Saturday, August 22, 2026: Costco enters Medicare, launching its first health-plan partnership fo

SeniorLiving.News · 2026-08-22

Costco enters Medicare, launching its first health-plan partnership for seniors — your morning briefing.
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SeniorLiving.News · Saturday, August 22, 2026

Good morning.

Daily Briefing

Costco enters Medicare, launching its first health-plan partnership for seniors

The big news today is Costco. The warehouse retailer is stepping into Medicare for the first time, partnering to sell health plans and shape the senior care experience. Several reports look at what this means for shoppers, for competition, and for Costco's own value as a company.

Medicare stayed in the spotlight in other ways too. One study found that many sicker Medicare Advantage members, including nursing home residents, are switching back to traditional Medicare. Doctors warned that a proposed Medicare cut could limit seniors' access to specialty care, and a court again sided against a drugmaker fighting Medicare's lower drug prices.

In senior living, companies kept growing and building. There were new mergers, rebrands, and construction projects, including a memory care shift toward smaller, home-like settings. A separate study also found that telemedicine did not reduce hospital visits from nursing homes.

Read the full briefing →

Top Stories

Costco launches its first Medicare partnership for seniors

Costco is entering Medicare for the first time, a move that could reshape how millions of seniors shop for and choose their health coverage.

Sicker Medicare Advantage members switching back to traditional Medicare

Reports say many sicker enrollees, including nursing home residents, are leaving Medicare Advantage, raising questions about how well these plans serve frail seniors.

AstraZeneca loses second suit against Medicare drug price cuts

A court again backed Medicare's power to lower drug prices, a decision that could help seniors pay less for their medicines.

Doctors warn Medicare cut could limit seniors' specialty care

A survey found 8 in 10 ear, nose, and throat doctors fear a proposed Medicare cut would make it harder for seniors to get specialty care.

Judson Senior Living embraces small-home memory care

A senior living provider is rebranding and shifting to smaller, home-like memory care, reflecting a wider trend toward more personal dementia care.

Your Topics

Caregiving & Family

Two caregivers were arrested in separate cases involving the alleged sexual assault of elderly men in their care, including one man with dementia in Albuquerque. In related news, the 2026 Dementia Care and Caregiving Research Summit released its report on advancing support for families.

Caregiver arrested for sexually assaulting elderly man in her care · KOAT

Caregiver detained for alleged sexual assault of Albuquerque man with dementia · KOB 4

2026 Dementia Care and Caregiving Research Summit Report · National Institute on Aging (.gov)

Money & Retirement

Pensions remain an important income source for many of today's retirees, even as fewer workers gain access to them. Retirement experts note that after years of helping people save, the industry is now focused on helping retirees turn those savings into steady income.

Why Pensions Remain a Key Source of Income for Current Retirees Despite Declining Access · Investopedia

Newsletter Available for Employees in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System · The University of Maryland, Baltimore

The Pension Protection Act helped solve accumulation; now, the industry is trying to solve decumulation · Pensions & Investments

Medicare, Social Security & Benefits

Thousands of seniors face uncertainty as a deal falls through, leaving their Medicare coverage in limbo. In other news, Costco and SCAN have teamed up to offer new Medicare plans for older adults.

Thousands of Seniors’ Medicare Coverage in Limbo as Deal Fails · Newsweek

SCAN, Costco Launch Medicare Partnership · MedCity News

Costco to Offer Medicare Plans for Older Adults · People.com

Senior Living & Housing

A developer is seeking rezoning approval for an assisted-living community on Harrison Avenue, and a Baltimore addiction treatment provider has announced plans to open a senior living facility.

Developer seeks rezoning for Harrison Avenue assisted-living plan · RiverheadLOCAL

Senior Living Websites Are Still Too Static. Here’s How Operators Can Evolve · Senior Housing News

Baltimore addiction treatment provider plans senior living facility · The Business Journals

Travel & Leisure

Retirement experts named a single top wellness destination for older travelers, and a roundup highlighted 14 senior-friendly travel groups for those seeking companionship on global trips. Separately, Travel + Leisure Co. announced a new offering of senior secured notes.

We Asked 5 Retirement Pros for the Best Wellness Destination for Seniors—and They All Picked the Same Place · Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Co. Announces Launch of Senior Secured Notes Offering · Business Wire

14 Senior-Friendly Travel Groups for Global Adventures · Travel + Leisure

Technology & Online Safety

The city of Kent will host a free technology clinic for older adults, while a new guide outlines the top five financial scams targeting seniors and an upcoming webinar will cover online scam prevention.

City of Kent to offer free technology clinic for older adults · Kent Reporter

Top 5 Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults and How to Avoid Them · The National Council on Aging (NCOA)

Upcoming webinar aims to educate seniors on online scam prevention · Wiss Now

Health & Wellness

Local health systems are turning attention to older adults, with CHI St. Alexius Health Williston starting a new behavioral health program. East Tennessee State University is also preparing to host a regional conference focused on healthy aging.

CHI St. Alexius Health Williston launches behavioral health program for older adults · American Hospital Association

PhytoGaia to Present Healthy Aging, Liver Health, and Pet Wellness Data at Vitafoods Asia 2026 · Nutritional Outlook

ETSU to host regional conference on healthy aging · ETSU News

Food & Nutrition

A county IT team is streamlining a senior nutrition program, while new data highlights food insecurity among older adults. Updated dietary guidelines now stress higher protein and healthy fat intake.

County IT Team Helps Senior Nutrition Program Improve Efficiency · Santa Clara County (.gov)

Get the Facts on Food Insecurity and Older Adults · The National Council on Aging (NCOA)

New Dietary Guidelines Emphasize Protein, Healthy Fats · AARP

On This Day

2012. Ethnic clashes over grazing rights for cattle in Kenya's Tana River District result in more than 52 deaths.

2007. The Texas Rangers defeat the Baltimore Orioles 30–3, the most runs scored by a team in modern Major League Baseball history.

2006. Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 612 crashes near the Russian border over eastern Ukraine, killing all 170 people on board.

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