This page provides references to journal and newspaper articles on health that may be of interest. You will not be able to read the articles here. The citations will provide enough information to access the source. Some of the sources may require a subscription. That said, you may have access to some free articles before you need to subscribe.
ORIGINAL MEDICARE COSTS FOR 2024*
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and over; for disabled individuals who receive SSDI through Social Security; and those with Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Your (red, white and blue) Medicare card has your unique identification number and the effective dates of Part A, Part B, or…
MEDICARE ENROLLMENT PERIODS*
You can only enroll in Medicare during certain times of the year or when special circumstances allow you to do so. What follows are six important enrollment periods. You may want to review ‘Medicare’ under Services, and my blog ‘Original Medicare Costs for 2023’ first. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This is the first opportunity that…
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE*
Medicare plans from private insurance companies fall into three groups: Medicare Advantage plans, Prescription plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance. This blog is about Medicare Supplement Insurance. For people who do not want a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Supplement Insurance helps to offset the costs of Original Medicare.** For this reason, Medicare Supplement Insurance is also…
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: SUMMARY OF BENEFITS*
Every Medicare Advantage plan has a Summary of Benefits (SB). It helps answer the question, “Is this plan for me?” The SB includes the plan’s medical procedures, what they cost, and a list of extra benefits. Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription medications. The abbreviation for Medicare Advantage plans is MA. If the plan includes…
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE – FREE EXTRA BENEFITS*
I’m sure you’ve seen the television commercials where you’re urged to call an 800 number to find out about the free extra benefits that come with a Medicare Advantage plan. You may be led to believe that extra benefits have no limits and will never cost money. This is not the case. Vision, hearing, meal…
Medicare Part B Premium: Do I Have To Pay it?*
In most cases, the answer is ‘yes.’ But read on! Background: The Medicare Part B premium is a fixed cost set by the federal government. Part B covers medical services in the community. This premium has nothing to do with your Medicare Advantage plan. Even if you didn’t have a plan, you would still pay…