Should I Enroll in Medicare When Turning 65 and Still Working?
Should I Enroll in Medicare When Turning 65 and Still Working? Hello Toni: I am turning 65 soon and working full-time with employer benefits. I am receiving conflicting information from friends and co-workers regarding enrolling in Medicare. Some say to enroll...
Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Increase in 2024
Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Increase in 2024 Hello Toni: I recently enrolled in Medicare and received my 2024 Medicare and You handbook and cannot find the 2024 Medicare costs will be? Do you have any idea what the new Medicare costs are? Thank You, Cindy from...
Can’t Afford My $660 Medicare Premium … What Do I Do?
Can’t Afford My $660 Medicare Premium … What Do I Do? Dear Toni My Medicare begins September 1 and I have received my first bill for $660. This bill is for 4 months from September to December. I thought Medicare was a monthly premium of $164.90. If I pay the...
Medicare Rules Confuse HR Dept.
Medicare Rules Confuse HR Dept. Hello Toni: I am a HR Manager for a local oil & gas company and have a question about an employee. He is turning 65 and still working full time. His situation is a little different because next month he will begin...
Medicare Questions from Toni Says® Readers
Medicare Questions from Toni Says® Readers This week’s Toni Says Medicare column consists of “What if” Medicare questions from Toni Says® readers around the United States. “What if” I did not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when I turned 65 and I am taking an...
“Still Working” … Medicare’s Magic Words for Enrolling in Part B Correctly!!
“Still Working” … Medicare’s Magic Words for Enrolling in Part B Correctly!! Dear Toni, I’m losing the battle with Social Security about me and my wife enrolling in Medicare Part B since I am losing my group benefits effective July 31. I took early retirement during...
Get Ready…Hurricane Season Begins June 1st!!
Get Ready…Hurricane Season Begins June 1st!! Toni: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey absolutely devastated my wife. Now, her 88-year-old mother is living in an assisted living facility, and we live over 10 miles away from her. What can we do to be prepared for...
Changing Medicare Plans Can Be Nerve-Wracking!!
Changing Medicare Plans Can Be Nerve-Wracking!! Toni: When I first enrolled in Medicare in 2019, I picked a Medicare supplement plan F. In 2021 I was approached by a telemarketer on my cell phone, and he talked me into Plan K which cost less than Plan F since I...
Can A Clinical Trial Prescription Drug Avoid the Donut Hole?
Can A Clinical Trial Prescription Drug Avoid the Donut Hole? Toni: I turn 65 in May and am covered by my wife’s employer group health insurance. I’m fighting stage 3 kidney cancer and the prognosis is good since I am participating in a clinical trial for a new...
Medicare Scams are Exploding!!
Medicare Scams are Exploding!! Toni: I am very concerned about a phone call I received yesterday from a representative with Medicare asking all types of personal questions and informing me that there was a new plastic Medicare card with a chip like a credit...
What is Medicare’s “creditable” prescription drug coverage?
What is Medicare’s “creditable” prescription drug coverage? Hello Toni: I turned 65 in August 2021, continued to work full-time with an HSA that has a $3,000 deductible for medical claims paid by the insurance plan, and used a prescription discount card to cover...
Should I Apply for Social Security Disability While Receiving Medicaid?
Should I Apply for Social Security Disability While Receiving Medicaid? Toni: I am a 59-year-old female and in June,2022 I was diagnosed with stage IIIA metastatic breast cancer. A non-profit Cancer program in Houston qualified me under Medicaid (Breast/Ovarian cancer...