Anyone who has been on Medicare or who has studied the program for any length of time knows that this program that is so essential to the health and well-being of millions of American seniors doesn’t cover everything. But with 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every single day, there are well over 3.5 million people … Read more
It’s easy for younger Americans – in other words, anyone under the age of 65 – to assume that seniors have it made when it comes to health care costs. The reason: Medicare. Anyone not covered by Medicare might figure that all a senior has to do is flash their Medicare card and all expenses … Read more
Like a window that opens for a time and then closes, that familiar period known as Medicare Open Enrollment has come around again. Since it started last week, on October 15th, the Open Enrollment clock has started ticking, and will keep on doing so until the window closes on December 7th. During these seven-plus weeks, … Read more
In this edition of Crisis Corner: Right Idea, Wrong Conclusion We do a lot of consultations about Medicaid planning. Many of them involve at least on child of the person who might need benefits. In those consultations we will occasionally hear a child admit that they are doing the planning because they want to get something … Read more
This week in Crisis Corner: The three primary versions of Medicaid Long Term Care (LTC). There are many flavors of Medicaid benefits available to Washington residents, especially once you get into all of the medical only benefits. When it comes to LTC benefits for a person who is “aging, blind, or disabled” there are at … Read more
Anyone who has ever listened to Rajiv Nagaich speak knows that about 80% of Americans would like to take their last breath at home. They also know that only about 30% of Americans succeed at that goal. We believe that part of the answer to that problem is redefining how we think of “home.” Not … Read more
This week in Crisis Corner, “I want to stay/keep them at home as long as possible.” Just about everyone wants to stay at home or keep their loved one at home “for as long as possible” before moving to a care facility. In many cases, with enough planning and family support, it is possible for … Read more
Imagine this scenario. You call the office of your new primary care physician and schedule your annual checkup, assuming Medicare will cover the cost. The appointment goes well and the exam seems thorough. Then to your surprise, a few days after the appointment you get a bill for $400. Assuming it’s a billing mistake, you … Read more
It’s a financial burden that in other countries would be “unfathomable,” say the health care policy experts. Millions of Americans, even many with insurance, are finding themselves with “crippling amounts of medical debt.” Those are some of the sobering phrases we found in this just-published article from The Atlantic. It reveals that simply getting sick, … Read more
Medicare and Social Security: in the minds of many these twin pillars of retirement seem to go together. Yet in fact, signing up for Medicare and starting Social Security benefits are separate decisions, and if you’re one of the millions who plan to delay beginning Social Security until after age 65, there are some important … Read more
