I know that everyone is so sick of all the Medicare commercials on TV.  We are ALL familiar with the Big H, I cannot say the name because they will have lawyers sending me letters.  I saw one this morning as I was getting ready to come into the office.  It had me in stitches…laughing, yet crying that these big insurance companies think Seniors and people on Medicare are so stupid.  Yet again, it also is simply criminal that they have made Medicare plans so confusing that we actually feel “stupid” when trying to get a drug plan comparison or decide between going with a Medigap/Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan.

This particular company actually had huge pieces of Swiss cheese to help us understand the “holes” in Medicare. The first piece of cheese had lots of holes in it showing what Original Medicare does not cover.  The second piece of cheese had less holes when you purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan, and the third piece of Swiss cheese only had one hole left for Part D drug coverage.  They were trying to help you understand that if you get their Medicare Advantage Plan that you will have NO HOLES IN YOUR MEDICARE PIECE OF CHEESE.

I WILL GIVE YOU A FEW MOMENTS TO STOP LAUGHING!

#1 – Original Medicare Parts A & B pay 80% of your doctor and hospital costs.  If you get a Medicare Supplement this covers the other 20%.

#2 - If you get a Medicare Part D drug plan comparison and choose a stand alone Part D plan you will have no more holes in your cheese.

The 2 options above are the only 2 things you need to have the best, most comprehensive, choice oriented coverage the Medicare system has to offer.

When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan you have no network of doctors or hospitals that may or may not take the coverage.  They aslo try to intice you with gym memberships, wellness care, dental care…etc….But, folks, THESE ARE JUST TEASER OPTIONS.  The actual benefits are not worth the risk you take in joining Medicare Advantage plans…….UNLESS

#1. You cannot afford the premium on a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan

#2. You are disabled and there is no Medicare Supplement offered in your state or you cannot afford the premiums.

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE SMELL OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY CUTTING THE CHEESE ON YOU!

Dear Readers,

I am still getting many questions about this subject.  I called Medicare myself and was told that there is NO law that requires you to file a claim on any kind of insurance plan.   If you have a fender bender and decide to pay for the repairs yourself, is that against the law?  NO!

Part D is insurance for your drugs.  It is totally up to you whether or not you want to file a claim for any purchase of any medications.

If a pharmacy tells you they have to file a claim:

1. They are telling a lie in order to receive a higher re-embursement from the government.

2. Report them to Medicare at 800-633-4227 and issue a formal complaint against them.

Some people find it easier to go to one drug store for their generics, and another for their brands.  At the generic store, do not give them your Part D Plan card or your Social Security number.  All they need to process your prescription is your date of birth, phone number and address.

Then make them show you that they did not file a claim.  It should be located on your prescription receipt if it says CASH, or the name or ID number of your Part D Plan.  Also, check your statement from your drug plan like it was your bank statement monthly and make sure that no generics were charged.

Please read the other blogs under “drug savings tips” on the left side under categories to learn more!

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QUESTION: I entered in my drugs on your comparison and only got the monthly totals.  When I go to other websites I get different results because of the yearly totals.  Why is this and how can I understand the best plan for myself?

ANSWER: If you read the blog all year and go back through the “category section” on the left side of this page and read “drug savings tips” you will understand how you can maximize your savings on Part D drug plans.

The only thing you need to worry about is saving the most on the first 2, 830 worth of drugs your purchase in 2010.  You need to find a plan that:  1. Covers every one of your medications. 2. Saves  you the most in co-pays.

The only people who need to worry about yearly totals are those that get to the 95% coverage and you need to blow through your drug plan as quickly as possible and get to the 95%.

All other folks need to STOP using your drug plan when you get to the “dreaded donut hole” because drug plans charge more during this time to make up for when you were paying co-pays.  If you read my other blogs about SHOPPING AROUND, you will understand that you can save much, much more by not using your drug plan anymore when you reach the donut hole.  Go online, go to Wal-Mart, Sams, CVS and every store in your area to get the cheapest price…not the one your drug plan charges you.

