Insomnia is common in older adults, and many of the seniors you counsel may not realize how much it affects their health. A quick wake‑up during the night such as getting up to use the bathroom is normal. Most people fall back asleep within a few minutes. But when it regularly takes longer than normal to fall asleep or return to sleep, it becomes a problem that can lead to bigger issues like daytime fatigue, poor concentration, increased fall risk, and reduced quality of life

The QMB group provides Medicare coverage of Part A and Part B premiums and cost sharing to low-income Medicare beneficiaries (QMBs). In 2023, more than 8 million individuals (more than 1 out of 8 Medicare beneficiaries) were in the QMB group. It is important to note that Federal law prohibits Medicare providers and suppliers, including pharmacies, from billing individuals in the QMB group for Medicare cost sharing . Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the QMB group have no leg

Happy New Year, Pharmacists! With Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment happening now through March 31, it’s a great time to check in with your patients to see if their coverage is working for them. Whether they switched to a new MA plan last fall or kept the same one, this is the perfect chance to help them review their plan and find one that better fits their needs, if necessary. During this enrollment period, beneficiaries can: Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to anoth

As we prepare for the new year, now is a good time to remind your patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) about the upcoming Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31. During this time, beneficiaries can review their Medicare Part C plan coverage to ensure it meets their health needs and make a change if needed. They can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, with or without drug coverage. Additionally, they can drop their

Medicare fraud is not without consequences. Engaging in illegal kickbacks, such as paying or receiving payments for referrals, can lead to serious penalties. These penalties include prison time and hefty fines under the Anti-Kickback Statute, as well as other Medicare and Medicaid Fraud laws. Recently, a Georgia man was sentenced to 46 months in prison and ordered to repay $7.2 million to Medicare for his role in a conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks. The scheme i

The Alabama Department of Senior Services has released its December menu for the Elderly Nutrition Program, offering seniors across the state balanced meals designed to support health and wellness. Eligible seniors can access meals at participating senior centers across the state. Those who are homebound may qualify for home delivery. To qualify for the program, participants must be adults aged 60 or older, their spouses, or certain individuals with disabilities living with t

Happy Thanksgiving to our pharmacy community! We are grateful for your dedication to patient care, and we are excited to share that the latest issue of our newsletter is now available. Inside, you will find updates on how shared clinical decision-making is expanding to more vaccines, practical tips to spot and prevent Medicare prescription drug fraud, fun facts, and more. We hope you enjoy the read.

Medicare Fraud is an important issue that often goes undiscussed. We want to offer you a valuable resource to help protect yourself from Medicare Fraud. You play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the Medicare Program. To fight fraud and abuse, it's essential to understand how to shield your organization from engaging in improper practices and violations of civil or criminal laws. This booklet provides tools to help safeguard the Medicare Program, your patients, a

The Alabama Elderly Nutrition Program has released its November menu , offering a variety of nutritious meals to help seniors stay healthy throughout the month. Meals are available at participating senior centers across Alabama, and homebound seniors may qualify for home delivery. Eligible participants include adults aged 60 or older, their spouses, and certain individuals with disabilities living with them. Participants can locate their local senior center or enroll in the p

The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period kicked off on October 15 and will run through December 7. This is a great opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries to review their current plans and make changes if needed. During this time, beneficiaries can: Switch from Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, or vice versa. Join, drop, or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another (with or without prescription coverage). Join, drop, or switch from one Medicare Prescript