Retiring…Where Should I Focus…
Medicare Health Plan or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan? Toni: I am retiring January 1, 2017 and am beginning to search for the right Medicare option for me and my wife, who is having breast cancer treatment at MD Anderson. Her cancer treatment drugs...
Turning 65 with Cancer…
Turning 65 with Cancer… Is Medicare Advantage Right for Me? Hi Toni, I am turning 65 this August and have no idea what I should do because I have lung cancer. Currently I am on a COBRA policy from my old employer with all of my medical bills now being paid...
Can’t Afford to Pay My Medicare Premium Bill
Can’t Afford to Pay My Medicare Premium Bill… What Can I Do? Reader Alert: Many of Toni’s readers are making scrapbooks from the weekly community newspaper articles. If that is you, please send Toni your story about how the column has helped you to...
Hurricane Season
Hurricane Season Begins June 1st… Ready...if Your Family Needs to Leave Fast!! Hello Toni: I am new to the Houston area and all of the flooding happening without warning causing havoc in our neighborhood. I am sure that a hurricane is 10 times worse. I am very...
Over 700,000 Are Receiving Medicare Penalties…Why?? They Didn’t Know the Rules!
Over 700,000 Are Receiving Medicare Penalties Toni: I desperately need your help! I have just discovered that my mother, who is 67, has never enrolled in Medicare Part B or D. She was under the impression that if she didn’t go to the doctor, she didn’t need to pay the...
Cancer Treatment Is Not Covered By Company Insurance…Need to Enroll in Medicare NOW!
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 our employer health insurance plan does not cover proton therapy. I will have to pay all of the costs from my 401K. Since I am over 65, I...
Can a Divorcee Still Receive Their Ex-Spouse’s Social Security Check?
Qualifying for your Divorced Spouse’s Social Security Benefits Hello Toni: Can you explain how the new rules effect one receiving Social Security benefits from a divorced spouse after the April 29th deadline? Now that the kids have grown, I am not receiving child or...
Not Knowing Medicare Rules Costs Americans Millions!
Toni: In 2014, we sold our house to move into a senior community. Now, both of our Part B premiums have increased drastically from $104.90 each month to $389.80 for Part B and an additional increase for Part D to $72.90. We still are receiving the same Social Security...
Is Your 401K Your Long Term Care Plan?
Your Savings and/or 401K Could Be Wiped Out By Long-Term Care Costs Dear Toni: Recently my 66 year old husband had a massive stroke leaving him unable to take care of himself. Because he is not working fulltime, he has qualified for Medicare with a Medicare...
Laid Off…Enrolled in Medicare… Why is My Part B Premium Over $400?
Life Changing Events That Can Lower Your Part B and Part D Premiums Dear Toni: I lost my job in December when the oil prices began to tank. I was an engineer and my 2014 income, which Medicare used to determine my Part B premium, was over $300,000. Today I received a...
America…Social Security Enrolls You for Medicare When Leaving Your Job!!
The Process to Enroll in Part B After You Have Delayed Coverage Toni: I am a 67-year-old female whose 62-year-old husband was laid off from his job of 30 years because of low oil prices. We have always been covered under my husband’s group health insurance because...
Medicare Part B Nightmare Began With Enrolling In COBRA!
Enroll in Part B when enrolling in COBRA Toni: My Medicare and Social Security nightmare began when I retired from my job, July 31 of last year and enrolled in COBRA so that I could have a knee replacement in December. I was given inaccurate information from a local...
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