Medicare Open Enrollment Period Kicks Off Today
People with Medicare can Review their Drug and Health Plan Options through December 7, 2021 Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding people with Medicare that Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, 2021, and now is the time to review their coverage options and make a choice that meets their health care needs. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives those who rely on Medicare the opportunity to make
Understand the Benefits Offered by the Medicare Savings Programs
MSPs help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income and savings. There are three main programs, each with different benefits and eligibility requirements: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Qualified Individual (QI) Benefits of Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Pays Part A & B premiums. Eliminates cost-sharing for Medicare-covered services. Gross Monthly Income Limit: Individuals $1,094; Couples $1,472 Asset Limit: Individuals $7,970; Couples $11,960 Benefits of Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Pays
Medicare Minute August 2021
Common Open Enrollment Notices You can make changes to your Medicare coverage each year during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 to December 7. Around September, you will start to receive notices with information about any changes to your coverage for the coming year. It is important to read and understand these notices, as they can help you decide if you should make changes to your coverage during Medicare’s
Six Things to Know About Fall Open Enrollment for Medicare
Fall Open Enrollment is the time of year when you can change your Medicare coverage. You can: Join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone prescription drug (Part D) plan Switch between Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan and Medicare Advantage Listed below are six things to keep in mind while you are choosing your Medicare coverage. Fall Open Enrollment occurs each year from October 15 through December
SMP Sees Cardiovascular Genetic Testing Used in New Fraud Trend
The following information is from a tip sheet created by the Senior Medicare Patrol. Download the tip sheet from the Senior Medicare Patrol on protecting yourself from cardiovascular genetic testing fraud. Every time there’s a medical advance, there’s a scammer waiting around the corner to exploit it. When genetic testing first became an important medical service, scammers targeted cancer screenings and medication metabolization (called pharmacogenetics). The latest growing genetic testing fraud trend
Understand Your Medicare Coverage Choices
You have options when it comes to how you get your Medicare coverage. The two main ways are Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. When choosing which coverage is right for you, consider: COST Original Medicare: You pay a monthly Part B premium, and any copayments, coinsurances, and deductibles. There is no limit to how much you can pay out of pocket, but you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to help.
Beware of COVID-19 Vaccines Scams
Beware of the following COVID-19 vaccines scams: Tenga cuidado con las siguientes estafas de vacunas COVID: You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency. Es probable que no tenga que pagar nada de su bolsillo para recibir la vacuna durante esta emergencia de salud pública. You cannot pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine. No puede
Countdown the Top 10 Scams of 2020
The BBB Education Foundation/Texas Senior Medicare Patrol is working hard to ensure they are keeping the community safe from SCAMS. Join them for a virtual webinar, Countdown the Top 10 Scams of 2020, on September 25, 2020, at 10 a.m. CST. Join the zoom meeting online using the following link, meeting ID and passcode: https://zoom.us/j/92901529540?pwd=dkZ6V3VXSjFSUVYwN0NXMy9sWnYwQT09 Meeting ID: 929 0152 9540 Passcode: 411613 You can also join by dialing in at +1 346 248 7799
Ever Evolving Grandparent Scam – Scam of the Week
The BBB Education Foundation/Texas Senior Medicare Patrol is working hard to ensure they are keeping the community safe from SCAMS. Each week they share a “scam of the week” video on YouTube. This week's focus is on the Ever Evolving Grandparent Scam, which now includes technology to make a scammer sound like your grandchild. Follow these tips and share to keep your grandparents safe! To report scams, contact the Federal Trade
Don’t Let Disaster Strike Twice! Scam of the Week
The BBB Education Foundation/Texas Senior Medicare Patrol is working hard to ensure they are keeping the community safe from SCAMS. Each week they share a “scam of the week” video on YouTube. This week's episode is Don't Let Disaster Strike Twice! Disaster Scams. Help us stop these scams – please send out to your community! View the past scam videos: Debit Card Dangers - https://youtu.be/OpJJNiDofwg BURN Notice (Pandemic Scams) - https://youtu.be/ni-1hHw0DQ8 Home Sweet Home