Access to affordable health care has long been a concern for individuals in the United States, particularly before reaching Medicare eligibility age. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, brought significant changes to the health care landscape, providing critical solutions to those who were not yet eligible for Medicare. In this column, we …
I want to contribute to a health savings account to help increase my retirement savings, but I would like to better understand how they work. What can you tell me? Nearly 60 Dear almost, A health savings account, or HSA, is a fantastic financial tool that can help you build a tax-free reserve of money …
Growing up in rural Wayne County, the only medical professionals available were physician assistants. I didn’t see a doctor until I was 18. Access to health care was difficult to obtain, and this is still a reality today. Now, a proposed change to Department of Veterans Affairs rules could make matters worse for our nation’s …
Jim Miller Special correspondent QQUESTION : I am currently enrolled in Original Medicare, but am considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan during the open enrollment period. Many Medicare Advantage ads I’ve seen offer many additional benefits beyond what traditional Medicare offers and no monthly premiums. What are your thoughts? ANSWER: Be wary of Medicare …
During a recent discussion with my family doctor about health insurance, one of us lamented the lack of decent coverage and it wasn’t what one would expect. OK, I started it. My primary care provider, who is wonderfully thorough, asked me if there had been any changes in my family medical history over the past …
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjowarnedthat a UK-India trade deal would lead to huge cost increases for health systems and catastrophic delays in access to medicines if UK negotiating demands were met. The UK wants India to implement sweeping changes to its intellectual property rules as part of any deal, threatening India’s ability to supply cheap, …
From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma’s health insurance marketplace is scheduled to open for the 2024 coverage year on November 1. This is the first day individuals and families can enroll, re-enroll or make changes to their health insurance plans. November 1: open registration begins Starting November 1, residents can explore the different health insurance …
(CNN) CVS is removing some over-the-counter allergy and cold medications from its shelves, a month after an independent advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said phenylephrine, a popular ingredient in these medications, is ineffective when taken orally. We are removing certain oral cough and cold products that contain phenylephrine as the sole …
Large medical expenses can create a heavy financial burden. And the fact is, we are all susceptible to unexpected and costly medical events. Although we can’t control if and when we might face an unexpected health problem, we can prepare financially. Here are several strategies to help you get started. The realities of today’s medical …
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress prohibited states from disenrolling people from Medicaid. The idea was to prevent people from losing coverage during the pandemic. But the emergency has passed. On April 1, state Medicaid programs regained the ability to exclude people who were no longer eligible. Some states have decided to reevaluate the …