Daily Briefing — Thursday, August 20, 2026
Costco steps into Medicare, offering health plans alongside its everyday deals
Daily Briefing
Today
Costco steps into Medicare, offering health plans alongside its everyday deals
Good morning. Today's biggest news for older adults: Costco is entering the Medicare business. Reports say the warehouse chain will start offering Medicare plans as part of a major expansion, its first partnership aimed at senior care. For many members, it could become one more place to shop for coverage.
Medicare stays in the spotlight in other ways too. A new report suggests many people on Medicare feel sure they understand the program, but the data shows real gaps in that knowledge. And a Medicare pilot that discounts popular GLP-1 weight and diabetes drugs comes with a catch, since some very sick patients may not qualify.
There is also hard news from care facilities. A genetic testing lab faces a $315 million federal penalty over alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud. In South Florida, a nursing home lost power during a heat wave, though staff avoided a worse outcome. And a family in the Lowcountry is suing after an Alzheimer's patient reportedly suffered nearly 1,000 ant bites.
What we're following
- Costco to offer Medicare plans in major new expansion Costco is moving into Medicare coverage for the first time, which could give millions of members a new and familiar place to compare senior health plans. Read it
- Genetic testing lab faces $315M penalty over alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud A large federal penalty over alleged fraud is a reminder that scams tied to Medicare and Medicaid can raise costs for everyone in the program. Read it
- Medicare's GLP-1 discount pilot leaves some sick patients out A pilot program to lower the price of popular GLP-1 drugs has rules that may exclude some of the patients who need help most. Read it
- Many on Medicare feel confident, but the data shows gaps A new report finds that people who feel sure they understand Medicare often don't, which can lead to costly coverage mistakes. Read it
- Family sues care facility after Alzheimer's patient suffers nearly 1,000 ant bites The lawsuit raises hard questions about safety and supervision in memory care, a worry for many families with a loved one in a facility. Read it
Sources
- Costco to offer Medicare plans in major new expansion
- Genetic testing lab faces $315M penalty over alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud
- Medicare's GLP-1 discount pilot leaves some sick patients out
- Many on Medicare feel confident, but the data shows gaps
- Family sues care facility after Alzheimer's patient suffers nearly 1,000 ant bites
Related Reading
- What to Do If You’re Laid Off and Too Young for Medicare · The New York Times · 3h ago
- Guthrie County Hospital Provides Free Medicare Assistance Through SHIIP · Raccoon Valley Radio · 3h ago
- NAACP Lunch and Learn to focus on Medicare enrollment · El Dorado News-Times · 5h ago
- Abdul El-Sayed says Medicare for All shouldn’t raise taxes for most families · NewsNation · 10h ago
