Most of us will eventually have Medicare, and you probably have a family member or friend who is currently a Medicare beneficiary. There is a lot to learn about these vital benefits, and I will use my 10 years of experience working with Medicare beneficiaries to teach you how it works.
We are still in the middle of a Pandemic and COVID-19 cases and deaths are setting records. Since Medicare beneficiaries make up a large percentage of the severe cases and deaths, I am providing an update that includes some of what we have learned. Even though this podcast is Medicare focused, this episode has valuable information for all. Please share it with everyone you care about. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Choosing to switch your brand name medication to a generic is not an easy decision for some Medicare beneficiaries. For others, they anxiously await the next generic release. Many generics are substantially less expensive than their brand name equivalents. Why is that? Are generics inferior? While shopping for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, you may find plans that do not include your brand name drug in their formulary, but generic equivalents are available. This episode will help you understand why and if you should consider changing to a generic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Like I mentioned in Episodes 4 and 5, few parts of Medicare impact the daily lives of most beneficiaries like Medicare Part D. Medicare beneficiaries take more prescription drugs than any other group of U.S. citizens. In this episode, I explain what you need to know while you shop for a prescription drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period. You should definitely listen to this episode at least once. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Benjamin Franklin said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Medicare Cancer screenings save lives. Medicare beneficiaries have these benefits and should be aware of them. In this episode, I list and explain each one. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you have not already, make an appointment for your annual wellness visits and ask your physician about the Medicare cancer screenings that you are entitled to. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
While you are shopping for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage Plan, you may find a plan that almost checks all the boxes. One of your prescription drugs may not be in the plan's formulary or it would be subject to utilization management like a quantity limit. What should you do? In this episode, I discuss the decision to enroll in the plan and requesting a Coverage Determination. During the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you will face some challenges. This podcast prepares you for them. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Statistics show that more Medicare beneficiaries are enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans. You may be in one now or considering it for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). In this episode, I will list and explain the Things to know about Medicare Advantage Plans according to Medicare.gov. Be prepared for the Annual Enrollment Period more than ever before and listen to this episode and the others leading up to the AEP. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Some Medicare beneficiaries have other coverage along with Medicare. That coverage may be Medicaid, an employer plan, VA benefits, or something else. How do these plans work together? Which plan pays first? In this episode, I answer these questions. For the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you will need to inform your new plan of your other coverage, if you change plans, so they can coordinate your benefits. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
The Medicare Plan Finder is the most used tool on Medicare.gov. In 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a modernized and redesigned Plan Finder. In this episode, I talk about the improvements and give step-by-step instructions on using it. Whether you have Original Medicare with or without a Medicare Supplement plan, a Part D prescription drug plan, or Medicare Advantage, you will appreciate the new Medicare Plan Finder and this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Approximately one in five Medicare beneficiaries are affected by diabetes. If you are a beneficiary on insulin or know someone who is, you will want to listen to this episode. For plan year 2021, there are numerous improvements to Medicare diabetes benefits. I encourage you to be familiar with these changes before the Annual Enrollment Period which starts next month. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
There are some significant changes to Medicare planned for 2021. What are they? Why make these particular changes? In this episode, I list and explain most of the important ones. Before the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period, you should be informed of any changes that could affect you. If you are a Medicare beneficiary with certain medical conditions, it is imperative for you to get this information. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is sent out to those on Medicare Advantage and Stand Alone Part D (PDP) prescription drug plans at the end of September. In this episode, I go over each section of this important document. The information contained in the ANOC will help you to determine if your current plan should be your plan for next year. Certain changes will impact how your plan will work or not work for you. Before the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period, listen to this episode and review your ANOC. Let me know what you think. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Most people think of Medicare Part D when you mention Medicare prescriptions. In this episode, I go over the prescriptions that are not covered by Part D because they are covered by Medicare Part B. Too often, Medicare beneficiaries look for a Part D insurance plan that covers their blood glucose test strips or some other prescription that is covered by Part B. Once you listen to this episode, you will know the drugs that are covered by the Other Prescription Plan. Like Episode 9, I make a recommendation for an improvement to Medicare. Let me know what you think. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Medicare has its share of restrictions. Special Enrollment Periods allow Medicare beneficiaries some flexibility to make the necessary changes when life throws a curve. There isn't a solution for every circumstance but being aware that these Special Enrollment Periods exist and knowing a little about them can prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety. In this episode, I go over many of the Special Enrollment Periods that are there for our Medicare beneficiaries. I also added something new. Let me know what you think of it. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
