Guide to Medicare open enrollment for 2018
Ah, the rituals of fall: The leaves change color. The temperature drops. Sweaters and boots pop out of the closet. And Medicare opens the doors for beneficiaries to shop for Part D and Advantage plans. As you cozy up to the first fire of the season, now is the time to peruse your options to […]
Supporting Medicare Patients After Chemo
The almost 1.7 million people diagnosed with cancer each year face a range of hurdles, but a new healthcare approach may alleviate some of the burden. The Oncology Care Model — launched in July 2016 by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation — is a five-year pilot program that supports Medicare patients undergoing cancer […]
Care Quandary: Quality Rating Systems Can Help You Make the Best Decisions
When your aging parent or loved one starts forgetting to take medications, lets unopened bills pile up, becomes agitated or aggressive, has trouble driving and struggles getting up and down the stairs, they’re showing some of the telltale signs that it’s time to start looking for a health and rehabilitation community (HRC). For many of us, […]
Guide to Medicare open enrollment for 2017
Get ready to be bombarded with mailings and TV ads for Medicare plans. Open enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans runs from until December 7, so this is your opportunity to reassess your coverage for 2017. Even if you’re happy with your plan, you may be taking a new drug or your […]
Medicare rules for home health care
Medicare home health coverage can be a crucial benefit for seniors who have just been discharged from the hospital or who struggle with a chronic condition and have difficulty leaving home. But taking advantage of this benefit can be a real challenge. Medicare covers in-home services, including skilled nursing and physical therapy. For eligible patients, […]
5 smart ways to cut health care costs in retirement
Q: I’m about to sign up for Medicare, and I know there are gaps in the coverage. How much should I expect to spend for medical expenses after I retire? How can I reduce those costs? A: Even though Medicare will take care of a big portion of your medical expenses after you retire, you’ll […]
What you should know about Medigap pricing
Q: I turned 65 a few years ago while living in Florida. My wife and I are about to move to Delaware, and the insurer says I can keep my policy. (My wife turns 65 next year.) Do the pricing rules for Medigap policies vary by state? And will the premiums change for the policy […]
Fight back when drugs are denied
By Eleanor Laise, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report You make a routine trip to the pharmacy to fill a prescription. But the pharmacist tells you your Medicare drug plan won’t cover the drug. You walk away with no medication — and no clear explanation about why you were denied coverage. More and more seniors are finding themselves […]
What People Really Want to Know About Medicare
By Janet Bodnar, Kiplinger Personal Finance The likelihood that high-income recipients will see a major hike in their Part B premiums in 2016 is adding to the general angst and confusion that often goes along with enrolling in Medicare. Contributing editor Kim Lankford, our insurance specialist and author of our Ask Kim column, says she […]
It’s time for Medicare open enrollment
By Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger Retirement Report You may be feeling the post-summer blues, but don’t let the doldrums keep you from making money-saving Medicare moves. Although it’s easier just to keep your current Medicare Part D prescription-drug plan or your Medicare Advantage plan, it’s best to look at all the options for 2016 during open […]
Bone up before you buy: The ABCS of picking a Medigap policy
By Christopher J. Gearon, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report People enrolling in traditional Medicare should buy a supplemental insurance policy to cover the substantial gaps left by deductibles and co-payments, according to consumer advocates. But choosing a private Medigap plan can be daunting. That’s what Joyce Katen discovered when she turned 65 in May. “I got so […]
