Ask Phil

Living abroad, do I need to get Medicare when I turn 65 or when I retire?

By Philip Moeller

As long as a person’s health insurance qualifies as a group health plan, they do not need to get Medicare at 65 regardless of where they live or who provides their health insurance.

Is it worth keeping Medicare if I’m covered by my new employer?

By Philip Moeller

When you returned to work and reacquired group employer health insurance, you effectively got a "do over" on your Medicare sign-up rights.

Why Medicare beneficiaries should pay attention to ‘repeal and replace’ debate

By Philip Moeller

As actual GOP plans come into sharper focus, sharp Medicare battle lines will form for politicians and the public alike. It will be crucial to look inside the packages to get an understanding of whether the Medicare program that would…

How does Social Security’s cost of living adjustment affect Medicare?

By Philip Moeller

As predicted, people are confused about how Social Security’s meager 2017 cost of living adjustment, or COLA, is affecting their Part B premiums for Medicare.

My employer health insurance is unaffordable. Should I get Medicare?

By Philip Moeller

While you do not have to get Medicare, because you’re covered by an employer plan, you always are free to drop your employer plan and get Medicare instead.

Column: Why aren’t my chiropractic appointments covered by Medicare?

By Philip Moeller

Phil Moeller is here to provide the answers you need on aging and retirement.

Should we raise the retirement age for Social Security and Medicare?

By Philip Moeller

Leading Republicans already have included such proposals in their evolving legislative packages. Journalist Philip Moeller looks at how the proposals would affect retirees.

Column: Why is my Medicare Part B premium more than my husband’s?

By Philip Moeller

Why are Medicare Part B premiums different for a married couple if they have identical Medicare insurance plans? Journalist Phil Moeller explains.

Care provider directories wrong nearly half the time in Medicare Advantage plan lists

By Philip Moeller

Most Medicare Advantage plans either prevent people from using providers not in their networks or charge them higher rates for out-of-network care. It’s thus very important that people review a plan’s network directory before enrolling in a plan. But what…

Column: Social Security will reduce paper statements in 2017. Here’s why it shouldn’t

By Philip Moeller

The Social Security Administration just announced it would curtail sending paper statements to many people in order to save money. This is as bad an idea now as it was the last time the agency did this several years ago.