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MySeniorHealthPlan.com assists individuals who are turning 65 or individuals who are Medicare eligible. They provide free plan comparisons and help you with the enrollment process all right over the phone!

Senior couple relaxing at a resort
Destinations

How to Find the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Seniors

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

Last month, we shared all about cruises and why they’re a great choice for winter vacations. But as nice as cruises are, not everyone is up for a voyage at sea. For those not interested in cruising, but who still want the benefit of minimum planning, all-inclusive resorts are a wonderful option. So this month we’re looking at how to find the best all-inclusive resorts for seniors.

With so many to choose from, you’ll definitely be able to find the perfect all-inclusive resort for your preferred vacation style. These havens of leisure take the guesswork out of travel planning, provide everything you need in one place and come in all different sizes, styles and price points. But, with so many options, how do you know which is the right resort for you?

Even with their convenience, there are a few things every senior should know before booking an all-inclusive resort. Here’s how to find the all-inclusive resort for a perfect getaway.

Adults-only or family-friendly?

If you’ve never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before, you may not even realize adults-only is an option. And don’t worry, you won’t be limiting yourself if you only consider adults-only properties. There are several beautiful adults-only resorts offering great experiences and activities.

Even if going to an adults-only resort isn’t important to you, do check to see if the resort in which you’re interested has a quiet pool, just in case you change your mind and want to escape the hubbub of loud children and families.

Accessibility and healthcare

Whenever you’re traveling, whether in the United States or abroad, access to quality medical services is important. So take the time to check the area around the resort to make sure you know where the nearest hospital is. You should also be aware of whether or not the resort keeps medical personnel on staff. Since you never know when a health emergency may occur, you’ll want to be near a good medical facility should the need arise.

Handicapped guests should easily find a resort meeting their needs. If you’re in need of handicap facilities, call head and confirm your room is handicap-accessible. Also ask if the common areas are handicap-friendly, too.

Activities and dining

One of the best parts of staying at an all-inclusive resort is the many activities available to you. Whether you’re interested in outdoor sports, beachfront fitness classes, cultural excursions, spa treatments or evening entertainment and shows, there’s truly no end to the fun and excitement awaiting you.

Do be sure you fully understand what the resort includes in your package, though. Yes, most activities, like fitness classes and evening entertainment are included, but spa treatments and most off-site excursions usually cost extra. Thoroughly examine the resort’s website to learn what is and isn’t included in your stay before you purchase.

Fortunately, dining and drinking are usually fully covered, and you’ll be glad they are! With most resorts having multiple choices for restaurants, 24-hour room service and well-trained baristas and bartenders, you’ll be hard-pressed to end your days hungry (or thirsty).

Shop around

Finding the best all-inclusive resort for you can be a challenging task. There are quite a few options, and your first priority should be knowing what you want to get out of your trip. Then determine the best place to accommodate those desires at a competitive price.

There are several hotel chains around the world offering discounts for seniors. Best Western Hotels and Resorts, for example, offers 15 percent off stays for guests aged 55 and older. Marriott Hotels and Resorts offer the same discount for guests 62 and older. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts offers a similar discount for guests aged 60 and older.

All-inclusive vacations can get pricey, which is why travel insurance is so very important. Protect your investment, and don’t book a trip without first securing travel insurance. Learn more about plans that can work for you here.

Going on an all-inclusive vacation is a truly wonderful experience! With preparation and know-how, you’ll be well on your way to making memories that will last a lifetime.

 

 

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Cruise Liners On Geiranger fjord, Norway
Cruises

Five Tips You Should Know Before Booking Your Winter Cruise

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

For many seniors, cruising is ideal. You don’t need to do a lot of planning to enjoy a top-notch trip, and you can sit back and enjoy while almost everything is taken care of for you. You want a fun-filled vacation but don’t want to plan the activities yourself. Who can blame you?

Winter cruises are especially fun with exciting seasonal destinations like The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Belize, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Asia and even Antarctica. But before you click “Buy!,” we have five tips to help you make the most of your winter cruise.

Tip #1: Don’t count out the little guy

There are hundreds of cruise lines with ships in every imaginable shape and size—each one offering something different. Typically larger ships have more to offer in terms of activities and restaurants. But that doesn’t make large ships the best choice for you.

