Maximize your Medicare Qualify for benefits, protect your health, and minimize your costs
Book - 2020
Confused by Medicare? Get answers from 'Maximize Your Medicare', an informative guide by nationally recognized expert Jae W. Oh. 'Maximize Your Medicare' helps readers understand how and what to choose when deciding on Medicare options. This book shows readers how to: enroll in Medicare and avoid never-ending penalties. Compare Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage. Discern the differences among Parts A, B, and D. Increase benefits every year. Avoid costly errors. Deal with special circumstances. Get the most from the plan. Written in a clear and concise style, 'Maximize Your Medicare' is a vital resource for every American aged sixty-five or older, as well as for their families and care coordinators.
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- Subjects
- Published
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New York, NY :
Allworth Press
[2020]
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Edition
- Updated 2020-2021 edition
- Physical Description
- xxiv, 190 pages ; 23 cm
- Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references (pages [170]-180) and index.
- ISBN
- 9781621537540
- Introduction
- Medicare Is a Mystery: It Doesn't Have to Be
- Why Is Medicare So Important?
- Why Is Medicare So Confusing?
- How to Use This Book
- Avoid Mistake #1
- Very Brief History of Medicare
- Ignoring Medicare Noise Is Difficult
- Chapter 1. Enrollment
- Medicare Eligibility
- Signing Up for Medicare
- Can I Delay Enrollment in Medicare?
- Late Enrollment Penalties
- Medicaid
- Conclusions: Thinking Ahead Is Key
- Chapter 2. Medicare Part A
- Eligibility
- If You Don't Qualify
- Part A Benefits
- Key Term: Benefit Period
- No Annual Out-of-Pocket Limit
- Chapter 3. Medicare Part B
- Premium
- Annual Deductible
- Coinsurance
- Part B Coverage
- Coverage Details
- Sources of Part B Confusion
- Canceling Medicare Part B
- No Annual Out-of-Pocket Limit
- Chapter 4. Prescription Drug Coverage
- The Basics
- Eligibility
- Enrollment
- Prescription Drug Plan Terms
- The Standard Part D Plan
- The Complicated Calculations Involved in Part D
- Why People Misunderstand the Coverage Gap
- How to Choose
- Important Hints on Using the Medicare Plan Finder
- Preferred Pharmacies and Mail Order
- Changing Plans
- Important Extras
- Chapter 5. Medicare Advantage
- The Basics
- Types of Medicare Advantage Plans
- Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
- Enrollment
- Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period
- Medicare Advantage Twelve-Month Trial Right
- Open Enrollment Period
- How to Choose
- How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans
- Medicare Advantage Has Improved
- Consumers Must Understand Networks
- Surprise Medical Bills
- Medicare Advantage Extras
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Extra Help and Medicare Advantage
- Snowbirds
- Foreign Travel
- Chapter 6. Medigap
- Medigap Enrollment
- Medigap Coverage
- Medigap and Medicare Part A
- Medigap and Medicare Part B
- Premiums
- Advantages of Medigap
- Switching to Medigap
- Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap
- Special Topics
- The Bottom Lines
- Chapter 7. Working beyond Sixty-Five
- People Are Working Longer
- Small Employer
- Base Case: Medicare Is Superior
- Large Employer
- Employer Group Plans and the Coverage Gap ("Donut Hole")
- If You Decide to Cancel
- The Bottom Line
- Chapter 8. Retiree Benefit Plans
- Retirement from a Small Employer
- Retirement from a Large Employer
- The Base Case
- Medicare Retiree and Non-Medicare Spouse
- Retiree and Medicare-Eligible Spouse
- If Your Employer Cancels Retiree Health Benefits
- Employer-Sponsored Medicare Advantage
- Dental, Vision, and Other Benefits
- What Employers Can Do
- Conclusions
- Chapter 9. Special Groups
- Veterans Administration (VA)
- TRICARE for Life (TFL)
- Disabled
- Disabled and Employer-Sponsored Plan
- ESRD and COBRA or Employer-Sponsored Plan
- Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)
- State and Local Government Employees
- Educators
- Unions
- Hospital (and Other Health-Care Employees)
- Small Business Owners
- Professional "Associations"
- Seriously III
- Conclusions
- Chapter 10. The Savvy Medicare Consumer
- Stay Focused on the Goal
- Dealing with Medicare Problems
- Professionals, Amateurs, and Advertisements
- Last Tips
- Experts' Addendum
- Insurance Is an Option
- Health Insurance Is Different
- Options Are Priced Using Probability
- Everyone Is "Short" an Option
- Sources of Volatility
- Comparing Apples to Apples
- Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage Revisited
- Our National Long-Term Care Problem
- Insurance-Based Solutions Exist
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Life Insurance Basics
- Life Insurance and Living Benefits
- Annuity-Based Solutions
- These Options Are Difficult to Analyze
- Glossary
- Endnotes
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Index