Health insurance companies are worried about Romney victory.
Health insurance company CEOs are nervous about the idea of Mitt Romney winning the election, according to an article in LifeHealthPro, an insurance industry newsletter. Insurance company executives...
View ArticleMedicare Advantage Matchmaking
Helping someone pick a Medicare Advantage is kind of like matchmaking. Does a plan’s doctor network match the client’s doctor list? Does the plan’s drug coverage match the client’s prescriptions?...
View ArticleMedicare cost increases for 2013. Help is available.
Social Security payments will increase 1.7% in January 2013. That means an additional $17 for a person whose monthly Social Security check is $1,000. 1.7% of $2,000 is $34. So this is a modest increase...
View ArticleMedicare premiums: How much should you pay?
The Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $104.90 in 2013. It really should be $400. The federal government is subsidizing most seniors by paying 75% of the cost of their Medicare Part B. This...
View ArticleMedicare and Long-Term Care
Medicare does not cover long term care. I recently shared this information with relatives who are struggling to arrange care for their elderly parents. It is not unusual for people to misunderstand...
View ArticleMedicare and the Arizona State Retirement System
TUCSON, ARIZONA - I got a call yesterday from a woman told me she will turn 65 at the end of March and needs to figure out her Medicare coverage. We talked for a few minutes and I remembered to ask...
View ArticleSocial Security won’t talk to insurance agents?
An insurance agent was trying to help a senior citizen who was not sure if he gets help with his drug costs or his Medicare premium. The insurance agent, sitting with the senior, called Social Security...
View ArticleHelp with Medicare Costs
There are two ways to apply for help with Medicare costs and prescription drugs. A person on Medicare can apply through the state Medicaid Program or go through Social Security. I recently helped a...
View ArticleMedicare Advantage, enrolling on-line. Beware!
At this time of year, people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan cannot change their plan, or dis-enroll from their plan – unless they meet certain requirements such as: they are moving to a new...
View ArticleWhy is Part D so complicated?
Yesterday I met with a client who is turning 65 in June. He is a doctor, and this doctor was amazed by how complicated Medicare Part D drug coverage is. As I explained how Part D drug coverage works,...
View ArticleAnnual Notice of Change coming soon. Pay attention!
Everyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D plan will be receiving, by the end of September, a package of information called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). The ANOC is full of...
View ArticleMedicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug coverage. During the Open Enrollment Period, people can submit applications to change their...
View ArticleHow to choose a Medicare Advantage plan
Is your Medicare Advantage plan changing? Is it being canceled? Are you looking at other Advantage plans? The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is coming up (October 15 – December 7), so if you are...
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