Podcasts about medicare advisor

In this episode, our special guest Kevin Anderson, a licensed Medicare Advisor, will walk host Dennis Day through the process of choosing the right Medicare health care plan, just like he would any other client age 64 and 9 months.Learn the timing for enrolling three months before or after your 65th birthday to avoid coverage gaps, and understand the roles of Medicare Part A and Part B. We'll also discuss the critical steps to setting up your SSA.gov account and the value of supplemental coverage. Whether you're a first-time enrollee or looking to optimize your existing plan, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate Medicare registration efficiently and effectively.Explore the critical differences between HMO and PPO plans, and discover why UnitedHealthcare's extensive network might be your best bet, especially if you're in Washington state. We highlight the often-overlooked benefits of acupuncture, chiropractic, dental, and vision care, and provide strategies for coordinating benefits with your employer's plan to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Kevin shares his expert advice on avoiding common Medicare pitfalls and the benefits of consulting a seasoned Medicare agent. Tune in for a thorough understanding of Medicare and actionable tips to tailor the best plan for your needs.Kevin AndersonLicensed Medicare Advisor360-355-6555medicarekev@gmail.comWe Would Love to Hear Your Feedback!

In 2023, more people opted for Medicare Advantage than ever before!

This interview will help you to learn the pros and cons of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans from an unbiased 3rd party. You will be better prepared to make the correct choices during Open Enrollment.  Support the show

Are you ready to navigate your way through the world of Medicare with confidence as you approach your 65th birthday? Join me, Darleen Mahoney, and my guest Lora Felger, a Medicare Advisor and Community Outreach for First Carolina Care, as we simplify the enrollment process and uncover the best ways to maximize your coverage and exactly what those different types of coverages are.  You'll learn about the seven-month enrollment window and how to make the most of your health savings account (HSA) to cover certain expenses. In this episode, we will explore the importance of shopping around for the plan that suits your needs best, allowing you to age gracefully and fully enjoy your golden years. So let's celebrate that milestone birthday together and uncover all the opportunities and possibilities that come with it!SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast sponsored by Parrish Healthcare/Parrish Medical CenterThe background music is written, performed and produced exclusively by purple-planet.com.https://www.purple-planet.com/*SeniorLivingGuide.com Webinars and Podcast represents the opinions and expertise of our guests. The content here is for informational and educational purposes. It does not necessarily represent the views, recommendations, opinions or advice of Fairfax Publishing/SeniorLivingGuide.com or its employees

Now that you have made the decision on when to retire, the next step is to figure out how to pay for healthcare expenses.  This episode features Ari Parker, the Lead Medicare Advisor at Chapter.  Chapter is a Medicare broker that specializes in helping people make important decisions on healthcare during retirement.  Make sure to give us a follow so you don't miss out on our latest episodes!

Ari Parker is the Head Medicare Advisor and a co-founder at Chapter. He is a Stanford-trained attorney who leads a team of licensed advisors who help thousands of Americans navigate Medicare. Chapter is a Medicare Advisor with a simple commitment: it's impossible to find a better Medicare recommendation or better support anywhere else. Chapter's team and technology search every Medicare option nationwide -- more than 24,000 -- at an unprecedented level of detail. Chapter's licensed advisors provide personalized, end-to-end guidance to Americans navigating Medicare. Chapter also hosts hundreds of educational events every year and partners with employers, benefits professionals, non-profits, religious institutions, financial advisors, and community leaders.

Ari Parker is the Head Medicare Advisor and a co-founder at Chapter. He is a Stanford-trained attorney who leads a team of licensed advisors who help thousands of Americans navigate Medicare.Chapter is a Medicare Advisor with a simple commitment: it's impossible to find a better Medicare recommendation or better support anywhere else. Chapter's team and technology search every Medicare option nationwide -- more than 24,000 -- at an unprecedented level of detail. Chapter's licensed advisors provide personalized, end-to-end guidance to Americans navigating Medicare. Chapter also hosts hundreds of educational events every year and partners with employers, benefits professionals, non-profits, religious institutions, financial advisors, and community leaders.

Tonight our guest is Ms. Diane Daniels Host and Founder of the most successful podcast in the nation on the topic of Medicare.This is Diane's fifth appearance on the show and tonight we discuss the very timely subject of “Medicare for All” a proposal presented by Senator Bernie Sanders to cover all Americans!Does this plan have merit, strengths, or weaknesses?Tune in tonight and find out as our National Medicare expert gives her views on this relevant topic for all! Diane Daniels is a Medicare Advisor, who brings ten years of health care experience to her community. Ms. Daniels is the owner of Medicare Nation, which provides superior Medicare education to groups and individuals. Ms. Daniel's belief in educating overselling has provided Medicare Nation the ability to offer a large portfolio of Medicare products, which allows the individual to choose a Medicare plan that “fits” their lifestyle.Michael L. BannerPresident & CEOProfessional Mortgage Alliance, LLC.E-Mail – mbanner@pmanow.comCell – 727-224-3859NMLS# - 386692Ms. Diane Daniels MEDICARE NATION, LLC.1645 Sun City Center Plaza,#6067, Sun City Center, FL 33571Call: 813-731-1237Fax: 855-855-7266 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 11 of Retire Hour. Matt is in studio with Joshua Cicora, CPA with Market Tax Services, to discuss what medical expenses care be deducted. Medicare Advisor, Bill Vawter tells a story about a client who is eligible for Medicare, is continuing to work where she has group insurance available to her and what are some of the things she needed to consider when deciding how to proceed with her health insurance. Danny Goolsby, financial advisor with Market Advisory Group, talks about a meeting he had this past week with someone who was laid off at work and forced into retirement and how they works with a retirement account she had through her former employer. Estate Planning attorney, Gerald Eidelman goes over what happens when a spouse passes away and how make the best out of the income options you have available to you.

