By Max Greenberg
E-mail Max Greenberg
About this blog: I developed a special interest in helping seniors with their challenges and transitions when my dad had a stroke and I helped him through all the various stages of downsizing, packing, moving and finding an assisted living communi...
(More)About this blog: I developed a special interest in helping seniors with their challenges and transitions when my dad had a stroke and I helped him through all the various stages of downsizing, packing, moving and finding an assisted living community. I live in Palo Alto with my wife and we have three grown children, one still in college. I have been in the Bay Area since 1977 (except for seven years in Newton MA — just missed all that snow too much.) I've worked in sales and marketing in retirement communities for seven years, and have hired and managed home care workers for family members, and have a pretty good idea of how aging in place, or shopping for and selecting the right retirement community works. I now run my own business, Palo Alto Senior Living, providing real estate and senior transition services. This blog is designed to share my experiences, insight and knowledge with seniors and their baby boomer kids and provide useful information to help develop a roadmap for smooth transitions or aging in place. I welcome readers to share their experiences, both good and not-so-good, in the hope that we all can benefit from each other.
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Bruce Ackermann (who works as a Personal Financial Assistant for Seniors) advises us to discover how we might save thousands of dollars during Medicare’s open enrollment period from now through December 7, 2016 by comparing what's available. Bruce writes:
Last year, Catherine’s doctor prescribed two new specialty drugs. The new drugs worked pretty well. They were more focused on Catherine’s symptoms and had fewer side effects. But her copays were hundreds of dollars every two months.
So Catherine, age 89, enlisted her daughter’s help to compare the benefits available to Catherine under the Medicare plans in her area. They logged on to Medicare’s free comparison webpage at:
https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx
They entered the details of Catherine’s new prescriptions and discovered that Catherine could save over $5,000 per year by switching drug plans. They made the switch.
All Medicare Beneficiaries may change their Medicare plans during the current open enrollment period. Changes will be effective January 1, 2017. The best way to compare the costs and benefits of the various 2017 Medicare Plans is at:
https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx
Open enrollment ends December 7, 2016.
For help, contact Bruce or call the free Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 650.627.9350 (San Mateo County) or 408.350.3200 option 2 (Santa Clara County).
Bruce A. Ackermann,
Personal Financial Assistant for Seniors
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 650.465.4408
Thanks Bruce, that's valuable information.
