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...
When Should My Husband Take His Social Security Check??
Toni: My husband has recently been laid off from his job and I am having a real stress moment. He has always provided the main income, but now my job is paying the monthly bills. My husband will not touch his 401K or cash in any CDs. Friends are advising him to go...
Why am I Charged Extra for My Part D Drug Plan?
Hello Toni: I have your Medicare Survival Guide, but I still am confused on an issue. My husband retired from an oil company with full benefits. We have both turned 65 this year and will now be going on Medicare. His company has automatically enrolled...
New to Medicare!! What do I do NOW??
Dear Toni, I will be turning 65 on September 2nd and absolutely don't know anything about Medicare, how to apply, when to apply where to apply? How to select to what and when?? Which Medicare plan is good and which one is not?? I own a small business (Just me and my...
Enrolling in Medicare Correctly… Absolutely Puzzles Me!!
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 February 23 of this year and will retire on March 10th when my wife turns 65. Company benefits will end March 31st and I would...
Why Enrolling in Part D is IMPORTANT!!
Dear Toni: Does Medicare Part B cover prescription drugs in an outpatient setting, like emergency room or under observation? You wrote about this last week and we are having this problem. My mother was in the hospital for 2 days and because it was considered “under...
“Under Observation”…Two Words Costing Medicare Patients Thousands
**Reader Alert: This week, I have received several emails about an email blast on the NBC Nightly News report called “Two words costing Medicare patients thousands”. This news story is about how your hospital bill is being coded and what you should know to protect...
Can I Delay Medicare to Keep Funding My Company’s HSA?
Hi Toni: I have a few questions about Medicare and our employee benefits. I am the benefits administrator for a company and I need to provide information to our employees since, we have 2 health plans, a PPO and a high deductible HSA. Most of the employees have...
Why Doesn’t Medicare Pay for Long Term Care?
Toni: Recently in your Medicare column, you discussed home healthcare for the elderly. I would like to know about Long Term Care. I always thought Medicare covered long term care but now I am finding out I was totally wrong. My mother has...
Rumors about the Affordable Care Act and Medicare?
Toni: I will be 70 on June 20, 2014 and have decided to retire effective June 1. I have always had company benefits and because of healthcare reform my company is no longer covering retirees. Now I have to make new Medicare choices. I would...
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