QUESTION:  I am turning 65 and got a call directly from an insurance company who sold me a Medicare Supplement.  Now I can’t get anybody to help me with my Part D plan, get a comparison or talk to me when I have a question about my Medicare rights.  What did I do wrong???  I am very distressed and need help about my drugs because I need to save as much as possible.

ANSWER:  I get many, many calls all day from people who have already gone DIRECTLY to the company OR HAVE RESPONDED TO DIRECT MARKETING FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY and purchased their Medicare Supplement. Then they need help with their Part D plan or want advice or help about other Medicare coverage issues and they do not have an ADVOCATE or AGENT to help them. They literally are in tears because they were new to Medicare and did not realize they were giving up getting comparisons or help regarding Medicare.  All the company is there to do is SELL you a Medicare Supplement.  They do NOT CARE ABOUT YOU! Every year YOU will need a new Part D plan comparison because the drug plans change the drugs they cover and the prices you pay for them each year.  You will have no one to help you!

IF YOU GO DIRECTLY TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY…AND GO THROUGH THEIR PHONE SALES DEPARTMENT, YOU WILL NOT HAVE AN AGENT OR ADVOCATE TO HELP YOU WITH ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAS TO DO WITH MEDICARE SUCH AS GETTING A PART D PLAN COMPARISON.  IF YOU EVER NEED ADVICE, HELP WITH A PROBLEM OR WANT SOMEONE ON YOUR SIDE, YOU FORFEIT THIS SERVICE!  THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE GIVING UP!!!

THE REASON IS: The companies do not want you to have a comparison, especially the Part D plan companies.  They want you to keep the same drug plan every year so they can stop covering your drugs and go way up on the price of the ones you already have with them.  They also don’t want to pay your agent a commission to assist you.  However, these savings do NOT help YOU, OR LOWER YOUR PREMIUM! The company keeps the money, while giving you less service!

At My Part D USA, when you turn 65, we do a comprehensive comparison for BOTH your doctor and hospital coverage and your Part D plan.

BETTER YET, we continue to do that each year for you during the Annual Election Period.  This year it is early, Oct. 15th to Dec. 7th.  We do not get paid to go the EXTRA MILE for you, but that is why so many people come to us and are so happy with the help we provide.  Just read the testimonials!

www.protectmedigap.org

Congress is debating proposals to reduce the national debt and AHIP is urging lawmakers to protect the Medigap coverage on which million of seniors and people with disabilities rely.  If we ever get into the voucher system, the security of government regulation is NOT enforced on Insurance Corporations, as was done when Medicare Advantage Plans were pushed on Seniors.  Insurance Corporations with no regulations are going to destroy any decent coverage Seniors can expect to receive.  If you were afraid of Obama care…this is much worse!  Insurance companies can determine who lives and who dies in this country, and that is NO exaggeration.

Please visit www.protectmedigap.org and find out what you can do to protect your Medicare benefits.

As always, we would be happy to help you if you are turning 65 to get comparisons of Medigap and Part D plans.

Everyday I get “feedback” forms in the mail from people we have worked with here at My Part D USA.  I thought I’d share a couple of them with you.  Helping people have peace of mind about their medical coverage is why we keep this website up and running year after year!

Dear My Part D USA: Absolutely incredible!  It was terrific to hear an actual voice and a “God Bless You”, very friendly, warm, and understanding.  Retiring after 30 years of teaching I found that I was in unchartered territory both emotionally and physically, but there have been unexpected support, not only from family but from strangers like My Part D USA, which I stumbled around and found on the computer.  Finally I had a voice that paced me through a process that has worked like “clockwork”! Thank you so much!

Robbie Davidson, Colorado

Dear My Part D USA: You guys went above and beyond on every issue and helped me get a great plan.  Thanks for all your time spent on me alone.  In today’s world it is most unusual to get the kind of service you gave and I appreciate it more than I can say!

T. Rice, Texas

Dear My Part D USA: Excellent – Everything went so FAST & EASY! I wish I had called you last year.  Thank you for your help.  At this age I was apprehensive about changing my medical insurance.  You made it very easy and within two weeks it was changed and I have the paperwork and saving money.  Thanks again!!

Nancy Leon, Ohio

If you need HELP with saving money on your doctor and hospital coverage any time of the year, just give us a call or email kblake@mypartdusa.org

GRILL GRATE – Instead of scrubbing the grate after using it, leave the grill on high with the cover on for 15 minutes.  Residue will cook away!

SHOWER CURTAIN LINER – Liners are so cheap.  Just replace it every six months.

PILLOW – After washing and drying a pillow it is never quite the same.  Throw it out and buy a new one.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE…..MAKING THE BED – Microscopic dust mites – a leading cause of allergies – thrive on moisture in your matress and bedcovers.  Leaving the bed unmade allows moisture to escape.  If you really can’t stand an unmade bed, then make an appointment with a mental therapist.

WAXING THE CAR – Newer cars have tough finishes that don’t need wax for protection.

Inflammation is silently aging all of us faster than necessary.  There are many ways to combat inflammation in our bodies that leads to heart disease, cancer, joint pain etc.  Sugar is your enemy!  It makes your body produce unnecessary insulin and that turns whatever you eat to fat cells.  Fat cells harbor inflammation.  Here is a list of foods to lower the inflammation in your body.

