Health

If we raised the enrollment age of Medicare to correspond to the Full Retirement Age of Medicare - (almost 67) - then it would be so much easier for people to understand the process and timely complete their enrollment. It was like this before - I think it should go back to that way again. There would be far fewer late enrollment penalties assessed for Part B particularly. There are other + reasons too like saving cost to the (Part A) program while adding contributions. Your opinion?   

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    Get ready for your Part D premiums to escalate -   KFF.org - 04/24/2024 - A New Use Opens the Door for Medicare Coverage for MILLIONS from the link ~ lots more at the link tooThe FDA recently approved a new use for Wegovy (semaglutide), the blockbuster anti-obesity drug, to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese. Wegovy belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists that were initially approved to treat type 2 diabetes but are also highly effective anti-obesity drugs. The new FDA-approved indication for Wegovy paves the way for Medicare coverage of this drug and broader coverage by other insurers. Medicare is currently prohibited by law from covering Wegovy and other medications when used specifically for obesity. However, semaglutide is covered by Medicare as a treatment for diabetes, branded as Ozempic.

I'm trying to sort out how to receive unscheduled medical care while travelling. My current primary care provider in the Northern Virginia area will not provide telehealth services unless you are physically in the state at the time of the call.  So if you're on Medicare and just need a consultation and maybe a prescription to treat a minor illness, are there any other options other than visiting a local urgent care facility?

   I cannot find mobile home insurance asap & don't recommend Hartford please.  

I am still attempting to get my wife added as a dependent on my Delta Dental policy.  This started in November of last year - it is now May 1. In November of 2023, I contacted the Delta Dental customer advocate about adding my wife as a dependent.  They required an affidavit from the former company that we were cancelling the former policy and a cover letter with all pertinent information - and also required that the documents be SNAIL-MAILED to a processing address.  I did all of this. All that they did was change the name on the policy to hers.  With my birthdate.  This caused the premium notices to carry her name, so I thought that the request had been completed. This January, when I discovered the mistake, I began a conversation with another Delta Customer Advocate named Ladoris Walker.  She was very nice and it sounded like the situation was well in hand.  It turns out, though, that all she could do was issue requests to Delta.&nbs

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and challenging your brain may reduce some of the changes to attention and memory that can occur as you age. Start incorporating daily brisk walks into your routine, and read this article to explore five other habits that may benefit brain health. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more tips on healthy living.

Sort of new to medigap/supplemental plan and was surprised to receive letter June 2023 that my 2023 plan G is hiking up my premium by $10.85 starting in Aug 2023 and then another hike of $7.19 for 2024 till July 2024.  Is this normal?  Does UHC do rate hikes mid-year?  That is like 6% for rest of 2023 and a bit over 4% for 2024.  

Why is the AARP welcoming the privatization of Medicare? I thought more members and people in general should know the AARP earns as much as $814 million annually from insurers advertising the plans. The safety net so many rely on for dignity and basic care is being gutted and AARP is happily joining right in as far as I can tell. With this kind of 'advocacy' there won't be any Medicaid left by the time I retire, let alone the gaps I am soon going to have to help my parents navigate. Shame on you, AARP.

Turn up the radio. Sing a song. Dance around the room or pick up a guitar. Making and enjoying music can stimulate your brain, trigger memories and emotions, connect you with others and enrich your life, according to a report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH). How exactly does this happen? According to the GCBH report, music engages multiple parts of the brain and helps them work together. So kick up your heels, turn up the volume and sing out loud the next time you’re in the shower. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

I have surveyed the AARP archives and find no articles on the political risk to Social Security and Medicare posed by the current Republican Party’s platform. As a former Republican I attended a meeting where the guest speaker former Utah  US Representative Jason Chaffitz. I was shocked as he described the current Republican plan to eliminate Social Security and Medicare. ASRP is a defacto retired person’s information source. I’m amazed that this issue is not more thoroughly covered since it affects a majority of it’s members.  

