Whether you’re a Baby Boomer getting ready to enroll in Medicare, already on a plan and trying to make sense of your coverage, or helping a parent through the process… you’re in the right place.
Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government. For most people, it begins at 65, but it can also cover younger adults with certain disabilities or specific medical conditions. It’s been around since 1965, and it can help with costs like hospital care, doctor visits, outpatient services, and prescriptions. The tricky part is learning how the “parts” fit together—and figuring out what you actually need.
Below, you’ll find ToniSays.com articles and resources that break down Medicare into plain English, step-by-step.
Hello Toni: I am a 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 month he will begin receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer. Not sure...
Not Understanding Medicare Part A and HSA Can Be Costly Hi Toni: I am 65 almost 66, “still working” and covered entirely by my company with a HSA insurance plan. I put about $5,000 per year into a tax-sheltered account for medical expenses. When I went to the SS...
What is Traditional Medicare? Good Morning Ms. 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 April of this year. Last week I talked with the office manager...
Toni: I work in the oil industry and April 9th I was laid off as many others have been. I am 67 and my wife who is covered under my group plan is 66. My group benefits ended the next day April 10th. Making things worse, I was asked to put my personal belongings in a...
Toni: I have worked in the oil industry for 30+ years and April 6th I was laid off as many others have been. I am 69 and my wife who is covered under my group plan is 62. We will have company group health coverage thru May, but after that I have to either go on...
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 is...
Help Toni: I am so nervous over what is happening with my late husband’s retirement benefits. He worked for Schlumberger and they are cancelling his retiree Medicare coverage that I am covered with. What do I do NOW?? I am a 73year old female who has never purchased...
Dear Toni: I’m concerned about changing our Medicare Supplement plan that we have had for about 2 years, since we first got on Medicare. We received a pretty good rate increase in November of 2014 and I now have a new rate increase for this May 1st. I...
With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 everyday for the next 18 years, enrolling in Medicare can be very confusing! Most people think that when they turn 65, a magical switch is turned on and poof you are automatically on Medicare! Medicare changed the rules during the...
Toni: I am turning 65 in May 2015. I am currently employed and have medical insurance through my employer. I plan to work until 2016. Should I be doing anything relative to Medicare enrollment now? Thanks, Tom from Cypress, TX Morning Tom: Since 2015 has...
