Medicare Supplement Rate Increase is Outrageous!
Medicare Supplement Rate Increase is Outrageous! Toni: We have received a 20% increase for our Plan F Medicare Supplement that is effective May 1. I am a 70-year-old female in good health, but my husband is undergoing cancer treatment at MD Anderson. Also, his...
Medicare Prescription Drug Penalty Confusion!!
Medicare Prescription Drug Penalty Confusion!! Hello Toni: Turned 65 in August 2018, continued to work full-time with an HSA that has a $3000.00 deductible before any prescriptions or medical claims are paid by the insurance plan. The HR manager of my employer...
Enrolling in Medicare Made Simple
Enrolling in Medicare Made Simple Hello Toni: My husband, David, has been laid off because of what is happening to the economy due to COVID-19. He is 68 and has never enrolled in Medicare, but I am turning 65 this June. We both are covered under his employer’s...
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Mistake Postponed My Hip Surgery!
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Mistake Postponed My Hip Surgery! Toni: I made a terrible mistake during the current Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period and changed to a Medicare Advantage HMO plan because I understood from talking with my friends that this plan was a...
Stress Changing Medicare Plan
Stress Changing Medicare Plan Morning Toni: When I first got Medicare, I picked a Medicare supplement plan F. Two years ago, I was approached by a telemarking phone call. He talked me into plan K to save some money since I was in good health and could answer the...
Cancer Treatment Not Covered By Employer Health Insurance…
Cancer Treatment Not Covered By Employer Health Insurance… Help Toni! I have developed a rare form of cancer that requires the use of proton therapy and my problem is that my employer’s health insurance does not cover proton therapy. I must pay all the costs....
Does Medicare Approve Clinical Trial Prescription Drug Programs?
Does Medicare Approve Clinical Trial Prescription Drug Programs? Toni: I turn 65 in May and am covered by my wife’s employer group health insurance. I am fighting stage 3 kidney cancer and the prognosis is good since I am participating in a clinical trial for a new...
Does Medicare Cover Alzheimer Facility Care?
Does Medicare Cover Alzheimer Facility Care? Morning, Toni: I read your Medicare column regularly and have never seen you address the issue of paying for an Alzheimer facility care. I am concerned that I may wipe out my 401K or savings if the arises due to long-term...
2021 Medicare Premiums and Costs Released
2021 Medicare Premiums and Costs Released Hello Toni: I have recently enrolled in Medicare and received my 2020 Medicare and You handbook and cannot find what the 2021 Medicare costs will be? Do you have any idea what the new Medicare costs are? Why weren’t the...
Does Medicare Pay for a Long-Term Care Need?
Does Medicare Pay for a Long-Term Care Need? Toni: Recently my older sister had a stroke and needs extra care at home. I was told from friends at church that Medicare will help to pay for her at-home care. I cannot find any information about Medicare paying for...
Have Cancer…. Must Return to Original Medicare During Medicare Annual Enrollment!!
Have Cancer…. Must Return to Original Medicare During Medicare Annual Enrollment!! Toni: Last year, I made a mistake when I retired and enrolled in a Medicare Advantage PPO plan because I understood from talking with retired co-workers and friends that this PPO plan...
Left Employer Benefits Now I Have a Medicare Part D Penalty…Why??
Left Employer Benefits Now I Have a Medicare Part D Penalty…Why?? Hello Toni: I made a terrible mistake last April when I was no longer being covered by my employer group health plan due to retiring. I had a telemarketing agent help me find a Medicare Supplement...