One of the challenges of selling Medicare products is getting clients up to speed on how the program works so they can evaluate their options and make a decision. In other words, it’s not as simple as giving them the rates for a few supplements or explaining the features and benefits of three different Advantage plans; instead, for beneficiaries new to Medicare, agents usually have to educate clients about what Medicare A and B are, how to sign up, how much they cost, and what type of options are available in addition to Original Medicare. That takes time.

It’s open enrollment time, and that means we’re seeing more insurance commercials than normal, especially those targeting Medicare beneficiaries. They’re nearly as annoying as the political ads we’ve been inundated with for months.

CMS has released the Medicare premium and cost sharing numbers for 2023, and it’s much better news than we received last year. For 2022, the standard Medicare Part B premium went up by more than $20 per month. For 2023, it’s actually going down a little. Finally, some good news!

In a rare unanimous vote, the House of Representatives has passed the “Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.” As reported by Medical Economics, the proposed law will “make it easier for senior patients to get care and improve health outcomes by modernizing the ‘antiquated’ prior authorization process” for the 28 million seniors currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.