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...
Doctor’s New Rule…Pay Up Front and YOU…File with Medicare!!
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...
Sorry Grandma…you weren’t “Formally Admitted” and You Owe a $36,000 Skilled Nursing Stay!!
Toni, You wrote an article a few years ago that addressed the length of time you had to spend at a hospital before Medicare would pay for a skilled nursing/rehabilitation hospital stay. I can’t remember the number of days you have to spend in the hospital. My mother...
Clock’s Ticking… Medicare’s Open Enrollment Ends Saturday Dec. 7th!!
Hello Toni: "I was so glad I read your column on the Internet; I recently attended a Medicare Advantage meeting and was going to join with some reservations. After reading your article, I am thinking it may not be a good fit for me. My question is if I change to an...
I Have Cancer? Can I Change My Medicare Advantage?
Hi Toni, I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. My husband and I been enrolled in a Medicare Advantage HMO for about 5 years. I now, take expensive RX meds. When we enrolled in this Medicare Advantage HMO, it seemed like a good fit because most of our doctors...
Isn’t Obamacare Getting Rid of the Donut Hole??
Toni: "I remember hearing on the news that the “Donut Hole” is going away because of Obamacare. Is this true? I need serious prescription drug help for my 72-year-old mother. She got into the “donut hole” in May of this year. It has financially devastated her and...
Get Me Out of this Medicare Advantage Mistake!!
Toni: Last year, I made a big mistake and changed to a Medicare Advantage HMO from my Medicare Supplement and I want out!! I cannot even get a MRI with this company. I am in Galveston County and most of the doctors are not accepting these plans. What can...
Government’s Shutdown…How Do I Enroll in Medicare?
Hello Toni: With the government shut down, how do I enroll in Medicare? I am sure the Social Security office is a nightmare. Is there an easier way to do this without standing in line for hours? Neil from Sugar Land Good day Neil: With the government shutdown, many...
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