Medicare Moments

What are "lifetime reserve days?" Medicare expert, Toni King explains the ins and outs of what Medicare pays for a hospital stay. Listen to more Medicare Moments on the Senior Resource Podcast Network!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toni and Jim discuss under what circumstance a Medicare Advantage HMO would not be accepted at a nursing home. They answer a reader's question and explain everything you need to know about Medicare Special Enrollment Periods. Hear more about navigating the maze of Medicare from on the Senior Resource Podcast Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are special situations also known as “Life Changing Events” that can lower your income-related monthly adjusted amount (IRMAA). Join Toni and Jim as they help readers and listeners navigate the maze of Medicare!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7. Is this the time for you to get enrolled? Toni explains what you can do with your Medicare plan during AEP. For more Medicare Moments with Toni King, visit the Senior Resource Podcast Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medicare expert, Toni King explains the difference between Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage PPO plans. With a Medicare Supplement, there is no network of any kind. You have the freedom to use any healthcare provider or facility that will bill Medicare. The Medicare Supplement will pay what your Medicare Parts A and B will not. With a Medicare Advantage PPO Plan, there are lower-cost in-network providers or facilities as well as out-of-network benefits that will cost you more. In 2022, a popular Medicare Advantage PPO Plan has a maximum ranging from $5,400 to $7,550 in-network, while out of network costs range from $7,550 to $11,300. Most never consider they could have an out-of-network provider or facility for their medical claim, but in these current times, many healthcare providers and facilities are out of network with a Medicare Advantage PPO Plan. Let's take a look at the key differences between the two plans!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year the Medicare and You Handbook is printed and mailed out before the first of October to all Medicare beneficiaries to help guide them with Annual Enrollment (which goes from October 15 until December 7). The handbook states that at the time of printing, premiums and deductible amounts for Medicare Parts A, B, and D were not available. Well, guess what? The 2023 Medicare Part A and B premiums and costs were released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) early! Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Medicare deductibles and premiums.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Medicare Moments with Toni King, Toni answers a question from James, a 65-year-old from Memphis who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. James wants to know if he can enroll in a prescription drug plan during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period. Find out Toni's advice for James, plus, the dates for Annual Enrollment and everything Medicare beneficiaries can do during this time. Medicare's Annual Enrollment is going on NOW - so, don't delay! Listen to Toni's podcast and learn more about your options, because, when it comes to Medicare, "what you don't know WILL hurt you!"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Medicare Moments with Toni King, Toni answers a question from Carol, a married 70-year-old whose husband is undergoing treatment for cancer while she is in good health. Their Medicare problem? Carol's Medicare Supplement Plan F premium increased by 20 percent! Now Carol and her husband aren't sure if they can afford the plan and don't know how to make a change. Listen now to hear Toni's advice!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can enrolling in COBRA cause a Medicare Penalty? Maybe! On this episode of Medicare Moments with Toni King, Toni answers a question from Robert, a 70-year-old former oil industry worker. Robert and his wife are enrolling in Medicare Part B for the first time and, boy are they surprised to find out they're getting penalized for not enrolling sooner! The couple had assumed that it wasn't yet necessary to enroll in Part B since they were receiving COBRA after Robert was laid off. What should they have done differently? And, what can you do to avoid Part B penalties when receiving COBRA? Toni King explains!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The costs of brand-name prescriptions have risen dramatically. And, if you have a Medicare Part D prescription plan, that could mean BIG expenses when you reach the Coverage Gap. Here's what you need to know about the infamous Medicare Donut Hole!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.