My Senior Health PlanLong-Term Care Insurance: 3 Common Misconceptions
Like any insurance plan, long-term care insurance provides financial relief when you need it most. However, long-term care insurance is expensive. Given the expense, people put off buying a long-term care (LTC) policy or even making a plan for their future care needs. But if they do need it (and the odds are higher as people age), and care facility costs and home-care provider fees start to build up, the premium can provide financial support and peace of mind. Here are three common misconceptions why people think they don’t need an LTC plan and why rethinking that approach is important:
Continue readingWhat is the Medicare Special Enrollment Period?
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
Continue readingHow to Enroll in Medicare if You’re Working Past 65
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
Continue readingMedicare OEP 2020: How to Make Changes to Your Medicare Advantage 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
Continue readingThe Secret to Simple, Healthy Eating—in Seven Words
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
Continue readingWhen Does Medicare Annual Enrollment Period End? Soon!
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
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