Warning: Taking Medicare advice from your friends can be costly!
Warning: Taking Medicare advice from your friends can be costly! Hi Toni: I met with you in late 2021 for a Toni Says personalized Medicare consultation. I have a quick question regarding travel outside the United States because I’m planning a trip to Greece next...
Medicare Now Covers Shingles Vaccine at NO Cost!
Medicare Now Covers Shingles Vaccine at NO Cost! Toni: I was recently told that to receive a shingles vaccination I needed to have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to get the vaccination or pay $200. I thought all vaccinations and immunizations were...
Understanding Medicare…It’s Complicated!
Understanding Medicare…It’s Complicated! Toni: I am turning 65 in September and need make my Medicare decision. I do not know where to start or what to do? I am being bombarded by telemarketers and mail telling me that if I do not sign up for Medicare when I turn...
Is it too late to buy a Long-Term Care policy?
Is it too late to buy a Long-Term Care policy? Dear Toni: My brother recently had to move out of his house into as assisted living facility because he broke his hip and is unable to live on his own. The monthly cost of the facility is about $4500 per month and...
Can Beginning RMDs Raise Your Medicare Premiums?
Can Beginning RMDs Raise Your Medicare Premiums? Toni: I am over 73 and began taking my RMDs (required minimum distributions) from my 401K when I turned 72. Could this have had an impact on my Medicare Part B premium increase for 2023? This year my Part B and...
Should A Veteran Using the VA Enroll in Medicare Part B?
Should A Veteran Using the VA Enroll in Medicare Part B? Toni: My husband is a Viet Nam Veteran and never enrolled in Medicare Part B because he uses the VA, close to where we live in Michigan for his medical care. He is having to wait for care from the VA for his...
Treat Medicare Part B Like It’s Gold…Enroll the Correct Way!!
Treat Medicare Part B Like It’s Gold...Enroll the Correct Way!! Dear Toni: I have decided to retire when I turn 65 in September and will need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B with a Medicare Supplement and Part D prescription drug plan. My husband, Tom is 67and he...
Are Injections Given at the Doctor’s Office Covered by Medicare?
Are Injections Given at the Doctor’s Office Covered by Medicare? Toni: I am turning 65 in March and my individual health plan has a $4,000 deductible which I meet every year due to shots of Lucentis for Macular degeneration which is over $2500 per shot given at the...
New Medicare Turning-65 Enrolling Rule!
New Medicare Turning-65 Enrolling Rule! Toni I have a quite different Medicare problem concerning how to enroll in Medicare than any enrollment problem that I have read in your Medicare column. I understand from an email a friend received from Medicare.gov that...
Can Beginning RMDs Raise Your Medicare Premiums?
Can Beginning RMDs Raise Your Medicare Premiums? Dear Toni, I am over 73 and began taking my RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) from my 401K when I turned 72. Could this have increased my Medicare Part B premium for 2023? This year my Part B and Part D...
Is Medicare Health Plan or Part D Drug Plan More Important When Retiring?
Is Medicare Health Plan or Part D Drug Plan More Important When Retiring? Toni: I am retiring January 1st and am beginning to search for the right Medicare option for me and my wife, who is having breast cancer treatment at a local cancer facility. Her cancer...
Legal Documents that America Should Not be Without When Aging
Legal Documents that America Should Not be Without When Aging Hi Toni: My husband is retiring at the end of the year, and we are losing so many benefits from his work such as company benefits, life insurance, dental and vision. I know I am missing something...