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To learn more about your benefits and retirement, sign-up for TSCL's free online newsletter, The Social Security & Medicare Advisor..These price increases are very likely to block some patients from affording their medication, following instructions for taking the drugs, result in higher costs for treatment in the future because of not taking the prescriptions as directed, and cause higher incidents of additional health issues and death rates..You can also sign up to receive our monthly newsletter that includes tons of helpful information regarding current legislation and policy affecting you. The newsletter also features a "Congressional Corner," where various Representatives and Senators express their thoughts on issues important to seniors..The Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act, if signed into law, would repeal the SGR and set up a five-year trial period during which physician payments would stabilize and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would test new payment and delivery models. TSCL strongly believes that the SGR breeds uncertainty in the Medicare program for both physicians and beneficiaries. Many doctors have stopped accepting Medicare patients, and many more are threatening to do so if a permanent solution is not established soon. We believe that Rep. Schwartz's bill would bring increased stability to the program, and we urge Congress to pass it by the end of this year..You can use the Social Security Administration's earnings test calculator to see how earnings could affect your benefit payments..TSCL could not agree more with Congressman Schiff, and we enthusiastically lend our support to H.R. 97In the months ahead, our legislative team will work tirelessly to help build support for the critical piece of legislation..While 211 Members have signed onto the House bill, critics of the legislation worry about increasing the payroll tax rate - especially on lower income workers. Lawmakers are continuing to discuss alternatives, and TSCL continues to meet with Members of Congress. TSCL's Senior Survey has found 74% of survey participants support completely lifting the taxable maximum and applying the payroll tax to all earnings. About 61% of survey participants support increasing the payroll tax rate by 1% each for workers and employers..Ignoring dental problems, though, or skipping care, can harm your health. Chronic gum infections are associated with an increased risk for heart attack according to some studies..If you're like most Medicare beneficiaries, you rarely make changes to your health or drug plans, but this is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can make in retirement. Insurers make numerous changes to drug and health plans that increase your out–of–pocket costs every year. Your health changes, and the plans that once were your best deal, may be full of high cost surprises now. Every year new plans, even new plans offered by your current insurer, compete for your business by offering similar or better coverage, for lower costs. Comparing your Medicare plan coverage every year and making changes when it's in your best interest, is one of the most important financial habits to get into.