I had a medication that was ordered and paid for on 4/2.  They said it would be here on 4/8.  Then the arrival date changed to 4/19.  There's a picture of the med inside the order processing page which showed a different generic. So today I checked the Optum page again and it showed the order on hold saying I needed to call them.  Ugh.I forsaw a 2 hour phone call where I could not understand a word being said. Called just now and a woman from the US answered - i was shocked.  I asked whether I had actually reached Optum, lol. She explained my medication was not available from any of the 12 generic manufacturers and this was considered a 'long term' hold but said the original med could be ordered instead.  I suppose this is related to the covid situation - no fault of Optum. I was transferred to another rep who went through the whole thing with me and the cost was more but I need the med and understood the cost would be more so she went ahead

Knowledge is power, and taking the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins can give you a view into how you’re performing today. Previously available to AARP members at a cost of $14, the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins is now available to AARP members and registered users on aarp.org at no cost. What’s more, you can retake them every 30 days to continue to learn about strategies to help support brain health as you age. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

 Some info for those who are experiencing a higher rate of increase on their MediGAP plan premiums in 2024 - You are not alone - no matter the insurer.  TELOS Actuarial Blog - Medicare Supplement Rate Action - 2024 Q1 Update   As you can see from the charts on Medigap Plan G and Plan N from all of these insurers - rates are going up in 2024 no matter the insurer.   Although UHC does seem to be the highest in 2024 but either similar or less in previous years.  

For two years running, I've had trouble with the coverage for my eye exam.  My ophthalmologist (in network) does a comprehensive exam, as I have MD, including refraction (vision test for glasses).  My Humana advantage plan. Mandatory Supplemental Vision Benefit VIS752, says (P88) says I get covered forRoutine Eye Exam (includes refraction) (1 per calendar year)OR• Refraction exam (1 per calendar year) when completed at the same appointment as a Medicare covered comprehensive eye examThe ophthalmologist bill lists 3 services: 92014, 92015,92134. The other exams get covered but the refraction (92015) is rejected by Humana with the following message:Message:THIS ROUTINE VISION PROCEDURE IS NOT ALLOWED SEPARATELY. YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AMOUNT.I got billed for the refraction but, when I call the eye dr, they say it was rejected by Humana and I should call Humana.  Humana subcontracts to EyeMed and told me to call them.  EyeMed says they never processed the cla

We all start out in life with hopes, dreams and aspirations. But at some point many of us get distracted and lose our focus. Watch this TED Talk with hip-hop artist Cordae as he describes his journey from mixtape-dropping high school kid to Grammy-nominated music star whose “Hi Level” mindset helps him achieve his dreams. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Hartford is no longer the best choice for AARP members as Hartford is canceling your insurance or raising your rates at random and AARP should be aware that Hartford insurance is canceling members liability insurance if they have 2 automobile claims in 1 year even if the claim didn't involve a liability claim. Time for AARP to team up with a different insurance company for its members. Hartford is looking to be a poor choice.

ANY COMMENTS?  🤔  I AM SO GLAD I AVOIDED THESE PENALTIES!  😎 FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE. While nearly all Americans become eligible for the Medicare health insurance program when they turn 65, many people delay signing up for various reasons. These delays are an important issue, because missing key deadlines can lead to late-enrollment penalties, specifically for people who wait too long to enroll in Medicare Part B (physician and other outpatient services) or Part D (outpatient prescription drug coverage). People who incur late-enrollment penalties pay them along with their monthly premiums—and usually must pay the penalty for the rest of their lives. By Harriet Komisar, AARP Public Policy Institute & Keith Lind, AARP Public Policy Institute. Published March 15, 2024. https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/health/coverage-access/millions-pay-medicare-late-enrollment-penalties-missing-deadline/

