When a loved one who was receiving Medicare passes away, it’s natural for family members to wonder if Medicare will need to be paid back. The rules around Medicare repayment after death are complex. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Medicare estate recovery to help you understand if and when repayment is required. What … Read more
Long-term care (LTC) insurance helps pay for services like nursing home care, assisted living, and in-home care. Policies cover a portion of costs, but are not unlimited. LTC plans have defined benefit limits and maximums. Understanding key LTC policy benefit limits allows you to evaluate options and select appropriate coverage. This article provides an overview … Read more
When researching insurance options to protect your business or personal assets, you may come across terms like “third party liability” and “public liability” coverage. This raises the question – are these the same type of insurance or are there key differences? Understanding what each covers and when they overlap or diverge is important in assembling … Read more
Filing taxes can be confusing, especially when tax laws change from year to year. One important decision for seniors is whether to take the standard deduction or itemize deductions on their tax return. For 2023, the standard deduction amounts have increased. Additionally, if you are 65 or older, you may qualify for a higher standard … Read more
Having health insurance protects you and your family by providing coverage for medical expenses. But what if you are in a committed relationship without being legally married? Does your partner still qualify for insurance benefits? The answer depends on your state’s laws and your employer’s policies on domestic partner coverage. Here’s what you need to … Read more
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you may be wondering if you need to get issued a new Medicare card annually. After all, many types of ID and insurance cards need to be renewed regularly. The short answer is no, you do not receive a new red, white, and blue Medicare card from the government every … Read more
Opportunity costs play a critical role in healthcare decision making. With limited healthcare budgets and resources, stakeholders must carefully consider the trade-offs involved with funding different programs and interventions. Understanding opportunity costs enables more informed and efficient allocation of scarce healthcare funds. What Are Opportunity Costs? Opportunity costs refer to the value of the best … Read more
Having health insurance helps protect you from large medical expenses. However, most plans involve cost-sharing through deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. One approach some health plans use is a combined medical and drug deductible. What is a Deductible? First, let’s review what a deductible is. A deductible is the amount you pay for healthcare services before … Read more
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to save money on healthcare expenses. With an HSA, you can make tax-free contributions and use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free. This includes prescriptions and other items purchased at pharmacies. But can you use your HSA card at just any pharmacy? The short … Read more
Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace, sometimes called “Obamacare,” are two major ways people can obtain health coverage in the United States. But they have some key differences in terms of how they work, who is eligible, and what benefits they provide. Understanding the distinctions between Medicaid and marketplace plans can help you determine which … Read more