256,000 Retired Teachers Affected By TRS-Care Medicare Benefit Changes!
Toni: The past few weeks, I have been receiving emails from the TRTA (Texas Retired Teachers Assoc.) regarding changes with TRS-Care which is the retiree health insurance program. What I have been reading does not seem good for those who are retired under or over 65....
Learn the ABC’s of Medicare and Social Security; This Is What Every Baby Boomer Needs To Know!
[vifblike] Hi Toni, I follow your column and clip them for future reference. I am now approaching 65 in August. I need to enroll in Medicare and learn the plan differences between Medicare and an Advantage Program I am considering. I understand I can sign up at Social...
Helpful tips to avoid the Financial Crisis of the Medicare Donut Hole!!!
[vifblike] Toni: Last year, my mother got into the “donut hole” in October. I can see from the Part D statement she receives that she is rapidly approaching the donut hole and it is only the beginning of May. None of her drugs have changed from 2016. She can afford...
Will the New Medicare Observation Hospital Rule Impact You?
[vifblike] New Medicare hospital rule regarding observation notification went into effect Wednesday, 3/8/2017. Be prepared! On Monday, April 3rd, the Toni Says Medicare team attended the MACRA informational Medicare meeting which informed insurance agents in...
Has the New Medicare Rule Affected Medicare Advantage Plans?
[vifblike] Toni: Last week you wrote about how the MOON (Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice) rule affects “Original Medicare”. My husband has enrolled in a Medicare Advantage HMO and I am wondering how this rule will affect his hospital stay. Thank you, Maria...
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...
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