ArcaMax

Toni,

This is my first Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, and I don't know anything about this process. How do I find out which options are best for me? I have some health problems and I’m concerned about making a change. Which Medicare health plan and prescription drug plan do I choose? Will I have to answer health questions to qualify? ...Read more

Hello, Toni:

My husband and I are enrolled in Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and Part D coverage. We will be moving to England and then return to the United States in a few years. I understand that there is no coverage from Medicare for overseas expenses and that we should seek a medical plan if there are issues while not in the United ...Read more

Dear Toni,

My mother had to go into the hospital this week with a urinary tract infection and pneumonia, then she slipped and bumped her head. No concussion, but she is very weak, so we are asking that she be placed into a skilled nursing facility to build her strength back up.

Since she disenrolled at the last Medicare Annual Enrollment ...Read more

This week’s Toni Says Medicare column consists of “what if” Medicare questions from Toni Says readers around the United States.

Q: What if I did not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when I turned 65 and I am taking an expensive medication? When can I enroll in a Part D plan?

A: When one fails to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan at the...Read more

Hello Toni:

I am a human resources manager for a local oil and gas company and have a question about an employee who is turning 65. His situation is a little different because next month he will begin receiving chemotherapy for cancer. I’m not sure how to advise him because technically he is working full-time. He has 5 months of pay from ...Read more

Hello Toni,

I have collected your articles on Medicare for years from the local newspaper. I turn 65 on Oct. 20 and am preparing to retire in February. I have a question about my enrollment timing.

I plan to work through January 2024 to help with the transition of my job responsibilities. I am planning to enroll in Medicare Part A and B ...Read more

Dear Toni,

I retired last June when my employer offered a great retirement package with COBRA at no cost for me and my husband for 18 months, which ends this December 31. I am 62 and will not be enrolling in Medicare for a while. My husband, John, is 72, and he enrolled in Medicare Part B in June of 2022 when our COBRA began, because he was ...Read more

Dear Toni,

I applied for a long-term care policy but was denied due to having a pacemaker installed in January. The agent who presented the LTC plan suggested that I apply for cancer insurance to help with out-of-pocket cost in case I have cancer issues.

I had not applied for long-term care because I do not turn 65 until this October. Now I ...Read more

Hello Toni:

The first week my wife and I moved to Houston from Oklahoma, I had a wonderful surprise in my front yard: There was your Medicare column discussing different Medicare options for someone with health issues.

I am 70 years old and am seeking medical care for colon cancer. I enrolled in the Medicare Advantage HMO when I was in ...Read more

Dear Toni:

I need your help about enrolling in Part B or delaying it. I am self-employed with an individual under-65 health insurance plan that covers me and my wife. I have been told by friends that since I am still working, paying taxes and have health insurance, I do not need Part B when I turn 65.

A business associate who is also self-...Read more

Dear Toni,

My husband has met his 24th month of being on Social Security Disability, which qualifies him for Medicare. His disability is due to a severe case of Parkinson’s. On August 1 his Medicare Parts A and B will begin, but he is only 64. I am not sure what he should do when he turns 65 in March.

With Paul’s serious Parkinson’s ...Read more

Dear Toni,

I’m losing the battle with Social Security about me and my wife enrolling in Medicare Part B since I am losing my group benefits effective July 31. I took early retirement during October 2022 and both my wife and I have been under company group health benefits. I now found out that I had to be an active employee to enroll in ...Read more

My problem is different from most couples that I read about in the Toni Says Medicare column. I am finding out that my company’s group health plan is not paying for any Medicare Part B medical expense since my ‘husband’ is a domestic partner. We have been together for over 25 years but never officially married. Richard is 72 and I am a 58...Read more

I am a confused baby boomer who needs to make my Medicare decision by November when I turn 65. I do not know where to start or what to do.

Can you please help simplify this ordeal? Thanks, Toni.

--Stephanie from Phoenix

Hi Stephanie:

Don’t feel alone, because someone will enroll in Medicare every 8 seconds every day for ...Read more

Hello Toni,

I have been laid-off. My husband, Art, who is 70, has been covered under my company’s insurance for the past 15 years. I have opted not to take my company’s COBRA offer, because I can get an equivalent monetary pay out that should cover my insurance premiums for more than a year. (I am 64 and have gotten quotes from the ...Read more

Toni:

In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey absolutely devastated my wife. Now, her 88-year-old mother is in an assisted living facility, and we live over 10 miles away from her.

What can we do to be prepared for another hurricane, tornado or other emergency, should it happen in our area to protect the elderly? We are concerned the assistant ...Read more