General Medicare Articles

Articles, guides and FAQs on Original Medicare and Medicare process topics

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Seven questions to ask before Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

Missed Medicare Open Enrollment? Here’s What to Do

December 17, 2019

Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. During this time, you can freely switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. You can also change your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan. Additionally, you can enroll in a Part D Prescription Drug…

Medicare Supplement Costs

How to Budget for Medicare Expenses

December 17, 2019

When it comes to Medicare expenses, budgeting is equally as important as managing the costs you pay. Given that Medicare does not cover everything, setting up a budget will help keep you from running into financial troubles. Read our Medicare budget tips to see how you can manage Medicare expenses and medical costs. Note: the…

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Who Pays For Medicare?

December 17, 2019

You probably know that Medicare pays for medical expenses, but you may not know how the program continues to receive funds. If you’re on Medicare, you may wonder about Medicare funding. Where does the U.S. government get the money to offer health care for people ages 65 and older? What Is Medicare? The U.S. government…

When to start thinking about Medicare before retirement

December 17, 2019

First things first: if you’re going to work past the age of 65 and continue employer-sponsored health insurance, be sure to inform Social Security. Failing to do so can result in a premium penalty for the rest of your life. This is not a good thing. While Medicare to those in their thirties and forties…

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace

December 17, 2019

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the Health Insurance Marketplace. How does this impact your Medicare coverage, and can you have both? Find out what you need to know about Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace. What Is The Health Insurance Marketplace? The Marketplace for health…

Medicare Denied Coverage: How to File an Appeal and What to Expect

December 16, 2019

With the right Medicare plan and supplements, getting health care coverage should be easy. If you’ve ever had a claim denied, however, you know that Medicare doesn’t always work that smoothly. Learn more about how to appeal a Medicare denial and navigate the appeals process successfully. When to file a Medicare appeal You can file…

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Medicare coverage under 65

December 16, 2019

“17% of all Medicare beneficiaries are under 65 years old.” -Kaiser Family Foundation According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, almost one in six Medicare-eligible Americans are under age 65. That means that almost eight million Americans have permanent disabilities that enable them to receive Medicare under the age of 65. So, what are the instances…

Seven questions to ask before Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Basics, Rules and Facts

December 12, 2019

There are various Medicare enrollment periods allotted each year. Discover all you need to know about the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, or “AEP”, which lasts from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. In this article, Medicare recipients and prospective members will learn the basics of AEP and the changes that they can make during…

Medicare Supplement vs Advantage: Costs and Coverage Differences

December 12, 2019

Original Medicare – Part A and B – still stands today, but alone it is not enough for most beneficiaries. Many members expand their coverage by enrolling in a Medicare plan. Currently, there are two options available: Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) and Medicare Advantage. These plans assist in covering non-covered expenses beneficiaries must…

Inpatient and outpatient care costs with Medicare

December 12, 2019

You may find yourself facing a hospital stay, but the experience can be much worse when it comes with a case of bill shock. Make sure you understand how costs vary for inpatient and outpatient hospital stays and what you can expect to pay. Inpatient vs Outpatient: Differences The amount you’ll pay for hospital services…