If you begin 2010 by not buying your generics using your drug plan and getting them for $4 you will not fall into the donut hole as quickly, because as I have said too many times, even though your drug plan’s co-pays are small for generics they ding you 30, 40, up to $60 dollars toward the donut hole.

By following just these two pieces of advice you will maximize your Part D benefits.  That is why your yearly total is useless information, unless you intend on doing exactly what your insurance company wants you to do!  Get it?  Got it?  GREAT!!!!

As you all know, I have been working on the COOKING UP A CURE

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recipe book for some time now.  I have been gathering all your recipes you have been sending to me, and I’d like to thank you all for taking the time to do that.  The profits of this book are going to the American Diabetes Association, as my husband was a juvenile diabetic and passed away from the disease in 1993 at the age of 35.

If you haven’t sent in a recipe, please do so.  They don’t have to be diabetic recipes, although there will be a section for those.  I’m just asking for family favorites and anything you’d like to share.

Since we are coming into the Holiday Season I found an article about the best herbs and spices for our health!

Ginger – Ginger is a great digestive aid.  Use it in holiday cookies, make a ginger tea or keep some real giner ale on hand for guest who overindulge.  You can also add it to sweet potatos and pinapple desserts.  It is not hard to find anymore at the grocery, so don’t leave it out this year.

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Garlic Knots release – Garlic provides antimicrobial properties beneficial for colds and nasal congestion.  It also helps lower cholesteral and blood pressure and supports the immune system.  I like garlic in just about everything.  You can buy it already chopped up and fresh in the produce department.  I even add fresh garlic in my salads, hamburgers, steamed veggies etc….

Cinnamon - This antixidant and antiviral has been used to treat digestive upsets and also helps regulate blood suar, lowers high cholesterol levels and improve insulin sensitivity.  You don’t have to use all the added sugar that goes along with it.  Have any of you tried the sweetner Stevia?  It is not a chemical and is much better for you than even Splenda.  Use Cinnamon in sweet potatoes, pies, cookies, baked apples, apple cider or add it to your green tea.  Just 1 teaspoon a day added to your whole wheat toast in the morning can make a difference.

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Oregano - With 20 times the antioxidant activity of other herbs (who would have guessed?) oregano fights against the flu.  It is not only for Italian foods, but use it in stuffings, seafoods, potatoes and veggie dishes.  It is also good to use in olive oil on salads and breads.

My family is getting together this weekend, before Thanksgiving, so I’m searching online for healthy recipe ideas.  Thanks for all your kindness in helping me and others with your ideas!

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Send them to me at : kblake@MyPartDusa.org

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This just in from a caring reader:

Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie trailer Hi, Karyn.  It is J. Adams in Kentucky again….just read your article on “YOU HAD BETTER SHOP AROUND”.  You are absolutely correct in that generics do not have to be charged against your $2,830 you get in drug benefits before you hit the “dreaded donut hole” in 2010.  In fact, even though most pharmacies will ask for your medicare number, you must DECLINE this and end any possibility the pharmacy can charge your Part D plan.  I use Krogers and get a 30 day supply of generics for $4 each.  In the beginning they asked for my Medicare number and Social Security Number.  I SIMPLY DECLINED AND TOLD THEM I’D BE PAYING FOR MY GENERICS MYSELF. No problem from them after that!  I also told them they had no need for that information.

Please feel free to pass this tip onto your other people with these questions  Please tell your people there are other ways they can verify who you are.  Kroger uses my date of birth and the last 4 digits of my telephone number.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT GREAT TIP, J. in Kentucky

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QUESTION Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie dvd :  I am losing my Retirement Plan from my company I worked at for many years.  They are telling me that I can only choose between plans they are giving me at this insurance enrollment number.  If I use another enrollment method or get different plans from what they are offering they won’t pay for it anymore.  Can they do this?  What do I really need to be concerned about getting on Medicare?

ANSWER:  Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus!  I’m sorry for being sarcastic, but it is amazing to me that companies out there are trying to confuse people getting on Medicare.  YOU STILL HAVE CHOICES JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN CITIZEN WHEN THEY ARE FIRST GETTING ON MEDICARE!! What your company is really saying is…..we have made a deal with these “certain” insurance companies that if you “enroll” with them AND take out the plans “we want you to take out”  WE WILL HELP YOU PAY FOR IT.

