Help…. Doctor Is Not Accepting Medicare?
Help…. Doctor Is Not Accepting Medicare? Hi Toni: This week, I went to see my primary care doctor and his office manager informed me that they are no longer accepting Medicare. I recently enrolled in Medicare and will have to pay upfront the complete bill and be...
Doctor’s Advice…Get Traditional Medicare…What’s That?
Doctor’s Advice…Get Traditional Medicare…What’s That? Good morning, Toni: Have been reading your column for over a year and now I need some Medicare help. I am retiring and turning 65 in October. I had a triple bi-pass in January of this year. Last week I talked...
Turning 65… Help Me Enroll in Medicare with SSA.gov!!
Turning 65… Help Me Enroll in Medicare with SSA.gov!! Hi Toni: I am turning 65 in June and am not working full-time with employer benefits. I was surprised when I called Social Security and the Social Security rep told me to go online to SSA.gov to enroll in Medicare....
Need to Stop My Medicare Part B!!
Need to Stop My Medicare Part B!! Toni: I have just enrolled in Medicare Parts A&B because I turned 65 in January. I am currently working with my husband and myself covered under my employer plan. I am being charged a much higher premium for Medicare because our...
Frequently Asked Toni Says® Medicare Questions
Frequently Asked Toni Says® Medicare Questions This week’s Toni Says Medicare column has a different twist and consists of frequently asked Medicare questions from Toni Says® readers around the United States. Thank you from the Toni Says® team for allowing us...
Can Mom Qualify for Home Healthcare?
Can Mom Qualify for Home Healthcare? Dear Toni: Help!!! My mother-in-law is 85 and lives in an independent living facility on her own. After hospitalization in November, she needs 24-hour medical care when she went home. We were told by the hospital and the staff at...
Can Enrolling in COBRA Cause A Medicare Penalty?
Can Enrolling in COBRA Cause A Medicare Penalty? Dear Toni: I lost my job in September 2020 due to COVID layoffs in the oil industry and my wife and I are now enrolling in Medicare Part B since the company paid 18 months of COBRA is almost over…Now I am finding out...
Self Employed with Retiree Benefits…Why Do I Need Part B??
Self Employed with Retiree Benefits…Why Do I Need Part B?? Good day, Toni: We saw your answer about Medicare Part B in an article online and our situation is different. My wife and I will turn 65, me in March and Carol in May. I have signed up for Medicare Part...
Using GoodRx With Medicare Part D
Using GoodRx With Medicare Part D Toni: I am a weekly follower of the Toni Says® Medicare column and have had a wonderful Medicare experience which helped to save me from getting in the Donut hole with an expensive generic prescription. I received a generic...
Enrolling in Medicare Part B the Wrong Way is Stressful!
Enrolling in Medicare Part B the Wrong Way is Stressful! Hello, Toni: My husband retired several years ago when he turned 65. He enrolled in Medicare Part A but declined Part B because I put him on my Blue Cross Blue Shield policy provided by my employer. Lately I...
Medicare Part D Penalty Costs What??
Medicare Part D Penalty Costs What?? Hello Toni: I made a terrible mistake last April when I was no longer covered by my employer group health plan due to retiring. I had a telemarketing agent help me find a Medicare Supplement which began April 1, 2021. No one told...
Turning 65 …Is Medicare Annual Enrollment Time for Me?
Turning 65 …Is Medicare Annual Enrollment Time for Me? Toni, I turn 65 in April and am overwhelmed by all the mail I am getting this year for Medicare Annual Enrollment. What do I do? The mail from companies says theirs is the best, but they all offer the same thing...