Retirement expert Bob Carlson’s research and knowledge on how to get the most out of healthcare options
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Medicare announced its first group of endorsed prescription drug discount cards. Medicare members can enroll in one of the discount programs after May 2, 2004. The cards can be used beginning June 1, 2004. The web site www.medicare.gov has a feature that makes it easy to find the discount card programs that are available to […]
A portion of long-term care expenses are deductible as medical expenses. The question taxpayers often ask is what portion of the fees paid to retiree communities, such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes, can be deducted. The Tax Court recently stepped into this issue and set some new rules. When someone enters a nursing […]
The sales pitches are back, enticing seniors to join HMOs and other private health plans. Congress has changed the law again, this time to encourage firms to offer these alternative plans to regular Medicare. In 1997 Congress reduced reimbursements to Medicare HMOs and other private Medicare plans. As a result, many HMOs stopped participating and […]
We’re getting more details about the most significant parts of the Medicare prescription drug law that was enacted in late 2003. The two key provisions are Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and prescription discount cards. The new Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for people under age 65 were reviewed in detail in January. Recall that the accounts […]
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Insurers frequently lament that only 1% to 3% of those in the logical market for long-term care insurance actually buys that insurance. Their view is that most Baby Boomers are engaged in short-term thinking and that the nation will have a severe fiscal crisis as it tries to finance care for aging long-term Boomers. Consumer […]
Prescription drug benefits and other changes are coming to Medicare. Let’s take a look some details, the timetable, and the actions you should consider over the next few years. Keep in mind that the prescription drug provisions are voluntary. You don’t have to leave your current benefit structure unless you want to or the provider […]
Rising insurance premiums and medical expense are well-known risks in today’s health care market. Premiums for all types of insurance have been rising at double-digit rates for a few years. The latest data estimate premiums will increase by about 14% this year. In addition, individuals pay a higher share of medical expenses than they did […]
Few financial transactions are more complicated than buying long-term health care insurance. Also, few single transactions have potentially greater and longer-lasting consequences. We’ve covered the basics and more in past visits, most recently in June 2002 (available on the web site Archive). Let’s take a look at the next level of issues you are likely […]
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