Episode 7 of Retire Hour. Matt is joined in studio by Financial Advisor, Larry Kloefkorn, to talk about a couple that received an unexpected offer from their job, and needed help determining if it affected when they could retire. Attorney, Gerald Eidelman discusses a recent rash of troublesome estate planning documents that he's seen in recent weeks and how you can avoid being taken advantage of. CPA, Joshua Cicora talks about a little known tool that can be helpful in reducing your taxes when giving to charities. Medicare Advisor, Bill Vawter goes over Medicare supplement plans and how your are almost certain to be overpaying.

Episode 5 of Retire Hour. This weeks Danny joins Matt to share a story from one of his clients that was unsure if they could retire. Joshua Cicora, of Market Tax Services, goes over some of the advantages of a ROTH IRA conversion. Medicare Advisor, Bill Vawter, talks about a couple that came to him for help after having made some bad Medicare choices. Estate Planning Attorney, Gerald Eidelman, discusses some of the pitfalls of depending on Medicaid for your long-term care needs. All that and more on this week's episode of Retire Hour.

Episode 4 of Retire Hour. Matt Goolsby hosts the show and is joined by Medicare Advisor, Bill Vawter, to discuss how Medicare works with other types of health insurance. Joshua Cicora talks with Matt about the different types of retirement accounts you can have and the various rules that apply to each one. Gerald Eidelman tells Matt about several scenarios that he's seen play out with his clients and the trusts they set up.

Hey Medicare Nation! www.TheMedicareNation.com It's 2020!  Love the sound of that! Right now...... the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is in full swing. If you are on a "Medicare Advantage Plan," you have the opportunity to make a ONE TIME change, between January 1st through March 31st. You can change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. You can "disenroll" from the Medicare Advantage Plan you're on and go back onto "Original Medicare." With Original Medicare, you can add a stand-alone-prescription drug plan and ..... you can enroll into a Medicare Supplement Plan (aka Medi-gap) to help defray the costs of Original Medicare. Here are options you can do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period:  Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage. Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan. Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely   I'm adding the EXACT language from the Medicare Managed Manual, regarding the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. 30.5 – Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) 42 CFR 422.62(a)(3) (Rev. 1, Issued: July 31, 2018; Effective/Implementation: 01-01-2019) During the MA OEP, MA plan enrollees may enroll in another MA plan or disenroll from their MA plan and return to Original Medicare. Individuals may make only one election during the MA OEP. This chart outlines who can use the MA OEP and when: Who can use the MA OEP: MA OEP occurs: Individuals enrolled in MA plans as of January 1 – March 31 New Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in an MA plan during their ICEP The month of entitlement to Part A and Part B – the last day of the 3rd month of entitlement Individuals may add or drop Part D coverage during the MA OEP. Individuals enrolled in either MAPD or MA-only plans can switch to: • MA-PD • MA-only • Original Medicare (with or without a stand-alone Part D plan) The effective date for an MA OEP election is the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment request. NOTE: The MA OEP does not provide an opportunity for an individual enrolled in Original Medicare to join a MA plan. It also does not allow for Part D changes for individuals enrolled in Original Medicare, including those enrolled in stand-alone Part D plans. The MA OEP is not available for those enrolled in Medicare Savings Accounts or other Medicare health plan types (such as cost plans or PACE). You may also go onto Medicare.gov to view information on the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you decide to make a change during the MA OEP, you will be "locked-in" to the new plan, until the next enrollment period.... which is....the Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15th through December 7th. You may also make a change to your plan if you have a "special circumstance." These are listed under the "Special Election Periods" for Medicare on Medicare.gov You can also LISTEN to my previous show on Special Election Periods..... Episode 051, which was published on July 29, 2016. The episode is titled..... "Special Election Period Q & A" I go into detail about the Special Elections available. www.TheMedicareNation.com Remember Medicare Nation listeners........ an "Insurance Agent," is NOT allowed to "solicit" you during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.  There are strict Medicare regulations regarding this. YOU must make the first move in contacting or telling your "Agent" or Medicare Specialist, that you are unhappy with your current plan. No one should be calling you, texting you, emailing you ..... or worse...... knocking on your door, telling you about the Open Enrollment Period. If someone does...... tell them to "Take a Hike!" You don't need a dishonest person like that helping you with your Medicare needs! If you need help finding a new plan during the OEP, contact you're Medicare Advisor. If you are all set with your Medicare Advantage Plan for 2020, You don't need to do anything! Just enjoy your family, friends and activities!    Thank you for listening to Medicare Nation! If you are part of my “Sandwich Generation,” Share this show with your parents and/or grandparents. They have many questions about Medicare and this show will answer them! Buy them a “Smart Phone,” and introduce them to Medicare Nation! If you are a Baby Boomer, share Medicare Nation with other “Baby Boomers.” I want to educate as many of you as I can about Medicare! I certainly can use  your help in putting the word out! If you have any questions, send them to Support@TheMedicareNation.com If I can answer it in one email - I will personally answer you! If your question requires research or additional contact with you, I do offer consulting if you would like me to assist you in that manner. Contact me on my website - www.TheMedicareNation.com Want to hear a topic on Medicare Nation? A special guest? Let me know and I'll do my best to get them on the show! Thanks again for listening! Diane Daniels                                                                          Medicare Consultant                                                                  Medicare Nation LLC.

