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Lighthearted Medicare advice and opinions from longtime expert Douglas B. Jones, CLU, RHU. Drawn from his book: Medicare for the Lazy Man (an Amazon best seller), Doug's advice provides a simple road map to the best Medicare insurance protection available on the market today!
Episodes
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
In the MLM Medicare Advantage Minute we address the following:
"Insurers Brought In $50 Billion Through Questionable Diagnoses!"
It's an old story that never seems to end; evidence is that MA plans are fabricating "proof" of the rotten health of many of their clients, thereby earning larger payments from the US Treasury! This is known as "Upcoding".
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" we take a look at Cardiac Rehab and how Medicare would cover that if your heart problems required serious medical intervention.
Then we read a list of the top 20 hospitals in the US which have maintained pricing transparency. In my opinion, that is the last item on the mind of someone who requires hospitalization!
Toni King fields a question: Should I purchase a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan?
In the view of this reporter there is only one answer to that question.
A client writes to ask what his Medicare supplement's next premium increase is likely to be and whether it would be time to do some shopping for a better price on a different plan, maybe using the Nevada Birthday rule?
Finally, consider the likely increase characteristics with Plan G as opposed to High Deductible Plan G as the years pass.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
In our Medicare Advantage Minute for today we take it to the enemy with, "Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Fall Again!"
An excerpt from "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" explains the coverage available for Medicare participants who need artificial eyes or limbs.
Evidence of inflation in the health insurance arena: a list of the Medicare plans which have filed for rate increases in various states.
Finally, Jim checks in again with advice from his employer's group insurance agent. Good advice, generally speaking!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A++) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Medicare Advantage Minute:
Humana's profit prospects dim as star ratings drop off a cliff! Their clients in four+ star rated plans fall from 94% to 25%.
The exciting excerpt from "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" addresses Ambulatory Surgical Centers.
Finally, a discussion of one source of potential food contamination devolves into a wide-ranging discussion of the state of freedoms in America.
Free association? You be the judge!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A++) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
In the Medicare Advantage Minute we learn that Premera, one of the 54 members of the BC/BS Association, is ending the sale of MA plans.
Deep in the pages of "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" we find that Medicare will pay for needed canes as they do for DME (Durable Medical Equipment). White paint is extra.
A newcomer named Vince needs advice about how to help his recently arrived father. A Vietnam era Marine, Vince Sr. seemed to be having trouble with the VA and with his dental health.
Stay tuned for an update!
Finally, a newly discovered New York program offers affordability help with expensive meds:
EPIC: Elderly Pharmacy Insurance Coverage Program (only in New York)
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
We start out with the Medicare Advantage Minute, in which the article stated, "The Medicare Advantage world is facing turmoil!"!
If you can medically qualify for a Medicare supplement, it is time for you to dis-enroll from your MA plan, return to Original Medicare and purchase a supplement.
I recommend High Deductible Plan G!
From "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" come articles about how Medicare covers braces and breasts. More specifically braces for: arms, legs, backs and necks and for breasts: prosthesis!
As mentioned above, Diane applied for Medicare supplement coverage scheduled to start in a couple of months. Find out what almost queered the deal!
If you plan to move out of the US for a few years, will you be allowed to suspend your Medicare, supplement and drug plan until you return?
Let me ask you a question, "Will you be working for a company with group health insurance"? If not, the answer is very simple.
Finally, we review the three types of relationships a doctor may have with Medicare.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
In the Medicare Advantage Minute segment, we learn:
"MA Customers Face A Shrinking Pool of Insurers!"
The item for today in "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" is: Bone Mass Measurements, diagnosing Osteoporosis; what are the eligibility criteria and how are these tests covered by Medicare?
Stay tuned for an interview with an actual Osteoporosis patient who understands the risks and consequences of this condition.
Finally Toni King, our favorite (easily distracted) Medicare Belle, takes a question from Evelyn who asks what her recourse is when her local Social Security office loses her application paperwork and refuses to correct the mistake.
Recommendation: rat them out to your Congressman and ask for his intervention.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A++) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Cigna Insurance, on the verge of being acquired by a BC/BS holding company, joins the stampede to scale back its Medicare Advantage footprint in eight states.
Would you prefer a blood test to a colonoscopy? I sure would!
Find out how Medicare will pay for such a test...if you qualify.
How about cataract surgery? Clear up your vision and let Medicare pay the cost plus buy you a pair of glasses to boot!
Check out the Medicare payment rules and how you might benefit.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A++) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
In today's MA Minute, we hear about the downside of managed care. That is the part where insurance company accountants manage your care rather than you or your doctors!
There is power in those green eyeshades!
In "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" we learn about blood, or rather how Medicare will pay for procedures involving blood.
Finally, the Social Security Administration is in charge of signing people up for Medicare. In some places, it doesn't seem too interested in doing its job!
One soon-to-be client had to call his senator in order to shake loose some action on his application. Another found out they lost his original application, found it, mishandled it and eventually, maybe accidentally, managed to get it together just in time.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A++) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Unlike more traditional escorts, these will see to it that you arrive home safely after a rough day at the clinic.
Headline in the Medicare Advantage Minute:
Insurers collect billions in dubious Medicare Advantage payments. "Dubious" because many members were reported as having grievous conditions. After payments, MA plans reported no follow-up visits. Fraudulent? You make the call!
According to "Your Medicare Benefits 2024", If you need behavioral health integration services, Medicare will use the Psychiatric Collaborative Care model. Don't ask me, I am perfectly well adjusted.
Finally, the current state of medical inflation is suggested by many of the rate increases sought by Medicare supplement carriers in their various jurisdictions.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
The more gold stars a Medicare Advantage plan is gifted by the government, the deeper it is allowed to reach into the US Treasury!
On the other hand, a Barium enema can lead to early diagnosis of cancer, so I will take the Barium every time!
Finally, we present a short tutorial on how arbitrary and petty Medicare supplement rate setters can be.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2024; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.