What Are “Patient Rights” for Original Medicare?
What Are “Patient Rights” for Original Medicare? Dear Toni: I need your help regarding my husband’s parents who are in their late 80s. My mother-in-law has been sick for the past 3 years and my father-in-law has been her caretaker. He now has health issues and was...
Why Is My Medicare Premium an Extra $499?
Why Is My Medicare Premium an Extra $499? Toni: My husband, John and I need your guidance because I believe I have made a mistake enrolling in Medicare. Last year, John was laid off and lost his employer health insurance. I have enrolled in Medicare since I am...
Laid-Off …What Are My Medicare Options?
Laid-Off … What Are My Medicare Options? Hello Toni: My husband, David, has been laid-off because of what is happening to the economy and rising gas prices. He is 68 and has never enrolled in Medicare. I am turning 65 this September and we both are covered under his...
Rules of Medicare and Social Security Confuse Even HR Departments
Rules of Medicare and Social Security Confuse Even HR Departments Hello Toni: I am an HR Manager for a local oil service company and have a question about an employee. He is turning 65 and is still working full time. His situation is a little different because next...
Losing Employer COBRA with Dental Benefits and Enrolling in Medicare…What Do I Do?
Losing Employer COBRA with Dental Benefits and Enrolling in Medicare…What Do I Do? Toni, I will be eligible for Medicare in July and am now receiving cancer treatment from MD Anderson. I am currently on my ex-employer’s COBRA and searching for dental care when I go on...
America Get Prepared! Hurricane Season Starts June 1st!!
America Get Prepared! Hurricane Season Starts June 1st!! Toni: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey absolutely devastated my wife. Now, her 84-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...
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...
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....
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 to help you navigate the maze of Medicare. “What...
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 with the office manager at my cardiologist’s office...
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...
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