Waiting Until COBRA Ends to Enroll in Medicare’s Part B is DANGEROUS!!
Dear Toni: My husband lost his job June 2013 and we are now enrolling in Part B of Medicare because COBRA’s is almost over…Now I am finding out that there will be a penalty for us not enrolling when we should have. No one has ever told us when the time limit is and I...
Can I Change My Medicare Supplement or Is Open Enrollment ONLY to Change Medicare Advantage Plans??
Dear Toni: I’m concerned about changing our Medicare Supplement plan that we have had for about 5 years since we first got on Medicare. Last week, we received a pretty good rate increase. This is not in our budget and everything just seems to go up every...
Medicare Open Enrollment!! What Are My Medicare Options?
Dear Toni, This is my first Medicare open enrollment and I don't know anything about this process? Which program is good and which one is not? I do have some health problems and am concerned I am making the correct choice. If you can show me direction and help me, I...
Medicare Open Enrollment Began Last Week… New Medicare/Social Security Costs Released for 2015!!
HCN Reader MEDICARE/SOCIAL SECURITY ALERT: Social Security release COLA 1.7% increase and Part B Premiums for 2015 Last week was a good week for those receiving Social Security and also Medicare benefits. Not only did Americans receive a 1.7% COLA (cost...
Did You Know…Medicare Cannot Negotiate for Lower Drug Prices!! It is a Federal Law!!
About 2 weeks ago on CBS 60 Minutes, a segment discussed the high cost of cancer drugs. Two Oncologists discussed what a crime it is that Medicare cannot negotiate the pharmaceutical companies for cheaper prices for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. I wanted...
Medicare Part B…Plan F…Part D…Yikes!! What Is The Difference??
Toni: I attended your “Confused about Medicare last year at Sugar Creek Baptist Church and I still I don’t understand the difference between Original Medicare’s Plan F and Medicare’s Part C or even D. What is with all the different plans and parts? ...
Should I Change from Medicare Advantage… My Health is Failing?
Hi Toni, I have just been diagnosed with Stage 3 CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease). I'm concerned about dialysis treatment and cost if I reach Stage 5, which is called ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease). Currently, my husband and I are members of a Medicare Advantage HMO. I...
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Wednesday Oct 15– Are You Ready!!
Dear Toni: I’ve been told that I have to wait until Medicare’s Open Enrollment time to change my Medicare Advantage plan. I have just received a letter from my doctor saying they are no longer in the network for the Medicare Advantage plan I have and that I...
Medicare Rules Puzzles HR Departments…
Rules for Enrolling in Medicare workshop for HR Departments. Toni King has been asked to host a “Confused about Medicare” workshop specifically for HR Managers and the HR team. This special workshop will be on Thursday, October 16th for HR Managers and employees ONLY...
Navigating Enrolling in Medicare Rules What is my Effective date??
Toni: I have a very different Medicare problem concerning how to enroll than any problems, I’ve seen in your Medicare column. I turn 65 on Oct 10 of this year. I am on my husband’s group health plan and have already met my total out of pocket for this year. I would...
HELP!!! My Sister with Cancer Loses Medicaid!!
Hello Toni: My sister, who is 60 years old, was granted Medicaid for Stage 3 breast cancer in April of this year. She had 19 lymph-nodes removed and this qualified her for Medicaid. We learned from her Doctor last week that her Medicaid had been cancelled on August...
How to Enroll in Medicare at the Right Time!!
Hello Toni: I am turning 65 in December and have not started receiving my Social Security check. I am still working full time but do not have company benefits. I’m confused because I do not have Social Security and not sure how to get my Medicare. Do I call Medicare...
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