Jan 04 Your Medicare and Social Security questions, answered By Philip Moeller The complexities and oddities of Medicare and Social Security are a seemingly endless source of reader puzzlement, and anger. Here are some frequent questions and answers. Continue reading
Dec 20 What does this little-understood rule of Social Security mean for me? By Philip Moeller If a person has not filed for Social Security by the time they reach their full retirement age, they are entitled to up to six months of retroactive benefits when they do file. While this may seem like a nice… Continue reading
Dec 13 Everything you want to know about Medicare’s rules on health savings accounts By Philip Moeller The rise of high-deductible employer health plans has created one of the most unpleasant surprises for older employees: anyone on Medicare is no longer allowed to make tax-free contributions to a health savings account (HSA). Continue reading
Dec 06 Help! A doctor is ruining my credit with Medicare overbilling By Philip Moeller More and more people write in to say they’re being dropped from state Medicaid rolls or say their problems are being ignored by Medicare and Social Security. And journalist Phil Moeller thinks things are poised to get much worse. Continue reading
Nov 29 I can’t afford Medicare Part B. How do I prepare for tomorrow’s health problems? By Philip Moeller While you have dodged a health care bullet so far, the odds are you will need substantial health care in your later years. Continue reading
Nov 20 Medicare announced its premiums for 2018. Here’s what you need to know. By Philip Moeller The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that the 2018 premium for Part B of Medicare will remain at $134 a month. But even with no change, millions of Social Security recipients will pay sharply higher Part B premiums… Continue reading
Nov 15 How does a married couple make the most of Medicare and an employer health plan? By Philip Moeller A couple finds that insuring the husband through the wife's employer plan is too expensive and doesn't cover much. Could a Medicare option save them money?… Continue reading
Nov 08 Does it matter where you buy a Medigap plan? By Philip Moeller A grandfather who is planning a move to another state wonders if it matters where he buys a Medigap plan. Continue reading
Nov 01 I care for my aging mother 24/7. Can I get help? By Philip Moeller Medicare does not cover the kind of in-home custodial care this reader needs. Does she have any options?… Continue reading
Oct 26 It can pay to pick a new Medicare Part D drug plan. Here’s how to start shopping. By Philip Moeller Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are, for those without serious health and hospitalization needs, the most important feature of their Medicare coverage. And even if you like your current plan, you still should spend some time during open enrollment… Continue reading