Most doctors, pharmacists and other health care providers who work with Medicare are honest. Unfortunately, some aren’t. One common form of Medicare fraud is when Medicare is billed for health care services or benefits you never received. Someone could have gotten access to your Medicare number and...

Medicare helps to pay for a wide variety of health services, from flu shots to hospital stays to hospice care. But it doesn’t cover everything. And it doesn’t cover all your out-of-pocket costs. Many services covered by Medicare require co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You can purchase...

Most people I know are looking forward to signing up for Medicare just as soon as they can. When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare’s Part A and/or Part B benefits and services. Part A covers hospitalization and Part B...

Did you know that you may be able to get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums? State-based Medicare Savings Programs also may pay Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. If you have income from working, you may qualify...

Good news for people with Medicare in 2015: Part B costs will remain the same as in 2014. Medicare Part B helps pay for doctor bills, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and other items. It requires a monthly premium and an annual deductible. I’m happy to report that Part B costs for 2015 will...

You might not realize it, but there are actually two ways to receive your Medicare benefits. The best-known way is Original Medicare. With Original Medicare, you can choose any doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider you want, as long as they accept Medicare. When you receive medical services...

Medicare’s annual open enrollment season is underway, and I want to encourage everyone with Medicare to review their current health and prescription drug coverage. Open enrollment began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2014. If you want to change your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D (prescription...

As a person with Medicare, do you have any rights and protections? You certainly do. You have rights whether you’re enrolled in Original Medicare – in which you can choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare – or Medicare Advantage, in which you get care within a network of health care...

Medicare helps pay for a wide variety of medical services and goods in hospitals, doctors’ offices and other healthcare settings. But it doesn’t cover everything, and it’s useful to know what is and isn’t included. Services are covered either under Medicare Part A or Part B. If you have both...

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who recently obtained health coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance, here are some steps you can take to make the most of your new coverage.   1 – Put your health first * Staying healthy...