Categories
Medicare Patient Health

Hospital Facility Fees for an Office Visit?

Occasionally I receive calls from clients questioning the “facility fee” charged by their physician and, of course, why their healthcare plan did not pay for it. Earlier this week, NPR’s All Things Considered aired an informative six minute segment (click here to listen) explaining how a Cleveland Ohio Medicare beneficiary’s copayment bill was ten times […]

Categories
Part D Prescription Drug

The 2021 Medicare Part D Drug Plan Phases

During the first quarter of the new year I often receive this question: “Dan, I went to refill my prescription and was quoted almost double what I paid in December.” Here’s why. Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans reset each year on January 1 and benefit levels start again at the first of four phases. […]

Categories
Part D Prescription Drug

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

I have received several inquiries these past few days as New York State followed the updated CDC guidelines and announced that anyone over the age of 65 is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (This was one day after announcing that those over 75 were eligible, and that the 65-74 age group was probably […]

Categories
Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage Part D Prescription Drug

What If I Missed the Medicare AEP Deadline?

This year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) was a busy time and we are grateful for the scores of individuals and couples who permitted our team of agent advisors to help with their 2021 Part C Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription drug plan selection. (The December 7 deadline did not […]

Categories
Medicare A & B Medicare supplement

Medicare 2021 Part A and Part B: Premium and Deductible Changes

[This page is best viewed in landscape mode] On November 6, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. Medicare Part A Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care services. […]

Categories
Medicare

Get Questions Answered at “Medicare 101” Webinar

Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future? Have you been enrolled in Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers? Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues? If you answered yes, then “Medicare 101” is for you. This no sales-pitch educational webinar, led […]

Categories
Medicare Patient Health

“Is Telemedicine The Future Of Health Care?”

CNBC recently aired this informative segment on the history, current demand and future of telemedicine: Due to COVID19, telemedicine visits are surging with general visits projected to be 200 million this year. Before COVID19, the projection was 36 million telemedicine visits. There may be a time when you have some questions and your doctor’s office […]

Categories
Case Studies Part D Prescription Drug

New York State EPIC and Mary – a case study

“… a huge thanks for cluing us in to the EPIC ..program.” “…we now estimate yearly savings to be $7,000+/-”  “…we’d never heard of this program until one of your newsletter emails..” When Mary became eligible for Medicare I helped her enroll in the Medicare Supplement Plan G she selected as secondary to Original Medicare. […]

Categories
Medicare A & B

Enrolling in Medicare Part B and the Coronavirus Crisis

If receiving your Social Security retirement benefits before age 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. The coverage usually begins the month of your 65th birthday and the Part B Medicare premium is withheld from your Social Security benefit payment. Many individuals working past age 65 and still insured through […]

Categories
Medicare supplement

What is a Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G, also called Medigap, coverage is very similar to Plan F. It offers great value for beneficiaries who are willing to pay a small annual deductible. After that, Plan G provides full coverage for all of the gaps in Medicare. It pays for your hospital deductible, copays and coinsurance. It also covers […]