Heading into retirement brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll in Medicare and which parts to enroll in can be daunting even for the savviest retirees. To help you wade into the waters of this complicated federal health insurance program for retirement-age Americans, here are 11 essential things you must know about Medicare.
As you age, you may find that you have a harder time shedding those unwanted pounds than you did when you were younger. Seniors do face some added challenges when it comes to losing weight, but it’s definitely not impossible — just make sure you keep these five tips in mind:
A Medicare insurance broker can be extremely helpful for a new beneficiary, because they are an independent insurance agent who is licensed to sell Medicare plans on behalf of a number of different insurance companies. This means that they can help you compare plans from multiple insurance carriers so that you can more easily consider what each plan covers, how much it costs and how well it fits your needs.
The internet has made it convenient and easier to access services and socialize with people. However, it is also populated with scammers out to swindle unsuspecting users of their money. There are also a lot of cyberbullies and stalkers that can make your online experience uncomfortable. Some could even infringe on your actual life should they get your residential details.
Adding a Medigap supplement insurance policy to your Original Medicare coverage can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays. Medigap policies are voluntary and have monthly premiums.
As we age, our mental health needs also change. Aging brings with it a new phase of life with its own unique challenges and trials. That can often lead us to feel burdened, stressed and at times helpless. As many as 1 in 5 elderly people have mental health concerns that are serious enough to require intervention. Many elderly need assistance and support in coping. However, there is always help available. Seeking the right help at the right time can make a world of a difference in ensuring future comfort.
While you may view retirement as a long-anticipated emancipation from the work world, it is also a period of considerable change and adjustment. If you are married, some of the most profound changes will take place within the context of your relationship with your spouse. For some couples, the fact that they have been drifting apart for years could be masked or ignored because most of their time and attention is devoted to their careers or raising a family.
While we may dream about the day when we can hang up our 9-to-5 workdays, those days consist of quite a bit of free time (roughly seven hours of leisure time after sleep and daily chores). However, embracing hobbies are a great way to boost physical and mental health.
People age 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack, to have a stroke, or to develop coronary heart disease (commonly called heart disease) and heart failure. Heart disease is also a major cause of disability, limiting the activity and eroding the quality of life of millions of older people.
After the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers can refuse to sell you a Medigap policy, delay coverage, or charge you a higher premium because of an existing health condition. The insurance company may also ask you to submit to a medical underwriting process and deny you coverage or charge you a higher rate based on its findings.