Many senior travelers prefer cruising on smaller ships because the decks are easier to navigate. And there aren’t as many passengers! There may be fewer amenities, but if you’re simply looking for relaxation and nice excursions, a small boat should fit the bill.

You might want to consider booking an adults-only cruise though. This type of cruise is a great way to cut down on some of the crowds and noise sometimes associated with cruising.

Tip #2: Thoughtfully select your cabin

Once you’ve selected your cruise ship, you’ll need to decide where to stay once you’re onboard. With some cruise lines offering as many as 20 different cabin configurations, the decision can be daunting.

Narrow your search for the best room by how many people it should sleep, whether you prefer (or need) a window or balcony, and how close you want to be to the elevators, pool, restaurants and other entertainment. Of course, you probably won’t be spending much time in your cabin, so you may be able to trade the balcony for a window room that costs less.

As you search for the right cabin, you may notice extremely competitive pricing. If you see a surprisingly low price, be sure to read all the fine print before booking. No matter how great the bargain, you’d hate to spend your trip in a windowless cabin below a nightclub.

Tip #3: Plan excursions and activities in advance

You might be tempted to leave planning your activities and excursions until you’re on the boat. After all, not having to plan is the reason you’re cruising in the first place, right? But waiting until you get to the ship can be a mistake.

Space will be limited for the most popular activities, whether you want to zipline through a jungle, visit a cultural site or get a relaxing couples massage during a day at sea. So think about what you want to do on your winter cruise, and make your reservations as early as possible!

Tip #4: Get to the port early

Don’t fly into your port of call the day you embark. Delays happen, flights are canceled, taxis get stuck behind road work… The last thing you want to do is start your trip stressed and worried about making the port on time.

So get to your port of call a day early, and rent a hotel room the night before. You’ll be relaxed and ready to leisurely make your way to the ship when boarding begins. And don’t forget to check if priority boarding is available for seniors. You’ll be glad you did!

Tip #5: Invest in travel insurance

Despite your best efforts to plan and prepare for your vacation, there are some things that are simply out of your control. Whether it’s a family crisis, unfortunate winter weather or a medical emergency all you can do about those scenarios is insure against them. If something happens while on the trip, and you need medical care beyond what’s available on the ship, you don’t want to be responsible for those costs.*

Don’t book your winter cruise without securing travel insurance. Learn more about plans that can work for you here.

Winter cruising is a great way to vacation while avoiding chilly weather back home. So as you plan your cruise, keep these five tips in mind. You’ll be well on your way to enjoying the trip of a lifetime!

*There are a few coverage exceptions, but Medicare doesn’t provide healthcare coverage while you’re on a cruise.

 

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close up of senior man and doctor at hospital
Medicare Plans

What is the Medicare Special Enrollment Period?

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

Right now, we’re in Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP). But what happens if a major disaster strikes and you’re not able to take advantage of OEP? Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to change your plan if you need to. The Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) extends the Medicare enrollment period during extenuating circumstances.

For example, you might find yourself in the midst of a life-altering weather event that prevents you from selecting coverage during OEP. Or you might need to move to a new state and discover that your previously selected coverage is not offered in your new state of residence. You can’t go without coverage, so a SEP allows you to choose a new plan.

Life changes, and sometimes your coverage has to change as well. SEPs can be difficult to understand, but we’re here to help you understand what you need to know about Medicare SEPs and how you can take advantage of this important enrollment period.

Am I eligible?

There are several circumstances for qualifying beneficiaries for SEPs. The most common are FEMA-designated natural disasters and changes in residence.

Extreme weather event or natural disaster

In order to initiate a SEP, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must officially declare an area affected by an emergency or a major disaster. This includes but isn’t limited to, extreme rain and flooding events, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, man-made environmental catastrophe and more.

If you were planning to initiate or alter coverage during a predesignated enrollment period, like OEP, but weren’t able to because of the FEMA-designated disaster, you may take advantage of the SEP.

One extra benefit is that it doesn’t have to be you that lives in the disaster area to qualify. The SEP takes into consideration that many seniors rely on a family member to assist with their Medicare coverage selections. If the family member or caregiver charged with this duty lives in a FEMA-designated area, the same principle applies.

