Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to all of your Medicare questions.
Does Medicare Cover Hospice Care?
Medicare offers a hospice benefit to beneficiaries who have terminal illnesses, allowing them to receive palliative, quality, end-of-life care. What type of care is covered? Medicare covers a good variety of hospice services, equipment, and medications, such as:...
What SNF Benefits Does Medicare Cover?
If someone is ready to leave a hospital stay but not quite ready to be sent home, they might be transferred to a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour medical care to patients. Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care, but for a...
Should I Turn Down Medicare Part B if I Have Job-based Coverage?
If you are Medicare-eligible but still working, you may be enrolled in job-based coverage. This is coverage your employer or union offers to you and your family. Being enrolled in job-based coverage can allow you to delay your Medicare enrollment. However, depending...
How Do I Know if I Qualify for Equitable Relief?
Equitable relief allows you to request the following from the SSA (Social Security Administration). Immediate Medicare enrollment Retroactive Medicare Enrollment Elimination Your Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty (LEP) To request this, you must have failed...
What are the Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalties?
Unless you have insurance based on you or your spouse’s current job or are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you will have to pay a 10% Medicare Part B premium penalty for each 12 months you are not enrolled in Medicare Part B. In most cases, you will pay...
How to Enroll in Medicare if You Missed Your Initial Enrollment Period
Did you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), but you still need to enroll in Medicare? You will most likely need to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) or the General Enrollment Period (GEP). Special Enrollment Period You may be eligible for a Part B...
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage – What is the difference?
Today, there are more Medicare options than ever before! There are countless Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in addition to Original Medicare. But this can make it hard for you to choose – which is right for you, Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? For...
How Medicare Works with Railroad Retirement Benefits
Typically, you are eligible for Medicare if you are eligible for Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits. However, there are a few significant differences to notes if you enroll in Medicare as a retired railroad worker. Your enrollment into Medicare...
Should I Enroll in Part D?
Do not dismiss the idea of enrolling into a Medicare Part D plan right away because you currently have adequate coverage or do not take any prescription drugs. Weigh the options and consequences before not enrolling – or it could cost you more in the long run. Do I...
What You Need to Know about Low Income Assistance Programs
The United States of America has many benefit programs for individuals and families with low income. We are here to help guide you through each program. The Low-Income Assistance Programs that you are eligible for can include receiving medical insurance, a tax credit...
The 5 Most Important Questions to Ask when You’re New to Medicare
What are the basics?For someone new to Medicare – it can be confusing. The Medicare program is complex and can be hard to navigate alone for someone just starting. First, familiarize yourself with the differences between Medicare and the health insurance coverage you...
What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?
What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a federal-state program that helps serve low-income people of every age that needs assistance. Medicaid usually covers no parts of costs for covered medical expenses for patients. You will sometimes be required to pay a small co-payment....
What Over the Counter Benefits Am I Not Using?
Does your Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan include any Over the Counter (OTC) benefits? Today, many Medicare Advantage plans include OTC. What are Over the Counter (OTC) Benefits? Some insurance carriers have added an allowance for over-the-counter...
Outdoor Activities to do This Summer
A beautiful way to spend time doing outdoor activities is by going outside in the fresh summer air. Going out promotes socializing from a safe distance and encourages light exercise. The summer offers a handful of outdoor activities that you can do while practicing...
10 Exercises to Help Improve Strength and Balance
Single-limb Stance - The single-limb stance starts by standing behind a steady chair that doesn't have wheels. You will hold onto the back of the chair. Once those steps are complete, lift up one of your feet and balance on the other. Hold this position for as long as...
10 Online Fitness Classes You Should Try Right Now
While most gyms are closed due to the coronavirus quarantine, it doesn’t mean you can’t exercise. Doing workouts from home has become the topic of discussion in recent months. The ability to have access to fitness training programs online has opened up many...
Facts about Stress Psychologists Need You to Stop Believing
Stress is something you can put off managing – Unfortunately, stress can not wait for us to have time to handle it. “In my practice, I work with a considerable number of high-functioning professionals, and I have now come to expect them to commit to taking care of...
Do I need Dental Coverage?
Dental insurance is an excellent supplement to your current health insurance coverage, and to ensure you fill in the gaps left behind by Original Medicare Part A & Part B. dental plans usually cover between 20% and 80% of your billed services. For example, let’s...