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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 Aug 10, 2025
Sunday Aug 10, 2025
In the "Medicare Advantage Minute" segment, the question is posed:
Will Dr. Oz push MA plans now that he has been confirmed?
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment, we learn how Medicare might cover Occupational Therapy Services.
This is all about helping with the ADLs (activities of daily living). I used to think it had something to do with gainful employment.
Client Howard writes to ask whether he is obligated to attend a Medicare Wellness visit even though his doctor pesters him to do so. Howard is suspicious that there might be a "truckload" of money involved, somehow.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
In the Medicare Advantage Minute we hear even more detail about the difficulties United Healthcare seems to be mired in. The Department of Justice is investigating charges of Medicare fraud & anti-trust violations.
So what else is new?
Your Medicare Benefits 2025: Obesity Behavioral Therapy and how Medicare might cover that if you needed it.
Soon-to-be-client Mary is wondering what action she should take to find out where her Part B Medicare application is hung up. Fortunately, Mary is an overachiever who has submitted her application early enough before her deadline that there is unlikely to be a troubling delay. That is not true for many other applicants!
"Big Fan Terry" checks in to report that his choice of a High Deductible Plan G worked out great. His Medical treatment has resulted in only a small out-of-pocket expense and his recent 8%rate increase amounted to a frightening $4 per month!
Finally, Stalker Susie has promised to try out the Kindle version of "Medicare Drug Plans; A Simple D-I-Y Guide" and report back on how useful it was in her search for the "best" (cheapest) Part D drug plan.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
In the Medicare Advantage Minute segment We address the dangers of the "Medicare Advantage Trap" and learn how one should avoid it.
The government publication "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" reveals the extent to which Medicare will (or will not) cover nursing home care.
Is there an overhaul in the works for prior authorization regulations?
According to another article, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans may face an "uncertain future".
Weiss Memorial Hospital fails its quality inspection in several categories and so has been suspended from any Medicare revenue collection.
Finally, we review the dangers, both hidden and otherwise, of untreated heartburn and acid indigestion. Not a condition to be taken lightly!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Sunday Aug 03, 2025
Sunday Aug 03, 2025
In the Medicare Advantage Minute segment, United Healthcare cites the murder of their CEO in a move to stifle criticism from the press. Gee, that should make them a lot of friends!
In a selection from "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" we learn how Medicare would cover Nebulizers and Nebulizer medications.
A couple of valued clients inform me about trouble in Paradise! They move from Minnesota to Green Valley, AZ and some alert employee of their Part D prescription drug plan decided to do a little snooping. Eventually, the Minnesota plan was cancelled and the husband was unable to obtain any more meds.
During that investigation another mystery presented itself, this one centering on a theft of enrollment; a Medicare participant was notified that her drug plan had been automatically cancelled due to enrollment in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan. That would have netted some thief a $600+ sales commission. Fortunately, the Content Curator took quick action and the damage was reversed.
Listen carefully for a hint as to how one can improve a drug plan customer service encounter.
Susan is so eager to become a client she wants to lock in her Medicare supplement plan six months ahead of time. Didn't work out exactly as planned for her.
Finally, Dirk needs some guidance as to when to enroll in Medicare, his 65th birthday month or the month his wife retires.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
In the "Medicare Advantage Minute" we hear more detail regarding the accusations about alleged misdeeds committed by America's largest Medicare Advantage insurance company.
If the accusations are anywhere close to accurate, this behemoth may be following Arthur Anderson down the drain!
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we discuss poop, specifically screening your poop for signs of disease.
The cool part is that Medicare will pay for all this fun!
Finally, how old is too old to drive? Spoiler alert: there is no one answer for everyone.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Medicare Advantage Minute announces 2019 statistics:
17% of MA claims were denied in that year but of those claims that were appealed, 57% were ultimately paid.
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn how Medicare is likely to cover Monoclonal Antibodies when they are used for the treatment of early onset Alzheimer's disease. "Early onset" is described as symptoms appearing before age 65.
Humana subsidiary CenterWell announced the purchase of bankrupt firm The Villages Health. Apparently they declared bankruptcy after discovering they owed hundreds of millions to Medicare.
How does this sort of thing sneak up on a company?
Finally, as alluded to in the headline of this episode, there was speculation about what might happen if a person insured by a High Deductible Medicare supplement. Would the family members tasked with paying the bills be burdened by extra accounting and check-writing duties in the event of a long period of disability?
My answer? Unequivocally no!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
In the "Medicare Advantage Minute" we learn that many Medicare Advantage insurance companies have stopped paying sales commissions to agents that sell some of their Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans.
Later in the episode we receive the same interesting news from Blue Shield of California. How does a company expect to sell products through insurance brokers without paying sales commissions?
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn how Medicare is likely to handle claims for Mental Health Care (Partial Hospitalization).
Finally, client Larry reported that Globe Life of NY was planning to increase the monthly premium of the HDG plan he and his wife have been enrolled in. What he may not have realized is that it was the first rate increase in four years...unheard of for any but the much-maligned HDG supplement plans!
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Our "Medicare Advantage Minute" reveals a plot to force all Medicare enrollees into the gulag of Medicare Advantage plans for a 3-year stretch.
Our new favorite listener, Stalker Susie, has been offered an assignment to evaluate the efficacy of the Kindle version of "Medicare Drug Plans; A Simple D-I-Y Guide!" I sure hope she accepts the offer!
Finally, in the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment, we learn how Medicare will likely cover Mental Health Care (Intensive Outpatient Program Services)
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Randy Carson returns to share the stories of his Grand Tour of Europe!
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn how Medicare will handle my eventual need for Mental Health Care (outpatient) after I go nuts one day.
In UnitedHealth Group news, the company has announced the cessation of commission payments to insurance brokers for some Medicare Advantage plans.
Moody's has downgraded their rating from "Stable" to "Negative". As if that weren't enough, Lefties AOC and Lloyd Doggett have formerly requested the DOJ to turn the heat up even higher!
Finally, we review a list of physician specialties rated by the practitioners'' intent to either continue or withdraw. Some of the categories were very surprising.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
The Cleaning Fairy, who claims to be a "trained & certified" SHIP advisor, gifted "Medicare for the Lazy Man" with substantial praise, calling it: Comprehensive and clear!
In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn how Medicare would be likely to cover Mental Health Care - Inpatient.
How about a list of 13 things one can get free from Medicare?
Finally, due to a situation that befell an old friend from High School, I share the results of my research on the Illinois Fair Patient Billing Act. This places limits on how medical providers can attempt debt collection but does not absolve patients of their fiscal responsibilities.
Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com
(Most severe critic: A+) Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG
Inspired by:
"MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!"
"MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE"
For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to help future readers.
Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.