Health
La inscripción abierta de Medicare finaliza el 7 de diciembre: Comparar opciones de cobertura podría ahorrarle dinero
Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Si está inscrito en Medicare, es importante recordar que la Inscripción Abierta de Medicare es hasta el 7 de diciembre de cada año. Es el momento para que las personas con Medicare comparen sus opciones de cobertura médica y de medicamentos recetados para el próximo año.
Es importante comparar sus opciones porque los planes pueden cambiar cada año; incluso su elección actual puede estar cambiando. Sus necesidades de salud también pueden cambiar. Al comparar todas sus opciones, podría ahorrar dinero, encontrar una opción de cobertura que se adapte mejor a sus necesidades, o ambas cosas.
Cómo comparar opciones de cobertura médica y de medicamentos recetados
La fuente oficial de información sobre Medicare y la Inscripción Abierta es Es.Medicare.gov. Es posible que vea información de inscripción de varias compañías de seguros y otras fuentes. Comience en Es.Medicare.gov para obtener información imparcial y encontrar el tipo de cobertura que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades.
Comparar opciones de cobertura médica y de medicamentos recetados es fácil en Es.Medicare.gov. Puede ingresar la lista de medicamentos que está tomando y realizar una comparación en paralelo de la cobertura del plan, los costos y el nivel de calidad. Si está satisfecho con su elección actual, no tiene que hacer nada. Si elige una nueva opción para 2024, podrá inscribirse allí mismo.
Antes de inscribirse en un plan, considere lo siguiente:
- Verifique si sus proveedores de atención médica están en la red de un plan.
- Verifique si sus recetas médicas están incluidas en el formulario de un plan y si el plan trabaja con su farmacia.
- Consulte el número de estrellas de su plan en Es.Medicare.gov para ver su desempeño en calidad, servicio al cliente y más.
- Recuerde que es posible que las primas mensuales bajas no siempre sean el mejor valor general para sus necesidades específicas.
- Revise los costos totales estimados de un plan para usted, incluya el deducible y otros costos de bolsillo.
- Verifique si los planes Medicare Advantage ofrecen beneficios adicionales, como cobertura de visión, audición o dental, si necesita estos servicios.
- Recuerde que es posible que necesite una autorización previa para algunos servicios de los planes Medicare Advantage.
Ahorro en costos de vacunas, insulina y medicamentos
Las mejoras al programa de Medicare ofrecen ahorros y un mejor acceso a tratamientos asequibles gracias a la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación.
- Insulina: Si tiene Medicare y usa insulina, no pagará más de $35 por el suministro mensual de cada insulina cubierta. Esto incluye a las personas que tienen cobertura de medicamentos de Medicare Parte D y todas las insulinas cubiertas por la Parte B.
- Vacunas: Las personas con cobertura de medicamentos de Medicare no pagarán nada de su bolsillo por las vacunas para adultos, incluida la vacuna contra el herpes zóster, recomendadas por el Comité Asesor sobre Prácticas de Inmunización de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades.
- Ahorros en costos de medicamentos: En 2024, las personas inscritas en la Parte D que tienen costos de medicamentos verán un alivio en estos gastos. Cuando lleguen a cierta cantidad de pagos directos de bolsillo (lo que llamamos la fase catastrófica), ya no tendrán costos compartidos ni copagos en las farmacias.
Medicare puede ayudar
Para comparar opciones y encontrar la mejor cobertura que se ajuste a sus necesidades:
- Visite Es.Medicare.gov y realice comparaciones de costos y cobertura en paralelo.
- Llame al 1-800-MEDICARE. La ayuda está disponible las 24 horas del día, incluidos los fines de semana.
- Acceda a asesoramiento personalizado sobre seguros médicos en su comunidad sin costo, disponible en su Programa Estatal de Asistencia sobre Seguros Médicos (State Health Insurance Assistance Program, SHIP por sus siglas en inglés). Visite shiphelp.org (enlace en inglés) o llame al 1-800-MEDICARE para conocer las ubicaciones cercanas a usted.
Opciones de Medicare
Hay dos formas principales de obtener cobertura de Medicare: Medicare Original y Medicare Advantage (planes aprobados por Medicare de empresas privadas). Existen diferencias entre los dos que es importante comprender al revisar sus opciones de cobertura.
- Con Medicare Original usted obtiene atención médica a través de las Partes A y B de Medicare. Puede inscribirse en un plan de medicamentos separado para obtener la cobertura de medicamentos de Medicare (también llamada Parte D). Y puede visitar a cualquier médico que acepte Medicare en cualquier lugar de los EE. UU.
- Medicare Advantage es una alternativa que generalmente combina su cobertura de salud y medicamentos en un solo plan. Algunos planes pueden ofrecer beneficios adicionales que Medicare Original no cubre, como ciertos servicios dentales, de visión y de audición. En muchos casos, solo puede utilizar médicos que estén en la red del plan.
