Missing Medicare Part B Enrollment Deadline Triggers Penalties Q: My daughter’s father-in-law lives with them and he looks really sick.  I urged my daughter to take him to the doctor.  My daughter tells me that she learned that he doesn’t have Medicare Part B.  He’s 81 years old!  After spending hours on the phone, she learned ...

Do Healthcare Costs Grow Faster Under Medicare Than Under Private Insurance? Q:  Which type of insurance has been better at controlling healthcare costs?  Medicare or Medicare Advantage?  How does this affect my healthcare costs? A:  The cost of private health insurance is growing far more rapidly than Medicare.  According to Drew Altman of the non-partisan Kaiser Family ...

Q:  My wife and I run a small business and I’m turning 65 this year.  May I postpone enrolling in Medicare Part B?  My income is more than $190,000 and I’m concerned I will have to pay more because my income is over the limit. A:  Typically, working adults age 65 and older can delay enrolling ...

Q:  I retired from my job at 64, but later went to work part-time for another company providing home care services.  I did not sign up for Medicare Part B at 65, because I was still getting healthcare benefits from my former full time employer.  I do have Medicare Part A hospital insurance.  I recently ...

How Would My Son’s Caregiver Be Affected By Medicaid Cuts? Q:  How would the healthcare replacement legislation in Congress affect homecare and long-term care services covered by Medicaid?  My 44-year old son was born with cerebral palsy and is homebound.  He receives both Medicare and Medicaid.  My mom, age 93, also lives with me.  My husband ...

Why Am I Paying So Much For My Medicare? Q:  I think I’m paying too much for my Medicare Part B premium.  My husband started Medicare and Social Security in 2014 at age 65.  This year he pays about $110.00 per month for his Part B coverage.  I signed up for Medicare Part B in March ...

Q: I recently received a notice from my Medicare supplement insurer that the claim for my annual mammogram was denied.  I thought Medicare covered this.  Is there anything I can do?  I was billed $483.  I became eligible for Medicare last fall and this was one of my first appointments. A: Medicare covers one mammogram screening ...

Should I Drop Medigap For Medicare Advantage? Q:  My Medigap premium is more than $250 per month.  I’m paying $104.60 for Medicare Part B and $40 per month for a Part D plan.  I’ve learned there’s a Medicare Advantage plan in my area that only charges a premium of $30 a month, and that includes Part ...

Q: I turned 65 in February 2015, and started Medicare last year. Prior to getting Medicare I received my healthcare through my employer. Can you tell me if Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage premiums are a deductible health expense? What other Medicare expenses are deductible?   A: You can deduct Medicare Part B premiums and other ...

Can I Get My Old Medicare Supplement Back? Q: I’m in my 80s and I’ve been covered by a Medicare Advantage plan for several years. Recently I had to have a hip replacement and the costs were far greater than I thought they would be. My former Medicare supplement covered almost all out-of-pocket costs. Is it ...