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...
Medicare Part B, Plan F…Parts…Plans… What’s the Difference?
Toni: I have been studying the difference between Original Medicare’s Plan F and Medicare’s Part C or even D. What is with all the different plans, parts or letters? Can you explain these simple terms because I can understand what is going on?...
Can Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Cancel a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Toni: Last year, both me and my husband purchased a Medicare Supplement Plan G. The supplement has never paid a dime! We are still having to use the same doctor and get referrals from our Medicare Advantage HMO that we were using in 2016. Now the...
Steps To Do Your Own Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Planning
Toni: Last year’s Medicare Open Enrollment season, my husband, Steve and I changed from our Medicare Supplement Plan with a separate Part D plan to a Medicare Advantage PPO plan. We were told that our doctors were in the plan and all of my husband’s diabetic meds...
Employers Dropping Retiree Medical Plans!!!
Help, Toni: I have discovered that my employer, CenterPoint, dropped my retiree Medicare group health plan beginning January 1, 2017. What do I do NOW? I am a 69-year old female retiring this October and enrolling in Medicare for the first time. My husband, Paul,...
Help!!! Doctor Not Accepting Medicare Advantage Plan!!
Toni: Last year, I made a mistake and changed to a Medicare Advantage Plan because I understood from talking with my friends that this PPO plan was like a Medicare Supplement. Boy, was I wrong! I want out!! Most specialists and even the facility that does...
2018 Medicare Part D Deductibles and Co Pay Changes…Released!
Toni: Last year, the 2017 Medicare and You handbook did not include the 2017 Part D deductibles and “Donut Hole” costs, and I got in the “famous” Medicare donut hole this March. I know it is only September, but I would like to get prepared and really cannot find the...
Surprise…Medicare Effective Date Schedule
Hi Toni: I am 64 and will be 65 in early September. I plan to stop working at the end of September 2017. The Social Security office is confusing me regarding enrolling in Medicare since I turn 65 in September and retiring on the same month. I’m having trouble...
TRS Medicare Plan & LTC
Morning, Toni: I am a 68 TRS retiree with a wife who is turning 65 in May 2018, and my main concern regarding retiring is how I can pay for a long-term care situation without wiping out my TRS pension. My mother is 88 years old and has been living in an assisted...
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