Introducing the New Medicare Payment Plan for Prescription Drugs
Get ready for a game-changer in managing your healthcare costs! Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare Part D is rolling out an exciting new program under the Inflation Reduction Act. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan will revolutionize how you pay for your prescription drugs by allowing you to spread out your out-of-pocket costs over the year. What’s in Store for You: Monthly Payment Magic: Say goodbye to unpredictable costs! All Medicare Part D plans will now […]
Unlocking the Potential of March Nutrition Month: Exploring Medicare’s Wellness Programs
March is Nutrition Month, a time to celebrate healthy eating and education. But did you know that Medicare covers more than just healthcare? It also offers a range of programs aimed at promoting overall well-being, including nutrition education. In this article, we’ll explore the significance of nutrition in preventative care and highlight the various nutrition programs available through Medicare. The Importance of Nutrition in Preventative Care: Nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining good health […]
Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
Exploring the 3 Ways You May Qualify Medicare offers Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) that allow individuals to enroll in or switch Medicare plans outside of the standard enrollment periods. These SEPs are crucial for individuals who experience certain life events or qualify for specific circumstances. Let’s explore what qualifies you for a SEP and how you can take advantage of them. Qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period There are three main reasons why you may […]
15 Essential Medicare Benefits You Might Not Know About
Get the most of your coverage so you can live your BEST LIFE! When it comes to Medicare, there’s more than meets the eye. In this blog, we’ll explore 15 lesser-known services covered by Original Medicare, with a focus on Original Medicare Part B. Whether you’re a new beneficiary or a seasoned one, understanding these services can help you make the most of your coverage. Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit Upon enrolling in Medicare, you’re […]
Streamlining your Medicare Finances Through Automatic Payment programs
Many Beneficiaries wonder, what the best way is to pay for Medicare. In this blog, we’ll break down the essential details in simple terms, so you can effortlessly manage your healthcare expenses, and avoid a potential loss in coverage. For the majority, Medicare Part A doesn’t require a monthly premium. Nevertheless, if you’re subscribed to Medicare Part B and you’re already receiving benefits from Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board, your Medicare Part B premium […]
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Helping Beneficiaries Navigate Their Medicare Coverage and Prevention
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spreading knowledge about the most common type of cancer found in women. As Medicare beneficiaries, it’s crucial for us to stay informed and be proactive when it comes to our health. Here’s what you need to know about breast cancer awareness and the preventive screenings covered by Medicare. Breast Cancer and Age Women over 60 make up nearly half of new breast cancer cases, and […]
Prostate Cancer Screenings: Understanding Medicare Coverage For Prostate Cancer Screenings
This June is National Men’s Health Month, so we want to highlight the importance focusing on health concerns that are specific to men. One of those concerns is prostate cancer. Early detection is a key factor in determining health outcomes, so it is important for you, as a Medicare beneficiary to know what your health plan covers. Regular screenings hold the key to detecting prostate cancer before symptoms emerge. Detecting prostate cancer at an early […]
Honoring Women’s Health
Hello to all the wonderful women out there! As we celebrate Women’s Health Month, let’s emphasize the significance of dedicating time to address this vital topic and express our unwavering support for women’s health. As we age, our health needs become more unique and require a certain level of attention and care. Taking care of our health involves more than just our physical well-being. Women’s health is a multifaceted topic that encompasses our physical, emotional, […]
5 Tips to Protect Yourself from Medicare Fraud: Stay Safe and Informed
As a senior citizen, you rely on Medicare to provide you with the medical care you need to stay healthy. Unfortunately, scammers and fraudsters also know how valuable your Medicare benefits are, and they will go to great lengths to try to trick you into giving up your personal information or signing up for services you do not need. Here are some tips to help you avoid Medicare fraud: 1. Protect your Medicare card: […]
Getting free at-home COVID-19 tests
Last week, the White House announced covidtests.gov, a site with the purpose of supplying free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests to every U.S. household. The new site is now live and ready to take orders, as well as provide additional resources and information for those in need of testing. Here are a handful of things to know about the site, the tests, and the other resources available. First and foremost, every home in the U.S. is […]
A Preview of 2022: Medicare Part A and B Costs
It’s that time of year again, and Medicare has released the Medicare Part A & B Costs for 2022. Below are the key details that may affect your premiums going forward in the new year. Part A Costs If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A. People who buy Part A will pay a premium of either $274 or $499 each month in 2022 depending on how long they or […]
Is your Medicare plan still the best fit for you?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is your chance to review your plan’s cost and coverage and compare it to the new plans for the coming year. “…but if my plan worked for me this last year and nothing changed with my health, should I still bother to review my plan?” You absolutely should! Even if nothing changed for you since last year, a lot can change about your plan. Each year around September you’ll receive […]
A Preview of 2022: 7 Changes to Medicare Part D Defined Standard Benefits
Around this time every year Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) releases the benefit parameters for Part D’s “Defined Standard Benefit” plan, as well as the parameters for the Low-Income Subsidy benefits. All Medicare Part D plans use this as a base to determine drug plan coverage for the following year. With this in mind, let’s dive into the Defined Standard Benefits and use these parameters to help you get a possible preview of […]
What is Medicare Part B?
When you first enroll in Medicare and at certain times of the year, you can choose from one of two main ways to get your Medicare coverage – through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or through a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C). The second part of Original Medicare, Part B, is often referred to as “Medical Insurance.” Part B helps to cover costs related to medically necessary and preventative services from […]
What is Medicare Part A?
When you first enroll in Medicare and at certain times of the year, you can choose from one of two main ways to get your Medicare coverage – through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or through a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C). The first part of Original Medicare, Medicare Part A, is often referred to as “Hospital Insurance.” Part A helps to cover costs related to hospital stays, hospice care and some […]
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
You know you have to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 in the United States. What you might not know is how much Medicare health insurance costs. There are premiums, standard coinsurance amounts and deductibles for most parts of Medicare. Read on to learn more about how much Medicare costs. Is Medicare Free? Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older in the U.S., and for some people with certain […]
When Do I Need to Enroll in Medicare?
Enrolling in Medicare is an important milestone. You typically enroll in Medicare for the first time when you turn 65, or if you are diagnosed with certain medical conditions. There are different ways to enroll in Medicare, and some key times during which you can enroll. Here is a quick breakdown of how and when you need to enroll in Medicare. Do I Enroll in Medicare When I Turn 65? The first time you enroll […]
How To Appeal a Denial of Coverage from a Medicare Advantage Plan
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and were denied coverage for a health service or item, you may choose to appeal the decision with your plan’s provider. The appeal process requires documentation for why the service or item should be covered under your plan, and it can take some time to go through the the levels of approval. Here is a quick breakdown of how the process works to file an appeal for a […]
What is the Medicare Part D Donut Hole?
Not all donut holes are sweet. In Original Medicare Part D, there is a coverage gap known as the “Part D Donut Hole.” This coverage gap for pharmaceutical medications can result in higher drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, as they get stuck between spending limits on Rx costs and their total out-of-pocket cost limits for a given year. How Does the Part D Donut Hole Work? For beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D, there is […]
Summer Safety Tips for Seniors
As temperatures increase, so do the risk factors for heat-related health problems with elderly adults and individuals with chronic illnesses. If you are on Medicare or Medicare-eligible, follow these simple summer safety tips to help stay cool and well through hot summer months. Top Summer Safety Tips for Seniors: Protect Your Skin from Too Much Sun Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 […]