Why I hate Medicare Part D
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 month for his Part D plan – yet [...]
Medicare Open Enrollment Period
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is October 15 – December 7. What can you do during this period?
Review your drug plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
If you have a Part D plan along with a Medicare supplement, you should [...]
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 [...]
Vacation is over.
I have taken a vacation from writing for my blog this summer – but that vacation is over, as it is almost time for the Annual Enrollment Period.
I have been taking online courses and tests for all of the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans [...]
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. [...]
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 apply for a Medicare [...]
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 into Medicare [...]
New Medicare Numbers are coming.
New Medicare numbers (on a new Medicare card) are going to be sent to everyone on Medicare – but not until 2018.
The new Medicare cards will use a unique, randomly-assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), to replace [...]
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 get her [...]
Medicare and Dental Care
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) [...]
United and Northwest have a Contract
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 hardworking United broker [...]
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
The [...]
Tucson Medicare Advantage Enrollment
Who were the winners and losers in Tucson Medicare Advantage enrollment from 2016 to 2017?
Each year at this time, I look at Medicare Advantage enrollment data provided on the CMS website (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). Below I [...]
Medicare Help in 2017
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 in 2017, people must [...]
UnitedHealthcare and Northwest Healthcare
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 [...]
Replacing Obamacare
Here is my opinion on replacing Obamacare. It’s complicated.
Replacing Obamacare is complicated because health insurance is complicated.
View this video presentation of my opinion on repealing and replacing Obamacare.
UnitedHealthcare Contract Dispute
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 [...]
Obamacare Repeal Will Hurt
Obamacare repeal will hurt 18 million people. Obamacare repeal will hurt hospitals. Obamacare repeal will hurt thousands of people who work in healthcare because they will lose their jobs. Obamacare repeal will hurt Medicare beneficiaries.
The [...]
Faith Based Health Insurance Plans
I must admit I do not know much about faith based health insurance plans. But I did learn today that they are not “insurance”.
I talked to someone who knows these plans and…… they might be a good option for [...]
Medicare Coverage Mistake
Thousands of people make a serious Medicare coverage mistake because they don’t know the rules. They think they don’t need to sign up for Part B of Medicare (and pay a premium) because they have COBRA, or a retiree plan, or VA [...]
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment
For people who are unhappy with their Medicare Advantage plan, there is still a way to get out of it. That is called the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP).
The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period runs from January 1 – [...]
Medicare Coverage for Home Infusion
Medicare coverage for home infusion services is a problem for really sick people.
Why is there no Medicare coverage for home infusion?
I was checking on this because a young woman called me and asked if I could find her a Medicare Advantage [...]
Medicare Part D Is Rigged System.
Medicare Part D is rigged. It is rigged to rip off seniors.
This being the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, I’m checking my clients’ drug lists and I’m finding so many things I don’t like about Part D drug coverage.
How [...]
Big Changes To Medicare Coming Soon
Big changes to Medicare are coming soon – now that Republicans are in charge. And Social Security is certainly on the table because it makes up 25% of the federal budget.
Most voters over 55 favored Donald Trump – and they will [...]
Medicare costs are going up in 2017
Medicare costs are going up in 2017. Most people on Medicare currently pay a Part B premium of $104.90. That will go up in January to about $109.
For people who are new to Medicare, or those who are not yet collecting Social Security, their [...]
What is wrong with Medicare Part D
What is wrong with Medicare Part D? Let me give you an example.
I got a call yesterday from a man who is 66 years old. He is still working and has employer health insurance. He takes Enbrel, a drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis and a number [...]