Hey Medicare Nation! Do you know what "Drop Foot" is? Foot Drop is a weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in lifting the front part of the foot necessary for walking. It causes a person to drag the foot and toes, or engage in a high-stepping walk called a "steppage gait." This increases the risk of falling for individuals.  There are about 70,000 people diagnosed with Food Drop in the State of Florida alone! I have teamed up with the Freedom to Walk Foundation, to assist them in raising funds for the purchase of WalkAides. WalkAides are electronic stimulating devices when worn on the calf, sends electric impulses to the affected foot, causing the muscles to contract and lift the foot and leg. Children and adults are WALKING agian with the help of WalkAides! The one major problem, is that most medical insurance companies don't cover WalkAides. Medicare will only cover WalkAides for those diagnosed with "Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury." Those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebal Palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injuries and complete spinal cord injuries, are not covered by most insurance companies. How can you help? A WalkAide costs $5,000 to purchase. A $5.00 or more donation to the Freedom to Walk Foundation will help children and adults purchase WalkAides. Please be considerate and donate with your heart! www.FreedomtoWalkFoundation.org/donate Thank You! NEW MEDICARE CARDS are being mailed now. Your New Medicare Cards…….which are now called “Medicare Beneficiary Identifier” or MBI……have started mailing! People who are enrolling in Medicare for the first time will be among the first in the country to receive the new cards. Your new card will automatically come to you. You don't need to do anything as long as your address is up to date. If you need to update your address, visit ssa.gov and sign up for MySocialSecurity Account. Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new card right away. Current States Receiving New Medicare Cards  Delaware Pennsylvania Virginia Washington D.C.   AND….. West Virginia Want to know when YOUR card has been mailed? Go to Medicare.gov/NewCard Enter your email to receive an email when your new Medicare Card is mailed to you. What do the New Medicare Cards Look Like? Across the top of the New Medicare Card will read…..Medicare Health Insurance….in “white” letters inside a blue border. There is also an image of an Eagle in white outline. Your Name will appear on the next line. The next line will be the NEW set of Characters. The New Card will have  “11 Characters – both numbers and letters of the alphabet. All Letters will be Capitalized and spot # 2, 5, 8 & 9 on your card, will ALWAYS be a Letter of the alphabet.   Finally, you’ll see Your effective date of your Part A of Medicare…….. And you’ll see Your effective date of Part B if you enrolled in Medicare Part B. Here are things to know about your new Medicare card Your new card will automatically be mailed to you. You don’t have to do anything as long as your address is up to date. If you need to update your address, go to www.ssa.org  and enroll in a My Social Security Account.  Your Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same. Your card may arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s. Medicare is mailing over 60 million New Cards. CMS says they will have completed the mailing by April of 2019. We’ll see if that’s true! Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new card right away. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card for Medicare—Use your Medicare Advantage Plan ID Card whenever you need care. And, if you have a separate Medicare precrption drug plan, be sure to keep that ID card as well.   Doctors, other health care providers and facilities know it’s coming and will ask for your new Medicare card when you need care, so carry it with you. Only give your new Medicare Number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers, or people you trust to work with Medicare If you forget your new card, you, your doctor or other health care provider may be able to look up your Medicare Number online. And….until January 2020, health care providers may use your New Medicare Card or your Social Security number to process claims. FINALLY….. Be Careful! Scammers are out there  trying to steal your identity! Medicare will NEVER call you and ask for Personal Information! The Government can’t even process Medicare Advantage Plan Changes timely…….they certainly don’t have the staff or the time to call Medicare Beneficiaries. So DON”T trust ANYONE who calls and says they are calling you from Medicare. Your Insurance Agent, Medicare Advisor or a representative from your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan will call you …..WITH YOUR PERMISSION!   If someone calls and says they are calling about your New Medicare card….. HANG UP THE PHONE ON THEM!             If someone calls and says they are from your Medicare Advantage Plan…. Ask them a few questions to make sure they are legit. Ask them these questions:   How much is my current premium for my Medicare Plan? If they are from your Medicare Insurance Plan….they should know the answer!   Ask them who your Primary Doctor is. Again……they should have that information documented.   Finally……if you are still unsure of who you are talking to…..HANG UP! Call the customer service number on the back of your Medicare Insurance Plan card and when a representative answers……ask them if they just contacted you. RESOURCES: ssa.org www.medicare.gov/newcard  

