Get What's Yours for Medicare

Get What's Yours for Medicare, Maximize Your Coverage, Minimize Your Costs, by Philip Moeller, Simon and Schuster 2016

Medicare Open Enrollment has begun and will continue through 12/7!    From the writer of the New York Times bestselling guide to Social Security comes this newest guide to Medicare.  There are 50 million Americans who are 65 and older who need to make the best yearly choices in a rapidly changing Medicare program.  

Medicare used to be pretty simple.  But the program has changed and become more complex, with different enrollment periods, Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans, in addition to the Original Medicare, Part D drug plans.  Picking the wrong plan can cause consumers - even wealthy ones - big headaches and money.  Just the appeals process requires extra help!

Thinking of retiring, or leaving your employer for a career change?  The authors warm that one of the biggest shocks man people have when leaving their employer-provided health insurance is how complicated it is to even sign up for Medicare!

Your second big challenge is deciding which options to take.  About 70% of current Medicare beneficiaries, or more than 35M people, have Original Medicare.  But that is not enough because it only pays 80% of doctor, equipment, and other outpatient expenses.  The answer to fill the gap?  There are 10 different types, from different companies, to chose from.  

Moeller offers answers to the third big question which is how to actually use the insurance you have.  And finally, the author offers a series of "No One Told Me" call-outs to help highlight the pitfalls.   Finally, web url addresses offering guidance and specific instructions are found in each chapter - while there is help out there, but it's easier to have an expert at your elbow.