Yes America…You’re Getting a New Medicare Card!
Toni: I have been receiving mail and phone calls about a new Medicare card that is being issued for those on Medicare. I’m getting a little concerned because neither my wife or I have received the new card. My wife went to her cardiologist and there was a sign saying...
Medicare Rule…No One Remembers!
Dear Toni, Just a quick note to say that my mother had to go into the hospital this week. Has the flu, a urinary tract infection and pneumonia. She had slipped and bumped her head, but no concussion. Very weak, so we are asking that she be placed into...
Mom…Didn’t Enroll in Part D…Help!
Dear Toni: I have been told that Medicare does not cover drugs when you are in an emergency room? My mother went in the hospital from the ER for 2 days and because it was considered “under observation, we are now fighting the hospital because they say her drugs were...
Frequently Asked Toni Says® Medicare Questions
2017 has been a great year and thank you from Toni Says® team for allowing us to help you navigate the maze of Medicare. “What if” I did not enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when I should because I don’t want to pay that extra Part B premium each month? I don’t...
Why Is My 2018 Social Security Check Only Increased by $2?
Toni: In November, you wrote that there was not an increase in the 2018 Part B premium. I have not seen an increase in the last 2 years, and $109 Part B premium has been deducted from my Social Security check. Recently I received from Social Security what my 2018...
Did Medicare Call Mom Or Was This Fraud?
Hello Toni: Yesterday, a representative from Medicare called my mother asking all types of personal questions to register her for the new Medicare card which is coming in mid-2018. I just happened to be at her house and was able to take the call. I told them that she...
AS A RETIRED TEXAS TEACHER … I AM LIVID!!
Dear Toni, As a retired Texas teacher .... I decided to stay on my husband's insurance some 25 years ago when I retired. Fine, TRS said I would never be able to join again. So, I stayed with the TRS Care 2 Aetna group plan to remain on Original Medicare and use my...
Myth or Fact…I’m Losing My Retiree Insurance
Hello Toni, I am a TRS retiree and you are aware that my TRS Aetna Retiree plan was cancelled. I am concerned that my husband and I are not going to be taken care of medically since we are forced to change to the new TRS Medicare Advantage plan. I have heard from...
Ways to Make Going to the Social Security Office Less Stressful!
Morning Toni: I found that even when all the "i's" are dotted and the "t's" are crossed and the paperwork is filled out correctly that Social Security can still royally screw up. I personally filled the paperwork for Medicare with the words in Red written across the...
Times Running out… Medicare’s Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7th!!
Hello Toni: I recently attended a Medicare Advantage meeting and was going to join with some reservations. After reading your article about the different Parts and Plans of Medicare, I am concerned that this Advantage plan may not be a good fit for me. My question is...
Happy Veterans Day: Five Ways Social Security Serves Our Veterans
Five Ways Social Security Serves Our Veterans Posted on November 9, 2017 by Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications On Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who proudly serve our country. Social Security is committed to helping our veterans. One...
New Inpatient/Outpatient Rule for Medicare
Toni Says Newsletter Alert: Around October 1, the 2018 Medicare & You handbook should have arrived in everyone’s mailbox with a surprise on page 32 titled, “Am I an inpatient or outpatient?” if you are currently on Medicare. What does that mean? Let’s discuss...
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