There is a wide variation in health care costs, whether it’s imaging, prescription costs or even routine care.
For example, an MRI scan of the lumbar spine (low back area) costs around $277 at our facility versus $767 at Bayhealth (that’s almost 3 times more!)
Take a look at Delaware’s ‘CostAware’ for more pricing information. You’ll be surprised at the differences (not unusual for hospital facilities to be 3 to 6 times more than outpatient centers!)
Delaware Department of Insurance Medicare Assistance Bureau
As Medicare Open Enrollment approaches, the Delaware Department of Insurance and its Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) are sharing their annual consumer information update. From October 15 to December 7, consumers can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) or Medicare Advantage Plan. DMAB’s free, confidential, unbiased one-on-one assistance can help residents determine if making a coverage change is the right choice. In 2023, the team completed 5,207 counseling sessions, saving beneficiaries a combined $3.8 million.
When selecting 2025 coverage, there are important new options and changes to keep in mind. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a new payment option that works with a beneficiary’s current drug coverage to help manage out of-pocket Medicare Part D drug costs by spreading them across the calendar year. Starting in 2025, anyone with a Medicare drug plan or Medicare health plan with drug coverage (like a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage) can voluntarily use this payment option. If this payment option is selected, consumers will continue to pay their plan premium (if they have one) each month and will get a bill from the health or drug plan to pay for the prescription drugs instead of paying the pharmacy. There’s no cost to participate in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Additionally, in 2025 Part D enrollees’ out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,000. This amount will be indexed to rise each year after 2025 at the rate of growth in per capita Part D costs.
The general election campaign has commenced, spotlighting President Biden and former President Trump as the presumptive nominees for their respective parties and the currently viable contenders for the presidency. While this is not an election like in the past where health care reform is a central issue being debated, health care is an important issue for voters and Biden and Trump have sharply divergent records and positions. This side-by-side analysis serves as a quick resource for understanding each candidate’s record as president, positions, public statements, and proposed policies. It will be continuously updated as new information and policy details emerge throughout the campaign.
“Propublica’s Claim File Helper lets you customize a letter requesting the notes and documents your insurer used when deciding to deny you coverage. Get your claim file before submitting an appeal.”
CNMRI: Neurology, Sleep Medicine, MRI 