On Everybuddy's $hopping List by Dec 15th, 2017!!: Health Insurance, Medicare and Medigap, and Medicaid Coverage & Updates

Although someone or couple may have Medicare and belong to Connecticare (or their state's other assistance) as well, there may be a co-pay of $550 (or other fee). People who plan ahead with a Health Savings Account may pay the co-pay due through the HSA account. 

 

Online help or call support from agencies may give details and ideas (as they are allowed to do so legally.) For instance Medigap insurance through AARP may be one  of the best insurance to have once you are on Medicare someone was told. However the monthly premiums are much higher for that. Shop and compare a few options such as with an HMO. The co-pay likely depends on the coverage, one's state and so on. A co-pay  for medigap insurance may run from 60-100 monthly per person or higher.  Medicare does not cover everything and even with the additional aspects (Part A and B) there are limits to what is covered and for how long. When more help is needed, a person may need to spend their own funds until they become 'Medicaid Eligible." The spend down may be a shock to most people, and yet with more consults and research, over the course of months and years when one is their 50s and 60s (the earlier the better), assets could be managed likely to benefit a person or couple more effectively.

 

Speaking with an elder law attorney and other specialists, keeping information organized along with an ongoing list of questions can help 'tame the beast' of worry, confusion, information and important networking and planning with key people. More on that in other posts about preparing for one's elder years and having some back up plan about emergency or serious medical concerns, unexpected turns of events, dying and funeral arrangements and care for family.

 

all important paperwork current and accessible is as important as having it completed in the first place. If other people are caring for someone, everyone needs to be clear about various strategies to handle various case scenarios. Practicing with some other people makes sense as well or looking at online resources for handling various situations. See www.doulagivers.org and line up people for any kind of 'extra help' for rides, borrowing money reasonably (or allowing them to keep some for you as may be reasonable, having an extra house and car key, etc again as is appropriate.)

 

A suggestion often given by agencies and sometimes savvy friends(such as one I am using info from to prompt this post and tweaking for the larger web audience) to others is "everyone NOT on Medicare (starts at 65 years old) should have some sort of medical insurance

 

Cut-off date is looming: 12/15/17 for coverage starting in January.)  I read that last year the IRS did not mandate that people state whether they had insurance, but that this year, they will. (Of course, this assumes a person files a tax return at all.   

 

There will be a fine to pay, if a person does not have insurance. In CT, the number to call to find out where you stand or what you can do (each person and family is different) is Access Health, 855-805-4325.  There are 10 enrollment centers throughout the State and there is a website. If someone is on Medicaid, which pays for everything medical, he/she should check to be sure they will still be covered.  You may have to apply for this every year and report changes in a timely manner (some are 10 days or within a short period of time as indicated.)"

 

Likely what's happening in this country is that most States cannot afford to pay for the increasing number of people on disability.  CT and many other states are finding themselves in deep water when it comes to debt and future expenses.

 

Other than That..have a Happy 2018!