skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Medicare open enrollment: Tips to help older West Virginians select plans

play audio
Play

Tuesday, October 15, 2024   

Medicare open enrollment begins today and for West Virginians over 65, this season is a time to reconsider their health care needs.

More than 450,000 West Virginia residents rely on Medicare for health care according to the health research organization KFF.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said Medicare plans can be complex, so it is best to start comparing them now, adding the deadline to enroll is Dec. 7.

"A lot can change in a year," Randall, pointed out. "You want to consider, are your current benefit plans still meeting your health care needs and your budget needs, and has anything changed with your plan?"

Randall also recommended checking plans for mental health coverage. According to America's Health Rankings, more than 10% of adults age 65 and older said their mental health was not good 14 or more days in the past month. Websites such as JustPlainClear.com and MedicareMadeClear.com offer plan explanations for members and caregivers.

Ellen Allen, executive director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, said programs like Medicare and Medicaid are critical for keeping communities healthy. She added for older adults needing long-term care, Medicaid in particular is a lifeline.

"Seventy-two percent of West Virginians who are in skilled nursing care, long-term care, their care is paid for by Medicaid," Allen emphasized. "You're talking thousands of dollars a month to live in a residential skilled nursing care."

More than 9,200 West Virginians live in residential care facilities, according to 2023 data from KFF.

Meanwhile, open enrollment dates vary for other types of health plans. People with employer-sponsored coverage typically select a plan between September and December. And open enrollment for plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace runs from November 1 to January 15. More information is available at www.UHCOpenEnrollment.com.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021