Ways EZ Will Help You Find the Perfect Plan This AEP

Before you know it, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will be over. You have less than a month to choose your Medicare coverage for next year, and this can feel quite overwhelming, especially if you don't know where to begin. But have no fear, with EZ, you will be provided with a highly knowledgeable…

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What Is a Medicare Flex Card?

Have you ever seen commercials for flex cards for Medicare beneficiaries? These cards are advertised every year around the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15th to December 7th, and are touted as a great benefit for seniors. So if you’ve seen these ads, you might be wondering what flex cards are and if…

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5 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is back, which means it’s time for you to see if there is a Medicare option that better suits your needs and budget. From October 15th to December 7th each year is the only time you can make changes to your Medicare coverage, so make sure you take advantage of…

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Avoid These 4 Common Medicare Annual Enrollment Mistakes

If you are new to the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which begins October 15th and ends December 7th, it might seem overwhelming or confusing at first. But it’s important to take the time to compare your options during this enrollment period, otherwise you’ll most likely be leaving money on the table. You might end…

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What is The 8-Minute Medicare Rule?

If you are new to Medicare, then you probably have not heard of the 8 Minute Medicare rule. It is a phrase that many Medicare beneficiaries come across, but do not know exactly what it means or pertains to. If you are a seasoned Medicare beneficiary, then you might be familiar with Medicare's 8-minute rule.…

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5 Things to Consider Before Medicare Annual Enrollment

The Medicare Annual Enrollment is a time for seniors to take a look at their health care needs and coverage. It is starting in a few weeks, beginning October 15th and ending on December 7th. So, now is a good time to start thinking about all the things that you need to consider beforehand so…

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How Inflation Is Affecting Projected Medicare IRMAA Brackets for 2023

Every year, Medicare rates go up, and so the brackets for the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA, also change. Knowing the IRMAA brackets is important because if you make a certain amount, you could end up paying more for Medicare. While the IRMAA brackets are not out for 2023 yet, they will be released…

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How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Help All Americans Save on Healthcare

The weekend of August 6, Senate Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This legislation will help keep some of President Biden's campaign promises, some of which are related to healthcare, like lowering the costs of prescription drugs. The revised bill is now set to be sent to the House, and if it passes…

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How Does Medicare Handle ALS Coverage

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects as many as 30,000 Americans in any given year. The risk of ALS increases with age, most commonly developing in those between the ages of 40 and  mid-60s. So, since an estimated 51% of people who have it are older than 70 years, it’s important to understand how Medicare covers…

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Medicare Patients With Blood Cancer Face High Costs That May Impact Treatment

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. We wanted to talk about this important topic this month especially because, according to a new report from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, while survival rates for older patients with blood cancers have been improving, rising healthcare costs have meant that less than half of newly diagnosed patients are…

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What Isn’t Covered in Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit

If you’re new to Medicare, you might be a little confused about what is covered by Medicare and what isn’t. But it's very important to understand your coverage, because assuming a visit or treatment is covered when it isn’t could mean receiving a surprisingly large bill in the mail. For example, as a Medicare beneficiary,…

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CMS Proposes New Medicare Payment Adjustment for Home Healthcare

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a permanent payment adjustment to the home healthcare 30-day period payment rate. The change would decrease Medicare payments to home health agencies by $810 million next year. Home healthcare providers have concerns that this will put the stability of home healthcare at risk, and…

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surgery table

Are Plastic Surgeries Covered by Medicare?

  When you think of plastic surgery, the Kardashians or a Real Housewife of some random city probably come to mind, but what they’ve actually had is cosmetic surgery. There is a difference between the 2 and if you have Medicare, the good news is one of them may be covered.   Plastic Surgery vs.…

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Do Military Retirees Have To Pay for Medicare?

Military personnel generally get special healthcare benefits while they are serving, and after they are retired. But if you’re a veteran, and you’re about to turn  65, you might be wondering if you can continue to use your military healthcare alongside Medicare, or if you will have to switch to  Medicare. The short answer to…

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senior couple laughing

Does Medicare Cover Speech Therapy?

Let’s face it, it’s not fun getting older. Body parts give in to gravity, reflexes and movements get slower, and our vision and hearing weaken. As if that wasn’t enough, stroke risk increases with age and the older you get the more likely you are to develop dementia. While stroke and dementia are 2 conditions…

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Does Medicare Cover Parkinson’s?

Nearly 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease, and that figure is expected to climb to 1.2 million by 2030. While this disease can affect anyone, it is more common in older adults: it affects around 1% of the population over 60. If you are an older adult, especially if you have a family…

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Early Detection of Macular Degeneration Can Help Save Your Central Vision

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in the US, especially in older adults. The risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration increases from 2% for those aged 50-59, to nearly 30% for those over the age of 75. That means it’s vitally important that you get your eyes checked regularly as you…

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What Medicare Doesn’t Cover: A Look at Some of the Most Common Out-of-Pocket Expenses

When you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, you might find that you need to adjust to Medicare after having private insurance. But you’ll most likely be pleased with the switch! With that being said, though, there are things that Medicare doesn’t cover, meaning you’ll have some out-of-pocket expenses to budget for, as you would…

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