Medicare For The Lazy Man Podcast

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                  INSURERS' PRIOR AUTHORIZATION DATA OFFERS LITTLE INSIGHT INTO WHAT GETS APPROVED OR DENIED THE WISeR TEST OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION IN ORIGINAL MEDICARE HAS NOT HAD A SMOOTH ROLLOUT, ACCORDING TO SOME REPORTS PROSPECTIVE CLIENT MALCOM ACTUALLY PAYS MORE ATTENTION TO THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT QUOTES THAN THE EXPE...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                           MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS GET A 2.48% RAISE FOR 2027, UP FROM A PROPOSED 0.09% MEDICARE WILL START COVERING OBIESITY DRUGS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER LEARN MORE ABOUT MARMITE, THE STICKY DARK BROWN PASTE, THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW! Contact me at:  DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                            MEDICARE ADVANTAGE HEALTH PLANS MAY CUT EXTRA BENEFITS IN 2027 HE THOUGHT COBRA COUNTED AS COVERAGE;                                            MEDICARE SAID OTHERWISE FOR LIFE; THE KEY IS BEING "ACTIVELY AT WORK" MEDIGAP (MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT) RATES ARE INCREASING AND SOME PLANS ARE HARDER TO QUALIFY FOR CHRIS AS...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                       CVS (AETNA) DENIED 80% OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE "LONG TERM CARE" REQUESTS, ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL WATCHDOG ELAINE TRIED TO ESCAPE HER EXPENSIVE PLAN F WHICH WAS HEADING TOWARD $500 PER MONTH. SUCCESS OR....? TWO MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN CHOOSING A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT. FINALLY, STEVE FROM TEXAS HAS A QUES...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                    YOUR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN STOPS AT THE COUNTY LINE.            ORIGINAL MEDICARE DOES NOT. FAVORITE CLIENT BOB FOUND A BRAND NEW MEDICARE CARD WITH A BRAND NEW MEDICARE NUMBER WHEN HE OPENED HIS MAIL RECENTLY. EVIDENCE OF FRAUDELENT ACTIVITY OR JUST INEFFECTIVE PR BY THE GOVERNMENT? DEAN OFFERED A SUGG...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                       ARE THE TRADEOFFS FROM PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS WORTH IT?                      THIS IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST BURDEN FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS  ONE COMPANY'S MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT RATE INCREASE IN THE STATE OF UTAH IS A WHOPPER A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT CHECKS IN WITH SEVERAL PITHY QUESTIONS     Contact me...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                             ORIGINAL MEDICARE VS. ADVANTAGE. MORE RETIREES ARE SWITCHING BACK AND HERE'S WHY IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM PODCAST LISTENER AND CLIENT MARK, WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE SUBJECT OF PLAN N & WHY I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT TO MY CLIENTS. Contact me at:  DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)             ...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:  MAJOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INSURERS APPEAR TO DENY CARE FOR PROFIT: FEDERAL WATCHDOG.                              WORST OFFENDERS ARE: UNITED HEALTHCARE, HUMANA & AETNA TRUMP ANNOUNCES TRUMPRx. GOV EXPANSION                                          ADDING 160 MORE DRUGS EXPLANATION OF MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS,                                      INCLUDINNG THOSE TH...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                             ELEVANCE (ANTHEM) ESTIMATES IT WILL TAKE $935 MILLLION TO AVOID THREATENED GOVERNMENT SANCTIONS SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD  (SEP) CREATED BY CLEAR SPRING"S DEPARTURE FROM THE MARKET GOVERNMENT ONOUNCES BIG DISCOUNTS ON 15 MORE EXPENSIVE DRUGS USED BY MILLIONS ENJOY SOME SELECTED READINGS FROM "THE ULTIMATE MEDICA...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                            MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CRISIS:                                                                              WHY YOUR PLAN MAY ADD NEW CHARGES TO YOUR ACCOUNT THIS WEEK! FEATURES OF OUR WEBSITE ENUMERATED ONE OF MY BETTER COMPANIES OFFERS RATE INCREASE STATISTICS: PLAN G GETS A 25% BUMP WHILE THE AVERAGE OF 13 HIGH DE...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                  MEDICARE'S 72-HOUR RULE NOW GOVERNS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE APPROVALS TONI KING'S NEW AI-WRITTEN BLURBS SEND A VERY BAD MESSAGE STEVE (FROM TEXAS) ASKS A VERY THOUGHTFUL QUESTION ABOUT A MISGUIDED REPUBLICAN'S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF MEDICARE JOHN ASKS FOR CLARIFICATION AS TO THE MOST ACCURATE WAY TO RESPOND TO...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                      NEW SENATE BILL COULD RESHAPE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE FOR MILLIONS.     ONE OF THE FRICTION POINTS IT WILL TRY TO SOLVE WILL BE THAT OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS. EXPLANATION OF "USUAL & CUSTOMARY? HEALTH INSUEANCE CLAIM PAYMENT SCHEDULES. FEE FOR SERVICE vs. MANAGED CARE ALSO EXPLAINED.  HIGHER LOSS RATIOS I...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:  RURAL TEXAS AT RISK; MEDICARE ADVANTAGE REDUCTIONS HIT HARDEST IN LOW POPULATION AREAS. STILL WORKING AT AGE 65? HERE'S HOW TO HANDLE MEDICARE. SINGLE SHOT AT PREVENTING HEART DISEASE. NEW STUDY COULD REWRITE ALZHEIMER'S PLAYBOOK. (HINT: NITRIC OXIDE GAS) THINK BEFORE YOU SUPPLEMENT CORRESPONDENCE FROM RON ABOUT TRICARE FOR LIFE, ALONG WITH A TFL EXPLANATION. Contact me...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                    YOUR 2026 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN MY DENY YOUR NEXT REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY MRI. HERE IS WHY: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION DENIAL. THE ULTIMATE "I AM TURNING 65" CHECKLIST MARGY SENT ME A VERY TEMPTHING INVITATION TO BECOME A PODCAST GUEST. FINALLY, WE DISCUSS THE PERSONALITY TRAITS OF OUR NEW AI ASSISTANTS: SEAN...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE: FIVE REASONS RETIREES SHOULD BUY PLAN G RATHER THAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN 2026.                                                 HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLAN G WOULD BE AN EVEN SMARTER CHOICE! A NEW MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PROSPECT WITH A COMPLIATED MEDICAL HISTORY HISTORY REQUESTS QUOTES. I EXPLAIN THE DETAILS SHE WILL BE RECEIVING. A CURRENT CLIENT WITH HDG RECEIVED SHOCKING NEWS:...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                            MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PREIMUMS WILL DROP...EVEN AS TOTAL ENROLLMENT DROPS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE! CORRESPONDENCE FROM A DISABLED VISITOR TO MY WEBSITE WITH AN UNUSUAL SITUATION. HE IS TURNING 65 AND WILL FACE A DECISION: TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE SUPERIOR MEDICARE AND A SUPPLEMENT OR KEEP HIS LES...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                            MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXPOSED:                                                                            5 SHOCKING TRUTHS THAT COULD COST YOU EVERYTHING! A RECENT CLIENT"S PLEA FOR HELP: A WOMAN IN KANSAS CITY, AGE 84;          HER PLAN F WAS INCREASING TO $380 PER MONTH; MY SOLUTION: CHANGE TO HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLA...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                           MEDICARE IS INCREASING OVERSIGHT OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS; HERE IS WHAT THAT MEANS FOR SENIORS! ACCORDING TO TELOS ACTUARIAL, THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT MARKET IS RETURNING TO GROWTH MODE. AS AMERICA GROWS OLDER, TRUMP Rx DELIVERS. ANTHEM/ELEVANCE PLANS TO PENALIZE IN-NETWORK HOSPITALS. DAVID HAS PDP QUESTIONS AFT...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                   MORE SENIORS ARE BEING DENIED COVERAGE FOR SKILLED NURSING CARE - APPEALS ARE SURGING! MEDICARE AT AGE 65 - EMPLOYER COVERAGE CHANGES THE RULES; SIZE OF THE EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT HAPPENS. IS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY E-MAIL LEGIT? HERE IS HOW TO TELL! EDITORIAL: HOSPITALS AND INSUR...

