Medicare Advantage enrollees can save nearly $2,000 a year, according to a study from the Better Medicare Alliance. Compared to people enrolled in Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage enrollees have a 35% lower cost burden. This should come as great news to financially strapped seniors, but some enrollees may not see these savings, especially if confusion over networks lead to higher out of pocket costs. To help enrollees get the most value from their plan, it’s important to clear up common Medicare Advantage network misunderstandings.

Big news! Starting in 2021, Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) will be allowed to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. This is a significant change that will have major impacts on both the healthcare choices of ESRD patients and Medicare Advantage spending.

What should health insurance cover? There are some obvious answers – like doctor visits, hospital stays, essential lab tests and prescription drugs. Then there are some “nice to haves” – like grocery delivery, transportation to the doctor’s office and a gym membership. These extra services can certainly contribute to good health, but they aren’t normally covered by health insurance.

Many Medicare beneficiaries have been disappointed to learn that Medicare does not provide long-term care benefits. Now, some of that disappointment could be ending. Thanks to new rules from CMS, Medicare Advantage plans can now offer some long-term care benefits.

Medicare has a new open enrollment period. Starting in 2019, the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period will run between January 1 and March 31. This is a big change for both Medicare insurance agents and Medicare enrollees.

Changes could be coming to Medicare. CMS published a proposed rule that would make significant changes to Medicare Advantage. Although the proposed changes are intended to provide more flexibility, some concerns have already been raised.