The National Eye Institute reports the risk of suffering from cataracts increases significantly after the age of 40. For this reason, the number of cataract cases in the United States has increased 20% from 2000 to 2010. What’s astounding is that by 2050, it is estimated that there will be double the cases – about […]
Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?
The flu shot is a preventive care treatment for influenza, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease for seniors and people with comorbidities. While many health insurance plans make you pay a co-pay for the flu shot if you have Medicare you can get it for free. In this article, we’ll give you the complete […]
When Does Medicare Start?
If you’re approaching retirement, you may ask yourself, “When does Medicare start?” This article will help you understand when your Medicare benefits will begin. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) Everyone turning age 65, or getting Medicare benefits due to their Social Security disability status, gets an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). How long it takes for Medicare […]
Does Medicare Cover Dental?
One of the most common questions Medicare beneficiaries ask online is, “Does Medicare cover dental?” The answer is no. Medicare does not cover dental care, dental procedures, or supplies offered by dentists. Medicare beneficiaries should not expect coverage for dental services such as cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, etc. The only caveat to dental services […]
Top 9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Medicare Advantage Plans
If you are about to make plan election choices for yourself or a loved one, you might find yourself asking what are the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans? In this MedicareWire article, we’re going to look at Medicare Advantage (MA) from a financial and usability point of view. Here’s why. As we age into our retirement […]
Do Low-Cost Medicare Supplement Plans Save Money?
Medicare supplement insurance premiums continue to increase. The increases have a lot to do with changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act (aka, Obama) and how these changes affect reimbursements to health care providers. As a result, a lot of seniors are asking about low-cost Medicare supplement plans. But, do these plans actually help […]
Why Medicare Advantage Plans are Bad: 7 Top Complaints
One of the most common questions we get here at MedicareWire is, “are Medicare Advantage plans bad?” In my experience, this question comes up because people ask their friends, neighbors, and healthcare providers about Medicare plans, and that brings up the horror stories and a litany of reasons why Medicare Advantage plans are bad. But, […]
Is CMS Biased in Favor of Medicare Advantage?
While studying Medicare & You 2021: The official U.S. government Medicare handbook to look for changes coming in the new year (which you can download here), the MedicareWire staff began noticing language and diagrams that it felt would bias readers. In fact, once you start looking for it, you can see that the handbook is […]
2021 Medicare Open Enrollment: A Guide to Dates, Costs and Eligibility
Everything you need to know about Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) dates, costs, eligibility, and opportunities to change your Medicare insurance coverage this Fall. What’s in this 2021 Medicare AEP guide? When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2021 Coverage? How to Enroll in a New Medicare Plan for 2021 Medicare Eligibility How to Enroll in […]
Brand New Day vs. 5-Star Kaiser Medicare Advantage in California
Medicare Advantage plans expanded into dozens of new counties for the 2021 plan year. With the expansion in plans also came the news that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) increased the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit from $6,700 to $7,550 per year. However, several companies, including Brand New Day, a Medicare Advantage prescription […]
Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 out of 3 people in the United States will contract shingles in their lives. While many only get it once, some people contract it multiple times. The rates of incidence have been increasing over the years and no one knows exactly why. Shingles can impact anyone, young or old. […]
Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy After An Accident or Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy? If you’re covered by Medicare and have an illness or injury that requires physical therapy, you may wonder, “what does Medicare cover?” More specifically, you’ll likely want to know does Medicare cover physical therapy? In this article, we will look at Medicare coverage for physical therapy and guide you through the […]
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams for Seniors?
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams? With Original Medicare, you have coverage for all of the routine checkups and preventative care you need. But what about your eyes? If you are wondering if your medicare benefits cover visits to the eye doctor, you might be surprised by the answer: Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine eye exams […]
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids for Seniors Who Need Hearing Assistance?
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? If you’re someone who’s hard of hearing and in need of financial assistance, you’ve probably asked yourself this. After all, hearing aids can be expensive. They require the devices themselves, costly batteries, proper fitment, and it helps to have them covered. Below, we’ll get into Medicare’s coverage of hearing aids, […]
Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Care for Seniors?
Does Medicare cover chiropractic costs? If you’ve recently injured your back or are struggling with chronic pain, you might find it helpful to go to a chiropractor and receive spinal adjustments. This procedure is useful, but sessions can add up if you’re paying out of pocket. When you’re on Medicare, individual chiropractic costs are covered, but only […]
