November 22, 2024
Medicare covers a lot, but not everything. For example, Medicare doesn’t cover most dental, vision, and hearing care, including hearing aids. It also doesn’t cover most non-emergency transportation or care outside of the U.S. Even when Medicare covers your care, there may be costs left to you, like copays and coinsurances, that can add up. Today we’ll discuss ways to add on to your Medicare to help you access these types of care.
October 28, 2024
Preventive care helps prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. A service is considered preventive if you have no prior symptoms of the disease. In contrast, diagnostic services address symptoms or conditions that you already have. Let’s discuss how Medicare covers preventive care.
September 27, 2024
Did you know that you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for Medicare? Given the growing number of older immigrants in the U.S. and the unique hurdles they face enrolling in Medicare, Medicare and immigration is an important topic to discuss.
July 29, 2024
You can make changes to your Medicare coverage each year during Medicare’s Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 to December 7. Around September, you will start to receive notices with information about any changes to your plan in the coming year. It is important to read and understand these notices, as they can help you […]
June 21, 2024
Today, we’ll discuss various programs that can help you save on your Medicare costs. First, understand the benefits offered by the Medicare Savings Programs. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income and savings. There are three main programs, each with different benefits and eligibility requirements. If your income […]
May 21, 2024
Medicare is the federal government program that provides health care coverage, or health insurance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that runs Medicare. The program is funded in part by Social Security and Medicare taxes you pay on your income, in part through premiums that people with Medicare pay, […]
April 29, 2024
Many people assume that their family members would automatically be able to make decisions about medical treatments if they were to become incapacitated. But rules vary greatly from state to state. In some cases, decisions are left up to the health care providers and institutions in charge of your care unless you have appointed someone […]
March 28, 2024
Federal Employee Health Benefits, or FEHB, plans cover current and retired government employees. FEHB plans can be either Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), or Fee-for-service (FFS) plans. HMOs have networks of providers, and you usually must see in-network providers to be sure services are covered. In an HMO, your out-of-pocket costs may be lower than in […]
January 24, 2024
If you’re receiving care in a hospital or non-hospital setting, you may be told that your Medicare will no longer pay for your care and that you will be discharged. You have the right to file a fast appeal if you feel that continued care is medically necessary. There are separate processes for hospital and […]
November 21, 2023
Sometimes a Part D plan won’t cover a medication that you need. Let’s discuss what you can do if this happens. First, understand your right to appeal. A Part D appeal is a formal request for review of a coverage decision made by your Part D plan. If your Part D plan denies coverage of […]