The Thomas Crown Affair video Most people when they retire go on Medicare with no financial help.  Usually if you have retired from a company, you can afford the $100 a month, give or take a little, for premium on a MedicareSupplement/Medigap plan, which is most certainly the best coverage and what you should be offered. If you are desperate and cannot afford this premium, THEN and only THEN should you take up the offer from your employer and join a Medicare Advantage Plan.  This is INFERIOR COVERAGE AND HAS NO NETWORK OF DOCTORS OR HOSPITALS THAT WILL ACCEPT THESE PLANS. Also, they are not going to be available after 2011 anyway.  So, my “educated guess” (yes, I’m being sarcastic again)  is that since the insurance company gets paid at least twice the commission for selling you Medicare Advantage Plans, they want to get these sold as long as they can, and they make some kind of “deal” with your employer.

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What you need to do is to call a local agent that you trust, or contact us and get a comparison of Premiums on a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan and also a comparison based on your drugs, of a Stand Alone Part D for drugs plan.  That is ALL you NEED. Drop Dead Gorgeous hd

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Now some of you are also used to having dental and vision coverage under your retirement program.  There are no insurance plans for people on Medicare for dental and vision.  The Medicare Advantage Plans have these little teaser benefits, but nothing like you used to have and should not be a deciding factor in chosing to use a Medicare Advantage Plan.  Believe me, if there were any kind of decent vision and dental plan out there for Medicare beneficiaries, I would have found it.  There are plans you can join, BUT THE PREMIUM IS NOT WORTH THE BENEFITS, OR YOU ARE WASTING YOUR MONEY. There are plenty of salespeople out there that will sell you dental and vision plans all day long.  So just think about that…..

Universal Soldiers full movie When picking out a Part D plan, the only thing you need to worry about is saving the most on your co-pay and premium for the first $2,830 worth of drugs you buy.  After that, you don’t need to use your drug plan at all….you NEED TO SHOP AROUND AND BUY YOUR DRUGS AT THE PLACE YOU CAN FIND THE BEST PRICE NOT USING YOUR DRUG CARD.   ALSO, BEGIN THE YEAR BY NOT BUYING YOUR GENERICS ON YOUR DRUG CARD. If you read my other blogs about “drug savings tips” you will understand how this will keep you OUT of the DREADED DONUT HOLE LONGER EACH YEAR!   The only people who should buy all their drugs on their drug plan are those that will hit the donut hole and reach the other side to the 95% coverage!!  Get past that donut hole ASAP and begin getting your 95% coverage.

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So, please find yourself a comparison of Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans and a Part D Plan, based on your prescriptions and enroll on those 2 things.  You will be glad you did!!!!

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Go to www.MyPartDusa.com and enter in your drugs and tell us what situation you are dealing with in the comments.  We will honestly help you understand and get the best coverage!!!

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.

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Many of you have lost your employer coverage recently.  We know how suddenly being thrown into the Medicare system with every insurance company sending you information on their products can be so confusing and downright overwhelming!

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We have also heard that some companies and even government employees and teachers have been offered ONLY a choice of Medicare Advantage Plans.  Some companies even tell their employees that if they use a PARTICULAR INSURANCE AGENCY to take out their coverage they will get more money to help pay for it.  In other words they are steering you to use a particular insurance agency or insurance company if you want any financial help to pay for your Medicare coverage.

This is amazing!  ARE THEY REALLY TAKING AWAY YOUR CHOICES?  NO, THEY ARE NOT!

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They are making you feel as though your only options are to take what they want you to take, when the truth is, when you lose coverage from your employer, you are FREE to join whatever plans you KNOW are best for you, and that is CERTAINLY NOT a Medicare Advantage Plan.  Please read my other blogs under the category section on the left hand side under MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.