Hey Medicare Nation! www.TheMedicareNation.com Special Election Period Extended through March 31, 2018 for Medicare Beneficiaries Affected by California Wildfires. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the Special Election Period (SEP) for Medicare Beneficiaries affected by the California Wildfires to March 31, 2018. Any Medicaer Beneficiary who resides in, or resided in an area for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared a disaster area is eligible for the SEP......if......the beneficiary was unable to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone-prescription drug plan, during the annual enrollment period (AEP) or other qualifying election period. Also....if you don't live in the affected counties of California, but you receive assistance from someone living in one of the affected areas that was declared a disaster area, you are eligible for the SEP. You can call Medicare at 800-633-4227, or you can contact a Medicare Advisor or Medicare Consultant to assist you in finding a plan that will suit your unique needs. How do you find a Medicare Advisor or Medicare Consultant like me? Google it! Type in ......Medicare Consultant Los Angeles California....or Medicare Advisor San Francisco California. After you get beyond the "ADS" by all the paid advertisers.....you will start seeing results for what you asked for. So here are the COUNTIES  in California affected by the WildFires, which have a SEP: Butte Lake Los Angeles Mendocino Napa Nevada Orange Riverside San Diego Santa Barbara Solano Sonoma Ventura and Yuba. You can also go to the FEMA website and read more infomation at: www.fema.gov/disasters Any questions? Have a special guest you'd like to hear on Medicare Nation? Send Diane an email to -  Support@TheMedicareNation.com Need help with Medicare......Contact Diane and she will schedule a call with you to determine your needs. Send your request to Support@TheMedicareNation.com Have a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous Week! www.TheMedicareNation.com  

Hey Medicare Nation! Here I am bringing you yet another Medicare Advantage Plan Sponsor, being slapped by CMS, for failing to comply with Medicare requirements related to Part C (Medicare Choice) and Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plans). Today, I will be discussing the CMS Civil Money Penalty (CMP) that was imposed on Fallon Community Health Plan. On June 29, 2017, a letter was issued to Mr. Richard Burke, the President and CEO of Fallon Community Health Plan, from Vikki Ahern, Director of the Medicare Parts C and D Oversight and Enforcement Group. The letter was written relating to a "Notice of Imposition of Civil Money Penalty for Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Contract Numbers: H2411, H2470 and H9001. Summary of Noncomplliance CMS conducted an audit of Fallon's Medicare operations from February 16, 2016 through February 26, 2016. In the audit report issued on July 20, 2016, CMS auditors reported that Fallon failed to comply with Medicare requirements related to...."Part C and Part D organization/coverage determinations, appeals and grievances in violation of 42 CFR" (Code of Federal Regulations).  The audit report lists the exact subsections of 42 CFR that were violated The letter goes on to state....Fallon's failures in these areas were systemic and resulted in enrollees inappropriately experiencing delayed or denied access to benefits and/or increased out-of-pocket costs. CMS made a determination to impose a civil money penalty (CMP) for Fallon's failure to comply, in the amount of $344,100.00. That's a BIG fine!  Fallon Comunity Health Plan was founded in 1977. They have a product portfolio of group and individual health plan options. Fallon also has a Senior Care Services Division, oversees all products, programs and solutions which focus on the senior population. If you are a member of a Fallon Medicare Advantage Plan and you have questions regarding your plan, I would call the Senior Care Services Division. The number is - 800-868-5200. If you are a current member of a Fallon Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan, your benefits are intact and working for you.  The $300,100 CMP was issued due to the incorrect classifications of "grievances", "organization determinations" for Part C complaints or "coverage determinations" for Part D complaints by members. These incorrect classifications resulted in members not receiving the required level of review, and/or experiencing delayed access to medically necessary or life-sustaining treatments. How does something like this happen, you may ask?  Insufficient training of Fallon customer representatives and agents. Employers like Fallon, need to ensure their employees are properly trained in CMS Medicare Advantage Plan and Medicare Part D regulations as well as Fallon's Medicare Health Plans and benefits. Train your employees Fallon!  Fallon needs to ensure their employees are competent and complying with Medicare rules & regulations relating to Medicare Advantage Part C and Medicare Part D.  What Should You Do if You or Your Parent(s) are on a Fallon Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan? Pay attention to your MONTHLY Explanation of Benefits (EOB) letter. Look the document over and ensure all the prescriptions you filled that month are correct! Look and make sure the provider(s) listed on your EOB are doctors or facilities you visited. Ensure any treatments or diagnostic tests were ones you actually did! If you find a discrepancy, call Fallon customer service to notify them of it. A Fallon customer service rep should be able to assist you with this issue. If Fallon customer service is unable to assist you or if they refuse to assist you, you have two good options: 1. Call your Medicare Agent or Medicare Advisor. They enrolled you in the Fallon Medicare plan and should be a liaison between you and Fallon. 2. Call Senior Medicare Patrol.      Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is an awesome resource that is available to you for free!      SMP Volunteer's are seniors and understand what you're going through. They are trained to investigate or notify the agency who can investigate, suspicious or fraudulent charges on your EOB statement.      Go to the SMP website to find an SMP location near you:       www.SMPresource.org If you believe you were denied coverage or delayed in receiving your benefits, you have a right to appea Ask your Medicare Agent or Medicare Advisor to assist you and explain your options. Your coverage and benefits are intact and not in danger at Fallon Health Plan. Fallon has the right to appeal the CMS CMP by August 29, 2017.  We'll see what happens. In the meantime, due your due-dilligence and monitor your EOB statements no matter which Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan you are on. Report any discrepancies or suspicions right away. I am available for consultations if you feel you have been denied a claim or your benefits were delayed due to an incorrect classification. I also can initiate a reconsideration appeal for Part C claims or a redetermination appeal for Part D claims. Contact me at Support@TheMedicareNation if you'd like me to consult with you. Thank you for listening to Medicare Nation! I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about Medicare and Medicare Plans. Help your parents and grandparents learn about Medicare, by showing them how to gain access to the Medicare Nation Podcast! Questions about Medicare or your Medicare Plan you need answered? Send me an email to Support@TheMedicareNation.com or go to my website www.callsamm.com Have a very happy, peaceful and prosperous week everyone! Diane Daniels  