Change of residence

You may not have realized that moving can impact your Medicare coverage. For example, if you live in Arizona and selected a plan during last year’s OEP, but you now need to move to California to be closer to family, you will also need to also change your coverage. Different Medicare plans service different areas, and if you move into a state not serviced by your current plan, you’ll need to take advantage of this SEP.

You’ll want to take advantage of the SEP to find better coverage options in your new state that wasn’t available in your previous area of residence.

How long are SEPs?

The length of SEPs varies based on the circumstances. If you have a qualifying change of residence, you have two months to alter coverage. In the case of extreme weather or natural disasters, the SEP begins the day the disaster strikes and runs for four full calendar months thereafter.

This is almost always the case, but there have been a few cases when FEMA-designated SEPs were extended beyond four months. Hurricane Katrina, for example, made U.S. landfall on August 25, 2005 before pummeling the Gulf Coast for several days thereafter. The SEP for this natural disaster was extended through December 31, 2006—more than 16 months.

What can I change during SEP?

During SEP, you can enroll in, disenroll from, or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plan. Essentially, you can add, update, change, or drop both medical and prescription drug coverage during the SEP period.

Usually, if you need to take advantage of a SEP, you’re experiencing some significant life change. During these times, the last thing you want to worry about is your Medicare coverage.

If you need help or have questions about SEP, visit our website or call (877) 255-6273. You’ll be able to talk to a knowledgeable member of our team who will help you navigate SEP and find your best coverage options.

You may also seek assistance from Medicare by calling (800) MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 

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Medicare Plans

How to Enroll in Medicare if You’re Working Past 65

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

For decades, the gold standard for retirement age was 65. But in the last several years, we’ve seen the retirement age inch up with many folks working past 65. Now, 20 percent of Americans age 65 and older are participating in the workforce—the highest rate in nearly six decades.

Some of this is due to the U.S. government formally changing the Social Security retirement age. Since 1983, the retirement age, previously set at 65 has slowly inched toward 67, with the current age set at 66 and eight months.

But there’s more going on here. Not only are we living longer, but also the cost of living is exponentially higher than 10 or 20 years ago. Unfortunately, many of us weren’t able to adequately plan for retirement.

What is fortunate is that no matter your employment status, you can still enroll in your Medicare benefit at age 65. Here’s how.

What if you have employer-provided health benefits?

When you turn 65, even if you’re working, you gain access to what’s called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). If you have employer-provided healthcare, you can still apply for Medicare Part A.

You may be wondering why this is necessary. If you require medical care not covered by your employer-provided plan, your Medicare Part A plan will pick up where your primary coverage leaves off. Part A Medicare benefit is premium-free, so you stand nothing to lose financially by enrolling.

If you have a spouse who isn’t working, is over 65 and covered by your private insurance, the same principles apply.

But do stay on top of enrolling, because Medicare won’t remind you to sign up unless you currently get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Also, in order to take advantage of Medicare, you or your spouse must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years of your lives.

What if you’re working past 65 and losing your employer-provided health benefits?

When you decide to retire, you’ll need to make changes to your (and your spouse’s, if applicable) Medicare coverage. You probably already have Part A at this point, but you need to get supplemental coverage to make up for what used to be covered by your employer-provided health insurance.

If you’re beyond your IEP and are losing your employer-provided insurance outside of another enrollment period, like OEP or AEP, you’ll be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs enable beneficiaries with extenuating circumstances to enroll in Medicare programs outside the typical enrollment periods.

The SEP for Parts A and B will last for eight months beginning the month after you lose your private health insurance benefits. The SEP for Parts C and D will last for two months beginning the month after you lose your private health insurance benefits. So, if you retire in March 2020, you’ll have between the months of April and November 2020 to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B and April and May to enroll in Medicare Parts C and D, if needed. Confused? Don’t worry, MySeniorHealthPlan.com is here to help.

What about Medicare Part B and D?

You may be aware of penalties for late enrollment in Medicare Part B and/or D. Since you’re covered by employer-provided health insurance during your IEP, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to delay enrolling in Parts B and D.

You’ll have to consult with your employer to confirm eligibility.

