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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 Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
In Texas, South West Health Resources is ending their Medicare advantage plans due to "headwinds" from our Medicare Advantage Minute.
Your Medicare Benefits 2024 describes how Medicare will cover checkups and testing for female problems.
David writes a lengthy paragraph full of questions about how the insurance each of his family members will be affected when he enrolls in Tricare For Life.
Talk about a complicated situation!
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 Feb 09, 2025
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
According to "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" Medicare will pay to have your cataracts burned off those baby-blues! You might have some decisions to make, though.
United Healthcare lost another of their in-network hospital chains in six states: Trinity Hospitals.
Finally, a fan of MLM named Lola wrote in with a perplexing question:
She is on Medicaid and will soon turn 65. Can she ignore Medicare? Turns out, Perplexity AI said no, she can't. The good news is that after she enrolls in Medicare, Medicaid may step up to pay the Part B premium for a "dual eligible" like Lola.
Last I heard, she was heading for the phone to confirm this with her Medicaid caseworker!
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 Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
In the Medicare Advantage Minute, a hospital chain based in Huntsville, AL and environs parts company with United Healthcare, leaving many former members in the lurch.
If you acquire a caregiver (or "caretaker" as I prefer), and that person needs some training in order to perform effectively, Medicare will assist in accomplishing that.
In a lengthy segment we wrap up the podcast by listing nine changes affecting Medicare in 2025.
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 Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
United Healthcare sues the Feds due to a reduction in star ratings. This trouble started with a single marketing call that went south; probably a secret shopper.
Learn how Medicare would cover cardiovascular counseling and screenings. If your doc accepts Medicare reimbursement you will probably pay nothing for these procedures.
A lengthy list of insurance company rate filings shows that we are still suffering the ill-effects of a long inflationary spiral.
Finally, Steve's brother-in-law strongly suggested the purchase of "Medicare for the Lazy Man". While waiting for delivery he thought up some questions, the answers to which may help guide his next steps.
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 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.