Do you live in California and Qualify for Dual Eligibility

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 […]

Medigap Plans and Illegal Practices

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, […]

Home Health Care and Medicare: How To Avoid Breaking the Bank

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 […]

Your Doctor is Leaving Your Health Plan? This is What You Should Do

So, you just got word that your doctor is leaving your health plan. What the heck are you supposed to do? Does this mean you have to find a whole new doctor? How is your coverage going to be affected by this? Are you going to need to build trust with ANOTHER new doctor? Well, worry not, because we have some sage wisdom in these trying times. The way we see it, there are 3 […]

[Press Release] CMS Nursing Home Compare Tool

Trump Administration Empowers Nursing Home Patients, Residents, Families, and Caregivers by Enhancing Transparency about Abuse and Neglect En Español  Today, the Trump Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a major enhancement of the information available to nursing home residents, families, and caregivers on the Agency’s Nursing Home Compare website. Later this month, CMS will – for the first time – display a consumer alert icon next to nursing homes that […]

Medicare AEP vs OEP: What’s the Difference?

As if Medicare weren’t confusing enough, everywhere you look there are confusing acronyms! These two are particularly important to not confuse because they affect when you can change your plans based on your current enrollment. So, let’s jump right in.AEP is the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs every year from October 15th to December 7th. It is during this time that plan benefits for the upcoming year are announced (read about your Annual Notice of […]

How to Find a Doctor Who Accepts Medicare

Are you worried about finding a doctor who accepts Medicare? Good news! According to a Kaiser Survey in 2015, most primary care doctors still participate in the Medicare program and are accepting new Medicare patients. So, it’s quite likely your current doctor will continue to accept you as a patient when you start on Medicare. But if not, here’s how to go about finding a doctor who accepts Medicare, with no surprise costs. In terms […]

What You Need to Know About your Annual Notice of Change Letter

It’s that time of year again! The 2020 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will run from October 15, 2019, to December 7, 2019. During (AEP) you can make changes to various aspects of your coverage. For those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D Plan, you should receive your “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) shortly (if you haven’t already). This notice gives a summary of any changes in the plan’s cost and coverage […]

How to Unlock Medicare Benefits as a Federal Employee

We encounter many federal employees doubting if they should, or even can, enroll in the Medicare program. Will you lose your Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) if you enroll in Medicare? Do you really need Medicare if you have FEHB? Let us put your mind at ease. Even as a federal employee you are still eligible to enroll in the Medicare program…and we highly recommend that you do! There are still some decisions you need […]

[FREE Printable] 6 Phone Numbers Every Senior Should Have

We are more than just your go-to place for complex Medicare answers – we’re also a great resource for the little things. Sometimes the simplest gestures can make life easier and that’s what we like to do for our clients. So, we’ve rounded up the phone numbers and websites of 6 important places and put it in a printable for you to keep next to your phone or posted somewhere else helpful. Click the image […]