Medicare and Mental HealthWe’re finally starting to get into times where talking about mental health isn’t taboo anymore. People are more open than ever before about their mental health because admitting that you’re not doing well is ok! Taking steps to see someone for counseling is far more commonplace than it might have been a decade ago, and they can be the first steps to a happier life. Therapy and counseling, though, aren’t cheap affairs,
As you are well aware, during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you tend to get bombarded with Medicare ads, news, flyers, calls, and more. It’s not always easy to know what is a scam, who you can trust, or even what is legal when it comes to selling Medicare policies. As you’re trying to determine what health insurance plan is best for you, we encourage you to know the laws surrounding Medicare and always double-check
The age of retirement seems to be delayed longer and longer for most Americans, leaving many confused about when to enroll in Medicare. While the standard is to enroll within three months from your 65th birthday, many people assume they do not have to if they will still be receiving health insurance from their employer. This misconception could lead to penalties and fees that could have otherwise been avoided. Let’s break down the scenarios for
The Annual Enrollment Period is over…But the Open Enrollment Period is now!Wait, what?Confusing, I know. But these enrollment periods provide you with unique options. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) just ended on December 7th. AEP is the time Medicare beneficiaries have the option to consult with an independent representative and decide if their plan is still the best option for their medical and financial needs. During this time, you may have made changes to Medicare
Finding physicians and clinicians to give you the proper care can be really difficult. Are they covered by your Medicare plan? Are they close enough to your house that you don’t have to worry about a long commute? Are they specialized in a particular area of care you need? Lucky for you, you can use the Medicare “physician compare” tool that allows you to find local doctors within a matter of seconds.How do you use
What’s the deal with all these healthcare acronyms nowadays? HMO? PPO? HSA? PFFS? Why isn’t there just one type of insurance provider? What does all this mean to you? Well, we’re here to tell you what HMO’s and PPO’s are, what the difference is between them, and what you might gain from choosing either as your healthcare plan in your Medicare Advantage plan.HMOHMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. An HMO is the Medicare Advantage Plan
On November 8, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2020 Medicare rates for premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. [SOURCE] CMS Press Release Medicare Part B Premiums/Deductibles Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. Each year the Medicare premiums, deductibles,
Double TroubleSometimes, Medicare just isn’t enough to cover medical expenses. It’s a tough situation, but this is the socioeconomic position of many individuals currently in the country. The idea of dual eligibility exists, however, to counteract this in order to make sure people are covered no matter what their background might be. Dual eligibility means that you’re 65 years of age or older as well as meet a certain income minimum for the government to
If you’re new to Medicare and just getting started, we want to remind you to know your rights as a Medicare beneficiary. Unfortunately, fraud or illegal practices are not unheard of in this industry and Medigap plans can be confusing. What are they, exactly? A Medigap plan, also called a Supplement Plan, can help pay your extra out-of-pocket costs. Because traditional Medicare does not cover all of your medical expenses, you’ll be responsible for deductibles,
Who genuinely likes being told what to do? It’s one thing when you’re a kid; it’s another when it’s your health dictating what you can or cannot do. Across the country, hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries struggle with chronic illnesses or new afflictions on a daily basis. Sometimes these conditions mean leaving the house becomes a battle of its own. Which begs the question, how can you receive medical attention when your illness makes