medicare
Medicare Costs Increasing in 2027
As we are all so acutely aware, healthcare costs for retirees have been going up for years, and it looks like 2027 will be no exception! As discussed in this Investopedia article by Elizabeth Guevara, Medicare Part B monthly premiums…
Military Veterans, the VA, Medicare, and Social Security
It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t personally know, or is related to, a veteran of the U.S. Military. By some calculations, there are as many as 18 million living veterans, or about 6% of the U.S. population. And we…
Medicare “Open Enrollment” - Take the opportunity to check your coverage!
On October 15th, the annual Medicare “Open Enrollment” period begins and lasts until December 7th, a window during which you have the opportunity to review and, if needed, change your healthcare options. Unfortunately, far too many Americans allow this time…
Ask Rusty – Must I Enroll in Medicare at Age 65?
Dear Rusty: I will be turning 65 next month, I am currently retired and I am not on Social Security. My question is; Is there anything I have to do, if I don’t want Medicare? I am on my wife’s…
Medicare Open Enrollment and AI: Be Careful!
The excitement about artificial intelligence and its potential benefits across a variety of situations is growing. No question about that. The questions that arise, though, concern the accuracy of the information returned by an AI query. Although it’s likely a…
Medicare coverage outside the U.S. is limited.
In most situations, Medicare won’t pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin…
How confident are you on understanding Medicare
Does consumer confidence always translate into actual understanding? According to the latest survey by eHealth, it does not. The survey results show that 89 percent of beneficiaries feel confident that they understand their Medicare benefits and coverage options; however, just…
Your Medicare coverage may look different in 2027
An Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a document Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must send by September 30 each year, explaining changes to premiums, copays, drug coverage, and provider networks effective January 1. You should receive your ANOC…
The Medicare at Home Act
Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced the Medicare at Home Act. The Medicare at Home Act aims to expand Medicare to include a home care benefit for beneficiaries who need assistance with daily living activities. Currently,…
Ask Rusty – We Were Bitten by Medicare’s IRMAA this year; What Should I Do?
Dear Rusty: My wife and I file our taxes jointly. In 2024, I took an IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) which was significantly more than I was required to take. My Medicare premiums were not affected in 2025, and our…