skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

REAL ID is now required for air travel in America; CT House passes comprehensive climate bill; U.S. veterans who hold elective office want environmental investments restored; ME conservation groups seek more protections for temporary wetlands.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Taxing millionaires could fund safety net programs, climate rollbacks raise national security concerns, India makes cross-border strikes in Kashmir, the Supreme Court backs transgender military ban, and government actions conflict with Indigenous land protections.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

DOGE is gutting a 30-year old national service program, cuts are likely but Head Start may be spared elimination in the next budget, moms are the most vulnerable when extreme weather hits and there's a croaking sound coming from rural California.

Tips for Idahoans: Picking the best Medicare plan

play audio
Play

Monday, October 21, 2024   

It is the time of year when people can shop around and make sure they are signed up for the health coverage that makes the most sense for them.

Open enrollment for Medicare lasts through Dec. 7, an important date for more than 378,000 enrolled Idahoans.

Colleen Clark, program supervisor of the State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program, which helps people with enrollment, has tips for how people can save money while looking at plans.

"The key is making sure that you get a plan that best meets your needs because you don't want to have unexpected costs, like find out that your favorite doctor is out of network or that the medications you have aren't covered," Clark explained. "That tends to be where we find the highest costs."

Clark noted plans can change from year to year and so it's important to stay on top of them. She added people can reach out to her program to speak with a counselor about their options. The program's number is 1-800-247-4422.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said Medicare enrollees should also consider advantage plans.

"Things like dental, vision and hearing," Randall outlined. "Many Medicare beneficiaries might be surprised to know that original Medicare doesn't cover most of those things, but many Medicare Advantage plans do. I also recommend people to check for mental health coverage."

About 47% of Idahoans on Medicare have advantage plans. UnitedHealthcare also offers an online guide for navigating Medicare.

Clark noted the max out-of-pocket costs for prescription drug plans is lowering from $8,000 dollars to $2,000 next year. She pointed out people can also look into Medicare prescription payment plans.

"This is something new for 2025," Clark emphasized. "It allows folks that might have higher drug costs at the beginning of the year to spread out those monthly payments at the capped rate rather than having to pay the pharmacy directly at the beginning of the year with large costs."

Meanwhile, open enrollment dates vary for other types of health plans. People with employer-sponsored coverage typically select a plan during a two-to-three week period between September and December. And open enrollment for plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace generally runs from November 1 to January 15 in most states. More information is available at www.UHCOpenEnrollment.com.




Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
As of 2023, half of likely undocumented immigrant adults and one in five lawfully present immigrant adults reported being uninsured, compared with less than one in 10 naturalized citizens and U.S.-born citizen adults, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

State lawmakers in Arizona are considering legislation to mandate hospitals to ask patients whether they are in the country legally. Rep. John …


Social Issues

play sound

As the national debate intensifies over cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits and school meal funding, Missouri food system leaders are …

Social Issues

play sound

For now, Minnesota officials say panic has eased over federal funding for a program helping low-income households with their energy bills but there …


Illinois residents pay the second-highest gasoline taxes in the country, according to WalletHub. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

High taxes and a weak economy are the top concerns of Illinois residents according to a new poll, with nearly half of those surveyed saying they …

play sound

Air pollution in Washington is getting worse, according to a new report citing transportation emissions as the primary culprit. Eight of the 12 …

Overdraft fees originated during a time when consumers wrote and cashed checks more frequently so the checks would clear instead of bouncing. The amount of the fees has increased over time. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Congress has overturned legislation which would have limited bank overdraft fees before the measure could go into effect. The Consumer Financial …

Social Issues

play sound

Reports of the Trump administration considering taxing wealthy Americans to pay for mass deportations and other priorities come on the heels of a new …

Social Issues

play sound

Protections for Indigenous rock art in Wyoming are in limbo after state lawmakers and the Trump administration took potentially conflicting actions re…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021