  10 Days left in the Annual Enrollment Period. That's plenty of time to find the plan that fits your needs for 2017, The one change that everyone is talking about is the increase to the Medicare Part B Premium. Last month, Social Security announced a .03% COLA for Social Security beneficiaries in 2017. With the COLA announcement, the hold harmless rule is in effect.                   This means if the social security COLA doesn’t cover the increase to the Medicare Part B base premium, those individuals who already have their Medicare Part B premium taken out of their Social Security benefit check will not see that deduction in their benefit check. The hold harmless individuals, who make up about 70% of all Medicare beneficiaries, won’t even come close to covering the $134.00 base Part B premium in 2017.  The hold harmless protection will squeak out a Medicare Part B premium increase of about $109.00. The hold harmless rule does not protect individuals who: Are enrolling in Medicare Part B for the first time. Haven’t started receiving their Social Security Benefits and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Are directly billed for their Medicare Part B premium Make an annual income of $85,000.00 or more Are enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program (States pay the new Medicare Premium increase). Are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, the State pays for the individual’s Medicare premiums. Individuals who are not protected by the hold harmless rule, and have an annual income of less than $85,000.00, will be paying a base Part B premium of a whopping $134.00 a month in 2017. Individuals with an annual income of more than $85,000.00, but less than $107,000.00, will pay a Part B premium of $107.50 a month. Individuals who earn an annual income between $107,000.00 and $160,000.00, will pay a monthly Part B premium of $243.60. Those who earn an annual income between $160,000.00 up to $214,000.00, will pay $316.70 a month premium for Medicare Part B. Finally, those individuals who earn an annual income of more than $214,000.00, will pay $389.80 a month. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is in full swing and allows Medicare Advantage enrollees the opportunity to voluntarily make plan changes, which are effective January 1, 2017. Individuals can make the following changes during the Annual Enrollment Period: Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. Drop their Medicare Advantage Plan and go back to Original Medicare. Switch from a Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan to a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan and vice versa. Go from Original Medicare onto a Medicare Advantage Plan. Stay with the Medicare Advantage Plan they currently have. Switch from a Medicare Supplement Plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Drop a Medicare Advantage Plan and enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan (underwriting may apply). But according to a brief published by The Kaiser Family Foundation in September of 2016, from 2007 – 2014, only an average of 10% of Medicare Advantage enrollees voluntarily switched plans each year. (https://goo.gl/KqmCXL) In my experience, Medicare enrollees do not have enough resources to make informed decisions in selecting a Medicare plan for themselves. During the Annual Enrollment Period, people are bombarded with TV infomercials, newspaper ads, direct mail offerings and inaccurate advice from friends and family. Overwhelming information! So what is the answer for over 31% of Medicare beneficiaries on Medicare Advantage Plans during the Annual Enrollment Period? There are several options available. If you have a Medicare Advisor or Insurance Agent, who can offer you several different Medicare Advantage carriers in their portfolio – call them. It wouldn’t be in your best interest to contact an insurance agent, who works for only one Medicare insurance carrier. These agents are only able to offer you Medicare Advantage Plans from their one carrier. They will not have your best interest in mind. If they don’t enroll you in one of their plans, they won’t get paid. Using a Medicare Advisor or insurance agent, who has different Medicare carriers available to you, will have your best interest. They will help find you a Medicare plan that fits your unique needs.   If you don’t personally know a Medicare Advisor or insurance agent, you can Google “Medicare Advisor + your town.” An example would be – Medicare Advisor Tampa, FL.  Each State has a Department of Aging, with volunteers to assist you with your Medicare questions. Advise the representative that you’d like to speak with someone who is knowledgeable with the different Medicare Advantage Plans in your area and they will connect you with a person who is unbiased. Many States have educational seminars on Medicare at community Senior Centers. Ask if any will be in your area.   Individuals can go onto the www.Medicare.gov website and use the plan finder database, but understand the information is not 100% complete.  When you are deciding between two plans, go onto the insurance plan's website to look at the plan details to compare out of pocket costs for each plan. The Medicare Part B premium increase for 2017, is going to make many people anxious and frustrated.  It is in your best interest to plan ahead and research your Medicare plan options at least three to four months prior to turning 65. If you are still employed and on an employer’s health insurance plan, compare your cost for your employer’s plan against Medicare plans. Don’t forget to calculate the Medicare Part B premium into your comparison. You can participate in a credible employer health plan and not have to enroll in Medicare Part B when you turn 65. In my experience, I have found over 80% of the time, a Medicare Supplement plan is more cost effective than the employer’s plan. The Medicare Supplement plan also provides the freedom to choose any physician in the United States, who is contracted with Medicare. Take your time and do your due diligence.    “A stitch in time saves nine.” Properly preparing for your initial enrollment in Medicare and choosing a Medicare plan that fits your unique needs, will save you the aggravation and possibly making a poor financial and health coverage decision.   Diane Daniels Medicare Advisor                                                                                           Senior Advocates For Medicare & Medicaid, LLC                                                 855-855-7266

