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Health Line
10 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
The Cost Breztri of with Medicare
Breztri can cost $400 or more without insurance, but Medicare may cover inhaler drugs for COPD, including Breztri. That said, the specific coverage and costs vary based on your exact plan. Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) is a metered-dose inhaler designed for adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Medicare might help cover the cost of Breztri for COPD, but it's important to check the specifics of your plan, as there's no nationwide rule for inhaler coverage. Each Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan may cover different drugs. However, note that if you need a nebulizer rather than an inhaler, you would typically be covered under Medicare Part B. How much does Breztri cost with Medicare? If you don't have insurance, a 5.9-gram (g) Breztri inhaler costs around $400, while a larger 10.7-g inhaler can cost about $700. Whether your Medicare drug plan covers a Breztri inhaler depends on its formulary, which is a list of covered medications that varies with each plan. If your plan's formulary doesn't include this inhaler, it might offer coverage for a different one instead. If your plan covers Breztri, the amount you need to pay depends on its tier within the formulary. Higher tiers usually mean a higher cost. However, starting in 2025, you'll pay no more than $2,000 annually out of pocket for drugs through Medicare plans. Remember, Part D and MAPD plans are managed by private insurance companies, meaning your deductibles, premiums, and copays will depend on your plan. In 2025, the national base beneficiary premium for Part D is $36.78, and according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans is about $17. If you use a nebulizer and have coverage under Part B, you'll pay 20% of the cost after meeting your annual deductible of $257, as long as you keep up with your monthly premium of $185. How can I get cheaper Breztri with Medicare? Typically, you can get cheaper drugs through your Medicare plan by getting a prescription for a generic version. These tend to feature in lower formulary tiers, making them more affordable. There's no generic version of Breztri, but other medications may be just as effective and more budget-friendly. Your Medicare plan may cover these. In fact, since Breztri can be expensive, your plan might require prior authorization before they approve coverage. This could involve step therapy, where you're asked to try a different, equally effective but cheaper medication first. In addition, AstraZeneca, the company that produces Breztri, offers a cost assistance program that may make this drug more affordable for Medicare enrollees. You'll need to visit the manufacturer's website to check your eligibility. Takeaway Breztri is a brand-name inhaler designed for long-term management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Although Medicare drug plans may cover COPD inhalers like Breztri, coverage is not uniformly required. This means your coverage and cost depend on the specific medication and your specific plan. Generally, Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan provides drug coverage for Medicare, including for covered inhalers. However, if you need to use the drug with a nebulizer, your coverage would fall under Part B.
Health Line
10 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
How much does Farxiga cost with Medicare?
Farxiga can cost up to $600 without insurance, with costs varying by pharmacy and whether you choose the brand or the generic. With Medicare coverage, your out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a medication for helping lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart and kidney issues for those with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. With Medicare, drug overage usually comes through a Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan. But whether your plan covers Farxiga and how much the drug will cost after coverage depends on your plan. How much does Farxiga cost per month with Medicare? Depending on where you get it, the cost of Farxiga without insurance can be over $600. The generic version, dapagliflozin, still costs more than $400. Farxiga can be covered by Medicare Part D or a MAPD plan. However, whether this medication or its generic version is covered by your Medicare drug plan and how much the plan will cover depends on its specific list of covered drugs, called a formulary. Private insurers manage Medicare drug plans and will have a different list depending on the plan. In addition, keep in mind that Medicare drug plans also have a deductible, premium, and copay that can vary depending on the plan. In 2025, the national base beneficiary premium for Part D is $36.78. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans is $17. What tier is Farxiga on? Within your plan's formulary, the insurer will place Farxiga in a tier. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you'll pay as a copayment, with the generic version typically in a lower tier than the brand-name drug. Many Medicare drug plans should include Farxiga, though its tier will depend on your plan. If your plan doesn't include this drug, it may include an alternative and equally effective medication. Generally, Medicare drug plans must cover at least two drugs from the most commonly prescribed categories. If the plan includes it and classifies it in a higher tier, your insurer may require prior authorization for coverage, which could include Step Therapy. This means you'll be asked to try a different, equally effective, but more cost-effective medication first before Medicare will approve coverage for Farxiga. Takeaway Farxiga is a drug designed to help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart and kidney issues for those with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. Without insurance, the cost of Farxiga can range from around $400 to $600, depending on the pharmacy and whether you choose the brand-name or generic version. Usually, Medicare drug coverage comes through a Medicare Part D plan. While your exact coverage and costs for Farxiga depend on the specifics of your plan, many Medicare plans should cover this medication. Plus, once Medicare's price negotiation agreement starts in 2026, the price with coverage should be more affordable. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
