What's New

Medicare continues to fully cover updated COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to beneficiaries, provided they’re administered by Medicare-approved providers. This includes the latest 2024–2025 vaccines targeting Omicron variants like KP.2 and JN.1 from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax. In-home vaccination support also remains in place, offering additional payments to providers to reach homebound individuals—a key benefit for seniors with limited mobility or in long-term care.

Although CMS ended its vaccine mandate for healthcare staff in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities in mid-2023, facilities are still required to educate and offer COVID-19 vaccines. A new reporting requirement, item O0350 in the Minimum Data Set (MDS), helps track whether long-term care residents are “up-to-date” on COVID-19 vaccines as per CDC guidelines, reinforcing ongoing efforts to monitor vaccine uptake.

Vaccine policy has shifted under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has prompted the withdrawal of CDC booster recommendations for certain groups. While Medicare coverage remains unchanged for now, beneficiaries should stay alert to future policy changes and consult healthcare providers for the most current guidance.

Life insurance is more essential than ever, but in 2025 it’s also become a prime target for scammers. With more policies being sold and managed online, criminals are using AI-generated emails, fake websites, and spoofed phone calls to impersonate agents, file fraudulent claims, and steal personal information.

Common schemes include fake policy offers with low premiums and no real coverage, calls from imposters posing as insurers asking for Social Security numbers, and even cases of criminals impersonating beneficiaries to claim death benefits.

Protecting yourself starts with vigilance. Always verify an agent’s license through your state’s insurance department and confirm that your insurer is registered with the NAIC. Be cautious with unsolicited messages, and never click links or share sensitive information without confirming the sender’s legitimacy. If you suspect a scam, report it immediately to your insurer, your state insurance regulator, or the FTC. Life insurance should offer peace of mind—not open the door to fraud.

On July 4, 2025, lawmakers in Washington passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) , which includes several changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While the legislation is now official, many of the details are still being shaped through rulemaking, guidance, and state-level decisions. That means real-world impacts may shift as the law is rolled out. Here's a look at what the law includes so far and how it could affect individuals and families in the months ahead.

Key ACA Changes

1. Expiration of Subsidies

Enhanced premium tax credits, expanded under the American Rescue Plan and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act, are set to end in late 2025. Without renewal, premiums may rise — by up to 75% in some states.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates around 4.2 million people could lose coverage.

2. Enrollment Policy Changes

The bill proposes adjustments that could affect ACA sign-ups:

• A shorter enrollment window
• Ending automatic re-enrollment (affecting ~11 million people)
• Annual income and eligibility checks
• Revised access rules for certain legal immigrants

The CBO projects these changes could result in 3.1 million more people becoming uninsured.

3. Medicaid Reforms

Proposed changes to Medicaid include:

• Work requirements for some able-bodied adults
• Higher cost-sharing for those above the poverty line
• Tighter eligibility verification
• Reduced federal support for states covering undocumented immigrants
• Limits on funding for certain services, including gender-affirming care

The CBO projects these changes could lead to 7.8 million losing Medicaid coverage.