What is the Welcome to Medicare Package?
The Welcome to Medicare package is an informational packet sent to people who are automatically enrolled in Medicare when they become eligible at age 65. This automatic enrollment happens if you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65. The package includes your Medicare card, an introductory letter, and a […]
Does Medicare cover heart disease care?
Yes, Medicare covers comprehensive heart disease care including screenings, treatments, procedures, and rehabilitation services. Coverage spans conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, valve disorders, and arrhythmias. Medicare Part B covers preventive screenings including cardiovascular disease screenings every five years and a one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for at-risk beneficiaries. Your Annual Wellness Visit with […]
How to appeal and avoid Medicare premium surcharges
Around seven percent of people with Part B pay a special Medicare monthly surcharge that can dramatically increase their premiums. The surcharge is known as an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount or IRMAA. IRMAA is Medicare’s extra fee for high-income beneficiaries, enacted by Congress in 2003 and expanded in 2011. The IRMAA surcharge is based on […]
How do I authorize Medicare to disclose personal information to others?
You must give Medicare written permission (an “authorization”) before Medicare can use or disclose your personal medical information for any purpose other than those stated in the Medicare & You handbook. It is your right to revoke your written permission at any time, except if Medicare has already taken action based on it. If you’re […]
What is the Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) ?
If you are age 65 or older, you or your spouse are still working and you are covered under a group health plan based on that current employment, you may not need to apply for Medicare medical insurance (Part B) at age 65. You may qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) that will let […]
What’s the Part B late enrollment penalty?
If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. This penalty is added to your monthly Part B premium and lasts for as long as you have Part B. The penalty is 10 percent […]
Medicare Cognitive Assessments
During your regular visits (including your yearly “Wellness” visit), your provider may perform a cognitive assessment to check for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) plan also covers a separate visit with your doctor or specialist to review your cognitive function, diagnose dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and formulate a care […]
Medicare Decisions for Those Over 65 and Planning to Retire in the Next 6 Months
If you’re over 65 and planning to retire within six months, timing your Medicare enrollment correctly is crucial to avoid gaps in coverage and penalties. When you have employer coverage through your own job, you can delay Medicare enrollment past 65 without penalty, but you must act within eight months after your employment ends or […]
How can I stop my Medicare Part B?
To stop your Medicare Part B coverage, you must complete a voluntary termination process through the Social Security Administration. This is a serious decision that requires careful consideration, as you may face penalties and coverage gaps if you decide to re-enroll later. The termination process requires submitting Form CMS-1763 to the Social Security Administration and […]
What Medicare Benefits are available for people with Disabilities?
People under 65 with disabilities are eligible for Medicare. People eligible for Social Security Disability benefits must have received benefits for at least 24 months or suffer from End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The waiting period for Social Security Disability benefits begins five months after a beneficiary is determined to […]