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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
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Not a new story but one that bears repeating. This is one of many warnings that responsible insurance pros should share with clients.
From the "Medicare" page on Wikipedia we learn about how the hospital and nursing facility benefits are renewed after a period without the need for treatment.
Medicare supplement rate increases follow the pattern: in some places 20% increases for Plan G but 0% for HDG. Result? The smart HDG buyer saves more and risks even less.
Finally, valued client Bob is approaching his first year with United American's High Deductible Plan G. Does he need to consider alternatives that might be an improvement? Not "NO", but HELL NO!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Aug 11, 2024
Sunday Aug 11, 2024
Additionally, providers are having to write off 8.5% of patient revenue from MA members as uncollectible.
From the Medicare Wikipedia page: how you qualify for free-of-charge Part A of Medicare. What happens to hospitals with high readmission rates? Ouch!
Finally, the sad story of a patient in Bullhead City, AZ who was hauled off to the hospital and eventually died. His daughter was disgusted by the bureaucracy his Medicare Advantage insurance carrier subjected her to when she tried to have him moved to Utah to be near his family.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
When a hospital and Medicare advantage plan part ways, insurance plan members have to look for new docs elsewhere. One woman was forced to scramble to find four new docs and specialists.
Are insurance companies keeping secrets? An actuarial reporting firm is asking subscribers to rat out MA plans who intend to exit or reduce their "footprint" in a given area.
Humana & CVS have announced plans to seriously downgrade their offerings with Humana loosing "a few hundred thousand" members.
Conclusion: "Boom times for Medicare Advantage appear to be in the rear view (mirror)."
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
It can diagnose like no previous test. Can it cure? Nope, no cure yet.
Your Federal Government is auditing, setting stiff penalties for fraudulent MA charges...but tells the thieves they can just keep the cash!
More exciting prose from the Wikipedia page on "Medicare".
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Aug 04, 2024
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
Every so often a client 'fesses up and says they should have listened more carefully to my advice. Today we hear from Michael.....!
Also, we enjoy correspondence with a couple of other clients, including Marvin who was helping his 88 year-old-neighbor get away from his Medicare Advantage plan.
Also, a woman who is working to become a Medicare agent writes in to ask for advice.
During our MA minute, the headline reads:
Hospitals are dropping Medicare Advantage left and right!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Aug 01, 2024
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
Also, on our Medicare Advantage minute: Anthem Blue Cross is engaged in a dispute that could penalize hundreds of thousands!
We revisit the Medicare Wikipedia page with a description of the historical development of this massive government program.
Finally, a survey: What do people on Medicare think about Medicare?
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Jul 30, 2024
Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
Pharmacists warn of big trouble in the prescription drug supply process if the Administration's plans are instituted.
Article for our Medicare Advantage minute shows that enemies of MA plans are worlds apart when it comes to supporting freedom!
"Demystifying Medicare" drastically understates the critical importance of Medicare supplements!
Finally, Wikipedia must love Medicare because when printed out a whole tree has been sacrificed!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Jul 28, 2024
Sunday Jul 28, 2024
A large insurance firm says their agents are performing unauthorized enrollments and plan switches to enrich themselves to the detriment of their unsuspecting clientele.
In our Medicare Advantage Minute we hear the majority of providers say that frustrations caused by prior authorization demands are growing.
How about a new problem to watch out for? The US Postal Inspection Service is warning about "Brushing Scams". Who knew?
Finally, a few more paragraphs from the massive Wikipedia page for "Medicare".
This would make a great series of bedtime stories for the grandchildren!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Jul 25, 2024
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
That is our selection for today's Medicare Advantage Minute.
Also, I plug my friend's new book of non-woke wisdom and witticisms: "How It Used to Be"!
Finally, a person under age 65 in Virginia with Medicare is only able to purchase Medicare Supplement Plan A. Since I have a client in that position, and he asked for details, we list the differences between Plan A and Plans G & HDG.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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 Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
In every episode we celebrate a "Medicare Advantage Minute" by sharing a short article or parts of a longer article.
Today's selection: Health Providers Irked at the Behavior of Medicare Advantage Plans; Some Refuse to Take Them!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
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.