Social Security turned 75 last month, and many facets of this huge institution are not widely known. Here are seven things you should know about Social Security, according to an article by U.S. News and World Report reporter Emily Brandon. 1. It’s not only a retirement program. Disability benefits and payments for a beneficiary’s spouse […]
Author Archives: mark
Double-digit hikes for some Medicare drug plans
WASHINGTON – Millions of seniors face double-digit hikes in their Medicare prescription premiums next year unless they shop for cheaper coverage. A new analysis of government data finds that premiums will go up an average of 10 percent among the top plans that have signed up some 70 percent of seniors. That’s according to Avalere […]
Medicare Advantage Cancellation: Your Options
If your Medicare Advantage plan is canceled, you have two options: Change to another Advantage plan or return to Medicare and get a Medicare Supplement – with no questions asked. This is called “guaranteed issue”, and it is an option that should be seriously considered. Guaranteed issue means a person who is 70 years old […]
Best Medicare Supplement Insurance – An Expert Opinion
Finding the Best Medicare Supplement can be a daunting task, especially if you are just turning 65 or are new to Medicare. There are many things to consider including which Medicare Supplement Plan to buy, which company to buy it from, how much you need to pay. In addition, some Medicare plans may have extra […]
April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day
Do you have an advanced directive? Whether a living will or medical power of attorney; these two things are at the basis of the “National Healthcare Decisions Day” — making a decision about “end-of-life care” and putting it to paper. What is an advanced directive? An advanced directive is a general term that describes two […]
Are you prepared for Medicare open enrollment?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries are free to select new plans. The experts who track annual changes in Medicare know that the terms and costs of plans change so much each year that millions of beneficiaries could save money in 2017 and improve their […]
Medicare Supplement and Part D
Medicare Supplement and Part D Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and Part D plan means that a Medicare Beneficiary is receiving Part A and Part B of Medicare, purchases a Medicare Supplement (Medigap Plan) to Supplement the Original Medicare Benefits and purchases a Medicare Part D plan for Prescription Drug coverage. Is this option […]
Medicare Supplement
Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and No Part D plan means that a Medicare Beneficiary is receiving Part A and Part B of Medicare and purchases a Medicare Supplement (Medigap Plan) to Supplement the Original Medicare Benefits and does not purchase a Medicare Part D plan for Prescription Drug coverage. Is this option right […]
PPO with Prescription Drugs
A Medicare PPO Plan is a Medicare Advantage Plan where a Private Insurance company provides your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits and, in addition, this option includes Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. In a Medicare PPO Plan, you can get Medical Services from any provider who accepts Medicare. The Medicare PPO has a preferred […]
How do I prevent Medicare fraud?
Medicare fraud is when providers mislead Medicare into paying for services it shouldn’t pay for or paying more than it should pay. There are many ways you can prevent fraud: Protect your Medicare number the same way you would protect your credit card number. Be careful about who you give your Medicare number to. Be […]