Si es nuevo en Medicare o necesita revisar las formas en que puede obtener su cobertura de Medicare, visite Es.Medicare.gov y haga clic en “Comenzar con Medicare”.
Ayuda adicional con los costos de medicamentos recetados
Si tiene dificultades con los costos de los medicamentos recetados, Ayuda Adicional es un programa de Medicare que puede ayudarlo a pagar las primas, los deducibles, el coseguro y otros costos de su cobertura de medicamentos (Parte D). Si gana menos de $22,000 al año ($30,000 para parejas casadas), vale la pena presentar la solicitud. Visite ssa.gov/es/medicare/part-d-extra-help o llame a la Administración del Seguro Social al 1-800-772-1213 para presentar la solicitud. El programa se ampliará para cubrir más costos de medicamentos para personas con recursos limitados en 2024. Las personas que califican para la Ayuda Adicional generalmente no pagarán más de $4.50 por cada medicamento genérico y $11.20 por cada medicamento de marca.
Información proporcionada por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos
Fotos cortesía de Getty Images
SOURCE:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
health and wellness
Zepbound Linked to Lower Healthcare Costs in Adults 55+ With Obesity, Real-World Study Suggests
A new real-world study of adults over age 55 with overweight or obesity found that sustained use of Zepbound (tirzepatide) for weight management was associated with lower healthcare costs over time compared with similar adults who were not treated. Eli Lilly and Company said the findings were driven in part by lower rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and were published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
What the study found
According to Lilly, researchers estimated healthcare cost differences over time (excluding the cost of Zepbound itself) using two established analytic methods. Across both approaches, monthly healthcare costs were lower, on average, among older adults who stayed on Zepbound.
Key estimates reported in the release include:
- At six months: costs were up to 15% lower (up to $181 per patient, per month).
- At 12 months: the estimated difference widened to as much as $607 per patient, per month, reflecting up to 38% lower costs than those not treated (estimates varied by model).
In the primary analysis, adults over 55 treated with Zepbound had lower rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits across every follow-up period, along with numerically higher rates of routine outpatient and office visitsa pattern the company said was consistent with greater engagement in routine care.
Why Medicare is part of the conversation
Lilly said the cost findings may be relevant for older adults, including those in Medicares GLP-1 Bridge program. The company noted that beginning at six months, estimated healthcare savings nearly covered the programs monthly treatment cost of $195 per patient, per month, and by 12 months the estimated savings exceeded the reported monthly treatment cost.
Its important to note the release also emphasizes a limitation: claims data do not capture Zepbounds net price, and the study excluded the cost of Zepbound from total treatment costs. That means the reported differences reflect potential savings elsewhere in care that could offset treatment costs, not the full net cost impact.
Who was included in the analysis
The retrospective observational cohort study used Komodos Healthcare Map, a database of de-identified claims data from more than 330 million individuals enrolled in U.S. healthcare plans. The analysis included 15,843 adults over age 55 (mean age 64.5) with obesity or overweight plus at least one obesity-related complication who initiated Zepbound between November 2023 and September 2025. Each Zepbound user was matched 1:1 with a control participant who met the same eligibility criteria but did not initiate GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist medication.
What Zepbound is
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have at least one weight-related medical problem, to lose weight and keep it off. Lilly also noted Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, and should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Safety summary (high level)
The release includes an indications and safety summary with warnings. Among other risks, Lilly notes Zepbound carries a warning about thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer, and may cause serious side effects such as severe stomach problems, dehydration leading to kidney problems, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, and low blood sugar (especially when used with certain diabetes medicines). Patients should talk with a healthcare provider about risks and whether the medication is appropriate for them.
Related Links
- Zepbound (official product site): https://zepbound.lilly.com/
- Lilly newsroom: https://www.lilly.com/news
- Journal page (publisher hub): https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14631326
- Medicare (official): https://www.medicare.gov/
- FDA MedWatch (side effect reporting): https://www.fda.gov/medwatch
Source
- PRNewswire / Eli Lilly and Company press release (Aug. 26, 2026): Zepbound linked to lower healthcare costs in adults over age 55 with obesity according to a real-world study
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(Feature Impact) When it comes to stroke, time matters. Recognizing the warning signs and calling 911 quickly can help with receiving time-sensitive, life-saving treatment. Recovery should begin early, too.
Having a stroke can divide life into a stark before and after, affecting many aspects of daily life. While it’s easy to focus on the things a stroke can take away, it’s important to remember there’s life after stroke. Recovery isn’t just about relearning skills. It’s about adapting to new challenges, finding purpose in a different reality and continuing to move forward.
Navigating the aftermath of a stroke means balancing short-term and long-term plans. Once medically stable, rehabilitation should ideally begin within 48 hours, according to the 2026 Guideline for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery from the American Stroke Association. Recovery doesn’t have a fixed end. Meaningful progress can continue for months or years after survivors leave the hospital or complete formal therapy.
