Making Sen$e Aug 08 Opinion: The link between more seniors filing for bankruptcy and the unraveling social safety net Even as current support programs fall short of meeting retiree needs, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spending for older Americans is projected to take an ever-larger bite of total federal spending.
Making Sen$e Aug 01 Why families need to pay close attention to these revised nursing home ratings New ratings now reflect staffing levels based on objective payroll records and not on nursing homes’ self-assessment of staffing adequacy.
Making Sen$e Jul 25 Help! Constant care for my mom has created financial turmoil This problem perfectly explains why new Medicare rules to allow coverage of non-medical expenses are so important.
Making Sen$e Jul 18 How do Medigap plans work? Here’s a tutorial A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation offers a helpful look at these plans.
Making Sen$e Jul 12 What happens to your Social Security payments when one spouse dies When Social Security was created, family benefits did not drop off sharply when one spouse died because few women were in the workforce. But with the first baby boomers now age 72, the volume of very difficult survivor situations will…
Making Sen$e Jul 05 When should you file for Social Security if you have a young child? Realistically, money earned today is worth more than money earned in the future, writes Philip Moeller.
Making Sen$e Jun 29 My husband needs at-home health services. Where do I start? Medicare does cover at-home care services if they are prescribed by a physician or other licensed caregiver, but does not cover so-called custodial care.
Making Sen$e Jun 20 Column: This plan to add broad non-medical benefits to Medicare Advantage is a big deal. Here’s why Beginning next year, Medicare Advantage plans will be permitted for the first time to broadly cover non-medical expenses that can help Medicare enrollees improve their health.
Making Sen$e Jun 13 I live overseas but need surgery in the U.S. How do I make sure Medicare covers me? If you live abroad and have Medicare, here's what you'd need to qualify to use it.
Making Sen$e Jun 06 What do non-married couples need to know about getting Medicare? The right to the spousal exemption from getting Medicare does not apply to non-married couples.