She was about to turn 65, wanted to learn more about Medicare insurance and wanted coverage for visits to a naturopath. She made an appointment with a Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) volunteer counselor, who walked her through her insurance options. But the woman’s desire to see naturopathic doctors[Read More…]
Tag: GUEST COLUMN
COLUMN: For those on Medicare, Covid vaccine is no requirement
A correspondent in another state recently saw this post on social media: “It’s all about control! Do you know they will not let you be on Medicare unless you receive the vaccine!! That is how they will get us to receive the vaccine.” She knew that to be false, of[Read More…]
COLUMN: Enrollment deadline for insurance plans is Dec. 7
The pandemic is affecting even Medicare these days. A new Medicare beneficiary told the Medicare counselor that she had the Oregon Health Plan and that her Medicare began in October when she turned 65. She wanted to know if she needed to do anything. The counselor told her that she[Read More…]
COLUMN: Told your drug isn’t covered by insurance? You have options
Roger, a Medicare beneficiary, had prescription drug insurance that he liked. He liked it, that is, until his doctor prescribed a drug that the insurance wouldn’t cover. The pharmacist told Roger that the newly prescribed drug was not on the insurance company’s formulary, which is another way of saying it[Read More…]
COLUMN: From free to hundreds of dollars, Medicare Advantage premiums can be confusing. Here’s how to compare
A Salem woman planned to move to southern Oregon to be closer to family. She was enrolled in a Medicare Advantage insurance plan that she liked, but she learned it was unavailable in her new county. She sought help from a SHIBA Medicare counselor to understand her options. She had[Read More…]
COLUMN: Sometimes, free isn’t the best price when it comes to health insurance
The woman was new to Medicare. She came to the counseling session believing she wanted a no-premium Medicare Advantage insurance plan. But after reviewing her insurance options, she instead chose insurance that would cost about $150 a month. The reason? The costlier insurance would save her money in the long[Read More…]
COLUMN: Help available for seniors to trim prescription drug costs
The fellow was 65, new to Medicare, and distraught. Medicare had just deducted $145 for the monthly Part B premium from his Social Security check, and he wanted to know if he could drop Medicare altogether. His concern, he told a Medicare counselor, was that his income – less than[Read More…]
COLUMN: Help available for seniors to cover Medicare costs
Millions of Americans have had Medicare since President Johnson signed the bill into law 55 years ago. Most of them have had questions. If you want to ask a question to be answered in this column, or if you want to make an appointment with a trained counselor, see the[Read More…]
NEW FEATURE: Column for Salem Reporter tackles Medicare questions
About one in five Oregonians have Medicare, and many of them have questions about enrollment, insurance, penalties and such. More than a dozen volunteer Medicare counselors are available to help Marion and Polk residents by phone during the pandemic. To make a counseling appointment with a trained volunteer, or to[Read More…]