Does Medicare Cover CPAP Machines for Sleep Apnea? The great news is that Medicare Part B covers CPAP therapy. Medicare classifies CPAP machines and the supplies needed as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). 1. The Cost Breakdown Medicare treats CPAP machines as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). They don’t buy the machine for you immediately; they follow [...]
Medicare Coverage for Hearing It is more common as we age, but anyone can experience hearing loss. About 15% of American adults over 18 report some trouble hearing—and about one in three people ages 65 to 74 has hearing loss. If you’re looking into Medicare coverage for hearing, here’s what you should know about hearing [...]
Your Road Map to Medicare What is Medicare? Car Analogy: Medicare is the national interstate system for health care when you hit age 65 (earlier for some disabilities). To “get on the road” you will need Medicare Part A & Part B. Your “big” decision will be selecting how you want to travel. You will have two options. [...]
Avoiding the Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty When it comes to Medicare, timing is everything. Unless you have qualifying (creditable) employer group coverage, you generally need to enroll in Medicare at age 65. Some people qualify earlier due to disability or certain medical conditions. Missing key enrollment windows can trigger late enrollment penalties—especially for [...]
Medicare Eligibility Medicare is the federal health insurance program that helps millions of Americans get the care they need. But who qualifies? Let’s break it down in simple terms. The Basics of Medicare Eligibility You may become eligible for Medicare a few different ways: Turning 65 Most people qualify for Medicare when they turn 65 years [...]
What is the process of enrolling in Medicare Part B?
Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage Comparing Your Two Coverage Options Original Medicare (Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) are two different ways to receive your Medicare benefits/coverage. Both options provide you with hospital and medical insurance, but there are differences between them. Learning about the differences in your coverage options will allow [...]
When Can I Change My Medicare Advantage Plan? If we lived in a perfect world, you would be more than satisfied with your new Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans may be a perfect coverage option for some individuals. However, situations occur, and maybe you realize that your family doctor doesn’t accept your plan, or [...]
Medicare Supplement Plans A Medicare Supplement insurance plan, also known as Medigap, is an insurance you can buy that helps pay for the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover. There are ten different supplemental plans to choose for coverage. Plans are referred to by letters. The three most purchased plans are Plan [...]
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (For Individuals Currently Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1st through March 31st The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) gives you the opportunity to enroll in another Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan or go back to Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). Normally, [...]
Medicare Premiums Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Some individuals believe that once they begin Medicare, that it is free. Unfortunately, that is not true. Original Medicare is composed of two working parts, Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A is free for most individuals because they paid Medicare taxes while working. [...]
Annual Notice of Change Letter During the month of September, you should receive a Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Letter. What is the Purpose of this Letter? The purpose of the ANOC letter(s) is to describe any changes for the upcoming year. You should except to receive a letter if you have a Prescription [...]
Paying Your Medicare Part B Premium You are probably like most people and receive Medicare Part A at no cost. Medicare Part A is premium free if you or your spouse worked 10 years or more and paid Medicare taxes while working. However, Medicare Part B is not free. If you are receiving retirement benefits [...]
Medicare Coverage and Cataract Surgery Cataracts are a common part of aging — in fact, more than half of Americans over 80 either have cataracts or have had them removed. Left untreated, cataracts can interfere with daily life and may even cause blindness. The good news? Cataract surgery is safe, simple, and usually painless. But [...]
Medicare and Cancer Coverage Unfortunately, Cancer is something many of us will face directly or indirectly at some point during our lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.9 million new Cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2023. Does Medicare cover Cancer? Yes, it does. Depending on your choice for coverage [...]
Original Medicare and Home Health Care Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and/or Part B) will cover eligible home health services if you are considered homebound and need part-time or intermittent services. To Qualify and be Considered Homebound: You are having trouble leaving your home without some type of help due to an illness or injury. Examples [...]
2020 Medicare Costs - A brief overview of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B premiums and costs
Medicare Commercials! When you turn your television on to watch your favorite show or catch the news, you more than likely have viewed commercials featuring Joe Namath and J.J. Walker. These two celebrities can be seen daily advertising products that revolve around Medicare. Both Namath and Walker are encouraging you to call a toll-free number [...]
Medicare Premiums: IRMAA 2023 The Medicare Part B premium will be $164.90 for 2023. That is a slight decrease from the 2022 monthly premium of $170.10. The Part B deductible will also see a decrease. The deductible will drop from $233 to $226. Most Medicare beneficiaries will pay a monthly premium of $164.90 for [...]
What are you supposed to do if you need the flu shot?There are many places you can get your flu shot – don’t wait!People who are 65 and older are at high risk of having serious health complications from the flu. Getting the flu shot protects you from getting the flu and keeps you from spreading it [...]
