When you turn 65, or when you first become eligible for Medicare benefits, you may find the processes difficult to follow, confusing and complicated. Some people find it so perplexing that they may miss out on additional benefits and cost savings.How to navigate the Medicare Maze is a new concept and a step-by-step guide to Medicare which will show you how Medicare works, by breaking down the various parts of it in an easy-to-understand format. You will learn;* What Medicare parts A, B, C, and D are, collectively referred to as the "Alphabet Soup" of Medicare* What Medicare Supplement "Medigap" policies (A-N) are and what they cover * The differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans * Why you should consider prescription drug coverage when it first becomes available, if your plan does not include one * How to qualify for Medicare benefits, * When and how to apply for coverage * How to avoid any potential penalty situations* And a lot more... At the end of each chapter there is a step-by-step action plan which answers any questions which crop up during reading, giving you a complete understanding of everything connected to Medicare.The choices and decisions we face over Medicare can be overwhelming at times. How to Navigate the Medicare Maze will simplify those choices and help guide you through the process by helping you to make informed Medicare decisions, based on your budget and health care needs.
Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119293392) was previously published as Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119079422). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. Make your way through the Medicare maze with help from For Dummies America's baby boomers are now turning 65 at the rate of about 10,000 a day. Yet very few have any idea about how Medicare works, when they should sign up, or how the program fits in with other health insurance they may have. Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides a detailed road map for navigating Medicare's often-baffling complexities and helps consumers avoid pitfalls that could otherwise cost them dearly. In plain language, the new edition explains: How to qualify for Medicare, according to your personal circumstances, including new information on the rights of people in same-sex marriages When to sign up at the time that’s right for you, to avoid lifelong late penalties How to weigh Medicare’s many options so you can be confident of making the decision that's best for you What Medicare covers and what you pay, with up-to-date details of the costs of premiums, deductibles, and copays—and how you may be able to reduce those expenses By conveying not only the basics but also how to troubleshoot problems and where to find assistance, Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you to get the most out of Medicare.
Cracking the Medicare code Medicare For Dummies is your ultimate cheat sheet to demystifying Medicare. This newly updated guide covers the latest changes in benefits, including expanded coverage for mental health and chronic pain. In simple language and clear step-by-step instructions, this bestseller walks you through the enrollment process and helps you avoid costly mistakes along the way. You'll learn how to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, and you'll get trusted guidance on finding the perfect policy for you and your family. Find answers to all your Medicare questions—even those you wouldn't think to ask—so you can develop a solid game plan to get the most out of Medicare. Learn the basics of Medicare and determine the best plan option for you Reference the latest prices, coverages, and other must-know information Get tips for minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses, whatever your health situation Find clear and thorough guidance for navigating Medicare at any age If you're currently enrolled in Medicare and want to maximize their benefits, or if you#re thinking about enrolling soon, Medicare For Dummies will help you better understand the often confusing process. This book is full of examples, ideas, and useful takeaways that empower you to take control of your healthcare—and your health.
The Healthcare Labyrinth is not just a comprehensive guide to navigating health plans--it offers a blueprint for fixing our broken healthcare system. The American health insurance system is anything but simple to maneuver. Health plan enrollees become entangled in an intricate and opaque maze of confusion, often resulting in frustration, regret, and deep debt. In The Healthcare Labyrinth, health plan and healthcare technology veteran Marc S. Ryan seeks to demystify the U.S. healthcare system, helping Americans become wiser consumers and allowing them to navigate the maze with more confidence and certainty. Marc walks through how the current system operates, tracing the dysfunction, high costs, and lack of quality to three major issues: --a lack of affordable universal access; --little focus on wellness, prevention, and care management; and --outrageous pricing, especially compared to other developed nations. Using his decades of experience, Marc outlines a bipartisan blueprint to transform America's unique system without upending the employer-based system. He relies on leading academic, research, and mainstream media sources from across the political spectrum to examine the U.S. healthcare system and compare it to those of other developed nations.
