Is Medicare Part B Price Really Dropping?

October 10, 2022

Question: I heard the Medicare Part B rate is going down, is this true? Answer; I am so pleased you asked this question. The quick answer to this question is YES that is correct. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has just announced the 2023 rates. This is the earliest they have ever announced them. The Medicare Part B Premium for 2022 is $170.10 and in 2023 the Medicare Part B Premium is going down to $164.90. The Medicare Part B premium going down does not happen often. It has happened only three times, previous to this year, 1990, 1996 and 2012. The COLA increase to ...

How To Handle Drug Plan Being Discontinued

October 3, 2022

Question: I got notification that my Prescription Drug Plan coverage will no longer be offered in 2023. What should I do? Answer: This year there has been very little change in the number of stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP’s) offered in New York state. In 2022 and 2023 we have 19 plans, but there are changes. There is one new plan and one plan that no longer is offered. It sounds like you have Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) and a stand-alone PDP. Let’s review some of the changes that are happening to the PDP’s in 2023. Everyone who has ...

Tips On How To Make Friends After Turning 50

September 19, 2022

The early years of midlife are a hectic time for many people. Around the time many people reach their late 30s and early 40s, they’re balancing the responsibilities of a career and a family. But as people enter their 50s, some of those responsibilities tend to be less significant, leaving ...

Get Ready For Medicare Enrollment

September 19, 2022

The Medicare Fall Open Enrollment 2023 season is here and that means your mailbox gets bombarded with advertisements. Every time you turn on the television you hear another commercial about Medicare plans. It is by far the most confusing time of year for most Medicare beneficiaries: October 15th through Dec. 7th. WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING THE MEDICARE FALL OPEN ENROLLMENT? Many beneficiaries know they need to be doing something during the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment each year, but they are not sure what. The constant radio and television ads cause people anxiety because they ...

Food Safety – Are You At Risk?

September 19, 2022

Access to safe and nutritious foods is important to promote good health. Unsafe foods may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals that can lead to foodborne illness. Anyone can get food poisoning, but older adults are more likely to get sick or have a more serious illness when consuming contaminated foods because their bodies are not as effective at getting rid of these germs as they once were. More than half of those over 65 year’s old and lab-confirmed diagnosis of food poisoning are hospitalized. In order for these harmful bacteria to thrive on our foods, they ...

Difference Between Aging, Alzheimers

September 19, 2022

Americans are living longer than ever before. While longer life brings great opportunities, older adults also face an increased risk of developing a chronic health condition or a cognitive disorder. Since September is Alzheimer’s awareness month, we want people to recognize the differences between normal aging-related changes and something more serious like dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a general term for a decline memory and thinking ability such that it interferes with everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of ...