‘PSHB and Medicare in Retirement’ Webinar March 10

Title:

Article Snip: "...USPS employees may participate in a webinar that will help explain how the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program and Medicare work in retirement.

The session, “PSHB and Medicare in Retirement,” will be held Monday, March 10, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.

Representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the webinar.

Participants must register on the webinar website. ..."

Reference: news.usps.com
‘PSHB and Medicare in Retirement’ Webinar

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President Trump's Potential Changes for Social Security So Far: 3 Things You Should Know

Title: President Trump's Potential Changes for Social Security So Far: 3 Things You Should Know

Article Snip: "As recently as Feb. 18, Trump promised not to cut benefits. ...subject to income taxes on Social Security. The rule is based on combined income, which the Internal Revenue Service defines as half of a retiree's Social Security benefits plus other income from sources such as pensions, wages, dividends, and capital gains.

Single filers can see as much as half of their Social Security benefits taxed if they make between $25,000 and..."

Reference: finance.yahoo.com

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How and when does a USPS annuitant enroll in a Medigap Part G Policy? (Original Medicare)

How and when does a USPS annuitant enroll in a Medigap Part G Policy? (Original Medicare)

"...To enroll in a Medigap Part G policy as a USPS annuitant, you need to first ensure you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, then contact a Medigap insurance company directly during your Medigap Open Enrollment period (the six months following your 65th birthday when you first enroll in Medicare Part B) to compare plans and choose the one that best suits your needs; you can do this by calling the company, visiting their website, or contacting a broker to get quotes and apply for coverage..."    

This Article is From: AI Generated Sources:
* When can I buy a Medigap policy?
* What USPS annuitants need to know about the Medicare Part B special enrollment period
* How do I buy a Medigap policy?
*

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Health | Researchers warn about specific prescription drugs that could trigger deadly disease

Title: Researchers warn about specific prescription drugs that could trigger deadly disease

Article Snip: "Some drugs were associated with an increased risk of dementia, including antipsychotic medications.

There was "conflicting evidence" for other classes of drugs, including those indicated for blood pressure, depression and diabetes. ...Antibiotics, antivirals, anticoagulants (blood thinners) and anticonvulsants (medications used to prevent or treat seizures) were all linked to a reduced risk of dementia, according to the study. ..."

Reference: www.foxnews.com

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Ilhan Omar Goes on Wild Rant, Calls Americans 'Idiots' Who Shouldn't Be 'Allowed' to Have Views

Title: Ilhan Omar Goes on Wild Rant, Calls Americans 'Idiots' Who Shouldn't Be 'Allowed' to Have Views

Article Snip: "already crushing approval ratings for the Democratic Party, Rep. Ilhan Omar joined terror sympathizer Mehdi Hasan on Sunday to fret that Americans are "idiots" who are too "stupid" to be "allowed" to hold their political views. ...There's no better vote outreach than having a chronically ungrateful, Islamist-supporting Somali refugee (who still pretends her hellish homeland is a moral bastion) call Americans "idiots" because they believe in silly things like borders and government accountability. Surely, only someone who has been accused of marrying their brother to bypass immigration laws has the intellectual heft necessary to rule the masses. ..."

Reference: redstate.com
Ilhan Omar, America Haters in Government, Terror sympathizers, Islamist -Terrorist Supporting Trojan Horses Permitted in Government, Anti-America Democrat Politicians,

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The Trump tax-cut promises Congress will likely approve | No Taxes on Social Security Retirees?

Title: The Trump tax-cut promises Congress will likely approve

Article Snip: "...one thing Americans should keep in mind as they head into 2025 are Trump’s tax policies. While on the campaign trail the now commander in chief made at least a dozen tax cut promises, ranging from no tax on tips, no taxes on overtime, and no taxes on social security benefits, to name a few...."

Reference: finance.yahoo.com

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Returning to Work for the Government after Retirement

Title: Returning to Work for the Government after Retirement

Article Snip: "...Each year, some federal retirees return to government employment, for personal, career or financial reasons. If you are thinking of becoming one of them – or if you are considering your options to do so if you signed up for OPM’s deferred resignation program, are separated via buyout or RIF, here are some things to think about.

If you are a CSRS retiree, your annuity will stop if you fall into one of the followings four categories. ..."

Reference: www.fedweek.com
Returning to Work for the Government after Retirement

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‘USPS Retirement Health Benefits’ Webinar on Feb. 19 for Current Employees

Title: ‘USPS Retirement Health Benefits’

Article Snip: "...Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar that will address benefits available after retirement. The session, “USPS Retirement Health Benefits: Medicare, Dental and Vision,” will be held Wednesday, Feb. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. ..."