With any health insurance decision, particularly those related to Medicare, we recommend you work with your employer’s plan administrator to understand what coverage you have, what coverage you need and how those options will change upon retirement.

If you need help or have questions about Medicare when working past 65, visit our website or call (877) 255-6273. You’ll talk to a knowledgeable member of our team who will help you navigate the Medicare system and find your best coverage options.

You may also seek assistance from Medicare by calling (800) MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 

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Senior woman showing digital tablet to friend at table
Medicare Plans

Medicare OEP 2020: How to Make Changes to Your Medicare Advantage Plan

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) 2020 will begin on January 1st. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (maybe you signed up for a new plan during AEP 2020?) and wish to adjust your coverage, you may qualify to make a one-time change to your existing policy.

Medicare OEP 2020. What is it?

OEP is the Medicare election period that runs from January 1st to March 31st each year. It allows Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans to:

  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan
  • Disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, with or without a Part D drug plan

 

Note: According to Medicare.gov, the following are changes that you cannot make during OEP.

You will not be able to:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you’re in Original Medicare.
  • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare.

 

Also, if you’re within the first three months of your Initial Enrollment Period, you have the option to

  1. Change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) OR
  2. Go back to Original Medicare (again, with or without a drug plan)

Let’s look at an example.

During AEP, Sylvia enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. The plan will activate January 1st. However, early in February, she decides she could benefit from Medicare Advantage Plan D.

Being in the OEP window and having had her existing plan since January, Sylvia can make the one-time change. Her new policy will go into effect on March 1st.

However, that’s not where Sylvia’s story ends. Her plan activates March 1st, but after a couple of weeks (and still within the OEP), she finds that the new plan isn’t a good fit for her needs.

Unfortunately, Sylvia will have to wait until October 15th when AEP begins again—unless, of course, she qualifies for Special Election Period (SEP).

What is SEP?

SEP allows seniors to make changes to their Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage under particular circumstances.

Examples of when you may qualify for SEP include the following.

You’re moving to a new address that affects your coverage (e.g., moving back to the States after living overseas or moving to a new address that isn’t in your existing plan’s service area).

You’re living in an area where a weather event has occurred—one that FEMA has determined as an emergency or major disaster. Due to the weather situation happening during another valid election period (e.g., AEP), you may qualify for SEP.

Additionally, the weather-related SEP is available to beneficiaries who depend on friends or family members living in the affected areas to manage their healthcare needs.

You will lose your other insurance coverage. For example, if you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you may qualify for SEP and the opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Also, if you no longer have coverage from your employer (or union), SEP will allow you to apply for Medicare Advantage coverage.

Tapping into your Medicare resources

Medicare election periods from OEP to SEP can get complicated. However, you have access to resources—from your insurance specialist to online information (such as the Medicare.gov website). The key is to keep an eye on election period dates that apply to you, take action early and, if necessary, ask for help.

Need to adjust your Medicare Advantage coverage during OEP? The MySeniorHealthPlan.com team can answer all your questions and guide you through the process.

Call today toll free: 877.255.6273

 

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Cheerful senior woman cutting vegetables for salad
Diet & Nutrition

The Secret to Simple, Healthy Eating—in Seven Words

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

As a continuation of the clean-eating series, in this post, we look at simplifying what you eat using a straightforward seven-word guide.

Kicking off the new year with healthy eating habits

With the new year just around the corner, many people will make the annual New Year’s resolution to eat better and lose weight. Some will resort to diets with catchy names (remember the Cabbage Soup Diet?) in hopes of shedding pounds quickly and easily.

However, like most New Year’s resolutions, the initial enthusiasm is sure to dwindle (right around week two of eating only what the diet says you can).

Enjoying the benefits of healthy eating has less to do with a diet and more to do with changing how you think about food.

That’s where a simple mantra comes in.

Michael Pollan, the prolific author and thought leader on nature, culture and how we eat, coined the following seven-word phrase: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.

In a short PBS video, Pollan talks about the seven words.

Eat food

The foods we’ve been eating for a long time that are not processed. Choose food your grandmother prepared, such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and grains.

Not too much

Food portions in the U.S. have expanded to an alarming size in recent decades. Unfortunately, the piled-high plate has become a habit, blurring our perception of what we need to eat to feel satisfied.

