Get Ready…Hurricane Season Begins June 1st!!
Get Ready…Hurricane Season Begins June 1st!! Toni: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey absolutely devastated my wife. Now, her 88-year-old mother is living in an assisted living facility, and we live over 10 miles away from her. What can we do to be prepared for...
Changing Medicare Plans Can Be Nerve-Wracking!!
Changing Medicare Plans Can Be Nerve-Wracking!! Toni: When I first enrolled in Medicare in 2019, I picked a Medicare supplement plan F. In 2021 I was approached by a telemarketer on my cell phone, and he talked me into Plan K which cost less than Plan F since I...
Can A Clinical Trial Prescription Drug Avoid the Donut Hole?
Can A Clinical Trial Prescription Drug Avoid the Donut Hole? Toni: I turn 65 in May and am covered by my wife’s employer group health insurance. I’m fighting stage 3 kidney cancer and the prognosis is good since I am participating in a clinical trial for a new...
Medicare Scams are Exploding!!
Medicare Scams are Exploding!! Toni: I am very concerned about a phone call I received yesterday from a representative with Medicare asking all types of personal questions and informing me that there was a new plastic Medicare card with a chip like a credit...
What is Medicare’s “creditable” prescription drug coverage?
What is Medicare’s “creditable” prescription drug coverage? Hello Toni: I turned 65 in August 2021, continued to work full-time with an HSA that has a $3,000 deductible for medical claims paid by the insurance plan, and used a prescription discount card to cover...
Should I Apply for Social Security Disability While Receiving Medicaid?
Should I Apply for Social Security Disability While Receiving Medicaid? Toni: I am a 59-year-old female and in June,2022 I was diagnosed with stage IIIA metastatic breast cancer. A non-profit Cancer program in Houston qualified me under Medicaid (Breast/Ovarian cancer...
Warning: Taking Medicare advice from your friends can be costly!
Warning: Taking Medicare advice from your friends can be costly! Hi Toni: I met with you in late 2021 for a Toni Says personalized Medicare consultation. I have a quick question regarding travel outside the United States because I’m planning a trip to Greece next...
Medicare Now Covers Shingles Vaccine at NO Cost!
Medicare Now Covers Shingles Vaccine at NO Cost! Toni: I was recently told that to receive a shingles vaccination I needed to have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to get the vaccination or pay $200. I thought all vaccinations and immunizations were...
Understanding Medicare…It’s Complicated!
Understanding Medicare…It’s Complicated! Toni: I am turning 65 in September and need make my Medicare decision. I do not know where to start or what to do? I am being bombarded by telemarketers and mail telling me that if I do not sign up for Medicare when I turn...
Is it too late to buy a Long-Term Care policy?
Is it too late to buy a Long-Term Care policy? Dear Toni: My brother recently had to move out of his house into as assisted living facility because he broke his hip and is unable to live on his own. The monthly cost of the facility is about $4500 per month and...
Can Beginning RMDs Raise Your Medicare Premiums?
Can Beginning RMDs Raise Your Medicare Premiums? Toni: I am over 73 and began taking my RMDs (required minimum distributions) from my 401K when I turned 72. Could this have had an impact on my Medicare Part B premium increase for 2023? This year my Part B and...
Should A Veteran Using the VA Enroll in Medicare Part B?
Should A Veteran Using the VA Enroll in Medicare Part B? Toni: My husband is a Viet Nam Veteran and never enrolled in Medicare Part B because he uses the VA, close to where we live in Michigan for his medical care. He is having to wait for care from the VA for his...
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