medicare - financial
Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. (PDF, 136 pages)
If you're curious about how much care costs, this reference provides national and state averages.
This site offers details on Medicare coverage, plan options, and downloadable forms for claims and appeals.
Are you wondering if a medical expense is covered by Medicare? Use their calculator on medicare.gov to find out.
When Money Becomes An Issue
Our money worries began in earnest the day we realized our dad was going to need full-time care. He didn't have long-term care insurance and eventually the money would run out. The worrying intensified when Dad's Medicare coverage for skilled-nursing care (a.k.a. rehab) ran out. We all knew that rehab was critical to his recovery, but after so many stays for various infections, as well as amputations of both his legs, Dad’s coverage was gone.
But the worries didn't end there – it exploded into panic the day we found out that he had also depleted his Medicare hospitalization coverage. This was now a full-blown nightmare. What would we do? Not only was Dad’s very life at stake, but our parents’ entire financial security was also at risk. Money should’ve been the last thing on our minds but we were now forced to divide our attention and focus on preventing our parents' financial demise. We had to make sure that dad was receiving the best available care, while at the same time assuring our parents' financial security.
It was daunting, to say the least.
But the worries didn't end there – it exploded into panic the day we found out that he had also depleted his Medicare hospitalization coverage. This was now a full-blown nightmare. What would we do? Not only was Dad’s very life at stake, but our parents’ entire financial security was also at risk. Money should’ve been the last thing on our minds but we were now forced to divide our attention and focus on preventing our parents' financial demise. We had to make sure that dad was receiving the best available care, while at the same time assuring our parents' financial security.
It was daunting, to say the least.
Review your parent's medication list with the doctors and pharmacist.
"Top Ten Things to Know If You're Interested in a Reverse Mortgage" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
"How Will the Law Affect Medicare Advantage?" by The New York Times
"How Will the Law Affect Medicare Advantage?" by The New York Times