Latest news with #Medicare-eligible
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Homeward and Meijer Launch Rural Health Partnership to Expand Care Access for Michiganders
SAN MATEO, Calif. & GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Homeward®, a technology-enabled rural health platform dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare in rural America, today announced a strategic partnership with Meijer, a privately owned, family-operated Midwest retailer, to improve healthcare access and care coordination for Medicare-eligible residents across the state. Rural Michiganders face significant health and economic disparities compared to those living in urban areas, with lower median household incomes, fewer primary care providers, and higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes. The lack of reliable broadband access may limit their ability to participate in virtual care, while higher levels of food insecurity and reduced access to specialized services underscore the need for improved healthcare solutions in rural communities. To address these needs, Homeward and Meijer are partnering to make healthcare more accessible for seniors across Michigan. Through this partnership, eligible Meijer pharmacy customers will gain access to comprehensive health management support, including help with coordinating preventive care, simplifying medication access, and addressing social factors that impact their overall well-being. The Homeward Navigation™ platform will leverage advanced analytics to connect eligible seniors to the right care and local resources, with the goal of effectively addressing social determinants of health and improving holistic health outcomes. Research shows Medicare beneficiaries visit the pharmacy nearly twice as often as they visit their primary care physician, building on research supporting the benefits of integrating pharmacists into care teams. With Homeward members in Michigan already frequenting Meijer pharmacies, the partnership leverages Meijer's strong presence across the state, particularly in rural areas, to make healthcare more accessible. In addition to Meijer's established footprint in rural counties of the Upper Peninsula, all 43 Lower Peninsula counties served by Homeward have a Meijer pharmacy either within the county or in an adjacent county. 'We are proud to partner with Meijer, a trusted, family-owned retailer deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Grocers and pharmacies are among the most frequented and trusted places in rural areas, and our partnership will make care delivery and support more convenient and accessible across rural Michigan,' said Co-Founder and CEO of Homeward, Dr. Jennifer Schneider. 'This partnership underscores Homeward's commitment to meeting the unique needs of each community by building tailored care models that make it easier for people to access the quality care they need to get and stay healthy.' By meeting people where they live and shop, this collaboration helps bridge critical gaps in care, ensuring rural Michiganders receive the support they need to lead healthier lives. 'At Meijer, we are committed to delivering services and products that enhance the well-being of our customers and communities. This includes rural areas that experience limited access to healthcare and healthy foods,' said Jackie Morse, Group Vice President for Meijer Pharmacy & Health. 'Through our partnership with Homeward, we are enhancing care coordination for rural Michiganders, helping them navigate healthcare services, access the support they need, and address key social determinants of health. By fostering better collaboration between patients and healthcare providers, this partnership ensures patients receive high quality, coordinated care.' For more information about Homeward, its services in Michigan, and eligibility, visit For more information about Meijer and a list of locations, visit About Meijer Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting About Homeward Homeward is rearchitecting rural healthcare by pairing AI-native infrastructure with deeply human services. As the only AI-native platform built specifically for rural populations, we partner with payers and providers to extend clinical capacity, close care gaps, and deliver population-level outcomes at scale—improving health, reducing costs, and restoring trust in care where it's needed most. As a public benefit corporation and B Corp™ certified company, Homeward's mission and business model are aligned to address the healthcare, economic, and demographic challenges that make it harder for rural Americans to stay healthy. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CVS opens new center offering primary care, pharmacy in one building
