The short answer to whether some seniors may qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) is: yes. Although some people under age 65 qualify for Medicare, such as individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), our focus in this post is on seniors age 65 and older. This post …
How Does Medicare Work with Other Insurance?
If you’re looking into Medicare enrollment, it’s important to know how Medicare coordinates with other coverage(s), including group health insurance, Medicaid, disability, and other coverage. Each type of coverage is referred to as a “payer.” When there is more than one payer, the “coordination of benefits” rule determines who pays …
Five Medicare Resources Every Senior Should Know About
Medicare has made an effort to publish information and resources online to help Medicare recipients and their family members get the help and information they need. Let’s take a look at five resources every Medicare recipient should know about. 1: “Medicare & You” Handbook A comprehensive guide to the Medicare …
Is Medicare Advantage Available Where I Live?
What Is Medicare Advantage and Is It Available Where I Live? Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are designed to act as a replacement for Original Medicare (Parts A and B), providing all of the same benefits (and often more) as Original Medicare. Many seniors find that Medicare Advantage plans better meet …
What to Do if You Missed the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 – December 7 every year. During the AEP, seniors can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, change an existing plan, move to a new plan, or disenroll from Medicare Advantage and switch to Original Medicare (Parts A and …
What Is Medicare Part D and Do I Need It?
Medicare Part D is a federal-government program introduced in 2003 to help eligible Medicare recipients get subsidized prescription drug coverage. The plans are sold through private insurance companies (approved by Medicare) and often have an additional premium. There are two ways to get drug coverage—as a standalone plan coupled with …