Reference: news.usps.com
USPS Retirement Health Benefits,

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Some Ozempic users are developing serious eye issues that lead to blindness

Title: Some Ozempic users are developing serious eye issues that lead to blindness

Article Snip: "...Blockbuster GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro might sharpen your figure, but they could also cloud your vision in the process.

A review published in JAMA Ophthalmology uncovered at least nine cases of patients who experienced vision loss after taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, the active ingredients in Wegovy and Zepbound, respectively.

This study adds to a growing body of research documenting vision problems in patients using these drugs. A 2024 study suggested ..."

Reference: nypost.com

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WebMD | Ozempic Side Effects

Title: WebMD | Ozempic Side Effects

Article Snip: "Ozempic (semaglutide) helps people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar if diet, exercise, and other diabetes medications haven’t worked. ...It can come with side effects, but not everyone who takes Ozempic will get every possible effect. ...GI problems are the most common side effects of Ozempic. Luckily, they tend to be mild to moderate ...About 1 in 5 people (20%) in the clinical trial had it. ...Almost 1 in 10 people (10%) in the clinical trial threw up when taking Ozempic. ..."

Reference: www.webmd.com

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Big Pharma (Drug Dealers) Making Big Profits Getting Your Doc to Feed You More Drugs

Title: Big Pharma Wants to Dance All Over Rural America’s Health

Article Snip: "...Pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly, Viatris, AbbVie, ASCEND Therapeutics, Pfizer, Novartis, and Endo International are all major companies cashing in on the high-profit transgender hormone market. Big Pharma knows if they can get a brainwashed kid hooked on non-FDA-approved puberty blockers, they have a client for life.

The worst drug dealers in America nowadays aren’t inner-city thugs; they’re guys in white lab coats.

And business is booming. Eli Lilly’s revenue at the end of the year was almost $41 billion, up 27.4 percent from 2023. ..."

Reference: redstate.com
Pharmaceutical Giants, America's Corporate Drug Pushers,Big Pharma Corruption, Transgender Hormone Market, Pushers of the Transgender Movement, Pill-Head America,

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Destruction of Retirees | Housing,Taxes, Insurance, Medical Care and Supplementing Expenses of 'Adult' Children

Title: Have Your Property Taxes and Insurance Ballooned? You’re Not Alone. Here’s Why These Costs Can Exceed Mortgage Payments For Many

Article Snip: "...Variable costs like property taxes and homeowner’s insurance premiums comprise 35% of the average monthly mortgage payment. ...Property taxes and homeowner’s insurance premiums continue to take a big chunk out of homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments. To offset these costs, homeowners are implementing various solutions, including downsizing, relocating, cutting back on expenses, and deferring large purchases. These efforts could help make homeownership more affordable for many homeowners."

Reference: www.investopedia.com
Destruction of Baby Boomers,Destruction of Retirees,

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The rare few boomers that worked hard and made sacrifices to pay off mortgages reap the rewards now, but many did not prepare

Title: The boomer housing crisis is pacing to get even worse

Article Snip: "...Many boomers find themselves aging into a system that is not willing or equipped to care for them, and instead struggle to subsidize their own care while facing an affordability crisis.

In 2021, 11.2 million seniors—about one in three—were cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing...“The senior housing industry would need to develop twice as many units as it has ever developed in any single calendar year every year to keep up.” What’s more, the early pandemic pulled the brakes on the housing industry, as leaders tell the Journal of labor shortages and weakened demand. ..."

Reference: fortune.com
Boomer retirement planning, Senior housing industry, Aging at Home (The Greatest Desire of Retirees),

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13 Things Medicare Gives You for Free

Title: 13 Things Medicare Gives You for Free

Article Snip: "Medicare beneficiaries often pay monthly premiums, copays, annual deductibles and prescription drug costs. But what you may not know is that some services don’t cost anything at all. ...Medicare includes different parts, which provide different types of coverage — hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), and prescription drug coverage (Part D).

While some services come at a cost, Medicare also offers many services with no out-of-pocket costs at all. That said, some of these freebies may not be available with Medicare Advantage, and there may be limitations on how often you can take advantage of a free service. Still, it’s worth knowing about these 13 things Medicare gives you for free. ..."

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
Medicare, Free Stuff,

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Do you know how PSHB and Medicare work together?

Title: Do you know how PSHB and Medicare work together?

Article Snip: "USPS will offer an informational webinar throughout the year...The session, “PSHB and Medicare in Retirement,” will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern on the following Mondays: Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8.

