It seems like Social Security has been around forever since this benefit is vital to so many people. It can be hard to believe that Social Security was only enacted in 1935, and Medicare did not exist until 1965. Millions of Medicare recipients have been greatly impacted by these benefits. Baby Boomers, in particular, have […]
Resources
Do Social Security Recipients Get Cost of Living Increases?
In 1975 when inflation in the United States was high and retirees were having a tough time maintaining their standard of living, the government implemented the annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA. This cost of living increase is meant to raise fixed incomes that come from government sources such as Social Security (SS) or […]
Is a Social Security Card Free?
Your Social Security number is one of the most important pieces of documentation you have. This number is often provided to you on a smaller, wallet-sized piece of paper, and it contains a nine-digit number on it. This number is assigned to each person on an individual basis, and it allows the government to track […]
Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment
Are you aware that your durable medical equipment (DME) may be covered under Medicare? Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary durable medical equipment that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. Therefore, Medicare covers items like oxygen equipment and supplies, wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds ordered by a doctor or other health […]
How to Compare Medicare Plans at Medicare.org
Medicare.org helps those eligible for Medicare, research, compare, buy, and enroll in a health insurance plan. Our quoting tool works to help Medicare beneficiaries like you compare hundreds of Medicare plans. We offer several ways to compare Medicare plans through helpful features integrated into the quoting tool. Our purpose is to give consumers as much information as possible so that […]
Medicare: Who Pays First?
Who Pays First If I Have Other Health Coverage? If you have Medicare and other health coverage, each type of coverage is called a “payer.” When there’s more than one payer, “coordination of benefits” rules decide who pays first. The “primary payer” pays what it owes on your bills first, and then your provider sends the rest to the “secondary payer” […]
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program
What is a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program? The QMB program is a state program that helps covers the cost of Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance that Medicare beneficiaries usually pay. You may be eligible for the QMB program if you are entitled to Medicare Part A coverage, and have limited income and resources. If […]
How to Pay for Nursing Home Care
You may never need to move into any type of assisted living facility, but life can be unpredictable. Even though there are government programs that might be able to help you pay for some of the costs incurred by long term care, such as Medicare, Medicaid or VA benefits if you qualify, it’s best to […]
What is the Medicare Donut Hole?
Did you know some Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs) or Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MA-PDs) have annual coverage limits? If you reach the annual coverage limit, you enter a temporary coverage gap, called “the donut hole.” During this period, you begin to pay a higher percentage for prescription drug costs out-of-pocket – […]
What Happens If I Start Collecting Social Security After Retirement?
A Bigger Check After Full Retirement Age What happens if you start collecting social security after full retirement age? You’ll likely get a bigger check every month. However, how much bigger depends on the year you reach full retirement age, and how long you postpone collecting benefits. If you were born in 1943 or later, […]
What Is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance coverage for individuals over the age of 65, individuals under 65 with certain disabilities, and those diagnosed with ESRD. It’s divided into four parts; Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) are one of several options within the Medicare program. Follow […]
How to Organize Your Medical Information in 5 Easy Steps
Physicians and health care providers keep medical records to better understand a patient’s prior care and to help inform their decision for treatment plans. Developing your own system for organizing medical information, or creating a personal health record (PHR), will help you stay on top of doctor’s visits, medications, and insurance claims. Providing your own […]
The Health Benefits of Pumpkin
After you have finished carving up the pumpkin for Halloween fun with the family, you might want to chop up another one to create some delicious and nutritious meals and snacks. And don’t throw away the pumpkin seeds! These orange plants are a lot more than just a jack-o’-lantern nightlight for trick-or-treaters. They pack a […]
Safe Travel Tips for Seniors
A successful vacation requires a little extra planning to help mitigate worries and keep you as safe as possible while traveling. This is especially true for seniors and baby boomers who may have health conditions, mobility requirements, or extra needs like daily medications. Even for healthy and able-bodied older adults, erring on the side of […]
5 Easy & Healthy Thanksgiving Side Recipes
Thanksgiving Day is that time of year when we get together with family and friends around the dinner table to give thanks and remember our American history. If you’re trying to eat healthy, it may also be that time of year when you’re particularly watchful of the foods you’re preparing and eating. However, a Thanksgiving […]
9 Questions to Help Prevent Surprise Medical Bills
Unfortunately, many people are hit with surprise medical bills and fees after being treated by a healthcare provider at a clinic or hospital. Even when patients make every effort to understand their insurance policy and healthcare costs, it can be challenging to grasp detailed billing information, especially if you are in the midst of a […]
How to Talk With Seniors About Their Unsafe Driving
Talking to seniors about their driving abilities can be a difficult conversation to have. For many people, driving represents independence, so giving up that freedom can be very difficult to accept. While most older adults are generally safe drivers with few accidents – they’ve had lots of experience on the road, wear their seat belt, […]
Rewarding Work-From-Home Volunteer Opportunities
Traveling outside of the home to volunteer isn’t always possible for everyone due to mobility constraints, limited access to transportation, or a lack of nearby volunteer opportunities. Are you looking for a way to volunteer your time, but can’t leave your home or aren’t sure where to begin? There are all sorts of rewarding volunteer […]
5 Pros of Using Medicare Agents to Find a Plan
Whether you’re new to Medicare or are a long-time Medicare beneficiary, an agent can help save you time, money, and your sanity when trying to navigate all your different Medicare options. You don’t have to wander around the confusing world of Medicare alone. Medicare agents are educators, guidance counselors, and translators who can help you […]
4 Thoughtful Ways to Thank Your Family Caregiver
Each year, millions of caregivers in the U.S. provide unpaid care for a loved one. These caregivers, known as “informal caregivers,” may be a spouse, partner, family member, friend, neighbor – or, most often, an adult child. The average family caregiver helps with managing medications, preparing meals, taking care of housekeeping duties, and assisting with […]