Edinburgh Reporter
17-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Savings on water charges pour in for public sector
Water firm's long-standing partnership continues to deliver benefits. Scotland's public sector has saved more than £3million in water costs in the past financial year. The significant savings have been delivered within the first year of a renewed framework partnership with one of the UK's leading water retailers, which continues to help major organisations including the NHS, Police Scotland and local authorities. Edinburgh-based water retailer, Business Stream, has confirmed the savings milestone as part of its ongoing delivery under the Scottish Government's Water and Waste Water Services Framework, a contract worth in excess of £240million. Under the previous four-year framework contract (2020-2024) with Business Stream, Scotland's public sector saved over £8.9million, and delivered a 4.6million reduction in cubic metres of water and reduced carbon emissions through a raft of leak detection and water efficiency services. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: 'We're committed to working in partnership with Scotland's public sector to deliver long-term, sustainable savings. By providing value-added services with a key focus on water efficiency, we're continuing to drive down costs and support the sector to achieve their environmental targets.' The water retailer's focus on value-added services has helped public sector bodies embrace a more environmentally conscious approach to resource use. Through a combination of smart monitoring, tailored water efficiency planning and a rapid response to identify and repair leaks, in the past year Business Stream has supported reductions in energy consumption equating to more than 530 tonnes of CO₂e. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Business Stream has continued to deliver financial and environmental benefits to the public sector in Scotland by identifying water-saving opportunities, reducing emissions, and delivering financial saving. These savings not only reduce costs but also contribute to the sector's net zero agenda.' The savings come in the wake of Business Stream's decision to double its annual Water Efficiency Fund to £100,000 – a move designed to further support public sector organisations to make environmental upgrades. Established in 2020, the annual fund supports a diverse range of water saving projects, from conservation audits to infrastructure upgrades in schools, museums, hospitals and local authority facilities across Scotland. Projects delivered in recent months include improved plumbing systems in NHS facilities, smart monitoring devices for local councils, and targeted audits across National Museums Scotland. The Water Efficiency Fund is just one of a wide range of initiatives introduced by Business Stream since launching its vision to Make a Positive Difference (MAPD) in 2019 – a purpose-led approach to delivering positive impact for its customers, people, the environment and its local communities. Jo Dow Chief Executive Business Stream Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Dangerous Assumptions That Can Quickly Kill Your Retirement Savings
Numerous variables go into every retirement projection, making it an inexact science at best. This is why it always pays to allow for some wiggle room when it comes to forecasting your future retirement account balance. Be Aware: Try This: Just a few wrong assumptions about your retirement can dramatically affect your results, so it pays to consider a wide range of possible outcomes. Here are some of the most dangerous assumptions about retirement that could kill your savings fast, along with suggestions as to how to avoid falling into that trap. One of the biggest variables when it comes to outliving your money in retirement is how long you will live. Unfortunately, this is one of the least predictable variables in any retirement plan given a variety of long-term care needs. Any financial advisor would tell you that healthcare is one of the biggest expenses for seniors and needs to be greatly factored into your big-picture budget. If you build your entire plan around an assumption that you will live an 'average' lifespan, you might run out of money if you end up living a long life, or rather, 30 years or more after full retirement age. While you can make some educated guesses about how long you might live based on your family history and your personal lifestyle, always factor in the possibility that you might live much longer. Find Out: It's not just how long you will live but also about how healthy you will be. Healthcare and home care needs could greatly diminish your retirement savings faster than you think. According to last year's Retiree Health Cost Index, here are a few key takeaways: The two most common healthcare coverage options chosen by Medicare-eligible retirees are Medicare Advantage Part D (MAPD) and Original Medicare with Medigap plus Part D. A healthy 65-year-old male who retired in 2024 with an MAPD plan is projected to spend $128,000 on healthcare in his remaining lifetime. A female with the same coverage is projected to spend $147,000 in her remaining lifetime. The difference in cost is largely because women on average live longer than men. Under Original Medicare with Medigap plus Part D instead, these projections