance and don’t now get federal help, laid-off workers struggling to retain employer coverage and most anyone collecting unemployment. Also, potentially many more could benefit if about a dozen states accept a Medicaid deal in the legislation. Taken together, the components of the coronavirus bill repr...