Category: Medicare Supplement

The American Cancer Society estimates 13,000 women to be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year. About 50% of these women are 50 or over, and 15% of them are aged 65 and older. Cervical cancer can easily be identified through a routine Pap smear. Luckily for women 65 and older. Medicare covers Pap tests and…

Medicare has major coverage gaps, most notably that Part B pays only 80 percent of covered expenses, and the other 20 percent must be paid by the consumer. When you purchase a Medicare Supplement plan from a private insurer, you close that gap. These supplement plans have been growing in popularity over the years, mainly…

More than 4 million people will require a blood transfusion this year, whether because of cancer, accidents, or surgeries. There is such a high demand for blood to save lives, and a limited amount of [caption id="attachment_1960" align="alignleft" width="300"] Blood is in high demand in the U.S. Donate to help save a life. There is…

Every year from October 15 to December 7 is Medicare’s Annual  Enrollment. This is the time you can switch from Medicare to Medicare Advantage, and vice versa. You can also change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. [caption id="attachment_1973" align="alignleft" width="300"] Just because Medicare OEP is over, does not mean you do not have…

It is officially 2019 and time to set some resolutions you intend to keep this year. First thing you should do is reflect on last year, then reflect on what you would like to change or do differently. This year set a goal on what is important to you and what you would like to…

This past October, the CMS released the new rates for Medicare deductibles and copays for 2019. It is important to review the new rates to determine if it is affordable for you and your situation. If you can not afford the raised rates, then now would be the time to make some budget changes, or…

Medicare has announced new guidelines for beneficiaries who receive high-dose opioids. Due to the rising deaths from opioids in America, the government and Medicare officials have decided to take action to fix the problem and reduce deaths. The overdose of opioids has been a rising cause of deaths in the USA, killing over 60, 000…

Over 120,000 people. That’s the number of people in the U.S. that are currently waiting for an organ. This number increases by one more about every 12 minutes. For those who are not able to receive the needed organ, approximately a little over 7,000 people every year, die. Organ donors are something that we are…

The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, but in reality it is a stressful time for a lot of people. This is especially true for seniors, because it can accompany grief, as well as depression. Travel plans, party planning, shopping, and entertaining guests are just some of the stressful things seniors may deal…

Medicare Supplement plans do not have annual enrollment periods, so it is important to know when to apply for one. The Medicare Supplement initial enrollment period is the time to sign up for a plan.  It is important to utilize this period if you need help paying Part B costs, or if you have pre-existing…

We are taught at a young age that giving presents are how we express our love. But as we get older, we realize that it is not the materialistic presents that matter. What truly matters is the present of being present, showing love, and giving our time. This is especially true for the parents, grandparents,…

The end of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is right around the corner. From October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries have the ability to decide if they like what they have, or if they would like to switch. If you have what you want then great, but if you are not satisfied with it,…

A lot of times, people think that once they retire then they are eligible to start receiving Medicare benefits. But, that is not necessarily true. If you retire early there will be some consequences with your healthcare. Specifically, you will have to pay for it out of pocket. [caption id="attachment_1485" align="alignright" width="300"] Retirment is a…

Many Americans are turning 65 every day, and can be overwhelmed with the retirement costs to come, especially when unprepared. It is important to plan for retirement and costs for Medicare. Most people underestimate the expenses during retirement. It is important to research medical costs and plan accordingly. [caption id="attachment_1521" align="alignleft" width="300"] As you get…

Medicare is making some positive moves in the diabetes field. Not only are they now covering some continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), but they are also beginning to connect it to smartphones. Glucose monitors were not covered by Medicare last year. This left people with diabetes the only option of paying for it out of pocket.…

Comparing and finding the best health insurance, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Advantage plans can be a complicated process. Many people jump around different sites thinking that this will help them get the best price, but they are wrong. Shopping around like this can take up a lot of time , and it gives your information…

With age comes some onset mental health issues. Depression and mood disorders are widespread amongst older adults. Most of the time it goes undiagnosed and untreated, which only worsens the conditions. Of course the person going through it is often unaware of the mental illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC,…

Prescription medication can be very expensive, and there is no way around it because it is necessary. However, Medicare has a way to make medication more affordable. The step therapy program allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices and help Medicare beneficiaries save money by offering cheaper medication options. How Does Step Therapy Work? Step therapy…