UnitedHealth dropping some Medicare Advantage plans, impacting 600K

Title: UnitedHealth dropping some Medicare Advantage plans, impacting 600K

Article Snip: "...the decision to exit certain Medicare Advantage plans during a second-quarter earnings call Tuesday, noting it would primarily affect members in “less managed products such as PPO offerings.”

Medicare Advantage plans are private health insurance plans approved by Medicare that provide an alternative way for people to receive their Medicare benefits. In 2024, more than half (54%) of eligible Medicare beneficiaries, about 32.8 million people, were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. ...Insurers have seen a rise in expensive emergency room visits, and UnitedHealth leaders said that doctors are billing for more tests and services during those visits than they anticipated.

Insurance companies are also dealing with growing prescription drug costs, especially from expensive treatments for cancer and obesity, as well as gene therapy, The Associated Press noted."

Reference: www.newsnationnow.com
Medicare Advantage, UnitedHealth,

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UnitedHealth says it is cooperating with DOJ investigation into Medicare billing practices

Title: UnitedHealth says it is cooperating with DOJ investigation into Medicare billing practices

Article Snip: "...UnitedHealth Group revealed it is facing a Justice Department criminal and civil investigation over its Medicare billing practices, adding to a string of setbacks for a company that owns America’s largest and most powerful private insurer. ...DOJ interviewed several doctors about UnitedHealth’s practices and whether they felt pressured to submit claims for certain conditions that bolstered payments from the Medicare Advantage program to the company. ..."

Reference: www.cnbc.com
Justice Department criminal and civil investigation (UnitedHealth Group),UnitedHealth,Medicare, Medicare billing Practices,

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If I have retiree coverage through the FEHB, do I need to enroll in Medicare?

Title: If I have retiree coverage through the FEHB, do I need to enroll in Medicare?

Article Snip: "...Should I enroll in Part B if I have FEHB coverage? Deciding whether to enroll in Part B is complicated. And unlike Medicare Part A, all enrollees pay a premium for Medicare Part B ($171.10/month in 2022 for most people). While FEHB plans cover most of the same types of expenses that Medicare covers, FEHB plans’ coverage may be more limited than Medicare Part B when it comes to orthopedic and prosthetic devices, durable medical equipment, home healthcare, medical supplies, and chiropractic care. Conversely, FEHB plans cover emergency care received outside the United States, and this isn’t covered by Original Medicare at all – and is rarely covered by Medicare Advantage. FEHB plans may also pay for vision and dental care that’s not covered by Original Medicare and is limited in Medicare Advantage. ..."

Reference: www.medicareresources.org
Medicare and FEHB,Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, FEHB plans, vision and dental care,