Retirement Healthcare and Medicare
Retirement expert Bob Carlson’s research and knowledge on how to get the most out of healthcare options
Found 325 Articles.
Get access to our full article archive by subscribing to Retirement Watch and Retirement Watch Spotlight Series.
A Simple Way to Assess Your Probability of Needing Long-Term Care
Most people don’t have a plan to pay for long-term care (LTC) if it’s needed. One reason is they don’t have a good idea of the probability they’ll need LTC at some point during their lives and how long they might need LTC. There’s now an easy, low-cost and reasonably accurate way of assessing the […]
Why People Leave Medicare Advantage Plans
Over half of Medicare beneficiaries opted for Medicare Advantage plans in 2024, and the percentage is expected to climb to 60% by 2030, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Medicare beneficiaries can choose between Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Part C) and original Medicare. Original Medicare is Parts A and B of Medicare. Beneficiaries […]
Facts and Myths About Long-Term Care and Insurance
Long-term care (LTC) and insurance for it (LTCI) are two of the most misunderstood issues in retirement and retirement finances. One big reason is that people don’t want to talk about it. A survey a few years back reported that more people would rather go to the dentist than talk about LTC. Other surveys reveal […]
Medicare Open Enrollment: Be Prepared, This Year Could Be Different
Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment season is approaching. There are steps many beneficiaries should take before it arrives. During Open Enrollment (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 each year) current Medicare beneficiaries can review the plans available and make changes. A beneficiary can switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare or the opposite. Or a beneficiary can […]
SUBSCRIBE TO RETIREMENT WATCH
What you don’t know about retirement can hurt you. In fact, just a few wrong decisions in your investments, taxes, or estate planning could completely derail your retirement plans. Worse yet, the rules of the game keep changing, making it harder to keep up. For these reasons, I’ve assembled all the key points – everything you need to know — into one comprehensive report. Click here today for free access.
Can You Really Switch Medigap Policies and Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time?
The ability to switch Medicare plans isn’t as available as many beneficiaries are told or believe. Most Medicare beneficiaries know that each year during open enrollment (Oct. 1–Dec. 7) they’re allowed to change their coverage. The new coverage will take effect the following Jan. 1. During open enrollment, a beneficiary can switch from one Medicare […]
What You Should Know About the New Medicare Prescription Drug Spending Limit
In 2024, Medicare beneficiaries start to benefit from prescription drug coverage changes in recent laws, but the benefits won’t be as generous for some as they expected. The phaseout has begun of unlimited out-of-pocket prescription drug spending for Part D policyholders. The changes apply to those who have Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance. Those […]
Maximize the Legacy of Your Health Savings Account
The main benefits of a health savings account (HSA) are delivered during your lifetime. But an HSA also can build a legacy, and so it should be carefully considered as part of your estate plan. An HSA is not a use-it-or-lose-it account. You can name a beneficiary to inherit the account. When you don’t name […]
The Underused Retirement Planning Power of Health Savings Accounts
The most powerful retirement planning tool probably is the health savings account (HSA), but many people fail to take full advantage of its benefits. Use of HSAs is soaring. In 2022, there were more than 32 million HSAs holding about $100 billion, according to an estimate from Devenir, a firm that offers investment services to […]
