We talk a lot about what Medicare costs to use, but not how the benefits are financed. Here’s how Medicare is funded, and how we each help ensure enrollees receive affordable health care. There are 61 million people in the United States that are enrolled in Medicare and rely on its coverage to afford vital health care.…
Read articleWhere to find housing and utility assistance during covid-19. As the COVID-19 pandemic carries on. Many older Americans are finding their budgets stretched to the limit. The high cost of housing and utilities can be especially burdensome. Here are several places to find help if you’re struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or home energy…
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Types of Dental Plans Dental Insurance in Layman’s Terms. two main types of dental plans are DMOs, or Dental Maintenance Organizations, and Passive PPOs. A DMO is sort of like an HMO. Typically, you must choose a dentist from the plan’s provider network and then get referrals if you need to see a specialist. Payment…
Read articleOpen Enrollment includes new coverage option for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). With Open Enrollment approaching, knowing your options for Medicare coverage is important, especially if you want to change your plan. Starting this Open Enrollment, if you have ESRD, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7, 2020)…
Read articleTrOOP is the annual “Total out-of-pocket costs” and was also known before as “True out-pf-pocket costs”. In general, TrOOP includes all payments for Medications listed on your plan’s formulary and purchased at a Network or participating Pharmacy. This includes payments that you made and payments that were made by others on your behalf. If you…
Read articleA health savings account (HSA) can provide a triple tax break: your contributions are tax-deductible (or pre-tax if through your employer). The money grows tax-deferred, and you can withdraw it tax-free for eligible medical expenses at any time. And when you turn age 65. You can withdraw the money tax-free for even more expenses. You have to…
Read articleMedicare and COBRA. COBRA is the temporary insurance that allows people to remain insured for 18 months (or sometimes longer) after leaving employment. It is designed to give people time to get another job or find a different health plan. Aside from the expense, terminated employees must now pay the entire premium themselves. It works…
Read articleChanging from the Marketplace to Medicare. If you have a Marketplace plan, you can keep it until your Medicare coverage starts. Find out how to end your Marketplace plan . If you like, you can keep your Marketplace plan too. But once your Medicare Part A coverage starts, you’ll no longer be eligible for any…
Read articleMedicare and a Power Of Attorney. A power of attorney (POA) is a powerful tool. A medical POA is a durable power of attorney for healthcare. When you make a medical power of attorney — more commonly called a “durable power of attorney for health care”, you name a trusted person to oversee your medical care and…
Read articleDoctor Visits and Getting Medicines during Covid-19. Talk to your doctor online, by phone, or e-mail. Use telemedicine, if available, or communicate with your doctor or nurse by phone or e-mail. Talk to your doctor about rescheduling procedures that are not urgently needed. If you must visit in-person, protect yourself and others If you think…
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