(WJET/WFXP)– CVS has opened the doors to a new first-of-its-kind center for Erie, allowing seniors to make the trip to their primary care doctor and pick up their prescriptions in one spot, the company announced Tuesday. The new Erie center, located at 1535 West 26th Street, has a full-service pharmacy alongside an Oak Street Health primary care center for Medicare-eligible adults in a move CVS said will help address patient care gaps. Pet owners will soon be able to honor pets at new Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden Additionally, the center offers social activities in their community room for older adults and free rides to appointments to eligible patients courtesy of Oak Street Health. The full pharmacy will remain open to the public, offering prescription filling, vaccinations, and other pharmacy services to anyone who uses CVS Pharmacy. Tickets now available Erie Zoo's centennial Mane Event 'With the integration of Oak Street Health, we look forward to working as part of a patient's broader care team, collaborating with Oak Street Health providers to help patients manage their medications, identify potential ways to save on prescription costs, and provide recommended vaccinations and adherence support,' said Himaswetha Bharatha, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager, CVS Pharmacy. Similar centers have also been opened in Harrisburg and Norristown, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
/U P D A T E -- Cizzle Bio/
In the news release, ASCO Study Abstract Shows Cizzle Bio's CIZ1B Biomarker Test for Lung Cancer Could Save $518M in Annual Medicare Costs, issued 22-May-2025 by Cizzle Bio over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company of an update to the release. The complete, updated release with a direct link to the abstract follows: CHICAGO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cizzle Bio, Inc. announced today the online publication of a new study abstract in conjunction with the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, projecting that its proprietary CIZ1B biomarker blood test for early-stage lung cancer could save the U.S. Medicare program up to $518 million annually. Co-authored by healthcare economist Jennifer Hinkel, the study models how integrating CIZ1B into lung cancer screening for high-risk Medicare populations could lower healthcare costs, reduce unnecessary procedures, and increase early-stage lung cancer detection. Breakthrough Blood Test Expands Access and Reduces Costs The CIZ1B biomarker test was developed from more than 30 years of research into the CIZ1 gene at the University of York, identifying the CIZ1B protein variant and its strong association with early-stage lung cancer. With 95% sensitivity for Stage I detection and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) at 96%, the test can detect lung cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Cizzle Bio is preparing for the commercial launch of CIZ1B in U.S. clinical environments in the coming months. "Our economic models project that the CIZ1B test has the potential to be not only a clinical advance but a significant economic win for the healthcare system when implemented as part of lung cancer screening in high-risk, eligible Medicare populations," said Hinkel, a researcher in health economics and oncology outcomes. "By enabling earlier diagnoses and early intervention with less costly treatment, CIZ1B has the potential to make lung cancer screening more accurate, accessible, and sustainable, especially for Medicare patients." Improves Lung Cancer Screening with Economic Impact While low-dose CT (LDCT) is a clinically recommended method for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals (such as those with a significant smoking history), only 4% to 6% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries undergo the procedure. The new study demonstrates that incorporating the CIZ1B biomarker blood test into lung cancer screening protocols could significantly reduce both the financial and clinical burdens currently associated with using LDCT alone. The model hypothesized that introduction of a blood-based biomarker test such as CIZ1B would enable a 15% increase in lung cancer screening participation among Medicare-eligible high-risk individuals by reducing access barriers associated with LDCT screening including travel, availability, and radiation exposure concerns. The study modeled that this expanded access could identify many more lung cancer cases at an earlier stage, especially in underserved populations, than screening with LDCT alone at the current participation rates. "Greater participation in screening programs is critical to shifting lung cancer diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages," added Hinkel. "We have been challenged to move the needle on screening rates solely through education of clinicians and patients, and we know that barriers such as travel time to reach a CT scan appointment, or fear of extra radiation exposure and the risk of a biopsy procedure, can discourage patients from participating—even when there is so much benefit to catching cancer early. Because it is a simple blood test, CIZ1B testing can reach more patients where they are. Implementing cancer screening through a blood test like this can drive a real change toward better outcomes and lower costs in Medicare patients, which is very meaningful." As a significant component of saving costs, the model projects that CIZ1B biomarker testing can reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies by improving screening specificity, or reducing false positives. LDCT often detects nodules that are visually suspicious, requiring a follow-up biopsy procedure, even though 96% of these procedures are on nodules that are found to be non-cancerous. Avoiding these invasive procedures not only reduces direct healthcare costs but also minimizes patient anxiety and complications. "This publication is a significant milestone for Cizzle Bio," said Bill Behnke, founder and