increase to $281,000 for a male and $320,000 for a female, or a combined total of $601,000 for a 65-year-old couple. In today's dollars (assuming a 3% investment return), this reflects that at least $395,000 in savings is needed. In many cases, expenses decrease for seniors after they retire. However, that's not an assumption on which to bank your whole retirement. If you live in a high-cost area or plan to 'live it up' in retirement — eating out often and traveling the world — your expenses may actually increase, which can impact any individual retirement account (IRA) negatively. Plan out your intended lifestyle long before you retire so that you build the appropriate expenses into your budget. Along with anticipated life expectancy, market returns are the most critical component of a long-term retirement projection. If you invest your account in a balanced portfolio and assume you'll generate a consistent 7% annual return, you might have a problem if markets hit a rough patch. While market averages may seem fairly smooth over the long run, over the short run, they can be anything but. From the start of 2000 through the end of 2009, for example, the S&P 500 index, which has a long-term average annual return of about 10%, posted a negative return, averaging a loss of -0.97% every year over that 'lost decade.' For the past 50 years, the U.S. has enjoyed relatively low inflation, averaging about 3.2%. In fact, from 2012 through 2020, the annual change in the rate of inflation never broke higher than 2.4%. However, over the past few years, the CPI has posted annual gains of 4.7%, 8.0%, 4.1% and 3.2%, respectively. While the Fed seemed to have inflation under control at the end of 2024, 2025 is looking like a much different story. You should factor in rising costs to your retirement projections to ensure inflation doesn't devour all of your savings. Many retirees plan on working after they formally retire, hoping to both boost their incomes in order to stretch out their 401(k)s and Roth IRAs and keep their minds occupied. However, you may be forced to retire, perhaps even earlier than you anticipate, due to physical limitations. In that case, your retirement income will be entirely dependent on your savings, supplemented by Social Security or any pension you may have. As working in retirement may not be possible for every senior, view it as a potential way to generate extra expendable income, not as the solution that will fund your entire retirement. Some workers assume that they'll receive an inheritance that will take care of their retirement needs, but that's a dangerous game. If you fall out of favor with your anticipated benefactor — or if they end up spending more of their money than they anticipate — you might be left with a shortfall that will be impossible to make up. Always build a retirement plan assuming you won't receive any outside gifts so that you're prepared for a worst-case scenario. If you do end up the heir to an inheritance, you can use that money to live a better lifestyle, relieve stress that you'll outlive your money or perhaps even donate it to a charity. Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates Surprising Items People Are Stocking Up On Before Tariff Pains Hit: Is It Smart? Clever Ways To Save Money That Actually Work in 2025 5 Little-Known Ways to Make Summer Travel More Affordable 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on 7 Dangerous Assumptions That Can Quickly Kill Your Retirement Savings Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Twenty-three North Lanarkshire schools to benefit practical sustainability water usage initiative
As part of its commitment under the Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Framework, water retailer Business Stream has provided free water butts to the schools. Twenty-three North Lanarkshire schools are set to benefit from a practical sustainability initiative that aims to inspire young minds while helping cut water usage. As part of its commitment under the Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Framework, water retailer Business Stream has provided free water butts to the schools. The water butts, which capture and store rainwater for outdoor use, are expected to save up to 2000 litres of water a year in each school. Sophia Goring, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Business Stream, said: 'This innovative water-saving project, not only helps schools reduce water consumption but also provides a practical, hands-on learning opportunity for young students to understand environmental sustainability. 'By introducing water butts into primary schools, we're empowering the next generation to become environmentally conscious citizens.' Each school is encouraged to locate and secure their water butt in a safe and practical area, ensuring it supports outdoor learning and gardening activities while adhering to health and safety guidelines. As part of the rollout, local authorities will also be invited to share feedback and case studies from participating schools, capturing the environmental and educational impact of the initiative for future learning and reporting. The initiative underlines Business Stream's wider environmental commitment. Since launching its 'Make A Positive Difference' (MAPD) vision in 2019, the organisation has delivered more than 30 ESG-focused initiatives. Sophia added: 'This initiative is a perfect example of how small, practical actions can deliver long-term benefits for both people and planet. 'We're committed to helping our public sector customers meet their environmental goals, and this is a fantastic way to encourage sustainable thinking from a young age. 'Our hope is that these water butts become a lasting resource for schools, both as a tool for reducing water usage and as an opportunity to bring sustainability to life for children in a fun and hands-on way.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
