Medicare Part B

On March 26, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced 41 prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part B that may have lower beneficiary coinsurances. From April 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024, some people with Medicare who take these drugs may save between $1 and $3,575 per average dose, depending on the beneficiary’s coverage. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, drug companies that raise their drug prices faster than the rate of inflation are required to pay a rebate to Medicare. Starting April 1, 2023, Medicare beneficiaries may pay a lower coinsurance for certain Part B drugs if the drug’s price increases...

On Friday, October 28, 2022, CMS issued a final rule that simplifies Medicare enrollment and eligibility rules, extends coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for certain beneficiaries, and finalizes changes to improve state payment of Medicare premiums. Beginning January 1, 2023, individuals applying for Medicare premium Part A and Part B during the last three months of their Initial Enrollment Period or during the General Enrollment Period will have their coverage start the month after they enroll, reducing delays in coverage. The rule also allows certain Medicare special enrollment periods (SEPs) to permit Medicare Part B coverage without a late enrollment penalty.

Justice in Aging's fact sheet, Adding Dental to Medicare Part B: 31 Million Low-Income Enrollees Would Gain Access to Medicare Coverage, describes how millions of low-income Medicare enrollees and Medicare enrollees of color would gain access to coverage if a dental benefit is added to Medicare Part B.

This white paper discusses the issue of dental insurance coverage. Traditional Medicare does not include coverage for routine oral health care, creating disparities in access to checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, or restorative procedures, tooth extractions and dentures. This paper recommends a Medicare Part B dental benefit to close the gap between uninsured and insured older adults and proposes a theoretical structure for the benefit.