chief executive officer of Cizzle Bio. "Our mission is to make early lung cancer detection easier, more accurate, and more widely accessible. These findings strengthen the case for CIZ1B as a cornerstone of the future lung cancer screening paradigm." The abstract is available online in conjunction with the ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting and can be accessed via About Cizzle Bio, Inc. Cizzle Bio is a Texas-based biotechnology company dedicated to revolutionizing cancer diagnostics by pioneering biomarker-based blood tests, starting with early detection of lung and gastric cancer. Our goal is to empower patients, equip clinicians, and improve outcomes through innovation, compassion, and life-saving solutions. We hold exclusive licensing rights for our groundbreaking CIZ1B biomarker test in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean and a worldwide exclusive license for our DEX-G2 biomarker gastric cancer test. Cizzle Bio is commercializing both tests for U.S. clinical environments, with CIZ1B set to launch in the coming months and DEX-G2 following later this Media Contact:Yolanda Heibergeryolanda@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cizzle Bio Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Dangerous Assumptions That Can Quickly Kill Your Retirement Savings
Numerous variables go into every retirement projection, making it an inexact science at best. This is why it always pays to allow for some wiggle room when it comes to forecasting your future retirement account balance. Be Aware: Try This: Just a few wrong assumptions about your retirement can dramatically affect your results, so it pays to consider a wide range of possible outcomes. Here are some of the most dangerous assumptions about retirement that could kill your savings fast, along with suggestions as to how to avoid falling into that trap. One of the biggest variables when it comes to outliving your money in retirement is how long you will live. Unfortunately, this is one of the least predictable variables in any retirement plan given a variety of long-term care needs. Any financial advisor would tell you that healthcare is one of the biggest expenses for seniors and needs to be greatly factored into your big-picture budget. If you build your entire plan around an assumption that you will live an 'average' lifespan, you might run out of money if you end up living a long life, or rather, 30 years or more after full retirement age. While you can make some educated guesses about how long you might live based on your family history and your personal lifestyle, always factor in the possibility that you might live much longer. Find Out: It's not just how long you will live but also about how healthy you will be. Healthcare and home care needs could greatly diminish your retirement savings faster than you think. According to last year's Retiree Health Cost Index, here are a few key takeaways: The two most common healthcare coverage options chosen by Medicare-eligible retirees are Medicare Advantage Part D (MAPD) and Original Medicare with Medigap plus Part D. A healthy 65-year-old male who retired in 2024 with an MAPD plan is projected to spend $128,000 on healthcare in his remaining lifetime. A female with the same coverage is projected to spend $147,000 in her remaining lifetime. The difference in cost is largely because women on average live longer than men. Under Original Medicare with Medigap plus Part D instead, these projections increase to $281,000 for a male and $320,000 for a female, or a combined total of $601,000 for a 65-year-old couple. In today's dollars (assuming a 3% investment return), this reflects that at least $395,000 in savings is needed. In many cases, expenses decrease for seniors after they retire. However, that's not an assumption on which to bank your whole retirement. If you live in a high-cost area or plan to 'live it up' in retirement — eating out often and traveling the world — your expenses may actually increase, which can impact any individual retirement account (IRA) negatively. Plan out your intended lifestyle long before you retire so that you build the appropriate expenses into your budget. Along with anticipated life expectancy, market returns are the most critical component of a long-term retirement projection. If you invest your account in a balanced portfolio and assume you'll generate a consistent 7% annual return, you might have a problem if markets hit a rough patch. While market averages may seem fairly smooth over the long run, over the short run, they can be anything but. From the start of 2000 through the end of 2009, for example, the S&P 500 index, which has a long-term average annual return of about 10%, posted a negative return, averaging a loss of -0.97% every year over that 'lost decade.' For the past 50 years, the U.S. has enjoyed relatively low inflation, averaging about 3.2%. In fact, from 2012 through 2020, the annual change in the rate of inflation never broke higher than 2.4%. However, over the past few years, the CPI has posted annual gains of 4.7%, 8.0%, 4.1% and 3.2%, respectively. While the Fed seemed to have inflation under control at the end of 2024, 2025 is looking like a much different story. You should factor in rising costs to your retirement projections to ensure inflation doesn't devour all of your savings. Many retirees plan on working after they formally