Senior Veterans care Network Blog Articles for March 2019

Senior Veterans Care Network Blog Articles for March 2019

Visit The Senior Veterans Care Network Blog to read the following March 2019 articles 

70-year-old retired Navy doctor walking across the country

How to Decipher Medicare and Determine Your Best Choices


Public invited to this WWII veteran's funeral


Vietnam War veteran missing for 51 years laid to rest in Tennessee  

"It helps me a lot of times just to talk about Vietnam": Vets return to country for first time since war ended

After 75 years, World War II veteran’s remains coming home

WWII vet wants 100 kisses, cards on his 100th birthday

World War II Veterans Celebrate Over 70 Years Of Marriage

World War II veteran, 94, finally gets high school diploma

Daniel De Francisco, World War II hero who fought in Normandy on D-Day, dies at 94

WW II vet turning 100 wants birthday cards from 'around the world'

Vietnam War veterans back home after emotional journey back to Vietnam

97-year-old WWII veteran proud to still be working at New Jersey grocery store

Korean War veteran, 86, hoping to recover Purple Heart before losing his vision

How a veteran of World War 2 pushed for a veteran's museum in St. Charles County

Birthday cards can help make woman's 95th birthday party special

How to Decipher Medicare and Determine Your Best Choices

When examining your healthcare choices, Medicare can sometimes seem like a lot of letters and red tape.  How do you know what to pick to ensure your needs are met?  Read on for information that will help you determine the best choices for your circumstances.

Comprehending parts and coverage

Medicare is divided into four parts, which are labeled A through D.  Parts A and B are through the government, and C and D are through private insurers.  Parts A and B together are often called Original Medicare.  In summary, coverage is as follows:

Part A.  Medicare Part A is free to those who paid taxes toward Medicare for a total of 10 or more years (40 quarters).  Part A primarily covers hospital care, and some experts note the inpatient deductible for 2019 is $1,364.

Part B.  Part B is for outpatient services, and as of 2019, the standard monthly premium is $135.50.  However, the premium for Part B is based on income, so higher earners will pay more.  You can review this chart to see what premium you would pay based on your income level. 

Part C.  Medigap and Medicare Advantage fall under Part C.  Medigap is used in conjunction with Original Medicare.  Medicare Advantage offers everything covered by Original Medicare, along with benefits not covered by Original Medicare.  As an example, you can look at Aetna’s Medicare Advantage benefit packages, which include things like vision coverage, dental care, prescription drugs, and wellness programs. 

Part D.  Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage only, and some experts suggest before choosing Part D over other options, you should make comparisons based on your medications.  Your costs will vary in accordance with what you take, how often you take it, and where you fill your prescriptions. 

When should I enroll?

For all Americans, enrollment in Medicare hinges on your 65th birthday.  Forbes explains the enrollment period begins three months prior to your birth month, includes your birth month, and continues for three months following your birth month.  If you have existing health insurance, that does not mean you can skip enrollment.  Open enrollment is from January 1st through March 31st, and those already enrolled in Medicare can make changes to their coverage during that time. 

What if I have insurance?

Whether to enroll in Medicare can be confusing under certain circumstances.  You can delay initial enrollment if your insurance is through an employer’s group healthcare plan and the workplace has 20 or more employees.  Since Part A is free to most people, it’s generally wise to enroll.  Timing is important, since late enrollment means lifetime penalties, and they are substantial.  Some experts warn declining coverage altogether means losing your Social Security benefits, so it’s important to examine every angle if considering that option. 

FEHB and Medicare

Sometimes federal retirees elect to decline Medicare coverage.  You should examine your healthcare plan and compare your selections with Medicare coverage.  Some plans can work in conjunction with Medicare, in which case the FEHB pays as a secondary insurer.  This can help with deductibles, copays and coinsurance.  Weigh your personal circumstances carefully before making a decision.

Veterans and Medicare

Just like everyone else, declining Medicare will mean forfeiting Social Security benefits.  Most people who served in the active military are eligible for additional earnings credits, which are based on the amount of time you served and when.  Those who are receiving health coverage through the VA system can still enroll in Medicare.  The AARP explains you should examine the pros and cons carefully when deciding whether to enroll in Part B.  While Part B is optional, for many veterans it’s a useful supplement to their benefits through the VA system.  

Medicare and its various parts and coverage can be confusing.  Examine all of your options in light of your personal needs.  Everyone has different circumstances, but with a little research you can ensure you are covered. 

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