Blog Posts

A recent report says many Medicare buyers of Advantage plans are confused.  A Wall Street Journal article discusses the confusion and recommends the Medicare Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program as an unbiased source for help.

HICAP is California state's acronym for the national SHIP program.  Individual unbiased counseling is available through a volunteer trained and registered through the Department of Aging.  Counseling sites are spread throughout communities located in every county nation wide so beneficiaries can receive local help and advocacy.

 An increasing number of seniors are choosing to get their Medicare benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. But do they understand what they’re signing up for?

 Medicare has announced the new premiums for 2017.  The Part B monthly premium will be $134.00 for some beneficiaries and $104.90 for others in the "hold harmless" category.  The Part B annual deductible will be $183.00.  For those with a Part A premium, there are increases depending on the number of quarterly contributions made.  The Part A deductible per benefit period will be $1,316.  Income related monthly premium rate adjustments have also increased.  For detailed information, contact HICAP for an unbiased appointment with a counselor in your community to understand how these 2017 changes affect you.

Frank was interviewed about Medicare and HICAP by KWMR FM 90.5 serving Marin county.

Listen to this Airwaves program and the many questions that were asked and clarified.

 

Let’s assume you have a Marketplace plan and are turning 65 sometime this year.

Once you’re eligible for Medicare, you’ll have an initial enrollment period to sign up for Medicare. For most people, the...

While health care has not been central to the 2016 Presidential campaign, the election’s outcome will be a major determining factor in the country’s future health care policy. A number of issues have garnered media attention, including the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), rising prescription drug costs, and the opioid epidemic.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have laid out different approaches to addressing these and other health care issues.

You have options to get financial assistance for your healthcare costs.  Watch this short video: 

Prescription Drugs are a large part of Medicare expense.

Each year prescription Part D drug plans change their premiums, formularies, deductibles and plan details.  HICAP offers a free and unbiased service to assist you in reviewing your many Part D options so you can make an informed decision and not pay more then you have to.

The majority of Medicare prescription drug spending is for drugs covered under the Part D prescription drug benefit, administered by private stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage drug plans. 

Despite interventions by Medicare officials, the number of appeals from health care providers and patients challenging denied claims continues to spiral, increasing the backlog of cases and delaying many decisions well beyond the timeframes set by law, according to a government study released Thursday.

Federal officials have unveiled their roadmap to a revamped Medicare physician payment system designed to reward doctors and other clinicians for the quality of care delivered, rather than the quantity.

The proposed regulation would replace a patchwork of programs that now govern physician payments in Medicare. It would allow doctors to 

During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 6–12, 2016, non-profit organizations and government agencies can help you take advantage of your rights and make better-informed choices.

There are 5 things you can do to become an informed Medicare consumer:

1. Know your rights. As a person with Medicare, you have certain rights and protections designed to help protect you and make sure you get the health care services the law says you can get.
2. Protect your identity. Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit fraud or other crimes. Keep this personal information safe:

• Your name
• Your Social Security Number (SSN)
• Your Medicare number (or your membership card if you’re in a Medicare Advantage or other Medicare health plan)
• Your credit card and bank account numbers

Get more information on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

3. Help fight Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud takes money from the Medicare program each year, which means higher health care costs for you. Learn how to report fraud.
4. Get involved with other seniors with the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). The SMP educates and empowers people with Medicare to take an active role in detecting and preventing health care fraud and abuse.
5. Make informed Medicare choices. Each year during the fall Open Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7), review your plan to make sure it will meet your needs for the next year. If you’re not satisfied with your current plan, you can switch during the Open Enrollment Period.