Author: Denise

Denise Early is an independent insurance broker in Tucson, Arizona. She is interested in policy and the politics of Medicare. She enjoys telling the stories of people she meets and sees herself as an advocate for her clients. She served in the Peace Corps and has a Masters degree in International Management.

Let’s talk about your Medicare options.

Tucson Medicare plans

I have been working with Medicare clients for over 15 years and can answer all of your questions.

I can send you short explainer videos on Medicare Advantage, Part D, and the complicated “donut hole”.

I have written all the articles you see here.

2024 Medicare Choices

Medicare Choices

Here is an introduction to your Medicare choices for 2024. The video explains how Medicare works, Medicare supplements, Part D, and Medicare Advantage.

2023: Help with Medicare Costs

pay your medicare premium

People with income below certain limits can get help with their drug costs, their Part B premium, and even their co-pays for medical care.

Call me for help getting enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program.

Part D Problems

Can you change your Part D plan at this time of year? It depends on a number of factors – and if you have a Medicare Advantage plan vs a stand-alone part D plan.

What Does Medicare Cost ?

Medicare and Federal Budget

What does Medicare cost?  Most people think their $170 Medicare Part B premium covers the cost of their Medicare – but they are very wrong. You can see from the charts below that there are three parts to Medicare:  Part…

Can I have Medicare and an HSA ?

Medicare and an HSA

There are rules against having Medicare and an HSA (Health Savings Account). I have recently gotten calls from two people who have Health Savings Accounts through their employers. They plan to keep working and they want to keep their employer…

You might pay a higher Medicare premium

You don’t have to be rich to pay a higher Medicare premium. I’m running into more and more clients and friends who are going to be hit with the Income-Related Monthly Adjusted Amount (IRMAA) when they enroll in Medicare…. and…

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is back

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is back – but it’s kind of a secret. The Medicare Advantage OEP is for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and it allows them to drop their plan to return to…

Don’t Forget To Pay Your Medicare Premium !

pay your medicare premium

Don’t forget to pay your Medicare premium ! Most people are paying $170 per month for Medicare Part B in 2022. Although, some people with higher income pay more because of the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA). If you…

Medicare Advantage Enrollment in Pima County

Medicare Advantage Enrollment

Here are the numbers for Medicare Advantage enrollment in Pima County, Arizona as of January 2018. FOR 2021 NUMBERS CLICK HERE. Each year at this time, I look at Medicare Advantage enrollment numbers from the previous year and compare them…

Your Medicare at 65

Your Medicare

If you’re turning 65 and thinking about your Medicare, here is what you need to know: How you enroll in your Medicare depends on your current situation related to Social Security. If you are receiving Social Security payments, you will automatically…

Part D Plan Preferred Pharmacies

medicare part d pill bottle

Part D plan preferred pharmacies make using the Medicare.gov Plan Finder difficult and confusing. That’s because Medicare.gov only allows me to put in two pharmacies as I’m searching for drug plans for my clients. I think I am a know-it-all when…

Why I hate Medicare Part D

Medicare part d and gun

I have written in the past about why I hate Medicare Part D. It is kind of a rip-off for seniors – especially those who take only generics. Yesterday I talked with a man who is paying over $50 per…

Carotid Artery Screening

Would you like to get a carotid artery screening, but don’t want to pay $150 or more? Tucson Medical Center (TMC) offers various vascular screenings for $25, but this month (SEPTEMBER), they will do the tests for $10 each.  I’m…

Considering Medicare Advantage

considering medicare advantage

If you are considering Medicare Advantage for your Medicare coverage, here are some things to think about: Most Medicare Advantage plans are HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and have networks of doctors, hospitals, and other providers. If you go to a…

Medigap with Guaranteed Issue

medigap with guaranteed issue

What does it mean to get Medigap with guaranteed issue? And when does this come into play? Here is one example: Medicare says that when people are required to change their Medicare Advantage plan because of a move, they can…

Turning 65 and have Obamacare

If you are turning 65 and have Obamacare health insurance, BE SURE TO CANCEL YOUR OBAMACARE PLAN! I was talking to a woman today who turned 65 in May.  She was already collecting Social Security so she was automatically enrolled…

Medicare Advantage Problem

medicare advantage problem

My neighbor called me recently about her Medicare Advantage problem.  Renee has a pacemaker to keep her heart beating properly – but she nearly had a heart attack when her Medicare Advantage plan told her she was not eligible to…

Medicare and Dental Care

medicare and dental

When clients ask me about Medicare and dental coverage, I tell them Medicare covers dental services in certain situations.  But that was probably wrong information. I got an email from the Center for Medicare Advocacy which sued CMS (Medicare) on…

United and Northwest have a Contract

united and northwest

Good news!  United and Northwest have agreed to a a new contract and 60 thousand folks in Tucson, Oro Valley and Marana will not lose their doctors. I wonder who blinked? I got an email this afternoon (Saturday) from a…

Healthcare Costs in Tucson

When it comes to healthcare costs in Tucson, we are a low-cost healthcare market compared to the rest of the country – according to a report by the Healthcare cost Institute. You can read the report summary here: Healthy Marketplace Index…

Tucson Medicare Advantage Enrollment

Who were the winners and losers in Tucson Medicare Advantage enrollment from 2016 to 2017? FOR 2019 NUMBERS CLICK HERE:  Each year at this time, I look at Medicare Advantage enrollment data provided on the CMS website (Centers for Medicare…

Medicare Help in 2017

medicare help in 2017

2019 information can be found here: https://medicareblog.org/help-with-medicare-costs-5/ The income requirements for getting Medicare help in 2017 have been announced by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid). People in Arizona can use an online application at www.healthearizonaplus.gov To get Medicare help…

UnitedHealthcare and Northwest Healthcare

unitedhealthcare

UnitedHealthcare and Northwest Healthcare are in contract negotiations – and it may not be going well. They have until May 1st to come to an agreement on  their contract and United is sending letters about this to everyone enrolled in…

UnitedHealthcare Contract Dispute

unitedhealthcare logo

Uh oh.  A UnitedHealthcare  contract dispute with Northwest Healthcare is going to cause problems for lots of people who live on the northwest side of Tucson. Northwest Healthcare owns Oro Valley Hospital, Northwest Medical Center, and Northwest Allied Physicians. UnitedHealthcare provides…