Q. In the past, you answered questions about hospitalized people who were too sick to go home but not sick enough to be admitted. Many of them were in the hospital for a week, thinking it would be covered by Medicare. They were … [Read more...]
Critter Corner: New “What’s Covered” App for Medicare
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I am often uncertain about what's covered by Medicare. I really dislike being put on hold forever when I call CMS with questions. Are there any easy ways to see what's covered and what's … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Annual Physicals?
Q. My sister Amy, 66, recently called her primary care doctor’s office to schedule an annual checkup. She naturally assumed her Medicare coverage would pick up most, if not all, of the tab for the exam. After all, an annual visit … [Read more...]
Two Popular Medigap Plans are Being Shuttered — What It Means for You!
Q. A couple of years ago, my aunt Linda applied for a Plan F Medigap plan and the insurance company approved her. The following year, she saw a specialist about some hip problems she was experiencing, went for an MRI, and ended up … [Read more...]
Watch Out for These Scams During Medicare Open Enrollment!
Joanna received a call last week from a man claiming to be from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Joanna was told that she was entitled to money back because of "changes” that were made by Medicare. The man on … [Read more...]
Simplifying the Medicare Process
Q. I am a few months away from my 65th birthday, and I am aware that it is time to begin thinking about enrolling in Medicare. I started researching Medicare online, and I realized that enrollment is much more confusing than I … [Read more...]
How Does Medicare Work When You Have Existing Coverage?
Q. I love my job, and don’t have any plans to retire anytime soon, unless my wife insists on me doing so, so we can travel. We are both turning 65 this year, and will be eligible for Medicare soon. Since Medicare is health … [Read more...]
Medicare Doesn’t Care About Home Care
Jane’s mother, Anne, suffered a stroke and a broken pelvis, and will be leaving the rehabilitation center she was staying in this week. When she returns home, she desperately needs a health aide to assist with bathing, … [Read more...]
“Confusion Over Medicare Improvement Standard Persists”- Case Reintroduced and New Settlement Reached
Q. My father had a pretty major stroke several weeks ago. After being hospitalized for about 4 days, he was sent to a nursing home for rehab and has been receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. He is … [Read more...]
What Medicare Won’t Cover
Q. When my mom turns 65, she will enroll in Medicare, as most seniors do. My understanding about Medicare is that Part A is hospital insurance and Medicare Part B helps pay for doctors’ services and other medical services and … [Read more...]