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Reader Looks For Ways To Decrease Isolation

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

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 ...

Suggestions For Senior Citizen’s Gifts

Question: The holidays are here and I can’t imagine what to get my parents. They are starting to downsize and keep saying they don’t want anything. I don’t know what they need. What ideas do you have? Answer: Christmas time and the holiday season can be stressful. We want to be sure we remember to give gifts to everyone we love. But what to get them? What do they need. Also giving stuff just to give stuff, doesn’t really help anyone. So hopefully this helps. Our older family, neighbors, and friends rely on those that help them to make their life better. Sometimes this can be ...

A Few Options Remain To Change Plans

Question: I did not switch my insurance by the December 7 deadline and that may have been a mistake. What chance for change do I have? Answer: The Annual Open Enrollment has ended. There are 20 Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) that are available to individuals that meet those different SEP criteria. I am going to focus on two opportunities for switching plans, EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) & those whose plan is no longer offered in 2026. EPIC is a New York State Pharmacy Assistance Program that provides secondary coverage when paying for your medications at the ...

What To Know About Enrolling In New Plans

Question: I researched my options for insurance for 2026 and have enrolled. What do I do about my own plan? Answer: It depends. That is almost always my answer. But I also want to remind everyone; That there are many of you who have extra time this year to change your coverage, because your plan has been discontinued. So, if your coverage has been cancelled be sure to make a decision before the end of December, to get new coverage for the new year! Now back to your question! Let’s look at some of the possibilities. This Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 to Dec 7) is tied to ...

Medicaid Rates For 2026 Have Been Released

Question: When do we find out what the 2026 Medicare rates will be? Answer: It is that time of year when lots of new information is announced. I am very pleased to say that we finally have the answers to these questions. It is useful to know what your premiums and other cost shares for Medicare will be when considering your insurance options. Social Security announced their 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the increase is 2.8%. That means your Social Security Benefit (gross amount) will go up by 2.8%. That becomes a $28 increase on a $1,000 benefit, your amount will most ...