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.