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THE INFO YOU NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION
Why Medicare Advantage Plans Have Become So Popular
The number of Medicare beneficiaries who choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans continues to increase. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that, in 2023, 51% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in an MA plan. The average beneficiary has access...
10 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent During Fall Open Enrollment
October 15 through December 7 is Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also known as fall open enrollment. This is the period when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their coverage for the coming year. Understanding the different Medicare plan options can...
How to Pick the Right Texas Medicare Plan: Tips for Planning Your Fall Open Enrollment Strategy
October 15 through December 7 is Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also known as Fall Open Enrollment. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries make important decisions about whether they should change to their Medicare coverage for the coming year. During...
What to Expect If You Need Medical Underwriting for a Medicare Supplement Plan
What happens if you decide you want to change your Medicare Supplement plan? Maybe it’s become too expensive or perhaps your circumstances have changed and your plan is no longer a good fit. Or maybe you would like to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original...
Understanding Your Out-of-Pocket Costs with Medicare
Whether you are new to Medicare or have been enrolled for a while, you might be surprised by some of the out-of-pocket costs you encounter. Medicare covers a lot, but it does not cover everything. Out-of-pocket expenses can vary greatly depending on your income, the...
Seniors and Mental Health
One in five older adults reports lingering psychological effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substances abuse. Even though there are now more open discussions about the importance of mental health in our society, many...
Understanding Your Part D Drug Formulary
If you take any prescription medications, you are probably familiar with your insurer’s drug formulary. You know that the formulary determines if the insurer covers your prescription and how much you will pay. Having a more in-depth understanding of how the formulary...
Medicare Special Needs Plans for Chronic Conditions
CMS reports that an estimated 117 million adults have one or more chronic health conditions and 25% of adults have two or more chronic health conditions. To help Medicare beneficiaries who fall into these groups achieve better health outcomes, Medicare offers Special...
What Medicare Covers When You Travel Out of State
Retirement means different things to different people, but the desire to travel is often at the top of retirees’ lists. In one survey, 62% of seniors listed travel as their number one retirement goal. The luxury of more time means seniors are able to travel for a...
The 2023 Medicare & You Handbook
Each year in September, Medicare mails its official Medicare & You Handbook to all Medicare beneficiaries. The Handbook is a helpful, easy-to-understand guide that covers the basics of Medicare, shares what’s new and important for the upcoming year, and provides...
What Happens If You Are No Longer Eligible for Medicaid and a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan?
With the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, you may find yourself among the millions of people who are no longer eligible for Medicaid. If this is the case, you will no longer qualify for your Medicare Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) and will need...
What You Need to Know About Texas Medicare Supplement Plans
It is not unusual for Texas Medicare enrollees to be confused about the various parts of Medicare. There are Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D as well as Medicare Supplement Plans. What are they, what do they cover, and who should have them? Original Medicare Does Not...