"This book is about how to successfully fight for the payment of medically reasonable and necessary services when Medicare erroneously denies payment, or when Medicare erroneously demands a repayment of overpayment"--
Make your later years your best! As many people live longer, they have more choices than ever before to make their later years more fulfilling. With AARP’s Navigating Your Later Years For Dummies, Portable Edition,you discover the many options you have for living independently, getting the best healthcare, and determining what legal papers and insurance you need. You don’t need to make these types of decisions alone. This handy resource also gives you expert advice on how to review your choices and discuss them with loved ones. This practical guide gives you advice on how to Downsize and declutter your home, talking to your family about what they want—and don’t want Decide whether to stay in your home or move to a retirement community Create wills, trusts, advance directives, and living wills Determine when it’s time to let someone else do the driving Facing the changes that come with aging can be tough, but you can make the most of this special time of your life. Navigating Your Later Years For Dummies, Portable Edition, gives you the information you need to stroll confidently into your future.
What would happen if The Unthinkable blindsided you, requiring everything be put on hold to become a full time caregiver for a loved one? At the very least, it would reshape your life. Without a survival guide, it could even destroy it.Barb Owen delivers precisely that survival guide in NORMAL Doesn "t Live Here Anymore: An Inspiring Story of Hope for Caregivers. She weaves a story, through the first two parts of the book, based on her life-changing experience as primary caregiver for her elderly parents. Following each chapter a bit of wisdom gained from Barb "s experience is summarized as a Reflection. The third part of NORMAL Doesn "t Live Here Anymore addresses the critical need for self-care for the new and seasoned caregiver alike. Specific suggestions abound for Me Time ”how to find it ”what to do with it ”and how very important it is for sustaining oneself throughout the often arduous caregiving-marathon. This truly inspiring book is one part parable, one part autobiography and all survival guide, illuminating a path for the more than 65 million caregiving Americans. SEverything hinges on your ability to care for both yourself and your loved one, says Owen. SThis maxim is of great consequence ”heed it, and you will endure. Dismiss it, and you will have trouble surviving. Take care of yourself, your loved one and keep the faith, because you "re not alone. ----- EXCERPT FROM: NORMAL Doesn "t Live Here Anymore - Chapter 21; The morning after I brought my 90-year-old Dad home from the hospital, Mom called me to say that he was not feeling at all well. My nagging intuition insisted that I visit Dad and spend some private time with him. Finding Dad awake and resting in his bed, I struggled to find my voice. Sitting beside him, I asked, SHow are you feeling this morning? SOh, I "m so-so, he sighed, as a tear rolled from his eye on to the pillow that cradled his head. SReally tired of all of this and worried about your mother. She "s having a hard time with everything. We stayed there in silence ”just being together for a few moments.Holding his hand, the heavy words finally left my mouth. SYou know, Dad, you can trust me to be sure that Mom is okay. I will take care of her, no matter what. He responded quietly, SI know. Studying and caressing my dad "s hand, I knew there was one more important conversation that the voice in my heart insisted upon. SDad, I know that this is getting to be really tough for you. If staying here becomes too hard, it "s okay to let go... During the following few weeks I watched my 89 year old Mom experience a renewed sense of purpose and increased strength as she doted on my dad and met his needs, as best she could. Some days were better than others. Most nights were difficult when Dad "s heart pain was significantly worse and his level of anxiety escalated. Often my mom would pass the hours by reading to Dad. Although her eyesight was clouding, she still managed to read the newspaper, column by column, or inspirational short stories she found in the stack of magazines beside their bed. Amazingly, dawn nearly always brought ease and comfort for them both. And so the nights and days continued ----- REFLECTION; Difficult subjects sometimes need to be discussed. You might be asked by others to deliver bad news ”news of someone "s death, a life-altering diagnosis, or even the necessity for a change in residence. Each conversation carries the potential for unleashed emotions. My advice? No matter how difficult or emotional, don "t leave words left unsaid. People, if capable of understanding, deserve information. Often, they are much stronger than we realize.Words are powerful. They carry courage, condemnation, reassurance or permission. Choose them wisely as your words may be the ones that bring freedom from pain or suffering. It "s tough, but I know you can do it and if you listen to that voice inside, you will know exactly the right time and the right words.Be Strong!