“Stroke rehabilitation is complicated,” said Lorie Gage Richards, Ph.D., FAHA, volunteer chair of the new guideline, associate professor at the University of Utah and an occupational therapist. “Each person faces a different set of challenges and care should be personalized to fit each person’s needs. The goal is to help individuals gain as much independence as possible to perform everyday activities while improving their overall quality of life.”
Approximately 800,000 people have a stroke each year in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself or supporting someone you love, connecting with a coordinated healthcare team is an important first step. Ask about a comprehensive assessment, develop a rehabilitation plan based on what matters to you and set small, achievable goals throughout recovery.
Building Skills and Independence
After a stroke, familiar parts of a daily routine may take more effort or require a new approach. A rehabilitation team can assess how stroke has affected movement, communication, thinking, vision, hearing and other abilities then develop a plan based on individual needs and goals.
Recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. For one person, a meaningful goal may be dressing independently. For others, it could be returning to work, driving safely or participating in favorite activities. Start with manageable goals, evaluate progress and reassess the plan as needs change.
Understanding the Invisible Impacts
Some of the most challenging parts of recovery may be the ones others can’t see. For instance, you might lose confidence or sense of identity, have trouble concentrating or experience anxiety or depression. Along with mental and emotional changes, you may notice ongoing physical symptoms like pain, difficulty sleeping, changes in sexual function or difficulty with bladder control.
Invisible challenges don’t have to stay that way. Ask your healthcare team to assess your physical and emotional health, including depression and anxiety, during the hospital stay and throughout recovery. Speaking up about new or changing symptoms can help identify appropriate treatment and support.
Navigating Changing Relationships
When you have a stroke, your life isn’t the only one that changes. A partner, parent or friend may suddenly take on new responsibilities, making honest conversations about support especially important.
Family responsibilities may also look different. Parenting young children, supporting loved ones or balancing work and family can bring new challenges during recovery. Give yourself permission to slow down, accept care and connect with the people who matter most.
Finding Purpose and Redefining Success
Recreation, hobbies, social connections and other meaningful activities are an important part of recovery and can help people regain confidence, participate in their communities and improve quality of life. That may mean returning to music, art, exercise or time with friends. It could also mean modifying favorite activities, discovering new interests or connecting with a support group.
Life after stroke may look different, but different doesn’t mean less meaningful. Recovery isn’t measured by how closely someone returns to who they were before. It’s about finding new ways to pursue what matters most and continuing to move forward.
Learn more about recognizing stroke, preparing for rehabilitation and adjusting to life after stroke by visiting Stroke.org.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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Health
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips you can use to make your home safer all year round.
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
(Feature Impact) Outsmarting a baby can be harder than it sounds – especially when it comes to transforming your home into a safe place for them to explore. Through their eyes, a coffee table becomes a climbing opportunity, a dangling phone charger looks like a teething toy and a cabinet of cleaning supplies could be an exciting travel destination.
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips to make your home safer all year round.
Install Gates and Doorknob Covers
Crawling babies and stairs are a bad combination. Make sure the two never have the chance to meet by securely installing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to thwart young explorers. Gates or doorknob covers can also block access to other rooms and areas you’d prefer to keep off limits, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Use Safety Latches Wisely
Cabinets and drawers can contain a myriad of dangerous items, from cleaning products to sharp objects and medications. Even if you have rooms gated off, treat safety latches and locked storage receptacles as a second line of defense to make sure babies and toddlers can’t rummage where they shouldn’t.
Stress-Test Furniture
As babies and toddlers transition from crawling to walking, they often try using furniture to pull themselves up. Tall or unstable objects like TV stands, small tables and bookshelves can tip over if they aren’t properly secured. Try giving these objects a shake to see whether they’re easily moveable or wobbly; if so, anchor them to the floor or wall when possible. While you’re at it, check for sharp corners at the right height to bonk little heads and cover them with softer edge protectors.
Cover Outlets and Stow Cords
Electrical outlets can be tempting targets for curious fingers. Outfit them with covers or plastic safety caps, especially if you don’t already have tamper-resistant receptacles with built-in mechanisms to block foreign objects from entering the slots. As you’re going about your outlet audit, pay attention to cords as well. When possible, tuck them away or secure them with cord organizing systems, and block access to objects like lamps where cords can be used for tugging and toppling.
See the World at Their Level
Although it might feel silly, one of the best ways to spot hazards around your home is to scout for them from a baby’s perspective. Try getting as close to the floor as you can then look around each room for anything that could interest a young child and pose potential danger. In particular, keep an eye out for small objects that could become choking hazards, like dropped coins, batteries or loose toy pieces.
As children grow, so do the needs of your space. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more ideas on designing your home to fit your family.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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