119.7K
Downloads
903
Episodes
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
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Three states have recently instituted the Birthday Rule, allowing Medicare supplement policyholders to make changes without evidence of good health.
Surprisingly, the otherwise conservative state of Idaho has also instituted mandatory use of community rating for all newly issued supplement policies.
Is it a case of creeping Communism?
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Three states have passed legislation to liberalize Medicare supplement regulations for insurance companies operating under their jurisdiction.
Big changes often start with baby steps and these small modifications could presage larger changes coming down the pike.
We also dip into the MLM Mailbag to answer questions from a couple of correspondents seeking some clarification.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
Don't worry, though. If you need to replace yours, it will only take 30 days, according to CMS. They encourage you to use your "My Medicare" or My Social Security" account to order that replacement card. They pledge to waste no time getting that card to you in 30 days (or so).
Also, Ken (of Ken & Schelly) shows he is gaining experience in spotting Medicare advantage plan scams and possibly illegal come-ons!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
A phone call to listener Steve's local SSA office produced a disappointing answer: in spite of the slow execution of their duties, official enrollment deadlines will not be relaxed!
Also, how does little Nora McMillin motivate around her house?
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
One reason for the whopper of a premium increase may be evaporating: the experimental Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm has just had its price slashed.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Bottom line: The Department of Veterans Affairs strongly encourages eligible veterans to enroll in Medicare. VA benefits alone may not provide the most convenient, optimum protection for everyone.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Friday Jan 14, 2022
Friday Jan 14, 2022
Medicare supplement plans that offer comprehensive protection cost more money and typically have larger annual rate increases.
High deductible (high value) plans offer the greatest bang for your bucks!
Also, a letter from BC/BS of Oklahoma sheds some light on contract negotiations with the doctors that belong to their network of providers.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
In this reunion, we address Medicare supplement premium calculations, speculate on the direction of future premium changes, and review one company's excellent history of rate stability.
Then came Becky's question about the medical claims paid for professional treatment she has sought. This can be complicated and frustrating subject for detail-oriented nitpickers like Becky & me.
Unfortunately, the best advice I could offer was to call claim experts at the company for help!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
In Oklahoma, negotiations are at an impasse between some physicians and BCBSOK networks. Unless resolved, this will inconvenience patients who expect to undergo surgery without excessive levels of pain.
This sort of service disruption is a drawback of Medicare advantage plans. Clients have no control over changes that might make the provider network unsatisfactory after they have signed up for another year.
Much happier is the tale of Rudy who, when he discovered the punitive IRMAA penalty he was expected to pay upon enrolling in Medicare, told the government to "shove it" and enrolled as a dependent on his wife's plan for a much smaller monthly premium.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Many dentists will not participate in dental insurance plans because of the discounts they must accept. They do not belong to any dental PPO or HMO networks, which leaves many patients out in the cold.
I offer a dental insurance plan that will pay benefits no matter who your dentist is. If your dentist doesn't belong to the Careington network, just have the staff give you an itemized invoice, send it to Manhattan Life and wait for your benefit check to arrive!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+)
Inspired by "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever! (2021)" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com