Rules for Medicare Advantage Plans
Posted on August 30, 2014 by bob in Medicare
Dear Marci, I have received mail lately about different Medicare Advantage plans. Do Medicare Advantage plans have to follow any rules when marketing their plans to me?—James Dear James, Yes, there are specific guidelines that companies selling Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans must follow when promoting their plans to you. These guidelines […]
Retiree Medicare Choices
Posted on August 30, 2014 by bob in Medicare
When you retire and qualify for Medicare at 65, you’ll need to decide how you’d like to receive your health care benefits. Because you’ll be new to Medicare, you may not realize you have two options. One is to join the government’s fee-for-service program that’s existed for 49 years. The other is to buy a […]
Answers to Medicare Questions
Posted on August 1, 2014 by bob in Medicare
Dear Marci, Will Medigap plans be sold through the Health Insurance Marketplaces? — Marcus Dear Marcus, No. Medigap plans, which are supplemental insurance plans that help pay out-of-pocket Original Medicare costs like deductibles and coinsurances, will not be sold through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. In addition, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug plans will […]
Is the Health Insurance Marketplace Working?
Posted on August 1, 2014 by bob in Medicare
“For every additional insurer selling health plans in a particular area, premiums were 4 percent lower on average.” It’s been six months since millions of American began to benefit from health insurance bought through the new federal marketplace, so it’s fair to ask: How is the coverage working? Though analyzing the health care law remains […]
Medicare Q&A: What’s an ‘opt-out’ doctor?
Posted on May 29, 2014 by bob in Medicare
Medicare Q&A: What’s an ‘opt-out’ doctor?
Comparing Healthcare Providers
Posted on May 1, 2014 by bob in Medicare
The Internet can help answer life’s little questions, from movie rating to restaurant recommendations. It can also be used for more important tasks, including comparing nursing homes, hospitals, doctors and home health providers. Four in five Internet users already search the web for information about diseases or medical problems. Using the Internet to compare health […]
Medicare Q & A
Posted on April 1, 2014 by bob in Medicare
Dear Marci, Does Medicare ever cover dental care? — Betsey Dear Betsey, For the most part, Medicare does not cover dental care by law. In general, Medicare does not cover routine dental care or dental care that you need primarily for the health of your teeth. For example, Medicare will generally not cover routine checkups […]
No-Cost Medicare Screenings
Posted on March 1, 2014 by bob in Medicare
Medicare has put a new emphasis on preventive health care. A few years ago, it was mostly concerned with paying for treatment after you got sick. Now, it’s also focused on helping you stay healthy and avoid diseases and illnesses in the first place. People with Medicare are entitled to a broad range of exams, […]
Medicare in 2014
Posted on February 2, 2014 by bob in Medicare
No Change in Part B The best news for 2014 is that there are no changes in Medicare’s Part B premium and deductible. The standard premium for the part of Medicare that covers your doctor visits and outpatient hospital care will stay the same – $104.90 per month. Over the past three years, the premium […]
