Houston…We Have a Problem!! Be Prepared if You Are Laid Off!!
Toni: I work in the oil industry and April 9th I was laid off as many others have been. I am 67 and my wife who is covered under my group plan is 66. My group benefits ended the next day April 10th. Making things worse, I was asked to put my personal belongings in a...
Lost Your Job…What Should You Do Next?
Toni: I have worked in the oil industry for 30+ years and April 6th I was laid off as many others have been. I am 69 and my wife who is covered under my group plan is 62. We will have company group health coverage thru May, but after that I have to either go on...
Would Living Benefits Help My Mother with Long Term Care?
Dear Toni: A few months ago, you wrote about other options for long term care. You mentioned life insurance with living benefits and this confuses me because I thought all life insurance was the same. I thought there was only term and whole life. How does this new...
Now My Doctor Doesn’t Accept Medicare!! What Should You Do?
Hi Toni: I have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement Plan F. No problem in the past filing with Medicare, but beginning January 1st, my neurologist has changed how he bills Medicare. He is a small office and said that because of the amount of paperwork, he is...
Oil Companies not Covering Retirees!! Know Your Medicare Options?
Help Toni: I am so nervous over what is happening with my late husband’s retirement benefits. He worked for Schlumberger and they are cancelling his retiree Medicare coverage that I am covered with. What do I do NOW?? I am a 73year old female who has never purchased...
Does Creditable Coverage Keep Me from Receiving a “Part D” Penalty?
Hello Toni: I turned 65 in March 2012 and continued to work full time with excellent company benefits. I decided to delay Part B until December 1, 2014 when I have retired. I enrolled in a Medicare supplement plan F and a Part D prescription drug plan and now I have...
Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Now? Do I Have to Wait Until October?
Dear Toni: I’m concerned about changing our Medicare Supplement plan that we have had for about 2 years, since we first got on Medicare. We received a pretty good rate increase in November of 2014 and I now have a new rate increase for this May 1st. I...
How to Enroll in Medicare Correctly and (Somewhat) Easily!!
With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 everyday for the next 18 years, enrolling in Medicare can be very confusing! Most people think that when they turn 65, a magical switch is turned on and poof you are automatically on Medicare! Medicare changed the rules during the...
When Is The Right Time to Start Your Social Security Check??
Toni: I work for local Oil Co and have lost my job. I’ve filed for unemployment and it will not even begin to pay my monthly bills. I’ve just turned 62 and I’ve been told I can begin receiving a Social Security check. Is this a good option? Can you explain how to...
Turning 65 and Still Working…What Do I Do?
Toni: I am turning 65 in May 2015. I am currently employed and have medical insurance through my employer. I plan to work until 2016. Should I be doing anything relative to Medicare enrollment now? Thanks, Tom from Cypress, TX Morning Tom: Since 2015 has...
Where Can I Find the 2015 Medicare Costs?
Hello Toni: I have recently enrolled in Medicare and have received my Medicare and You handbook. I have looked all through this book and cannot find what the Medicare Part A and B deductible or maximum out of pocket is. Can you provide me with an easy way to find...
Don’t Have a Power of Attorney? You Might Have a Big Problem!!
Hi Toni: My parents are getting older and my sister and I cannot even discuss the subject of wills, living wills or power of attorney for finances or medical with our parents. I have been told that if we do not have a Power of Attorney in...
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