Today

White House confirms $90 Medicare rebate checks as insurers cut Advantage plans

Good morning. The White House says about 21 million Medicare beneficiaries will receive one-time $90 payments to help offset Part B premiums. Reports explain who qualifies and where the money comes from, and note that the checks skip roughly 35 million Medicare Advantage members and 12 million low-income seniors. There are also questions about whether the president can make such Medicare and ACA changes without Congress.

At the same time, several major insurers are dropping or shrinking Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, leaving thousands of people unsure about their coverage. One large insurer and a health system also ended contract talks without a deal. With open enrollment approaching, this is a good moment to compare your options.

Other news touches nursing homes: staffing incentives, a large Medicare fraud arrest in Houston, and a court hearing over Advantage audits. Free workshops and comparison clinics are offered to help seniors sort through their choices.