Summary: Elon MUSK’s DOGE is going after Medicare. Looking at Project 2025, the plan may be to privatize Medicare, i.e. Medicare Advantage (MA) default for all new participants; the existing traditional Medicare participants (Parts B, D and private Medigap) may be grandfathered. Major changes may require Congressional approval. It’s time to review traditional Medicare vs MA choice. It’s hard to go back from MA to traditional Medicare in many states as medical underwriting for Medigap may be required. Advance planning is necessary as the premiums (including IRMAA) depend on income 2 years prior; limited Roth conversions may help (tradeoff is current tax liability vs no RMDs or no taxes on withdrawals in future). Keep in mind that even at the highest IRMAA levels, there is some subsidy (and the highest Medicare premium are still much lower than private health insurance).
Barron's (subscription)
https://www.barrons.com/articles/medicare-trump-doge-cuts-316845c6
Comments
Too many US voters are absolutely as smart as a box of hammers. MAGA, anyone?
I'm particularly fearful that all of this crazy, illegal junk connected to the Orange coup will come to be viewed as just another "new normal."
Hmm. I wonder if the LTEs in the largest newspaper around here (LTEs extolling the virtues of MA and pleading for more "support" for it) are part of a campaign to sanewash the notion.