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has recently announced the costs for Medicare in 2017.  The one change that everyone is talking about is the increase to the Medicare Part B Premium. Last month, Social Security announced a .03% COLA for Social Security beneficiaries in 2017. With the COLA announcement, the hold harmless rule is in effect.                   This means if the social security COLA doesn’t cover the increase to the Medicare Part B base premium, those individuals who already have their Medicare Part B premium taken out of their Social Security benefit check will not see that deduction in their benefit check. The hold harmless individuals, who make up about 70% of all Medicare beneficiaries, won’t even come close to covering the $134.00 base Part B premium in 2017.  The hold harmless protection will squeak out a Medicare Part B premium increase of about $109.00. The hold harmless rule does not protect individuals who: Are enrolling in Medicare Part B for the first time. Haven’t started receiving their Social Security Benefits and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Are directly billed for their Medicare Part B premium Make an annual income of $85,000.00 or more Are enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program (States pay the new Medicare Premium increase). Are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, the State pays for the individual’s Medicare premiums. Individuals who are not protected by the hold harmless rule, and have an annual income of less than $85,000.00, will be paying a base Part B premium of a whopping $134.00 a month in 2017. Individuals with an annual income of more than $85,000.00, but less than $107,000.00, will pay a Part B premium of $107.50 a month. Individuals who earn an annual income between $107,000.00 and $160,000.00 will pay a monthly Part B premium of $243.60. Those who earn an annual income between $160,000.00 up to $214,000.00 will pay $316.70 a month premium for Medicare Part B. Finally, those individuals who earn an annual income of more than $214,000.00 will pay $389.80 a month. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is in full swing and allows Medicare Advantage enrollees the opportunity to voluntarily make plan changes, which are effective January 1, 2017. Individuals can make the following changes during the Annual Enrollment Period: Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. Drop their Medicare Advantage Plan and go back to Original Medicare. Switch from a Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan to a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan and vice versa. Go from Original Medicare onto a Medicare Advantage Plan. Stay with the Medicare Advantage Plan they currently have. Switch from a Medicare Supplement Plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Drop a Medicare Advantage Plan and enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan (underwriting may apply). But according to a brief published by The Kaiser Family Foundation in September of 2016, from 2007 – 2014, only an average of 10% of Medicare Advantage enrollees voluntarily switched plans each year. (https://goo.gl/KqmCXL) In my experience, Medicare enrollees do not have enough resources to make informed decisions in selecting a Medicare plan for themselves. During the Annual Enrollment Period, people are bombarded with TV infomercials, newspaper ads, direct mail offerings and inaccurate advice from friends and family. Overwhelming information! So what is the answer for over 31% of Medicare beneficiaries on Medicare Advantage Plans during the Annual Enrollment Period? There are several options available. If you have a Medicare Advisor or Insurance Agent, who can offer you several different Medicare Advantage carriers in their portfolio – call them. It wouldn’t be in your best interest to contact an insurance agent, who works for only one Medicare insurance carrier. These agents are only able to offer you Medicare Advantage Plans from their one carrier. They will not have your best interest in mind. If they don’t enroll you in one of their plans, they won’t get paid. Using a Medicare Advisor or insurance agent, who has different Medicare carriers available to you, will have your best interest. They will help find you a Medicare plan that fits your unique needs.   If you don’t personally know a Medicare Advisor or insurance agent, you can Google “Medicare Advisor + your town.” An example would be – Medicare Advisor Tampa, FL.  Each State has a Department of Aging, with volunteers to assist you with your Medicare questions. Advise the representative that you’d like to speak with someone who is knowledgeable with the different Medicare Advantage Plans in your area and they will connect you with a person who is unbiased. Many States have educational seminars on Medicare at community Senior Centers. Ask if any will be in your area.   Individuals can go onto the www.Medicare.gov website and use the plan finder database, but understand the information is not 100% complete.   The Medicare Part B premium increase for 2017 is going to make many people anxious and frustrated.  It is in your best interest to plan ahead and research your Medicare plan options at least three to four months prior to turning 65. If you are still employed and on an employer’s health insurance plan, compare your cost for your employer’s plan against Medicare plans. Don’t forget to calculate the Medicare Part B premium into your comparison. You can participate in a credible employer health plan and not have to enroll in Medicare Part B when you turn 65. In my experience, I have found over 80% of the time, a Medicare Supplement plan is more cost effective than the employer’s plan. The Medicare Supplement plan also provides the freedom to choose any physician in the United States, who is contracted with Medicare. Take your time and do your due diligence.   “A stitch in time saves nine.” Properly preparing for your initial enrollment in Medicare and choosing a Medicare plan that fits your unique needs, will save you the aggravation and possibly making a poor financial and health coverage decision.  Need help with understanding Medicare? Call SAMM is available throughout the Annual Enrollment Period to help educate you about Medicare plans. Call 855-855-7266 for more information. You can also send an email to Support@TheMedicareNation.com  

