Close up of a mobile phone with Coronavirus covid-19 news update. There is a patient information form in the background on the desk. The phone is being held and has an image of hand washing hygiene. (Close up of a mobile phone with Coronavirus covid-

Health Insurance Options for You and Your Family

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, Medicare, News

By Tony Montgomery, Assistant Vice President, Senior Plan Advisor In today’s uncertain times, you may be unexpectedly looking for health insurance for you and your family.  Whether you are losing your current insurance due to loss of employment or having hours reduced to where you no longer qualify for insurance through your employer, or are making a job change or looking to retire, there are a few options for healthcare coverage for you and your family. The first option is through the government Marketplace or Obamacare. These plans are normally available only during the open enrollment period of November 1 – December 15. However, if you are losing your current insurance, you may be eligible for a Special Election Period …

Significant Change in Medigap Plans C and F Coming in 2020

Tom KennedyMedicare

On Apr. 15, 2015, Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which will significantly change Medicare coverage in 2020. For anyone enrolling in Medicare after Jan. 1, 2020, they will not long be able to purchase a Medigap Plan C or Plan F. However, if you have purchased one of these supplemental plans by Dec. 31, 2019, the coverage will still be guaranteed renewable. It is important to note though that premiums could be subject to increase, which could make both Medigap plans cost prohibitive. The legislation The goal of the legislation is to revamp doctor reimbursement under Medicare, which is projected to cost up to $200 billion over the next decade, Elder Law Answers reported. …

Medicare and Social Security Age Differences

Tom KennedyMedicare

If you are turning 65 in the near future and considering enrollment in Social Security and Medicare, you should be aware of their distinct age differences. There is a lot of confusion now between the enrollment ages for both programs, and it has left many people wondering what they should do with Medicare. In fact, “Time Magazine” reported Social Security experts are still unclear about the new law. Social Security age changes The Social Security landscape has changed significantly in recent years. According to the National Academy of Social Science, the full benefit age for Social Security eligibility is now 66 for people born between 1943 to 1954. However, the age will eventually increase to 67 for people born after …

Why the Average Retirement Age is Rising

Denise GillinHuman Resources, Medicare, News

Social Security, pension type, and education are factors that have contributed to the rise in the retirement age since the mid-1980s, writes Alicia H. Munnell, director of Boston College Center for Retirement Research, in this article on MarketWatch. Other factors that have also spurred an increase in retirement age are improved health and longevity, jobs becoming less physically demanding, writes Munnell. “While all these factors help explain the gains since the mid-1980s, I was concerned that they had played themselves out. At least for men, though, the increase in the average retirement age from 63.9 in 2013 to 64.6 in 2015 is encouraging.” Tell me more >>>

Medicare Cards Without Social Security Numbers Coming In 2018

Tom KennedyMedicare, News

Coming Soon: A new Medicare card that will not display a cardholder’s Social Security number (SSN). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced it is preparing to issue Medicare cards that will use new unique numbers in place of cardholder SSNs. CMS said it would begin mailing new cards to beneficiaries in April 2018. Read the full article >>>

Medicare Primer

Tony MontgomeryHealth Benefits, Medicare

If you’re nearing retirement age, or are over 65 and still working, you may have questions about Medicare. Read on for the information you need to know. What Is Medicare? Medicare is health insurance for people who are age 65 or older, under 65 with certain disabilities, or any age with End-stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure). Types of Medicare There are four types of Medicare: Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice and home health care. Generally there is no monthly premium if you qualify and paid Medicare taxes while working. Medicare Part B helps cover medical services like doctors’ services, outpatient care and other medically necessary services that Part A doesn’t …