Participants must register before each event on the webinar website. ...

"

Reference: usps.com
PSHB and Medicare, BCBS,

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MEDICARE | 2025 Annual Update to the Code List of CPT/HCPCS Codes

Title: MEDICARE | 2025 Annual Update to the Code List of CPT/HCPCS Codes

Article Snip: "We maintain and annually update a List of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes (the Code List), which identifies all the items and services included within certain designated health services (DHS) categories or that may qualify for certain exceptions. We update the Code List to conform to the most recent publications of CPT and HCPCS codes and to account for changes in Medicare coverage and payment policies. Code List updates for years 2022 and earlier were published in the Federal Register as an addendum to the annual Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

2025 Annual Update to the Code List

Below you will find the Code List that is effective January 1, 2025 and a description of the revisions effective for Calendar Year 2025. To submit a comment, go to www.regulations.gov and enter the docket number “CMS-2024-0301” in the search field. Select the “Comment” button and follow the instructions. To be considered, comments must be received on or before December 26, 2024.

List of codes effective January 1, 2025, published November 26, 2024

Annual Update to the List of CPT/HCPCS Codes Effective January 1, 2025 (PDF)

"

Reference:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services www.cms.gov
List of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes (the Code List)

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What happens if a PSHB employee covered by EGWP signs up for Medicare Part D?

Title: What happens if a PSHB employee covered by EGWP signs up for Medicare Part D?

Article Snip: "If a PSHB employee covered by an Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) signs up for a separate Medicare Part D plan, they are essentially double-paying for prescription drug coverage, as their EGWP through PSHB already provides that coverage; they should contact their PSHB plan to potentially opt out of the EGWP and enroll in their chosen Part D plan instead, but be aware that doing so could result in a gap in coverage and potential late enrollment penalties depending on their situation.
Key points to remember:

Redundant coverage:
When a PSHB employee is already covered by the EGWP, enrolling in a separate Part D plan means they are paying for prescription drug coverage twice.

Opting out of EGWP:
If a PSHB employee wants to switch to a different Part D plan, they should contact their PSHB plan to properly opt out of the EGWP and enroll in their chosen plan.
Potential penalties:
Depending on the circumstances, opting out of the EGWP without enrolling in another Part D plan could lead to a late enrollment penalty when they try to enroll later.

"

Reference: AI Generated Referencing OPM.GOV
Medicare Part D,Medicare Part D vs. PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP),EGWP,

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APWU/NPMHU/USPS | One Time Retirement Incentive

Title: NPMHU/USPS | One Time Retirement Incentive

Article Snip: "...NPMHU and the USPS have reached an agreement on the terms of a One Time Retirement Incentive. The parties have agreed that the Postal Service will make lump sum incentive payments totaling $15,000 (less applicable taxes and deductions) to eligible..."

Reference: npmhu317.blogspot.com
NPMHU/USPS | One Time Retirement Incentive

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OPM extends long-term care program suspension | New enrollments are on hold until December 2026

Title: OPM extends long-term care program suspension | New enrollments are on hold until December 2026

Article Snip: "...The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has extended the suspension period for all new Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program applications.

The agency, also known as OPM, initially suspended applications for two years beginning in 2022. This suspension has been extended until Dec. 19, 2026.

In a statement, OPM said the suspension is needed because of ongoing volatility in long-term care costs and a diminished insurance market..."

Important notice about premiums:
FLTCIP enrollees with the automatic compound inflation option (ACIO)
The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) held the 2023 Enrollee Decision Period from September to November 2023, providing FLTCIP enrollees personalized options to help mitigate the impact of a premium rate increase, effective January 1, 2024. Impacted enrollees with ACIO for inflation protection had the option to pay their premium increase in three phases. The second phase of the premium increase is effective January 1, 2025. We mailed a letter in early December notifying those who are affected. Log into your My LTCFEDS account for more information

Reference: usps.com
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)

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Problems with Medicare Advantage Plans Keep Mounting

Title: Problems with Medicare Advantage Plans Keep Mounting

Article Snip: "...Complaints and problems with Medicare Advantage include denial of service and slow care approvals. Consumers need to pay attention. ... People tend to like their Medicare Advantage plans — until they don’t. ...

...

MA faces mounting criticism for denying and delaying some needed care while costing taxpayers billions more than government-run, so-called fee-for-service, traditional Medicare. ... The reasons for Medicare Advantage’s expanding popularity are readily apparent: lower costs for individuals, simpler selections and extras, such as dental and vision coverage and even gym memberships, not provided by traditional Medicare. ..."

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage,Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?,Medicare Part D vs. PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP),

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