Just a reminder that Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2019. This is the time of year when you can change how you get your Medicare coverage, switch health and drug plans, and add or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage. So, it’s important that you...

Would you like for a family member or caregiver to be able to call Medicare on your behalf? Would you like a way to store all your health records in one place online, so you can quickly share them with a new doctor or other healthcare provider? How about an easy way to print a new Medicare card if you...

Planning to travel abroad this summer? Before you go, keep in mind that Medicare usually does not cover health care services or supplies while you’re traveling outside the United States. That doesn’t mean you have to travel abroad without health coverage. Here are 3 ways you can get health coverage...

If you’re approached by someone who offers “free” genetic testing or cancer screening, turn them down. Medicare doesn’t cover such tests unless a doctor who’s treating you orders them and they’re medically necessary. Laboratory representatives have allegedly been taking swabs inside the mouths...

If you get injured or have surgery, your doctor may prescribe opioids, a class of drugs used to treat pain. Although opioids can be an important part of treatment, they carry serious risks of addiction, abuse, and overdose, especially if used continuously. This is true even for seniors and other people...

Did you know that Medicare has an ombudsman to help you resolve complaints you may have about your healthcare? Congress created the job of Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist people with Medicare with their inquiries, complaints, grievances, appeals, and requests for information. The Medicare Beneficiary...

You may have heard something lately about “preventive health care.” What does that mean? At its most basic, preventive health care means living a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight. And stop smoking. Like anyone else, people with Medicare can benefit...

Let’s say you go for your annual physical and your doctor recommends that you get a hearing and balance test. Or an electrocardiogram. Or a Hepatitis B screening. Does your Original Medicare cover these services? Now there’s a quick way to find out, using your smartphone or tablet. It’s Medicare’s...

Most doctors accept Medicare as full payment for their services. But some accept it only for certain services, and others don’t accept it at all. What does this mean for you? If you have Original Medicare, it means you should try to use doctors, hospitals, medical equipment suppliers, and other healthcare...

As we head into the holiday season, I wanted to let you know how much your Medicare will cost in 2019. Most people with Medicare will pay the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which will be $135.50 next year, an increase of $1.50 over 2018. Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital...