Tag: Medicare

Closeup of doctor's white coat with pens and stethoscope.
FYI, Health, Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, Planning for the Future, senior independence, seniors

Changes in Medicare Supplemental Policies (Medigap)

by David Jones, J.D., Hotline Attorney A Medicare Supplement insurance policy (commonly called a Medigap policy) helps to pay medical costs not covered by Medicare for covered services: e.g., deductibles and co-insurance. Currently, the most popular Medigap policy in Michigan is the Blue Cross-Blue Shield (BCBS) Legacy Plan C. It has a little under 50 % of the total enrollees. It uniformly costs $122.86 per month, which … Continue reading Changes in Medicare Supplemental Policies (Medigap)

elderlawofmiLeave a comment
A couple in a hospital room
Celebratory Month, FYI, Health, Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, MiCAFE, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, senior independence

6 Simple Steps to be a Wise Healthcare Consumer

by Lyndsy Gamet, MiCAFE Outreach and Training Coordinator Wise Healthcare Consumer month is here, sponsored by The American Institute for Preventative Medicine. It aims to bring attention to being a good healthcare consumer. Are you taking the steps necessary to ensure your healthcare is working properly for you? Speak up. Self advocacy is crucial to getting the most from your healthcare. If you do not like … Continue reading 6 Simple Steps to be a Wise Healthcare Consumer

elderlawofmiLeave a comment
Doctor with a patient.
FYI, Health, Medicare/Medicaid, MiCAFE, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, seniors

4 Important Medicare Tips

by Pat Ocheltree, MiCAFE Application Assistant There is a lot of confusion about Medicare, what it covers, how individuals get coverage, etc. Generally, if you receive Social Security benefits, you will automatically become eligible to enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Medicare Part B (medical) during the 3 months before, the month of, and the 3 months following your 65th birthday. Medicare A is fully paid for unless you … Continue reading 4 Important Medicare Tips

elderlawofmiLeave a comment
Health, MiCAFE, Money and Finances

A Program to Help You Pay For Your Prescription Medications

Many seniors who have limited income and assets are not aware that there may be help for them in paying for prescription drug costs. This could be worth a significant amount per year. The Extra Help Program (also called Low Income Subsidy, LIS) helps those who are eligible to pay for a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan and also, in some cases, to help … Continue reading A Program to Help You Pay For Your Prescription Medications

elderlawofmiLeave a comment
Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Long Term Care: A Fundamental Building Block of Estate Planning

by Christopher Jackson, JD With continually increasing healthcare costs, seniors face new costs to account for when planning their future care needs. One area that many seniors fail to consider is their long term care needs. Some seniors believe that Medicare, and Medicare supplemental insurances, will cover all of their medical care needs. This is not always the case. Medicare will only pay for skilled … Continue reading Long Term Care: A Fundamental Building Block of Estate Planning

elderlawofmiLeave a comment
Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances

Medicare Billing and Fraud – How to Protect Your Medicare Benefits

by Christopher Jackson, JD Since 2008, Federal agencies and their law enforcement divisions have successfully recovered more than $10 billion in fraudulent payments made to individuals and healthcare providers. While this seems to be a hefty amount, these recovered payments represent only a small portion of the suspected Medicare fraud that occurs each year. Congress has allocated substantial resources to Federal agencies to assist in preventing … Continue reading Medicare Billing and Fraud – How to Protect Your Medicare Benefits

elderlawofmiLeave a comment
Legal Hotline

The Affordable Care Act: What Effect Does It Have on Seniors?

by Christopher Jackson The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” was passed in early 2010. The Act has been, and continues to be, highly debated and fiercely contested in both the press and Congress. Even so, the ACA is viewed as the biggest overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. While the … Continue reading The Affordable Care Act: What Effect Does It Have on Seniors?

elderlawofmiLeave a comment