Experiment with food quantities, by halving what’s on the plate and waiting a while before going back for seconds.

Mostly plants

For many, meat is the dominant food on the plate with vegetables playing a side role (ever heard of a side of meat?).

Try switching things up by creating your meal around vegetables. You may notice that you feel more comfortable after eating as your system digests the lighter fare.

Keeping food choices simple for long-term benefits

As we mentioned in our last post, removing processed foods from your diet is a good start. Often, processed foods include added sugar, salt and fat. These unnecessary ingredients can lead to weight gain and contribute to chronic health issues (like diabetes and heart disease).

Also, walking into the supermarket can turn a quick trip to pick up a few things into filling the cart with boxed and canned foods. It’s an easy trap to fall into—the packaging is bright and the marketing promises ‘lower cholesterol’ or ‘improve heart health.’

Here’s something to consider: Pollan discusses the center-aisle packaged food as taking food from a beautiful, natural product and turning it into an “edible food-like substance.”

Navigating food shopping the healthy way

What if next time you dropped by the supermarket, you didn’t go down the middle food aisles?

What if you shopped in the produce section first? There are no marketing claims or complicated ingredient labels.

Most likely, your shopping experience would result in healthier choices. Moreover, that would put you on a path for eating good food, not too much and mostly plants.

 

 

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Mature senior businessman talking by mobile phone.
Medicare Plans

When Does Medicare Annual Enrollment Period End? Soon!

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

If you need to make changes to your Medicare coverage for the upcoming year, mark your calendar for December 6th! It’s when the 2020 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will end.

After that date, you will not be able to make changes to your existing Medicare coverage until next October.

In case you’ve been thinking about making changes to your existing Medicare plan, now is the time to take action!

Book your appointment as soon as possible

While December 6th may seem a ways off, November is a busy month for everyone, including your plan providers.

Additionally, Thanksgiving falls on the 28th of this year, a little over a week before the end of AEP.

If we factor in weekends, the available time for getting an appointment and processing your application starts to narrow.

Get in early to get the one-on-one attention you deserve

During AEP, your carrier’s calendar fills up fast and they get strapped for time. Each application is time-intensive, requiring much more than a simple phone call or filling out a form.

During your scheduled appointment, your plan specialist will discuss your existing benefits and any Medicare changes that may affect your plan. For instance, this year, some beneficiaries may not qualify for Medicare Plan F.

Once you and your plan specialist have worked out what you need, they’ll submit any plan changes. The insurance carrier must then approve the application.

If any adjustments need to be made, your plan specialist will let you know, discuss your options, and resubmit your application.

The AEP application process—from your consultation to plan approval—must be completed by December 6th.

How to prepare for your Medicare plan call

Once you have a scheduled appointment with your plan provider, take some time to prepare for your AEP appointment.

After all, Medicare can get complicated. That includes understanding plan changes you can make during AEP 2020.

Here are some questions to consider:

Have you had the same plan for two or more years?

It’s easy to get comfortable with an existing plan. Maybe you receive the Annual Notice of Change letter each year and figure you don’t need to make any changes.

However, your health needs may have changed—or improved. Maybe you no longer take medication because your health improved. By revisiting your prescription drug plan, you may be able to adjust your benefits and save some money on coverage costs.

Were you happy with your coverage last year?

If you made changes to your plan last AEP or started receiving Medicare benefits for the first time, you may want to assess how well your insurance plan held up.

Did you have enough coverage? Are you comfortable paying the same deductibles for another twelve months? Were there any surprises? Make a note of your experiences and share them with your plan specialist.

Are there additional services or medications you may need this year?

Maybe you and your medical provider are monitoring a health condition. Now is an excellent time to talk to your physician about a timeline for treating it.

If you decide to take action this year, you will want to make sure you have the right coverage.

Also, if you wish to make changes to your Medicare benefits, make sure your healthcare provider will accept your new plan.

Taking charge of your healthcare

If you’ve decided your Medicare benefits are working well for you, that’s great! However, should you want to make any changes to your existing coverage, you must make an appointment with your plan specialist as soon as possible.

The MySeniorHealthPlan.com team can answer all your questions and guide you through the process. Call today toll free: 877.255.6273

 

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