retire, hoping to both boost their incomes in order to stretch out their 401(k)s and Roth IRAs and keep their minds occupied. However, you may be forced to retire, perhaps even earlier than you anticipate, due to physical limitations. In that case, your retirement income will be entirely dependent on your savings, supplemented by Social Security or any pension you may have. As working in retirement may not be possible for every senior, view it as a potential way to generate extra expendable income, not as the solution that will fund your entire retirement. Some workers assume that they'll receive an inheritance that will take care of their retirement needs, but that's a dangerous game. If you fall out of favor with your anticipated benefactor — or if they end up spending more of their money than they anticipate — you might be left with a shortfall that will be impossible to make up. Always build a retirement plan assuming you won't receive any outside gifts so that you're prepared for a worst-case scenario. If you do end up the heir to an inheritance, you can use that money to live a better lifestyle, relieve stress that you'll outlive your money or perhaps even donate it to a charity. Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates Surprising Items People Are Stocking Up On Before Tariff Pains Hit: Is It Smart? Clever Ways To Save Money That Actually Work in 2025 5 Little-Known Ways to Make Summer Travel More Affordable 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on 7 Dangerous Assumptions That Can Quickly Kill Your Retirement Savings Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Health Line
08-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What AARP Part D Plans Are Offered in 2025?
AARP offers Medicare Part D plans through UnitedHealthcare. Individuals do not have to be AARP members to enroll in these plans. UnitedHealthcare partners with AARP to offer Medicare-eligible individuals two types of stand-alone Part D plans. These plans help cover the costs of prescription medications. According to the nonprofit KFF, the estimated number of enrollees in AARP Part D plans in 2025 is around 2.8 million people. This makes the AARP and UnitedHealthcare partnership one of the most popular collaborations for stand-alone Part D plans. The costs of these plans may vary based on an individual's location. Out-of-pocket costs may include premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Glossary of common Medicare terms Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount you pay for care when Medicare doesn't pay the full cost or offer coverage. It includes premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Premium: This is the monthly amount you pay for Medicare coverage. Deductible: This is the annual amount you must spend out of pocket before Medicare begins to cover services and treatments. Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs you're responsible for paying out of pocket. With Medicare Part B, you typically pay 20%. AARP Part D plan coverage in 2025 All Medicare Part D plans, including AARP plans, have formularies (drug lists) that tell what drugs they cover. AARP formularies are categorized into 5 different tiers: Tier 1: includes preferred generic drugs Tier 2: includes other generic drugs Tier 3: includes preferred brand-name drugs Tier 4: non-preferred drugs Tier 5: specialty drugs The copayments and coinsurance vary by tier and whether you use a preferred pharmacy. AARP Part D plan costs in 2025 The costs of AARP Part D plans can vary depending on: your location your medications your pharmacy (preferred pharmacies offer more savings) When choosing a Part D plan, it is important to keep in mind that you will still be responsible for paying the Medicare Part A premium, if you have one, and the Part B premium of at least $185 per month. You also have to pay the Part A and Part B deductibles. Part D plans will also include costs like premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. KFF notes that the monthly premium for the AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plan has decreased by $10 from the 2024 amount. The following table gives examples of the 2025 monthly costs for AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plans in four different cities across the United States. New York (ZIP code: 10002) Atlanta (ZIP code: 30308) Denver (ZIP code: 80204) Seattle (ZIP code: 98107) Monthly premium $113.70 $100 $104.70 $83.80 Deductible $0 $0 $0 $0 Tier 1: Preferred generic drugs • preferred network pharmacy: $5 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $13 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $5 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $13 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $5 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $13 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $5 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $13 copay (30-day supply) Tier 2: Generic drugs • preferred network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-day supply) • standard network pharmacy: $18 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $18 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $18 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $18 copay (30-day supply) Tier 3: Preferred brand drugs $47 copay (30-day supply) $47 copay (30-day supply) $47 copay (30-day