Brier & Brier/ Medicare Options

05/24/2023

🔒 Protect Your Medicare Number Now 🔒
Scammers can use your Medicare number to steal your benefits (and your identity) and you should be aware of the various ways these scams show up. According to this article, waiting too long to protect it can put you at serious risk. Take action now to ensure your personal information is secure.

Scammers are looking to steal your Medicare number and other information, Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains some warning signs you should know about.

05/17/2023

Many seniors don’t know the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, and this article provides a good overview. Here’s a primer:

🔹 Medicare Advantage (Part C): It's an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) offered by private insurance companies. With Medicare Advantage, you receive your Medicare benefits through a managed care plan, like an HMO or PPO. These plans often include additional benefits like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing services. Just keep in mind that you may have to use network providers and follow certain rules.

🔹 Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap): Medigap policies are also offered by private insurers. They work alongside Original Medicare and help cover the "gaps" in your coverage, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans don't include additional benefits like prescription drugs. However, they give you more freedom to choose any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare.

Both options have their pros and cons. The best choice for you depends on your personal healthcare needs, preferences, and budget. 🤔

Medigap comes with unlimited choices for care, while Medicare Advantage offers extra benefits and often no monthly premiums.

05/04/2023

If you are unsure or confused about the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, check out this informative article that breaks down the pros and cons of each. Whether you're new to Medicare or looking to switch plans, understanding your options is key to making the best decision for your healthcare needs. Brier and Brier can help you make those decisions, at no cost to you, so reach out to schedule a call with us.

Whether you stay with Original Medicare or choose a Medicare Advantage plan depends on how much you value flexibility versus cost and other factors.

04/21/2023

The new prescription drug law that went into effect in Jan improves access to affordable treatments and strengthens the Medicare program. If you've been unsure how the new prescription drug law can help save you money, here is a summary of the changes and what they mean for you.

The prescription drug law (from the Inflation Reduction Act) will save money for people with Medicare by improving access to affordable treatments and strengthening the Medicare program.

03/31/2023

Medicare Advantage plans are a popular option for people who are eligible for Medicare. However, there are some potential downsides to these plans.

One of the biggest disadvantages is that Medicare Advantage plans typically have a network of doctors and hospitals that you must use. If you go outside of the network, you may have to pay higher copays or deductibles.

Another disadvantage is that Medicare Advantage plans may have restrictions on what types of care you can receive. For example, some plans may not cover certain types of prescription drugs or medical equipment.

Finally, Medicare Advantage plans may have higher premiums than Original Medicare.

If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to carefully compare the different plans available to you and to understand the potential downsides.

Are Medicare Advantage plans really bad? Learn how to understand when Medicare Advantage is worth the money and when it is not the right choice for you.

03/20/2023

Starting in April, the cost for 27 commonly used Part B drugs could be going down.💊

This is thanks to a new policy that will tie Medicare's payment for these drugs to the lower prices paid by other countries. As a result, Medicare beneficiaries could save money on drugs such as insulin and cancer treatments.

So if you're a Medicare enrollee who uses one of these drugs, be sure to check with your healthcare provider to see if your costs will be going down in April!

Depending on their Medicare coverage, beneficiaries could save between $2 and $390 per average dose for these drugs starting April 1, officials announced.

03/17/2023

If you are unhappy with your Medicare Advantage Plan, you have until March 31 to make changes. That's two more weeks to review your plan options, switch to a different plan or drop it altogether in favor of basic Medicare. For personalized advice and guidance, give us a call and we will discuss your options and together, choose the best one for you.

For Medicare beneficiaries whose 2023 Advantage Plan is not a good fit, now is the time to make a change.

03/10/2023

Colorectal cancer is the 2nd-leading cancer killer in the United States, but if everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. A screening colonoscopy is fully covered by Medicare, so don't delay. Speak to your healthcare provider and make sure you are up to date with your screenings.

Adults ages 45-49 will become eligible for insurance that fully covers screening.

02/16/2023

There are some important changes to Medicare this year that everyone should be aware of. Some are positive, like the cost of Part B going down, while others may have negative repercussions. It's important to reassess your Medicare coverage every year to make sure your plan is still working for you.

Some costs are up, some are down. Here's what Medicare beneficiaries can expect this year.

02/10/2023

Timing is everything when it comes to enrolling in Medicare.

You can enroll in Medicare at three specific times:
1) when you turn 65 (starting 3 months before you turn 65)
2) when you leave an active insurance plan after the age of 65
3) another time after you turn 65, but at the risk of lifetime penalties

Timing is critically important when it comes to enrolling in Medicare. And failing to enroll at the right time could have financial consequences. Here's what older adults need to know.

02/04/2023

Here’s a helpful reminder that you may be able to deduct Medicare costs like premiums and copayments from your taxes.

If you itemize deductions on your taxes, Medicare costs, such as premiums and copayments, may be deductible.

01/27/2023

Keep an eye on your eyesight. Take advantage of your yearly glaucoma screening through Medicare and protect your eyes from serious vision loss. Some forms of glaucoma don't have any symptoms, so you may have the disease even if you don't have any trouble seeing or feel any pain. Half of people with glaucoma don't know they have it. Screen early and yearly.

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/glaucoma-tests?utm_campaign=20230124_gmd_prv_gal&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery