Category archives: Medicare
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2 weeks ago
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Medigap premiums for plans from insurance companies offering the same benefits vary widely, so it pays to be a smart shopper.
Federal law requires that each insurance company offers the same benefits for each of the Medigap plans lettered A through M, but each company sets its own premium rat... [read more]
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3 months ago
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Did you know you could be responsible for your parents' unpaid bills? More than half of all states currently have laws making adult children financially responsible for their parents, including their long-term care costs. However, these laws are rarely enforced.
Filial responsibility laws obligat... [read more]
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3 months ago
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In an alarming number of instances, private Medicare Advantage plans are denying coverage for medical services that would be covered under original Medicare, according to a federal investigation. These denials are likely preventing or delaying medically necessary care for tens of thousands of Medic... [read more]
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3 months ago
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Medicare is part of the Social Security Administration (SSA), so if you need to enroll in Medicare, that’s whom you contact. But in recent months, phone lines at the SSA were experiencing major technical issues, preventing some individuals from being able to reach the SSA via telephone in a timely m... [read more]
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4 months ago
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If you have Medicare, you can now receive up to eight free rapid at-home Covid-19 tests a month at participating pharmacies.
The free tests are available without a prescription to all Medicare beneficiaries with Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you only have M... [read more]
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5 months ago
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Long-term care costs climbed again in 2021, with rates for home health aides and homemakers seeing the sharpest rises, according to Genworth’s annual Cost of Care Survey. The coronavirus pandemic continues to contribute to cost increases.
In the past year, Genworth reports that the national m... [read more]
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5 months ago
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If you are about to turn 70, congratulations on reaching a big milestone. And if you also have delayed claiming Social Security retirement benefits up till now, you are joining a select group -- only 6.5 percent of Social Security recipients put off collecting their benefits until they reach three ... [read more]
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6 months ago
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A federal court has ruled that hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries who were switched from inpatient to observation status can appeal the decision, making it easier for them to receive coverage for subsequent nursing home care. The ruling appears to bring to an end more than a decade of litigation on... [read more]
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8 months ago
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will add data on staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels to its Care Compare website, giving consumers another tool when choosing a nursing home.
The official Medicare website includes a nursing home rating system. Ca... [read more]
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8 months ago
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The Biden administration is moving forward with a Trump-era pilot program that would hand over the care of millions of Medicare beneficiaries to private, mostly for-profit, groups.
Health care advocates warn that that the little-known plan will limit patients’ choice of providers and effectiv... [read more]
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8 months ago
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Vaccines can become less effective over time. Even individuals fully vaccinated as children may need to update their immunizations. Medicare Parts B and D offer vaccination coverage.
Medicare Part B covers shots for the flu, hepatitis B, pneumococcal (pneumonia), and COVID-19. Medicare covers 100... [read more]
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10 months ago
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One of the top reasons many of our clients give us for creating, or updating, their Estate Plans is to have peace of mind for themselves and their families and loved ones. By addressing practical concerns, such as protecting their families in the case of an emergency or death, and being proactive ab... [read more]
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