Getting ready to sign up for Medicare? Thinking about a Medicare Advantage plan but not sure that’s what you really want? You switched from a Medicare Supplement to a Medicare Advantage plan but not happy with the new plan? Medicare beneficiaries have a 12-month period to try out a Medicare Advantage or Part C plan. If they…
Losing your Medicare card can cause you to panic. That’s why knowing in advance what to do if your Medicare card is lost or stolen is important and can save you a headache. Luckily, getting a replacement Medicare card is easy. To know how this article “What to Do if Your Medicare Card is Lost…
Open Enrollment (AEP) for Medicare begins today, October 15th until December 7. During this time you may join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (part D). In some cases, you can also drop your Medicare Advantage plan and switch to a Medicare Supplement with a Part D plan. Every…
CMS has released the 2019 Medicare Advantage and Part D Call Letter which provides the Part D benefit parameters and policy changes to the Prescription Drug Benefit Program. The table below compares the standard benefit for a Part D plan for 2019 to the amounts for 2018. There were also many updates to other aspects…
If you will be 65 soon and eligible for Medicare but still plan to work, please read my blog post about your Medicare options and whether you can delay your Medicare without penalty. However, if you are 65 or older, are currently working but planning to retire soon, then you have to start planning your…
If you have Medicare and high prescription drug costs, the last budget deal passed by Congress last February 9th will give you some relief. Under the deal, the Medicare “doughnut hole” will close in 2019 instead of 2020, a year earlier than the scheduled time. Beginning 2019, Part D enrollees will pay 25 percent of the cost…
In the event of Multicultural Medical Group shutdown in San Diego, there are many patients who find themselves assigned to a new doctor or have to switch insurance to keep the same doctor. In many cases, patients will be able to keep their Primary Care Physician (PCP) and Medicare plan. They’ll just be assigned a…
Starting in April 2018, Medicare will begin sending new cards to people who receive Medicare benefits. What You Need To Know All existing Medicare cards should be replaced by April 2019. The new cards will no longer display SSN-based Medicare numbers. Both old cards and new cards can be used from April 2018 to January 2020. Starting…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a new Special Election Period (SEP) deadline of March 31, 2018 for Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for the SEP, due to impacts from the California wildfires. This SEP is only available for beneficiaries who were not able to enroll in a 2018 MAPD or PDP plan during last…
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment is from October 15 – December 7. During this time, you can shop around and do plan comparison. You can choose a new health plan that fits your current needs and budget. Remember to make sure your doctor is on the plan you are selecting. I can help you understand the…