How to Find a New Prescription Drug Plan Welcome Medicare Nation! Many clients have been contacting me the last several weeks to tell me their Medicare plan has dropped one or several of their prescription drugs from the plan’s formulary. MAPD plans and Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) may change their formularies during the calendar year. Two examples of when they can do this, is if a prescription drug is found to be unsafe by the FDA. If a prescription drug may cause serious injury or death, they will remove the drug from the market. All Medicare plans would be forced to remove that drug from their formulary. Another reason a drug may be removed or added is when a generic of the brand drug comes out. This year Crestor, a brand drug for high cholesterol, became generic. With generic drugs available, the cost of the drug to the Medicare plan goes down. The plan adds the generic to their formulary and either keeps Crestor in addition to the generic, or removes Crestor from the formulary and keeps the generic versions. If you are on a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD), you are locked in the plan, until the open enrollment period which begins on October 15th this year, or you have a special enrollment period. You can go to www.Medicare.gov to look up special election periods, or you can listen to episode #36 published on April 15, 2016. Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans and MAPD plans, which have prescription drugs included, will be announcing their 2017 plans and formularies by October 1, 2016. Several Medicare Advantage Plans or Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans may be available in your area. How do you compare plans to find the right one for you or your loved one? Use the official Medicare Website Plan Finder’s database. Go to www.Medicare.gov You’ll see a Dark Blue Bar under Medicare.gov Hover your cursor over the tab that reads “Drug Coverage.” Click on the last item in the column labeled “Find Health & Drug Plans.” Add your zip code & click on “Find Plans.” Check the box that pertains to you. Original Medicare? Health Plan (MAPD)? Check the box that pertains to you in regards to assistance. Do you receive extra help? I Don’t Know? Click “Continue.” Now enter your drugs. All of them. When you enter a brand drug, a box will come up asking you if you’d prefer to check the “generic.” If you take the brand, keep the brand drug. If you use the generic – choose the generic. If you don’t know…..choose the generic for now. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor later. Select “My Drug List is Complete.” You’ll see on the right side a grayish box that has a Prescription ID# Copy that number and the Password Date. You will be able to come back and edit the drug list in the future, without having to add all the previous drugs again. What a timesaver! Now select a pharmacy you use. Then select “Continue to plan results” On this page, you’ll see a summary of your search. Select the box that pertains to your plan.    Either Prescription Drug Plan with Original Medicare or    Health Plan with Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD).       All the drug plans in your geographical area available to you will be displayed.       Now you can look at each plan to determine which plans have all your prescription drugs and which ones do not.       You can enroll directly from the Medicare.gov portal, call Medicare directly or call your insurance agent or better yet – your Medicare Advisor.       You have several options.       With your Prescription ID# and the Password Date,  you will be able to come back at a later date and edit your list.       Start getting your list together, so it will be easier for you to check out 2017 plans!  Here's the link to read the guidelines your Primary Doctor uses in prescribing you scheduled drugs. www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline Do you have questions or feedback? I’d love to hear it! I may answer one of your questions on the air! email me: support@themedicarenation.com        Go to the Contact page and send me an email or “click” on the “Speak” button and talk to me! No other equipment is needed! Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTunes! (Click here)     Find out more information about Medicare on Diane Daniel’s website! www.CallSamm.com    

How to Find a New Prescription Drug Plan Welcome Medicare Nation! Many clients have been contacting me the last several weeks to tell me their Medicare plan has dropped one or several of their prescription drugs from the plan’s formulary. MAPD plans and Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) may change their formularies during the calendar year. Two examples of when they can do this, is if a prescription drug is found to be unsafe by the FDA. If a prescription drug may cause serious injury or death, they will remove the drug from the market. All Medicare plans would be forced to remove that drug from their formulary. Another reason a drug may be removed or added is when a generic of the brand drug comes out. This year Crestor, a brand drug for high cholesterol, became generic. With generic drugs available, the cost of the drug to the Medicare plan goes down. The plan adds the generic to their formulary and either keeps Crestor in addition to the generic, or removes Crestor from the formulary and keeps the generic versions. If you are on a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD), you are locked in the plan, until the open enrollment period which begins on October 15th this year, or you have a special enrollment period. You can go to www.Medicare.gov to look up special election periods, or you can listen to episode #36 published on April 15, 2016. Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans and MAPD plans, which have prescription drugs included, will be announcing their 2017 plans and formularies by October 1, 2016. Several Medicare Advantage Plans or Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans may be available in your area. How do you compare plans to find the right one for you or your loved one? Use the official Medicare Website Plan Finder’s database. Go to www.Medicare.gov You’ll see a Dark Blue Bar under Medicare.gov Hover your cursor over the tab that reads “Drug Coverage.” Click on the last item in the column labeled “Find Health & Drug Plans.” Add your zip code & click on “Find Plans.” Check the box that pertains to you.                                                 Original Medicare?                                                                           Health Plan (MAPD)? Check the box that pertains to you in regards to assistance.                     Do you receive extra help?                                                                      I Don’t Know? Click “Continue.” Now enter your drugs. All of them. When you enter a brand drug, a box will come up asking you if you’d prefer to check the “generic.” If you take the brand, keep the brand drug. If you use the generic – choose the generic. If you don’t know…..choose the generic for now. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor later. Select “My Drug List is Complete.” You’ll see on the right side a grayish box that has a Prescription ID#   Copy that number and the Password Date. You will be able to come back and edit the drug list in the future, without having to add all the previous drugs again. What a timesaver! Now select a pharmacy you use. Then select “Continue to plan results” On this page, you’ll see a summary of your search. Select the box that pertains to your plan.                                           Either Prescription Drug Plan with Original Medicare or                         Health Plan with Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD). All the drug plans in your geographical area available to you will be displayed. Now you can look at each plan to determine which plans have all your prescription drugs and which ones do not. You can enroll directly from the Medicare.gov portal, call Medicare directly or call your insurance agent or better yet – your Medicare Advisor.       You have several options. With your Prescription ID# and the Password Date,  you will be able to come back at a later date and edit your list.  Start getting your list together, so it will be easier for you to check out 2017 plans!   Do you have questions or feedback? I’d love to hear it! I may answer one of your questions on the air! email me: support@themedicarenation.com        Go to the Contact page and send me an email or “click” on the “Speak” button and talk to me! No other equipment is needed! Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTunes! (Click here)     Find out more information about Medicare on Diane Daniel’s website! www.CallSamm.com  

