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 […]
Albany Medical Center and Physicians Aetna and Albany Medical Center announced that the two organizations have signed a new contract that results in an expansion of Aetna’s current Medicare Advantage network to include Albany Medical Center and its employed physicians. Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans Aetna offers HMO and Local PPO Medicare Advantage products throughout […]
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, […]
A few months ago Argie, my Medicare client, called asking whether her Medicare Advantage plan with $0 copay for preventative screening included a recent alternative to a colonoscopy. I hadn’t heard of this procedure and don’t like to guess so we both did some research. We learned, yes, since Medicare recognized this new screening as […]