On February 1, 2020, Medicare beneficiaries in New York’s Central and Capital Regions will have even more providers to choose from when they select a 2020 Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. On that day, Ellis Medicine and its affiliated physicians will be part of Aetna’s Medicare Advantage preferred provider network – including the following facilities: Bellevue Women’s […]
October 15 through December 7 (Annual Enrollment Period) is when individuals enrolled in Medicare may change their Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription drug plan selection. This is a good time to share some of the questions I have been receiving in case you, a neighbor or family member missed that deadline: Q: I missed […]
On January 1, 2020, Medicare beneficiaries in New York’s Central, Upstate and Capital Regions will have even more providers to choose from when they select a 2020 Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. On that day, Bassett Healthcare Network and its more than 400 affiliated physicians and other advanced practice clinicians will be part of Aetna’s Medicare Advantage preferred […]
This spring I received calls for help from several veterans who were paying a monthly premium to be enrolled in a MAPD, a Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug Plan. These veterans are not eligible for CHAMP or TRICARE, are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and pay the Part B premium. Since these veterans […]
What is the Medigap High F Plan? This plan provides the same benefits as standard Plan F after a $2,300 (2019) deductible has been met. The standard Plan F is a Medigap policy that pays the Medicare hospital and medical Parts A and B deductible and co-insurance – the dollars not paid by Original Medicare. Plan F […]
On October 12, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2019 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. Medicare Part A Deductible Medicare Part A covers covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care services. The annual inpatient hospital deductible that […]
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 […]
This year’s Medicare October 15 through December 7 AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) was a busy time for me and I’m grateful for the scores of individuals and couples who permitted me to help with their 2018 Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription drug plan selection. Still, as I am fielding calls for help […]
On November 17, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2018 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. [Link to press release.] Medicare Part B Premiums The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $134 for 2018, the same amount […]
Criminals try to scam seniors year-round however the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December) is a prime time for scammers to impersonate a government agency, as older Americans are more likely to be dealing with Medicare related issues. The latest scam focuses on the new Medicare ID card being sent to all Medicare recipients […]