Diane Daniels is a successful entrepreneur and Medicare Advisor. She left the insurance industry to become a renowned authority on Medicare when she was unable to assist a seventy-year-old woman enroll in a Medicare plan that fit her lifestyle. Six months later, Diane started her own business and has never looked back at corporate. She is the Host of Medicare Nation and The Weight Loss Nation. Medicare Nation will feature interviews with experts in health, insurance, policy and more. We’ll explore specific challenges and situations, which we’ll help listeners understand how Medicare relates to each one. In addition, we’ll share helpful links and resources. Weight Loss Nation is a lifestyle oriented competition where participants get 24 hour, 7 day a week support in making their dreams of a healthy lifestyle a reality! JJ Flizanes is an Empowerment Strategist. She is the Director of Invisible Fitness, an Amazon best-selling author of Fit 2 Love: How to Get Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life, and author of Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core. She was named Best Personal Trainer in Los Angeles for 2007 by Elite Traveler Magazine.   JJ vividly reminds us that the word ‘fitness’ is not just about the state of one’s physical body, but also the factors which determine a person’s overall well being. And, for JJ, the key components in all these areas are ‘invisible’ — balanced support structures of nutrition, emotional centeredness and health. A favorite of journalists and the media for her depth of knowledge and vibrant personality, JJ, a contributing expert for Get Active Magazine, has also been featured in many national magazines, including Shape, Fitness, Muscle and Fitness HERS, Elegant Bride, and Women’s Health as well as appeared on NBC, CBS, Fox 11 and KTLA. She is also a video expert for About.com and regular contributor for The Daily Love. JJ launched her professional career in 1996 as the Foundations Director for the New York Sports Club, where she designed curriculum and in-house certification for new and previously uncertified fitness trainers. She has also been certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), International Sports Science Association (ISSA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)and the Resistance Training Specialist Program (RTS). With a focus on biomechanics, JJ has lectured for The Learning Annex and as a featured speaker for New York Times Bestselling Author of The Millionaire Mind, T. Harv Ecker’s Peak Potentials seminars, as well as corporate clients, including Pacific Gas and Electric, Hanson Engineering, and Jostens, Inc. She is the Wellness Expert for KFC International, the Health and Fitness Expert for the National Association of Entrepreneur Moms, and a Fitness Expert for Nourishing Wellness Medical Center.  She has been working in the health and wellness industry for 15 years, as a fitness trainer with a knack for helping her clients become more self-aware and self-empowered through her ability to quickly identify and pinpoint problem areas, and then create simple solutions involving exercise, nutrition and mindset changes. She is the Host of the new iTunes Podcast Show Fit 2 Love: Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Fitness for the Happy Life You Deserve which is six day a week video and audio show. What sets JJ apart from her Celebrity Fitness counterparts is the holistic approach to getting results. Over the last fourteen years she has studied, used and applied Positive Psychology, Neuro-Linguistic  Programming (NLP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Law of Attraction, Quantum Physics, Non Violent Communication, Imago Therapy, and Hypnotherapy. JJ Flizanes has proven that she’s not only an expert in matters of the body and fitness—she’s an insightful and provocative author who delivers a timely message about matters of the heart.

As a comprehensive financial advisor, I advise people on Medicare issues however I (as many of the planners out there) have not been officially trained in this area – we need to seek information and we have just as much trouble as the public in getting good information. That is why when I find an expert in such important areas as Medicare, I want to make certain to leverage that person to help people get the right answers and improve their chances of success. Diane Daniels is a Medicare Advisor, who brings ten years of healthcare experience to her community. Ms. Daniels is the owner of Senior Advisors for Medicare & Medicaid (SAMM), which provides superior Medicare education to groups and individuals. Ms. Daniel’s belief in educating over selling has provided SAMM the ability to offer a large portfolio of Medicare products, which allows the individual to choose a Medicare plan that “fits” their lifestyle. Ms. Daniels is a professional speaker and key person of influence, who has spoken at country clubs, retirement resort communities, professional associations, and networking group events. Ms. Daniels will be speaking at the Council of Aging conference in Orlando, this August. Ms. Daniels appears on many radio and Podcast programs The Senior Voice Radio show (Tampa), The Bev Smith Radio Show (Washington D.C.) and The Financial Survival Network with Kerry Lutz, to name a few. Ms. Daniels collaborates with politicians and national associations to advocate for her clients. Ms. Daniels passion for Medicare began as a seed when she was ten years old. With her parents divorced, Diane was raised by her grandparents. Her grandparents emphasized integrity, morals and helping other people who are less fortunate. Ms. Daniel’s grandparents literally set the foundation for her adult life. Educating others about Medicare has allowed Ms. Daniels to pay back her grandparents in a much bigger way than just saying, “Thank you.” Ms. Daniels is the author of “The Medicare Survival Guide,” which is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and AuthorHouse.com websites, in softcover or e-book editions. Her contact info: Toll Free - (855) 855 - 7266 (C) 813 - 731 - 1237 (F) 855 - 855 - 7266 www.callsamm.com