Salmon, canned, fresh or frozen.  Sardines & Tuna.  Almonds, walnuts.  Avocados, olive oil.  Black beans, Black Eyed Peas, garbanzos (humus), lentils (red or green).  Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, chard, collard greens, kale, mushrooms (maitake, portobello, shiitake), spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes (canned tomatoes have more nutrients in them than fresh, really!!!).  Blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, kiwi, lemons, limes, oranges, peaches, strawberries.

Cut out as much bread as possible!!!  It turns to sugar.  If you do eat breads eat very high fiber breads.  Just because it says whole wheat does NOT mean it is healthy for you.

Start out every day with the juice of one lemon in one cup of water or green tea.  Drink lots of water or tea all day.

Finish the last meal of the day as early as possible.

Season foods with garlic, basil, chives, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, onions, peppers.

Take a 30 minute walk after your evening meal.

Eat until you are 80% full, as it takes your brain at least 10 minutes to tell you when you are done.

BOOMERS’ BEWARE!!

As we all know Medicare is under the knife.  This is a benefit you have worked for, PAID FOR  and deserve.  In my humble opinion, we should not be taking away our Senior Americans’ heath care benefits while we spend billions to keep Corporations out of bankruptcy, while they continue to pay their CEO millions and millions of our tax dollars.

Everything is so backwards…if you ask me.  Republicans don’t act like Republicans anymore!!  I don’t trust either party because they are all BOUGHT AND PAID FOR by these Corporations.

Please be very careful who you vote for…do not give your Medicare Benefits away to a voucher system.  This will be worse than you can imagine.

My Part D USA is a comparison/enrollment service for people who are turning 65 or losing their retirement coverage or are finally retiring and need to switch from your employers plan to a Medicare Plan.  We can also help you if you feel you are paying TOO MUCH for your doctor and hospital coverage.  We will help you understand your options and give you price information without your having to talk to a salesman from every different company, saving you time and frustration!

Many people are very concerned about Medicare and how our politicians will be re-vamping it for the future.  Please realize that if we privatize your benefits you will not have any supervision over how you are treated by the Insurance Corporations. Many of you may have experienced being on Medicare Advantage Plans, where you have co-pays and networks of doctors and hospitals that you MUST use with no choice and many hoops to jump through.  Lots of these kinds of plans have gone out of business, even though they were costing the tax payer more than double of what using an Original Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plan would have been.  Please read my website www.Top10Things WrongWithMedicare.com for further details.

We do not recommend Medicare Advantage Plans and never have, unless you absolutely cannot afford a Medicare Supplement or you are on disability.  If you have one of these issues you will have to check with your local doctors and hospitals to see which Medicare Advantage Plans are still being used in your PARTICULAR area.  We do not enroll anyone on any Medicare Advantage Plans no matter what the circumstances are for you.

If you need help because you are on disability or you cannot afford a Medicare Supplement….or you have had a problem with your Part D plan, please call either Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 to issue a formal complaint against the Part D or Medicare Advantage Plan you use.  You can also call The Medicare Rights Center at 800-333-4114 because they have free lawyers there that can help you deal with the drug or insurance companies.

As always, please email me with any questions you may have.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: You don’t succeed for very long by kicking people when they are down or take advantage of them when they are confused.  You’ve got to know how to explain and care about them, plain and simple.  Lee Iacocca

1. Millions of Americans take a daily aspirin to reduce the risk for a heart attack.  In the past, doctors typically advised taking one baby aspirin (81mg) daily.  This is a conservative does that minimizes the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding that aspirin can cause.  The LATEST recommendation concluded that the optimal dose is 162 mg or 2 baby aspirin or half an adult aspirin daily.  It can prevent a heart attack or stroke in men and women by 30%.  Talk to your doctor about beginning an aspirin regimen.

2. Chew sugarless gum that contains xylitol that suppresses mouth bacteria.  People with gum disease are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a heart attack than those without it.  Be sure to floss everyday when you brush your teeth.

3. People who drink one or more cups of black or green (not herbal teas) tea daily were 44% less likely to have heart attacks than people who don’t drink tea.  Flavonoids in tea are strong antioxidants that protect blood vessels from injury and inflammation.

4. Eating a bowl of cereal with at least 22 grams of fiber a day can also provide heart health.  Also getting Omega 3′s in fatty fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel helps in many ways to reduce inflammation in your heart.

5. Sleep 6 to 8 hours a night.  People who get less than that are 48% more likely to get heart disease or a stroke than those who sleep more.  If you can’t sleep through the night, taking a walk for at least 30 minutes several times a week can help.

6.  Reduce stressful events, try not to get angry and easily aggravated.  Slow down and smell the roses and realize that the small things don’t really matter that much.

7. Staying close to family and friends and having pets keeps your serotonin levels up and this “feel good” hormone can keep you healthy by reducing blood pressure and making you laugh and enjoy your life.

8. Make sure you have the best health coverage and always get a Medicare Part D comparison every year during the annual enrollment period, Nov to Dec. 7th.  If you are turning 65 we can help take the stress out of making decisions regarding your enrollments.