Please know that it is NOT to your advantage to choose anything other than using your Original Medicare Benefits, Part A & Part B and joining a Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plan and a stand alone Part D plan.  You may not get the extra $50 a month to help pay for it, but if you can possibly pay for a premium for a Medigap plan, you must decide to do what is in your best interests. The Insider hd

The main reason these companies want you to join Medicare Advantage Plans is the commission is so much higher for them.  They make more money when you join Medicare Advantage Plans.   I’ll let you wonder why your employer would only give you Medicare Advantage Plans as an option???  You can think about that.

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You have no way of knowing if the doctor you have seen the past 10 years is going to accept the Medicare Advantage Plan or your preferred hospital will take the coverage.  If they do take it NOW, they can STOP taking it anytime they choose and you will be without coverage.

Tell me, WHY would you take that risk?

Medicare Advantage Plans do not pay for durable medical equipment and many times your health is left up to the bean counters, not your doctor!  If you can afford the premium on a Medigap plan, why would you risk your healthcare? Teen Wolf hd

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So, the main point I am trying to make is do NOT feel trapped into taking whatever they throw at you.  You have the same choices as anyone else getting on Medicare coverage and you can choose to go to any agency, any website, any company that YOU CHOOSE, to find the best, most affordable coverage.

We can help you here if you are losing employer coverage to give you Medigap cost comparisons along with Part D drug plan comparisons.   We have helped thousands of GM, Whirlpool and other companies retirees…..JUST READ ALL OUR TESTIMONIALS!

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GO TO www.MyPartDusa.com and enter in your meds and tell us what your concerns are about your choices today.

EVERYONE ON A MEDICARE PART D DRUG PLAN NEEDS TO GET A DRUG PLAN COMPARISON OF ALL THE PART D PLANS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 15.  YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR DRUG PLAN FOR 2010 UNTIL DECEMBER 31. THE EARLIER YOU GET YOUR COMPARISON AND MAKE YOUR DECISION THE QUICKER YOU WILL HAVE IN HAND YOUR NEW PART D DRUG CARDS WHICH GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1ST, 2010.

WE WILL HAVE THOSE COMPARISONS LIVE ONLINE FOR YOU TO SEE FOR YOURSELF ON NOVEMBER 15 – DEC. 31.  YOU WILL NEED TO LIST THE MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE AND MAKE SURE YOU USE THE GENERIC NAME IF YOU TAKE A GENERIC TO GET AN ACCURATE COMPARISON.

AS YOU KNOW, ALL THE DRUG PLANS  CHANGE THE DRUGS THEY COVER AND THE CO-PAY AMOUNTS THEY CHARGE YOU EACH YEAR DURING THE ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD OF NOV. 15 THRU DEC. 31ST.  IF YOU FAIL TO GET A NEW COMPARISON, YOU MAY BE VERY, VERY UPSET AT THE PRICES YOU ARE CHARGED AND THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE TO CHANGE!

IF YOU ARE LOSING YOUR DOCTOR AND HOSPITAL COVERAGE OR TURNING 65, PLEASE TELL US IN THE COMMENTS SECTION AS WE WILL NEED TO TALK WITH YOU TO EXPLAIN YOUR OPTIONS & PROVIDE YOU WITH A COMPARISON OF MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS.

IF YOU ONLY NEED A DRUG PLAN COMPARISON, ALL THAT INFORMATION IS LISTED FOR YOU ONLINE AS IT IS HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE  TO TALK TO EACH PERSON ABOUT DRUG PLANS.

THERE ARE OVER 50 DRUG PLANS  TO CHOOSE FROM IN EACH STATE ALL WITH DIFFERENT PRICES AND DRUGS THEY COVER.  WE DO THESE DRUG PLAN COMPARISONS WITH EACH OF YOUR DRUGS AND CO-PAYS LISTED SO THAT YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE WHICH DRUG PLAN WILL SAVE YOU THE MOST MONEY.  THIS IS A FREE SERVICE!!

MANY OF YOU WILL BE LOSING YOUR EMPLOYER COVERAGE OR LOSING YOUR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.  WE CAN HELP YOU REPLACE THIS COVERAGE AND GIVE YOU COMPARISONS OF PRICES FOR DOCTOR AND HOSPITAL COVERAGE.  THERE IS NO NEED TO PAY MORE THAN YOU NEED TO PAY!