Category Archives: News & Views Magazine

Ask people covered by Medicare to look at their Medicare Summary (claims) Notices.  It’s not uncommon to see Medicare approving about 15-25% of the provider billed amount.  Then Medicare most commonly pays 80% of the approved amount. So, it’s fair to say Medicare pays about 12 – 20% of many Medicare submitted expenses.  Have you…

Medicare Plans and Obamacare – Wrapping up another busy year. Medicare Plan Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ends on December 7th. Obamacare ends on December 15th. What does this mean to you? Medicare: If you are on Medicare and purchase your own Medicare insurance, you need to make plan selections or changes during AEP. The exceptions…

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) began 10/15 and will continue through 12/7. The AEP is when most people can change their Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Drug Plans (Part D).  So, that is the reason for the flood of commercials, mailings and perhaps phone calls you may be receiving.  What do you need to know?…

Several years ago health insurance companies began to recognize good health is more than good genes. In fact, good health is fairly complex which is influenced by a number of factors including education, employment, housing and access to healthy food. Some social deterrents such as a person’s environment where individuals are born contribute to these…

Information Regarding Medicare Advantage Plans Want Your HMO Insurance Plan to Pay? Are you going to see a specialist such as an orthopedic doctor?  Did you get a referral?  Health insurance is changing.  With the exception of original Medicare and many of the pre-Affordable Care Act plans (ACA – also called Obamacare), many plans require…

Medicare Advantage Plans Higher hospital co-pays!  High co-insurance payments!! More out of pocket expense!!!  Some people call these “pain points” as they can take a bite out of a savings account.  What can a person do to control their “pain points”? The history: let’s first address Medicare Plans then health insurance for those under age…

Medicare Changes Doctors have complained for years that they’re not paid adequately for time-consuming work associated with managing care for chronically ill older patients: talking with families; and consulting with specialists and pharmacists. Each year Medicare policies (or regulations) are reviewed and changes may be implemented. As of 1/1/2017, under the new rules, doctors will…

Have you noticed there seems to be a number of changes this year with health insurance? Whether you are on Medicare or have health plans through an Obamacare Affordable Care Act plan (ACA) or group insurance, it seems deductibles are up, out of pockets are up as are premiums for many. Now: what’s important; for…

Are you buying health insurance? Premiums increasing? As President Clinton said about Obamacare (ACA) (it’s) “the craziest thing in the world”. So, why are heath insurance premiums up so much? Also, why are insurance companies terminating current plans and choosing not to offer new plans. Companies state they are losing money – big money. Blue…

Medicare open enrollment started 10/15 and continues to 12/7.  Obamacare (ACA) open enrollment starts on 11/1 until 1/31/2017.  So, both older and young people will be seeking information during the same time frame. QUESTION:  I received notice that my Medicare Advantage (MAPD)is being cancelled.  What options do I have?  You actually have many options.  The…