What we're following

• •Medicare's December 7 deadline shapes next year's health costs The decisions seniors make before this date set their coverage and out-of-pocket costs for the coming year, so reviewing plans now matters. Read it
• •Medicare Advantage plans end January 1 for thousands of seniors With insurers dropping plans, many people will lose current coverage and must choose a new option to avoid gaps in care. Read it
• •Stand-alone Medicare drug plan premiums could jump 50% in 2027 Higher premiums and the reported end of zero-dollar plans mean seniors may pay noticeably more for their prescription coverage next year. Read it
• •A November 30 deadline could decide whether she can buy Medigap Separate, earlier deadlines can affect the right to buy Medigap supplemental coverage, so timing a switch carefully is important. Read it
• •Southern California doctor sentenced to prison for $45 million Medicare fraud The 15-year sentence shows the scale of Medicare fraud and the ongoing push to protect the program's money for patients. Read it