supply) $47 copay (30-day supply) Tier 4: Non-preferred drugs • preferred network pharmacy: 40% of the cost (30-day supply) • standard network pharmacy: 45% of the cost (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: 40% of the cost (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: 45% of the cost (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: 40% of the cost (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: 45% of the cost (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: 40% of the cost (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: 45% of the cost (30-day supply) Tier 5: Specialty drugs 33% of the cost (30-day supply) 33% of the cost (30-day supply) 33% of the cost (30-day supply) 33% of the cost (30-day supply) The following table shows examples of 2025 costs for the AARP Medicare Rx Saver plan in the same four cities. New York (ZIP code: 10002) Atlanta (ZIP code: 30308) Denver (ZIP code: 80204) Seattle (ZIP code: 98107) Monthly premium $128.10 $82 $96.30 $37.40 Deductible (annual) $590 $590 $590 $590 Tier 1: Preferred generic drugs • preferred network pharmacy: $2 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $2 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $2 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $2 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-day supply) Tier 2: Generic drugs • preferred network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: $8 copay (30-daysupply) • standard network pharmacy: $10 copay (30-day supply) Tier 3: Preferred brand drugs 16% of the cost (30-day supply) 17% of the cost (30-day supply) 18% of the cost (30-day supply) 18% of the cost (30-day supply) Tier 4: Non-preferred drugs • preferred network pharmacy: 40% of the cost (30-day supply) • standard network pharmacy: 43% of the cost (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: 44% of the cost (30-day supply) • standard network pharmacy: 47% of the cost (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: 43% of the cost (30-day supply) • standard network pharmacy: 46% of the cost (30-day supply) • preferred network pharmacy: 40% of the cost (30-day supply) • standard network pharmacy: 43% of the cost (30-day supply) Tier 5: Specialty drugs 25% of the cost (30-day supply) 25% of the cost (30-day supply) 25% of the cost (30-day supply) 25% of the cost (30-day supply) When choosing a plan, keep in mind that not all plans may have a preferred-network pharmacy in your area. Medicare plan search tool Medicare has its own online search tool. Using this tool, you can find Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in your area from various companies. You can search for plans by entering your ZIP code. This allows you to compare coverage and cost for various plans. Frequently asked questions Are prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D? Yes. Medicare Part D plans help cover the cost of prescription drugs. This includes both generic and brand-name medications. Yes. Medicare Part D plans help cover the cost of prescription drugs. This includes both generic and brand-name medications. Can you use AARP for prescriptions? AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to offer stand-alone Medicare Part D plans. There are two plans that both offer various coverage of prescriptions. AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to offer stand-alone Medicare Part D plans. There are two plans that both offer various coverage of prescriptions. What is AARP Medicare Rx preferred from UHC PDP? The AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plan from UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is one of the Medicare Part D plan options. These plans typically have higher monthly premiums but do not require you to pay an annual deductible before the plan begins paying for prescription drugs. The AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plan from UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is one of the Medicare Part D plan options. These plans typically have higher monthly premiums but do not require you to pay an annual deductible before the plan begins paying for prescription drugs. Get help from AARP–UnitedHealthcare If you have questions about AARP Medicare Part D plans, you can contact UnitedHealthcare: 866-984-0682 (TTY: 771) Find a UHC agent in your area What is Medicare Part D? Medicare Part D is a prescription drug plan. Part D plans help cover the costs of prescription drugs. Those who are eligible for Medicare typically have two options for Part D coverage: Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage stand-alone Part D plan to go alongside Original Medicare Costs for Part D plans vary by the insurance provider and your location. Some plans have deductibles you are required to meet before your plan starts paying. When your out-of-pocket costs reach $2,000, you automatically enter catastrophic coverage. This means you will pay nothing for your prescriptions for the rest of the year. »Learn more: Medicare Part D Takeaway AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to offer Medicare Part D plans. There are two plan options — the preferred plan and the saver plan. Costs and coverage may vary by the area you live in. You can find plan availability in your area by searching your ZIP code on either the AARP and UnitedHealthcare partnership website or the Medicare website.
