Social Security Knows Social Security… Not Medicare Underwriting Rules!
[vifblike] Toni: Thank you so much for taking my phone call this morning. My husband and I signed up in December 2016 for Medicare Part B with the understanding that once I retired I had 60 days to obtain supplemental insurance. I just happened on your Medicare...
Retired TRS Teacher Turning 65… Keep Original Medicare for Health Issues!
[vifblike] Toni: I am a retired teacher and my Medicare began March 1st. I chose to go with TRS 2 and Original Medicare. I need the flexibility of picking my own medical providers since I am having bypass surgery in a few weeks. The Toni Says team enrolled me in a...
Moving Overseas…Should I Keep My Medicare?
[vifblike] Hello, Toni: My husband and I are currently on Medicare with Part B, a supplement, and Part D coverage. We will be moving overseas for a couple of years. I know that there is no coverage from Medicare for overseas expenses. Is there a way to suspend our...
Cancer Treatment Not Covered By Company Insurance…Need to Enroll in Medicare NOW!
[vifblike] Help Toni! I have developed a rare form of cancer that requires the use of proton therapy at MD Anderson and my problem is that my employer health insurance plan does not cover proton therapy. I will have to pay all of the costs from my 401K. My...
Is Using Your 401K to Pay for Long Term Care Your Only Option?
[vifblike] Dear Toni: Recently my 66-year-old husband had a stroke leaving him unable to take care of himself. Because he is not working fulltime, he has qualified for Medicare Part B with a Medicare Supplement. My husband, Joe needs 24-hour care which is going to...
Not Enrolling in Medicare Costs Veteran Extra Part B Premiums!
Toni: My husband is a Korean War Veteran and never enrolled in Medicare Part B because he uses the VA, close to where we live in Iron Mountain, Michigan for his medical care. He is having to wait months for care from the VA and he wants to go to a local cardiologist....
Is There a Right Time to Start Your Social Security Check?
Toni: Now that I’ve been laid off, the Toni Says Medicare/Social Security column was given to me to begin understanding what my retirement options are. I’ve filed for unemployment and it will not even begin to pay my monthly bills. I’ve been told I can begin...
What Does the “T” at the End of My Medicare Number Mean?
Toni: In January, I applied for my Medicare card and the card arrived yesterday, but I don’t understand why my Medicare number is my Social Security number with a “T” at the end. What is the “T” for? Most of my friends have an “A” on their card. Now I’m concerned...
Can Beginning RMDs at 70 Raise Your Medicare Part B & D Premiums
Toni: For the past two years, my Medicare Part B premiums have gone up. I am over 70 and began taking my RMDs (required minimum distributions) from my 401K. Could this have had an impact on my Medicare Part B premium increase? This year my Part B and Part D...
Whaaat…. My Medicare Part B Penalty Is Forever?
Toni: I am a 67-year-old female who never enrolled in Medicare Part B or D because I believe in holistic medicine and only take vitamins. I was under the impression that if I didn’t go to the doctor, I didn’t need to apply for Medicare and could later. Now I have...
2017 Medicare Part D Donut Hole…What is it?
Toni:This year, I got into the “donut hole” in September. It has financially devastated and I almost stopped taking my prescriptions. I can afford my monthly $80 co pays but on my statement, it says the actual prescription drugs cost is $950.00 per month. How can I...
Husband Retiring…Why Is He Receiving An 11 Year Part B Penalty?
Husband Retiring…Why Is He Receiving An 11 Year Part B Penalty? Toni: My husband is finally retiring from the company he has worked at since 1995 and now our Medicare nightmare is beginning. Jim’s company has changed ownership many times since he turned 65 in...
E-Newsletter
