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
You might assume that your family would be able to make your health care decisions for you if you were to become incapacitated. However, this isn’t always the case. Your family may not agree on what’s best, or essential decisions could fall to your providers instead. This is why it’s important for you to plan. In this blog, learn about advance directives, living wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney to help ensure that decisions made on your behalf meet your needs and preferences.
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 […]
October 24, 2023
Depending on how you get your Medicare coverage, you will have different considerations when choosing health care providers, such as doctors, hospitals, or medical equipment suppliers. Let’s discuss the factors you should consider so that your care is covered at the lowest cost. With these factors in mind, you can choose your next health care […]
September 25, 2023
During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, you will likely experience more marketing from private Medicare plans, like Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans. Companies try to reach consumers in various ways, like television commercials, radio ads, events, mailings, phone calls, and texts. The government has rules, though, to protect you from forceful or misleading marketing. […]
June 26, 2023
Ambulances are vehicles that transport patients to and from medical facilities, like hospitals. Ambulances are medically equipped and staffed by professionals like EMTs or paramedics. Let’s look at how Medicare covers transportation in ambulances. Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance transportation. Medicare considers an emergency to be any situation when your health is in serious […]