Hurricane Season Starts June 1st… Do You Have a Family Disaster Plan?
Hello Toni: We are new to the Houston area and have never experienced a hurricane. The flooding this week showed me how fast it can flood. I am sure that a hurricane is 10 times worse. I am a little nervous because my 78 year old mother...
What Happens to Our Social Security Checks if My Husband Dies??
Good Morning Ms. Toni: I have been married for 41 years to the same wonderful man. We only have our Social Security checks with a little pension from his job. I am very concern about losing his Social Security check of $1800 a month when he passes away. I get a very...
How to Keep the Donut Hole from Getting You!!
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 2013. She can afford...
How to Apply for Medicare Online…Avoiding Long Lines at Your Local Social Security Office!!
Hi Toni: I need your help about how to enroll in Medicare. I am turning 65 in November and when I called Social Security was I surprised when they told me to go online to sign up. They do not want me to go to the Social Security office and get a person from Social...
Turning 65 with an Individual Health Plan… Be Cautious!!
Reader Alert!!! Many individual health plans now have Medicare Advantage plans in their arsenal of plans for those turning 65. Many of the plans are marketing those new to Medicare extremely hard. Beware if it looks too good it just might be!! Toni: Please...
Mom Needs VA Aid for Extra Help at Home
Dear Toni, I have read your column with great interest for years knowing that one day this time would come. My mother is almost 88 years old and in dire need of help at home with everyday routines, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, shopping and meal preparation. ...
I Did Not Enroll in Obamacare…Will I Get A Penalty?
Good Morning, Toni: I am a 58 year old female who qualified for Social Security Disability this February because I have MS which keeps me from working. I am waiting for Medicare to begin and because of that I did not enroll in Obamacare. I think I made a mistake...
I NEED TO DISENROLL FROM MY MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN!!
Good Morning Ms. Toni: The first week, my wife and I had moved to Houston, I had a wonderful surprise in my front yard and there was your Medicare column discussing different Medicare option for someone who has cancer. I am 70 years old and...
Medicare Says…Don’t Wait to Enroll In Part B with COBRA
Dear Toni: I just lost my job and I have had coverage through my job on myself and my husband who is a cancer patient. I am 70 and my husband is 69. My question is: If we elect to take COBRA, should we enroll in Part B of Medicare or wait until COBRA ends to enroll...
What Medicare Does Not Cover?
Toni, Will be eligible for Medicare this year and trying to compare Medicare to my company benefits? I think that I understand the alphabet soup for Medicare, i.e. Parts A, B and D. Why doesn’t Medicare cover eye glasses/vision benefits or dental work? What insurance...
Do Veterans Using the VA Qualify for Medicare??
Dear Toni: I am a Viet Nam Vet, turning 65 this September. Recently, I was at the VA and someone told me that if I use the VA for my Medicare benefits that I cannot enroll in Medicare. I’ve also been told that if I don’t enroll in Medicare I will get a...
How to Navigate the Maze of Medicare When You Have Cancer!!
Hi Toni, I am turning 65, this June and have no idea what I should do because I have breast cancer? Currently I am on a COBRA policy from my old employer with all of my medical bills are now being met. The COBRA plan is costing me about $800 a month. But...
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