Early in my blog writing, I shared information on how Medicare Part D plans worked.  For historical sake, see previous blog here:  https://www.cdi-cares.com/blog/how-to-decode-your-part-d-plan.  That blog detailed the four distinct phases of Medicare Part D, which is the prescription drug coverage.  The phases and details pertained to stand alone drug plans in addition to drug plans included in Advantage Plans or Part C.  Since that blog was written in 2021, there have been changes in the phases and structure of Medicare Part D.  Now is a great time to revisit and see how the coverage and plan design are different from those in the past.

You may think it is obvious that all preventive vaccines should be covered by Medicare.  Seniors are considered vulnerable, and thus, most preventive vaccines are recommended and covered.  However, where and how they are covered is not as obvious.  I had a client call recently and share that he was billed over $300 for a vaccine he received at a Minute Clinic by a provider, likely a Nurse Practitioner.  We discovered that the vaccine is covered through his Part D plan but not Part B.  The minute clinic staff later shared that he would not have owed anything if he had gotten that particular vaccine at the pharmacy rather than the minute clinic.  Read on to learn more and avoid this surprise bill!

The Indiana Birthday Rule was passed on March 25th, 2025.  It is House Bill 1226 and went into effect on January 1st, 2026, as it did with nine other states.  As we have learned to expect with all new initiatives and changes with Medicare insurance, it has been a bit of a bumpy road so far.  Read on for a recap of this new rule, how it can impact your coverage and budget and how agents are navigating the application process to serve our clients best!

Each year all the costs and benefits you finally seem to have figured out change!  The Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services or ‘CMS’ usually announces changes to Medicare in the fourth quarter for the coming year.  We have little time to adjust to it or educate our clients about it, especially amid the busy Annual Enrollment Season.  So read on to get a run down of all the new numbers for 2026.

This may be a simple review for many, and I have covered these topics in more detail on different blogs, newsletters and social media posts.  However, here is a brief summary of some important Medicare tidbits!  These are some good reminders and maybe just a pulse check on your knowledge of basic Medicare coverage, costs and pitfalls.  Let’s dive right in!

What is the Annual Notice of Change, otherwise known as an ANOC, and why should you pay attention to it?  I have made slight mention of the ANOC in other blogs, social medica posts and quarterly newsletters.  However, this document is so important to your Medicare coverage choices and the Open Enrollment Season, that is deserves its OWN blog!  Here you will find out what the ANOC means to you, when you will receive it and what you should do with it.  When the Open Enrollment season nears, this is of utmost importance!

All Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and stand alone Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 stars.  The rating is assigned by CMS, which is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the governing body of Medicare.  The intent of the star rating is to help guide agents and Medicare Beneficiaries in choosing a plan based on higher quality services and accessible coverage in their area.  However, what do the ratings really mean, and should it have a large impact on what plan you choose?  Read on for a better understanding of the Medicare Star Rating.

The changes in Medicare are coming fast and furious.  Some of these changes are at the federal level and are still in the works.  However, if you have a Medicare Supplement Plan and live in Indiana, pay attention!  One bill at the state level in Indiana was passed on March 25th, 2025.  It is HB 1226 and is called the ‘Birthday Rule’.  It will go into effect on January 1st, 2026 and as with all legislative changes, can have many ripple effects or as some of us in the industry like to call it ‘unintended consequences’ [to quote a friend of mine from NABIP Indy – National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals].  There are likely to be some short term wins for many people on Medicare Supplements, however, there could be some very negative long term effects on everyone.  I’ll break it down for you here and share how it could impact you and your Medicare Supplement Plan.