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Medicare A & B Patient Health

Medicare’s Observation Status Makes Inpatients Into Outpatients (via NPR)

Beware of the “Admitted for Observation” Billing Code A daughter’s story: “An ER doctor examined her, saw that she couldn’t move her leg, couldn’t really even hold her body upright and had trouble with her memory. He said he would admit her to the hospital’s observation unit to figure out what was going on. He […]

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Part D Prescription Drug

Phase 1: The Prescription Drug Deductible

It’s early January which means Medicare Prescription Drug payment phases have just reset. And I hear this question: “Dan, I just went to refill my medication and the pharmacist quoted me a co-pay almost double what I paid in December.” Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans reset each year on January 1. What that means […]

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Part D Prescription Drug Uncategorized

Part D Late Enrollment Penalty

Q: “Dan, I just received a letter stating I will have to pay a Part D late enrollment penalty next year for not having a drug plan during the months of February through December, 2017. What’s this all about?” A: “Sam, after you turned 65 in October 2016 you had individual coverage with prescription drug […]

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Case Studies Part D Prescription Drug

“Having this EPIC plan was a miracle; an absolute miracle.”

Only a fraction of the nearly 3 million New York State residents aged 65 and older are enrolled in the state’s pharmaceutical assistance program known as New York EPIC. When I meet with New York Medicare Part D clients, I ask if their individual income is below the $75,000 threshold, $100,000 if married. If so, […]

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Case Studies Medicare supplement

A conversation: Focus the fight against cancer instead of the HMO

In this nearly 16 minute conversation Greensboro North Carolina residents, Bob and Signe Foxworth, talk about their frustration and anxiety of trying, unsuccesfully, to obtain HMO approval for Bob’s preferred out of network prostate cancer treatment. Listen as Bob and Signe explain how peace of mind came when Dan counseled them to revert to Original […]

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Case Studies Part D Prescription Drug

Medicare Extra Help: “The savings are a godsend…”

Medicare Extra Help I was delighted to assist this New York based beneficiary who is on a limited income and was not aware of the Medicare Savings Program available through a New York State program for Medicare Part B premium or that Social Security offers “Extra Help” with Part D premium and prescription drug co-pay. […]

Categories
Medicare A & B

Switching Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies

Reasons Why New Yorkers Switch Their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies: You’re paying for benefits you don’t need. You need more benefits than you needed before. Your current Medigap policy has the right benefits, but you want to change your insurance company. Your current Medigap policy has the right benefits, but you want to find a […]