Only days after Judy Hanttula came home from the hospital after surgery last November, her doctor’s office called with bad news: Records showed that instead of traditional Medicare, she had a private Medicare Advantage plan, and her doctor and hospital were not in its network. Neither the plan nor Medicare now would cover her medical costs. She owed $16,622. “I was panicking,” said Hanttula, … [Read more...]
Medicare Blog
Protect Your Medicare Number!
You know that you should not give your social security number to a stranger. Did you know this also applies to your Medicare number? It’s an unfortunate reality that fraudsters and identity thieves are constantly increasing their efforts to get and abuse Medicare numbers from people like you. These fraud schemes often revolve around identity thieves obtaining Medicare numbers through … [Read more...]
How To Pay Your Medicare Bill
Do you receive a bill labeled Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due? If yes, we are going to help educate you on what the different payment notices mean and how you can pay it. If you receive benefits from Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or Civil Service your Medicare Part B premium is already deducted from your benefit payment. What if you don’t receive any of these … [Read more...]
Senior Assistance – In All Aspects of Life
If you are turning 65 or are over age 65, we've compiled a list of resources that may be important to you. Are you 65 or older and in need of information about money, retirement, senior travel, care giving or other senior assistance topics? We've compiled a list of links that may answer the many questions you have. It is important to educate yourself and stay up to date on current topics. … [Read more...]
2016 Part B Premiums
The new 2016 Part B premiums have been released! Participants can expect the average Part B premium amount to be $121.80 (possibly higher depending on your income). However, keep in mind, because there wasn't a cost-of-living increase for 2016 Social Security benefits participants collecting these benefits will pay the same Part B premium amount they paid in 2015. If you fall into one of the … [Read more...]
Medicare Open Enrollment Period 2015 Ends In 6 Days!
Medicare participants have the opportunity to adjust their plans and coverage in the medicare open enrollment period, which starts every year on October 15th and ends on December 7th 2015. This means you only have 6 days left! The medicare open enrollment period is designed to permit participants to assess their health needs and what they may need for 2016. What can you do in the medicare open … [Read more...]
Tips For Choosing A Medicare Plan
You are now at that age. At 65 you can enroll for medicare for the first time. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) starts three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birth month and ends 3 months after your 65th birthday. You have a total of 7 months to enroll in Medicare. But how do you know what medicare plan to choose? Choosing a medicare plan can be a complex and frustrating … [Read more...]
2016 Medicare Part B Premiums Announced
We first heard that Medicare Part B premiums were expected to increase in 2016. Then it was released this may not be the case. Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the 2016 Medicare Part B premiums. Existing Part B recipients paying for Part B through Social Security = $104.90 (no change in 2016) Existing Part B recipients paying for Part B directly … [Read more...]
Increase in Medicare Part B Premiums May Not Happen
Due to a bipartisan budget deal seniors may not have to worry about the increase in Medicare Part B premiums. The article below by Robert Powell from USA Today talks about what seniors can expect in upcoming Medicare Part B changes. Budget proposal could mean no 52% jump in Medicare Part B premiums Millions of Medicare recipients bracing for a 52% premium increase are one step away … [Read more...]
Medicare Part B Premium Is Expected To Increase In 2016
Almost one third of Medicare Part B recipients are expected to see a 52% Medicare Part B premium increase in 2016. The anticipated rise in premium fees are due to Social Security and Medicare rules. In 2015 there has been little to no inflation and Social Security cannot pay the cost-of-living increase next year, 2016. Because of this the Medicare program must equally extend the premium cost … [Read more...]
