Your number one resource for Medicare information and healthy lifestyle tips.
Do You Know How to Apply for Medicare?
For most of your life, people didn’t have to apply for Medicare. They were automatically enrolled when they turned 65 and became eligible for Social Security. That all changed in 1983, when President Reagan signed legislation to raise the retirement...
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Take Advantage of Medicare Preventive Screenings
In recent years, most health insurance companies began covering a variety of preventive screenings and services, often at no cost to the beneficiary. The reason is simple: Preventive healthcare is much cheaper than treatment. Medicare and other insurers joined with...
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Does Medicare Cover Coronavirus Testing?
For the first time in a century, the world faces a new pandemic. In recent weeks, every headline seems to be about the coronavirus. Unfortunately, with the situation changing daily – and sometimes hourly – there is a lot of...
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How to Compare Plans Using the Medicare 5 Star Rating System
Trying to choose between Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D drug plans can feel overwhelming. Private insurers offer these plans, which means that costs and coverage differ, sometimes dramatically, for each plan. It’s also difficult to know how well...
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Medicare Plan Annual Notice of Change: What to Expect
If you have any Medicare plan beyond Parts A and B, you receive a plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) every September. This is true for all plans except for
7 Common Medicare Complaints – And How to Resolve Them
While Medicare provides much-needed healthcare coverage, it’d be shocking if beneficiaries had zero complaints. Luckily, most issues are fairly simple to address. In this post, we look at the most
Alternative Pain Relief Methods: Managing Pain Without Drugs
For many of us, pain is a fact of life. It’s a common symptom of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, sciatica, and fibromyalgia. Pain can also linger for years
Medicare Part D and the Donut Hole: Is it Going Away?
Figuring out costs in Medicare has always been a little confusing, and the donut hole is definitely no exception. It doesn’t help that healthcare has become so politicized, with politicians
Is Medicare at 65 Mandatory?
If you’re getting ready to turn 65, chances are you have a few questions about Medicare. One of the more common ones is whether enrolling in Medicare is mandatory when
Prostate Exams and Medicare: Causes, Symptoms, & Risk Factors
With the exception of skin cancer, men are diagnosed with prostate cancer more than any other type of cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 175,000 men will receive
Is it Time for Assisted Living? Having the Talk with a Loved One
With life expectancies growing, many of us face conversations we never thought we’d have. One of these is talking to a loved one about assisted living. This is a conversation
Understanding the Medicare Appeal Process
If you disagree with a Medicare decision regarding payment or coverage, you may file an appeal. This is true whether you have Original Medicare, a Medicare health plan, or a
What Is the Medicare Part B Excess Charge?
The standard out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part B services all assume one thing: That the provider accepts assignment. That’s because providers who do not participate in Medicare can charge more