Get The Most From Your Insurance

March 9, 2026

Question: I received a bill from a doctor for a procedure they performed. How do I know if the amount is correct, and what I actually need to pay? Answer: The key to maximizing your medical insurance coverage is first being sure providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, labs, and more) have your CORRECT insurance on file. Many of you have changed your coverage for 2026 and your providers may have missed that change. Now let’s speak to the process. Each and every procedure, provider, hospital stay, etc. needs to be processed by your insurance carrier using the standards that ...

Resources Available To Learn About Medicare

March 2, 2026

Question: I am 63 and am getting curious about Medicare coverage. What resources do you suggest? When should I apply for Medicare? Answer: Time does seem to fly by, and the older we get the faster it goes. I understand your eagerness to learn about Medicare. For most of our adult lives, we don’t have to think too much about our health insurance. It is usually one of the benefits we get from our employer or our spouse’s employer. Once a year they send us material to look over and decide which plan we want to choose from. The choices are usually limited to a few different types of ...

Using Veterans Benefits Can Help Seniors Who Qualify

February 23, 2026

Question: I have Medicare Part A & B. I am also a veteran. I never tried to get Veteran Benefits, is it worth it? Answer: Thank You for your Service! Your military service gives you the title of veteran and that is something to be proud of. Not all veterans sign up for additional benefits upon discharge. As a veteran, you could be eligible for medical care through the VA clinics and hospitals or eligible for a veteran pension. I do encourage you to work with the VA and see if you are eligible for any health benefits and potentially financial benefits. Chautauqua and Cattaraugus ...

Explaining Calls From Insurance Companies

February 17, 2026

Question: I keep getting calls from insurance companies asking about my Medicare coverage, I thought Open Enrollment was over? Answer: This is such a common question this time of year. I probably answer it very similarly every year this time of year. The Annual Open enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7 annually. You are correct that period of time is in the past. From January 1 to March 31, we have what is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP). This is an opportunity for individuals with a Medicare Advantage Plan to switch to any other type ...

Reader Looks For Ways To Decrease Isolation

February 9, 2026

Question: I am looking around my life and feeling like I don’t have a part in the world around me. There are so many things I can’t control. I am not sure what to do – can you help? Answer: My first response is: come let me give you a hug! I am so sorry to hear you are feeling that way. I want you to understand that there is help out there for you. There are also a lot of things in your life you can control. You have Medicare and ALL the products that go with Medicare coverage do cover mental health services. If you have original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement, you can see ...

How To Make Sure Prescriptions Are Filled

January 12, 2026

Question: I want to be sure I can get my medications after the first of the year. What should I do? Answer: This last three months have been very intense for many of those with Medicare. There are many plans that were discontinued and therefore more than a third of the population in Western New York with Medicare had to find new insurance. That means a LOT of people have new insurance cards this month. All of that information needs to be communicated to providers when you go to the office. That also means that new information needs to be communicated at your pharmacy. All those records ...