When you become eligible for Medicare, choosing whether you get your Medicare benefits from Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage can be complicated. You may be wondering: “What is the best Medicare plan?” However, there really isn’t a “best” plan – there is only the best plan for your needs. So, how do you decide? First of […]
About Medicare
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans F and G
Are you weighing your Medicare options? Get help paying the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover by purchasing a supplemental insurance plan, called Medicare Supplement or Medigap, through a private insurer. Medicare Supplement Plans F and G are two of the most popular plans out of the 10 standardized Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, […]
Does Medicare Pay for Prescription Drugs?
When becoming eligible for Medicare, many Medicare beneficiaries make the mistake of thinking they automatically get prescription drug coverage. This is not the case. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover prescription drugs. If you want prescription drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved […]
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference?
Medicare and Medicaid are both taxpayer funded social government programs established in 1965 that help people pay for healthcare. Despite sounding similar, they are very different programs. Follow along to understand how Medicare and Medicaid work so you can better understand the differences between them. What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? The main […]
What Does ‘Medically Necessary’ Mean?
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you may have come across the term, “medically necessary” to refer to services covered by Medicare. But what does it mean? According to HealthCare.gov, medically necessary services are defined as “health care services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms – […]
Medicare Coverage of Mental Health Services
A person’s mental health refers to their state of psychological, emotional, and social well-being – and it’s important to take care of it at every stage of life, from childhood to late adulthood. Fortunately, Medicare beneficiaries struggling with mental health conditions may be covered for mental health services through Medicare. Mental health services are a […]
Will Medicare Pay for a Lift Chair?
People who need help getting in and out of their chair daily due to life changes such as aging, arthritis, or a recent mobility-limiting surgery, often consider buying a lift chair. However, lift chairs can cost hundreds – or even thousands of dollars, leaving many Medicare beneficiaries wondering if their Medicare health insurance coverage will […]
When to Enroll & Change Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap or MedSup), sold by private companies, helps pay some health care costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover. Policies can include coverage for deductibles, coinsurance, hospital costs, skilled nursing facility costs, and sometimes health care costs when traveling outside the U.S. If you’re considering one of the […]
Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living for Dementia?
When dementia interferes with the daily life of a loved one, many families and caregivers consider an assisted living facility. Assisted living is a type of long-term care (also called custodial care) of services and supports for personal care needs, which include activities of daily living (ADL) like housekeeping, dressing, bathing, meal preparation, eating, medication […]
Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. High-Deductible Plan F
After enrolling in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you may decide to purchase a private supplemental insurance plan to help pay the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. During your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can choose from up to 10 standardized Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, […]
Forms Needed to Act on a Loved Ones Behalf
Caring for a loved one who is aging and experiencing a decline in health can be difficult for everyone involved. Whether it is a gradual decline or sudden impairment due to an illness or injury, acknowledging one’s loss of control over financial and medical decisions can be challenging. Love and support from family and trusted […]
Common Medicare Terms
Annual Election Period (AEP) During the AEP, Medicare Advantage-eligible individuals may enroll in or disenroll from an MA plan. The last enrollment request made, determined by the application date, will be the enrollment request that takes effect. AEP occurs from [October 15 through December 7] of every year. The AEP is also referred to as […]
Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?
If you live with allergies, asthma, or chronic respiratory issues, you know that pollen, pollutants, smoke, mold, pesticides and other chemicals in the air can aggravate your condition. Indoor air can be just as dangerous as what you face outdoors, but air purifiers can remove harmful particles in the air. Effective and safe air purifiers […]
Does Medicare Cover Botox?
Botox injections get a lot of attention for reducing frown lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles, but there is more to know about this medication and how it can be used to treat medical conditions. Botox uses various forms of botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze muscle activity or block certain nerves. Aside from its cosmetic use, […]
Medicare and Broken Heart Syndrome
Almost everyone suffers heartbreak at some time during their lives. Films, literature, and the theater have tackled the theme for centuries because it is impossible to understand the human condition without it. A broken heart can change your perspective, alter your plans, and affect the choices you make, but can it make you physically sick? […]
Does Medicare Cover Antidepressants?
Mental illness has been getting more attention publicly in an effort to get help for those suffering with depression, anxiety, or other disorders, but there are still misconceptions when it comes to older adults. According to the National Council on Aging, one in four older adults experience a mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or […]
Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services?
When you have an emergency and need to get to a medical facility immediately due to severe illness or injury, ambulance services can get you the help you need as quickly as possible. In the midst of a health crisis, you shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of your transportation, but many people are […]