When choosing to supplement Original Medicare, beneficiaries fall into two categories. They are either Medigap or Medicare Advantage people. People make that decision based on different factors. Do they consider monthly premium or being able to keep their doctor? Maybe they consider what they pay or do not pay for doctor office visits. In this episode, I go through those factors and hopefully some that you did not consider before. This is an important decision, and when you decide can be crucial. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
Many Medicare beneficiaries rely on their prescription drug plan for affordable prescription prices and premiums. What if having a plan is not enough? You still can't afford to fill some of your prescriptions. Maybe, you are filling enough for half of the month at a time or even taking less than prescribed. You might qualify for one of the numerous programs that can help you to save on prescriptions. In this episode, I talk about these programs and other ways of paying less for prescriptions. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
We are in the middle of a Pandemic. The Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 has changed how we live, work, and think. Medicare beneficiaries make up a large percentage of the cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Why is that? What can we do to lower the risk of our seniors? Even though this podcast is Medicare focused, this episode has valuable information for all. Share it with everyone you care about. The saying, “It takes a village…,” pertains to raising a child. As a country, we need to apply this to the pandemic. Only together, by each of us staying safe, can we save lives and get back to some semblance of the life we had. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
For many Medicare beneficiaries, few parts of Medicare affect their well being and daily life like Medicare Part D. This two part episode covers what you need to understand about your prescription drug benefits. Once you have listened to Part 2 of this episode and each episode before, you will have the foundation in Medicare that each beneficiary should have. You will also have some additional knowledge, but you will definitely have a well rounded view of the puzzle called Medicare. Future episodes will build on that foundation and make more sense. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
For many Medicare beneficiaries, few parts of Medicare affect their well being and daily life like Medicare Part D. This two part episode covers what you need to understand about your prescription drug benefits. Once you have listened to Part 2 of this episode and each episode before, you will have the foundation in Medicare that each beneficiary should have. You will also have some additional knowledge, but you will definitely have a well rounded view of the puzzle called Medicare. Future episodes will build on that foundation and make more sense. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
For years, Medicare beneficiaries had a "go to" Medicare Supplement plan. Their friends, families, and agents probably automatically recommended Plan F to them knowing they were getting the "best of the best." What do people who are new to Medicare choose now to supplement their Medicare since Plan F is no longer an option. Why did Congress eliminate such a popular plan? I address these questions in this episode. I am Stephen Beck, and I've been on both sides of the equation. I've been employed by an insurance company, and I've been an Agent or Broker. Altogether, I have over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Most importantly, I enjoy helping people. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
There are several misconceptions about Original Medicare Parts A and B. I address some of them in this episode. The main one is the cost of just having Part A and or Part B and no Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan. Parts A and B are the foundation of Medicare. To understand what you are buying to supplement or replace it, you need to comprehend what is and isn't covered. I am Stephen Beck, and I've been on both sides of the equation. I've been employed by an insurance company, and I've been an Agent or Broker. Altogether, I have over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Most importantly, I enjoy helping people. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
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Medicare Part C is a popular option for Medicare beneficiaries. One third of those on Medicare have Part C plans. Some of you may think you don't know what it is, but you probably hear about it all the time. If you are not familiar with how it works, you will want to listen to what my ten years of experience with Medicare can teach you. I am Stephen Beck, and I've been on both sides of the equation. I've been employed by an insurance company, and I've been an Agent or Broker. All together, I have over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Most importantly, I enjoy helping people. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/b-medicare-aware/message
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