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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 Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Medicare MSA is alive and well in Wisconsin, just waiting for the right people to come along:
Those who will fail Medicare supplement underwriting, those who want a $0 Medicare plan that will pay them cash each year, frequent travelers willing to trade a high deductible for $0 premium....only in Wisconsin!
MA Minute: Providers are fed up with Medicare Advantage!
When you acquire a Medicare supplement from, let's say Bob's Storm Door and Supplement Company, don't ask the office clerk "Do you accept Bob's Insurance"? She'll say, No, we don't" without even thinking.
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are struggling with last minute negotiations to keep Trinity Health (with 92 hospitals) in their networks.
If my docs go away right after I could have selected a different plan during AEP, I would be really perturbed!
Alicia & the Mister want to know, "Where is your 2025 edition???"
I wish I had a good answer to that question!
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 Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
FYI, if you take expensive prescription meds, 2025 will bring a $2000 limit on out-of-pocket cost sharing for covered drugs.
This failed attempt to buy votes in the recent election has left behind a trail of unintended consequences and unanticipated turmoil.
Mr. Young pays another visit to the podcast to ask how this new limit is likely to work with his prescriptions for Otezla and Skyrizi.
My speculation is that the Feds will find a way to mess it up.
In the Medicare Advantage Minute: "The sickest patients are fleeing private Medicare plans, costing taxpayers billions!" MA plans do not like spending money on after-hospital care, no matter how great the need.
How is your Medicare supplement rated: Attained age, issue age or community? You shouldn't listen to so-called "unbiased" advisors!
A southern MD with a lengthy drug list waited too long to attempt the move to Medicare supplement. His Advantage plan's pharmacy benefit is just too good to leave for a stand alone Part D drug plan.
Steve invited himself to our Christmas party but we have to ask the sponsors their opinion, since they are the ones picking up the tab.
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 Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
It is absolutely moronic to pick a Part D prescription drug plan by recommendation from friends, neighbors or Facebook prowlers.
There is only one way to identify the "best" (cheapest) plan: A scientific search by an experienced expert.
OTHER QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THIS EPISODE:
MA Minute:
What might Trump's 2nd term mean for Medicare Advantage plans?
Diane is new to Medicare: she has six rapid-fire questions!
Joel wants to know if he is crazy: He wants to use Form SSA-44 to appeal the imposition of IRMAA on a recent retiree. No he is not!!
Finally, know that Medicare supplements are happily accepted by billing departments everywhere. If you feel compelled to ask first, learn the proper way to pose the question so you don't get a blank stare!
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 Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
In out "Medicare Advantage Minute" the question is posed.
"Is Medicare Advantage a good deal for enrollees?"
We are nudged to spend some time on correspondence from clients and potential clients. For instance
A wife charged with guiding her husband through Medicare enrollment has questions. For instance, exactly what does the term "creditable" signify?
Finally, we salute original listener and friend of the podcast Dominick Regina who sent his brother-in-law to MLM for professional Medicare guidance.
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 Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
1,000,000+ Patients are likely to lose their Advantage plan providers!
As more doctors and hospitals refuse to accept patients with Medicare Advantage insurance, those victims will have increasing difficulty finding convenient and reasonably priced treatment options.
The Medicare Advantage Minute: "Lessons from the 1990s".
As pressure on MA plans builds, the author of this article suggests that there are things to be learned from the early days of managed care Medicare plans.
Client correspondence: a New Yorker writes in to ask how he might cut down on his Medicare supplement expenses. Plan N costs him $233 while the New York equivalent of HDG would only cost $72 per month.
An Arizona wife wants to have her husband disenroll from Part B of Medicare for a few years.
Finally, listen to a new reader book review from a couple who requested High Deductible Plan G and were told it did not exist in Connecticut.
You might have seen this lie predicted in Medicare for the Lazy Man!
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 Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Tales of two mothers:
One, age 96, has a daughter that fell victim to Medicare Advantage Zombies; she was duped into offering up her mother as a sacrificial lamb.
The other was recently widowed with nobody but her insurance agent to guide her.
Fortunately, each story has a happy ending.
Finally, in the Medicare Advantage Minute, someone suggests that MA plans be contracted for longer periods, like two or three years.
At the end of this fairy tale, I explain in detail why this seemingly innocent idea should never be allowed to see the light of day.
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 Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Wake up! Time is running out to select a better drug plan for next year. Did your ANOC predict unpleasant changes for the plan you have?
In the Medicare Advantage Minute we learn about one health system's secret to Medicare Advantage success!
Medicare enrollment period scams are plentiful this year, including a "smishing" expedition!
Finally, enjoy our tutorial about SOAs (Scopes of Appointment).
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 Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Hello Baby Boomers, it's great to make your acquaintance!
We are very happy to have been invited to join you on: BABYBOOMER.ORG.
If anyone needs me, I'll be browsing all of the interesting content over on the very busy site at BABYBOOMER.ORG.
In the Medicare Advantage Minute today, we take a peek into the future with an article entitled:
"The Great Disruption Coming for Medicare Advantage!"
Finally, meet the likely new head honcho at the CMS: Dr. Oz! Are we happy to see pro-Trump doctor appointed to head up an important government department? Yes we are!
Is there some very serious cause for concern? You bet there is!
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 Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
We deliver cogent reasons to Darrell, explaining that High Deductible Plan G is the greatest!
Jim & Jill ask when it would be wise to consider changing Medicare supplement insurance companies.
In an article headed by a photo of maniacally grinning ladies at the bowling alley, we get to hear some hints about looking for a new drug plan for next years.
In the Medicare Advantage Minute, the question is "Can MA be a good deal for its participants? (Hint: Randy says "No chance!")
Most important, we welcome another McMillin into the English speaking world: Little Henry was born after 9:00 PM and was ejected from his Canadian hospital by 1:00 AM.
So much for the Communistic Canadian health system!
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 Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
A conservative podcaster's mother is suffering at home with substandard hospice care. Little Joe's Conservative Corner blames "the system" but I wonder if the real problem might be a substandard Medicare Advantage plan. If I find out, I will report back to the audience.
Recently widowed Niki wants to know if she has any recommended insurance tasks, now that her husband, my friend, has died.
Finally, Randall wants to know how Part D drug plans can stay in business while charging $0 premium each month.
Randall, you silly goose! The taxpayers are being drained to pay for this government boondoggle and the party in power is trying to convince voters they are generous benefactors.
Oops!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com Join us on BabyBoomer.ORG
(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.