MLM CHRISTMAS PARTY POST-MORTEM - OMAHA BEACH REMEBERANCE STEAKHOUSE SURVEY SPARKS FLOOD OF LISTENER COMMENTARY                (ONLY VICTIM WAS MR. REGINA WHO WAS INADVERTANTLY RELOCATED FROM HIS BELOVED GEORGIA) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                      CMS MULLS AUTO-ENROLLING SENIORS IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GOVERNMENT FINALIZES MAJOR CHANGES T...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                            MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION DENIALS JUMPED 56%.         NEW APRIL RULES AIM TO FIX IT!      LEARN ALL ABOUT THE WAYS YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR A FREE AMBULANCE RIDE, ON THE GROUND OR IN THE AIR, CURTESY OF MEDICARE! FINALLY, WE END WITH A ROUSING QUIZ IN WHICH SEVERAL STATES ARE LISTED BEST OR WORST IN ORDER...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                             MA PLANS ARE QUIETLY DROPPING SENIOR BENEFITS IN 2026.                      YOUR PLAN'S ANOC (ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE) LETTER SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY WHEN YOU RECEIVE IT THIS FALL.  HEADLINE: RFK JR'S AI PILOT PROGRAM CALLED A "TROJAN HORSE" FOR PRIVITIZING MEDICARE. SPEAKING A MEDICARE EXPERT,...

LISTEN FOR MY REPEATED ERROR: SAYING PLAN G RATHER THAN HDG! MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                  AETNA WILL PAY $118 MILLION TO RESOLVE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE UPCODING ALLEGATIONS.                                                                                                           OF COURSE, THIS SEEMS LIKE A DROP IN THE BUCKET WHEN COMPARED...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                  AETNA, ELEVANCE & HUMANA MARKETING LAWSUIT MOVES FORWARD.      THESE COMPANIES ARE ACCUSED OF PAYING "KICKBACKS" TO HAVE UNSUSPECTING CLIENTS STEERED INTO THEIR MA PLANS. MEDICARE EXPERT DIANE OMDAHL LISTS 20 BASIC POINTS ABOUT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT (MEDIGAP) PLANS.  Contact me at:  DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Mo...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                      CMS SAYS: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OVERPAYMENT RECOVERIES WILL BEGIN SOON! FROM TONI KING:                                                                                                         COBRA AFTER RETIRING? ENROLL IN MEDICARE THE RIGHT WAY TO AVOID A PENALTY! CORRESPONDENCE WITH MARGARET, VORACIOUS...