Medicare
Medicare Annual Enrollment in South Texas: dates, rules and what to do
AEP runs October 15 to December 7. What the window covers, who it applies to, and how to prepare if you live in Hidalgo, Cameron or Starr county.
Medicare
What is Medicare and how does it work?
Medicare is federal health coverage that starts at 65 for most people. Here is what each part pays for and the two paths you choose between.
Medicare
How much does Medicare cost per month?
Medicare is not free. Here is every piece that has a price tag, which ones you can control, and where the current year figures come from.
Medicare
Do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65 if I am still working?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and the deciding factor is how many people your employer has. Getting this wrong costs you for life.
Medicare
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Two different programs with names that sound alike. One is based on age, the other on income, and in Texas the Medicaid rules are stricter than most people expect.
Medicare
What is the Medicare late enrollment penalty and how do I avoid it?
Two separate penalties, both permanent, both easy to avoid if you know the deadline. Here is how each one is calculated.
Medicare
What are the parts of Medicare (A, B, C and D)?
Four letters, two of them government coverage and two of them private. Here is what each one does and how they fit together.
Medicare
What does Medicare Part A and Part B cover?
A line by line look at what Original Medicare pays for, plus the well known items it does not touch.
Medicare
Is Medicare free? Is Part A free?
Part A has no premium for most people, which is not the same as free. Here is every charge Medicare still sends your way.
Medicare
When can I sign up for Medicare?
Every Medicare enrollment window on one page, so you can find which one you are in and what it lets you do.
Medicare
What is the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?
The seven month window around your 65th birthday, and why the three months before it are the only ones that avoid a coverage gap.
Medicare
How do I enroll in Medicare online?
Medicare enrollment runs through Social Security, not Medicare.gov. Here is the actual process, what you need on hand, and what it does not cover.
Medicare
What is IRMAA and will I pay more for Medicare based on my income?
A surcharge on Part B and Part D for higher earners, calculated from a tax return two years old. Here is how to see it coming and how to appeal it.
Medicare
Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Original Medicare covers almost none of it. Here is exactly where the lines fall and what your realistic options are.
Medicare
Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?
Not under Parts A and B in the way you would expect. Drug coverage is its own decision, and skipping it has a permanent cost.
Medicare
What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
The single biggest decision you make at 65. Here is an honest comparison, including the part about switching back that nobody mentions.
Medicare
Can I keep my own doctor with Medicare?
With Original Medicare, almost always. With an Advantage plan, it depends on the network, and networks change every January.
Medicare
What happens if I miss my Medicare enrollment deadline?
Two consequences: a permanent penalty and a wait for coverage to begin. Here is what your options are and how to move fast.
Medicare
How do I apply for Medicare if I delayed past 65?
Applying late has an extra step most people miss: the employment verification forms that keep you out of a penalty.
Medicare
Do I need Medicare if I have insurance through my employer?
Which plan pays first depends on your employer's size, and getting it backwards leaves you holding bills you assumed were covered.
Medicare
What is the Medicare Part B premium and why did mine change?
How the Part B premium is set, the four things that make yours different from your neighbor's, and what to do when it jumps.