medicare

4 tips for making the most of Medicare's open enrollment

By Philip Moeller

Medicare’s annual open enrollment season begins Oct. 15 and extends through Dec. 7. Here are a few preparatory pointers to help enrollees take full advantage of the opportunity.

I'm 66 and I just lost my job. How do we maximize our Social Security?

By Philip Moeller

A reader needs to apply for Social Security benefits right now after losing his job at full retirement age. But what if he finds a new job?…

Can I get more affordable long-term care insurance?

By Philip Moeller

Long-term care costs can be very, very high and Medicare does not pay for it.

HHS hints at major changes to Medicare that could mean higher costs for patients

By Erin Mershon, STAT

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is signaling it will pursue significant changes to Medicare that could put beneficiaries on the hook for higher costs. In an informal proposal on Wednesday, federal health officials hinted at several new pilot programs it…

Does Medicare make sense for seniors with employer health coverage?

By Philip Moeller

In the past, I usually told employees turning 65 that they did not have to get Medicare and could simply keep their employer plans. My thinking has changed.

To prevent identity theft, government will issue new Medicare cards

By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press

While the first mailings of new cards begin next April, Congress has set an April 2019 deadline for all beneficiaries to have received one.

Standard Medigap plans are learning some new tricks

By Philip Moeller

If you are considering a certain Medigap letter plan, don’t assume that all such plans will offer the same features.

WATCH: Sanders introduces a bill to expand Medicare for all

By Alan Fram, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Americans would get health coverage simply by showing a new government-issued card and would no longer owe out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, according to legislation Sen. Bernie Sanders released Wednesday.

Health care watchdog sends urgent alert on potential nursing home abuse

By Philip Moeller

The government’s health care watchdog office has issued an early alert in advance of its upcoming formal report on egregious abuses of patients at skilled nursing facilities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General says…

How do I get the Medicare coverage I want with the lowest out-of-pocket cost?

By Philip Moeller

If your overall objective here is to get the coverage you want with the lowest annual out-of-pocket expense, you can use Medicare's own online tools to get a good idea of available Part D drug plans and Medigap supplement plans.