Retirement Healthcare and Medicare
Retirement expert Bob Carlson’s research and knowledge on how to get the most out of healthcare options
Found 299 Articles.
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The Overlooked Retirement Time Bomb
My file of articles about retiree medical expenses is filling rapidly with unpleasant headlines. One sample sums up the group: “How Safe Are Your Retiree Health Benefits?” Numerous surveys and my own experience lead to one conclusion: Most retirees and pre-retirees greatly underestimate how much medical expenses will be during retirement and are mistaken about […]
Medicare Prescription Drug Program – Answering 2 Key Questions
Two questions frequently are generated by the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. Where can I learn more about my options? There are numerous sources of help for the new drug plan. Start with the free publication, Medicare and You. The 2006 edition was mailed recently to all Medicare beneficiaries and is available on the Medicare web […]
How to Quantify the Financial Effects of Prescription Drug Plans
The new Medicare Part D program is under way. In past visits we reviewed the key factors to consider when comparing plans for the new prescription drug benefit option. Of course, the bottom line financial costs and benefits also are important. This month we look at how to quantify the financial effects of different plans. […]
Making the Medicare Prescription Drug Decision
The promotions for the Medicare prescription drug program are starting and will become intense for many of you over the next few months. Take your time to analyze the choices. If you are eligible for Medicare now, you are eligible for the prescription drug program. Sign ups for the plans can start Nov. 15. The […]
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Prescription Drug Plans Ready to Roll
It is getting close to the time when Medicare beneficiaries must decide whether or not to sign up for a prescription drug plan. Promotions are being rolled out. The enrollment period begins Nov. 1, 2005, and closes on May 15, 2006. The government has announced some good news about the program. (See the September 2005 […]
The 2 Long-Term Care Insurance Mistakes Most Retirees Make
Only about 10% of seniors over age 65 have long-term care insurance. It is easy to understand why. The product is complicated, and costly mistakes are easy to make when buying it. There are two mistakes people make most often when purchasing long-term care insurance. More people would buy the insurance if they knew how […]
The Latest in Long-Term Care Insurance
Turmoil still roils the long-term care insurance industry. Many consumers probably will continue to see steep premium increases as in recent years, and there will be changes in coverage under new policies. But there also is good news, and buyers can take steps to make long-term care insurance more affordable without giving up coverage they […]
More Medicare Changes
Prescription drug coverage is not the only change coming to Medicare. This year Medicare began offering new preventive benefits. New members receive a free “welcome to Medicare” physical. Also covered now are screening tests for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The annual deductible for Part B also is rising to $105 and will be indexed for […]
