End-of-Year Medicare Checklist: Use Benefits Before They Reset

end of year medicare checklist

An end of year medicare checklist is the simplest way to stop leaving money and coverage on the table. Medicare runs on the calendar year. On January 1, deductibles reset, drug spending totals go back to zero, and most Medicare Advantage extras vanish unused. Millions of beneficiaries never touch dental allowances, vision credits, or over-the-counter … Read more

Medicare Annual Notice of Change: What to Look For

medicare anoc explained

medicare anoc explained is the single most useful thing a beneficiary can understand before fall arrives. Every September, roughly 34 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage and tens of millions more with Part D drug coverage receive a thick envelope from their insurer. Inside is the Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC. It is not … Read more

Why September Is the Best Month to Start AEP Research

september aep research medicare

september aep research medicare planning starts long before enrollment opens. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 every year. Yet the most important paperwork arrives weeks earlier. Plans must mail your Annual Notice of Change by September 30. That letter explains what happens to your coverage on January 1. Table of … Read more

Summer Health Screenings Covered by Medicare at No Cost

free medicare health screenings

Free medicare health screenings are one of the most underused benefits in the entire program. Part B covers dozens of preventive tests at no charge, yet millions of beneficiaries never schedule them. Research published in Health Affairs found that use of the Annual Wellness Visit among eligible beneficiaries rose only from 7.5% in 2011 to … Read more

7 Medicare Mistakes to Avoid When You Enroll

medicare tips

Table of Contents Medicare Coverage for Prosthetics and Orthotics How Disability Beneficiaries Avoid the Part D Penalty Medicare for People With Heart Failure Medicare Part B for Diabetic Supplies and Equipment Medicare and Cancer Treatment: What’s Covered Medicare Coverage for Home Health Care How SSDI Recipients Choose a Medicare Plan Practical Medicare Tips Before You … Read more

Spring Medicare Checkup: Review Your Coverage Mid-Year

spring medicare coverage review

Spring Medicare coverage review season is the part of the year almost nobody talks about. The fall Annual Enrollment Period gets the commercials, the mailers, and the phone calls. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period wraps up on March 31. After that, most beneficiaries assume the file is closed until October. That assumption costs people … Read more

January Medicare Changes: What Is New in Your Plan This Year

january medicare plan changes

January Medicare plan changes arrive quietly, but they can reshape what you pay all year. Every January 1, new plan documents take effect. Formularies shift. Provider networks get trimmed or expanded. Deductibles reset to zero, and cost-sharing rules start fresh. Table of Contents What Drives January Medicare Plan Changes Each Year Part D Redesign, Drug … Read more

How to Appeal a Part D Coverage Denial

appeal part d denial

Appeal Part D denial decisions quickly, because Medicare gives you a short window and a real chance of winning. Every year, millions of prescriptions get rejected at the pharmacy counter. The plan may say the drug is off-formulary. It may demand prior authorization or step therapy first. Many beneficiaries simply pay cash or go without. … Read more