Medicare Stress Relief

Over the last seven years, I have had thousands of conversations about Medicare.  During that time,  I have never met anyone in the process of transitioning to Medicare that did not incur some level of Medicare stress.  Literally, not one person has every walked into my office without some level of uncertainty or questions about Medicare.  So, in this episode, I clarify my definition of Medicare s...

As part of the revision of my book Medicare & The Stres of Turning 65,  I decided to rename the book and podcast to Medicare Stress Relief .   Frankly, it is not only individuals who turn sixty-five that experience stress with Medicare, but also individuals who have been on Medicare.  So, this podcast is an introduction to this process of revising and improving both the book and the podcast. ...

We are at the end of season one of the podcast.  In this episode, I discuss contacting a local agent.  Local agents can be invaluable as you sort out your Medicare enrollment options.  

In this episode, I complete this series on Medicare agents by discussing call center and telesales agents.  I do not recommend call center or telesales agents because of the complexity of Medicare and the decisions that need to be made by the consumer.  Also, I still believe that Medicare beneficiaries are best served by a local agent.  

There are several categories of Medicare agents.  In this episode, I discuss the Captive Agent.  

There are several types of Medicare insurance agents working today.  In this episode, I share information about "local" independent agents.  The local independent agents are my first recommendation for anyone needing Medicare assistance.  Listen for reasons why!

In this episode, I conclude the discussion about how to identify Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans available in your area.  

There are several ways to identify Medicare plans that are available in your area.  In this episode, I discuss the Medicare.gov website.  

There is often a lot of confusion about what Medicare plans are available.  In this episode, I discuss two options for determining what Medicare plans are available in your geographic area.  

Last week, I shared the first set of questions designed to help individuals select between a Medicare supplement versus a Medicare Advantage plan.  Here is the second set of questions that can be helpful in the process.  

When deciding what type of Medicare product you want to select, there are several questions you need to ask.  In this episode, I share some of those questions.  

There are certain aspects or services rendered through Medicare Advantage plans that could create high copay amounts.  In this episode, I discuss how indemnity insurance plans can help protect against high out-of-pocket costs for people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.  

Over the past several years, I have spoken with several people who were afraid of enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans because they did not want to lose their Original Medicare.,  In this episode, I talk about what happens to Original Medicare when you enroll in a  Medicare Advantage plan.  

Everyone has the opportunity to change their Medicare Advantage Plan during the Annual Enrollment Period.  However, there are other times that certain individuals can change their plans as well.  In this episode, I discuss other times individuals can change plans.  

Prior to 2021, there was one pre-exisiting condition that prevented individuals from enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.  In 2021, that changed.  In this episode, I talk about Medicare Advantage plans and pre-existing conditions.  

Most Medicare Advantage plans offer some type of extra benefit not covered by Original Medicare such as dental or vision.  In this episode, I discuss some of those extra items.  

Medicare Advantage plans do have premiums(one or two depending on the plan). In this episode I talk about the premiums you would pay if enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.  

There are two areas that could create higher copays under Medicare Advantage plans; hospital stays and cancer treatments.  In this episode, I discuss how those services are billed under the Medicare Advantage plans.  

Medicare Advantage plans may or may not cover prescription medications.  This episode discusses how that can affect the plan benefits.  

Every Medicare Advantage plan has a Maximum Out of Pocket limit for medical expenses.  This is in contrast Original Medicare, which has no limit on what the beneficiary could be liable for in regard to medical expenses.  

Medicare Advantage plans functions similer to employer plans.  Listen to this episode to understand how!

HMO Medicare Advantage plans have different provider network  requirements than Medicare Advantage PPO plans.  This episode discusses the differences and new developments regarding HMO networks.  

Many people are afraid of losing their Original Medicare by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.  In this episode, I discuss what really happens to your Original Medicare.  

Medicare Advantage plans are identified as Part C of Medicare.  This episode is an introduction to Medicare Advantage plans.  

Most people will have prescription changes over time.  This episode discussed how the Annual Enrollment Period is available to make changes.