Has anyone encountered a hospital stay that the hospital billed insurance as observation stay?this happened to us and certain medications administered as hospital observation (vs admitted hospital) does not fall under Part D.  I was told I had to submit those charges directly to my part D.  The hospital cannot bill part d.  I did this (I was provided the charges from hospital only after I paid the bill)I sent to part d and out of $300 plus bill, they paid less than $10.any comment or help

 This is just FYI - so you know.  You can find out all about them on this page of AARP.org website:    AARP SERVICES Manages Member Benefits Providers   From the link -Who We Work WithWith unmatched data, decades of experiential insights, and go-to-market expertise, AARP Services has enabled many companies to grow reach and market share. We work with over 40 companies in the following industries:Health & WellnessFinancial Products and ServicesCaregiving SolutionsInsurance productsTravel & LeisureEntertainment, Shopping and Dining DiscountsHome & TechnologyHere are a few of the companies we work with:Delta Dental, New York Life, Barclays, The Hartford, United Healthcare, Expedia, Wyndham Hotel & Resorts, Denny’s, Foremost Insurance Group, Consumer Cellular... and many more.

Yes, I am trying to get a Medtronic Insulin Pump and the CMG that goes with it. I have been going back and forth with my Medicare Advantage Plan Company and the ones that are contracted to handle both plus the supplies that go with it. I have been going back and forth for the last two weeks. Finally, they approved the Insulin Pum and supplies but they say the CGM is not covered. After doing extensive research I have found out that Medicare and Advantage Plans are required since 2023. To give both including supplies and I has the patient will be required to pay 20%. What do I need to do? Contact Medicare directly or who do I need to speak with about this? Thanks

Hello. I have never seen this, and if my mother were not moribund, and I wanted to take one last look at things before she dies "in a few days," I noted a high and bizarre charge billed to Medicare, which they paid, and because she has full Medicaid, I presume they got resident bed money through that route too. It seems they are double-dipping, but perhaps it is no different than when she goes to the real hospital and I think some money is paid to the facility to hold her bed. I cannot be certain of this because the piece I am missing is what Medicaid pays when she goes to the real hospital. They recently bill out a 14 day elective hospitalization, which is a farce. They moved her, after making sure she got infected with Covid, and is why I believe she is dying, to another wing, with no further amenities, and the same roommate to boot. How can she both be a resident under LTC Medicaid AND be a "hospital" inpatient? Has anyone ever seen this before? Thanks!

Our brains thrive on a diet rich in seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. But what are the key vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in these foods? Scientists have identified a number of strong contenders. You might be tempted to take supplements to get these nutrients, but a report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health says that “for most people, the best way to get your nutrients for brain health is from a healthy diet.” Read more about 7 essential nutrients for brain health in this article. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

I'm 67 years old and joined Medicare parts A and B when I become eligible at 65. I'm also an expat living more than 40 years in Japan, and plan on living here the rest of my life. I signed up because I read about late penalties and I thought maybe Medicare could be used as health insurance during trips to the U.S. But reading these details in AARP articles makes me think that Medicare is crazy complicated and not worth it. If I got stuck in the U.S. I could use a tiny fraction of my premiums to flee back to Japan, where I'm a permanent resident, and where there are no donut holes, and there are definitely caps on co-payments!If I leave part B, does part A, which is free, have any value? If I decide to join part B again for some reason I know there is some penalty to catch up on unpaid months, but will they take into account the nearly 3 years I've paid my premium? With my national health insurance here - and my premiums being about what I'm also paying for Medicare,

 I had Delta Dental through a corporation for years. When I switched to the AARP Delta Dental plan I didn't know that they were supposed to waive my one-year exclusionary period for crowns and they didn't waive it so I ended up paying half of the cost of the crown myself. By the time I found out what my rights were, Delta Dental said it was too late to appeal. I really can't recommend the AARP Delta Dental plan to anyone and I think AARP should drop them. Wondering if anyone else has had this kind of experience with Delta Dental. Seems to me it's a deny, deny, deny kind of approach to taking care of AARP members who trust AARP's recommendations.