Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior, I just received my Medicare card in the mail and was surprised to see that the ID number is the same as my Social Security number. I know it’s a bad idea to carry around anything that displays my Social Security number because it makes me vulnerable to identity theft. Wasn’t the government supposed to stop putting Social Security numbers on Medicare cards? New Beneficiary Dear New, Many people new to Medicare are surprised to learn that the ID number on their Medicare card is still identical to their … [Read more...] about New Medicare cards debut next year

Dear Savvy Senior What all can be done to combat dry eyes? Since I turned 50, my eyes have become increasingly dry and irritated. Constantly Blinking Dear Blinking, Dry eyes is a common problem that affects more than one-third of middle-aged and older Americans. But you don’t have to just put up with it. There are lifestyle adjustments and multiple treatment options available today to keep your eyes moist and healthy. Here’s what you should know. Dry Eye Issues Dry, red, irritated eyes are one of the most common … [Read more...] about How to fight dry eyes and protect your vision

Dear Savvy Senior, My wife, who is 62, is on my health insurance plan through my employer. When I retire in a few months at 65, and go on Medicare, what are my wife’s options? Is there some kind of Medicare coverage for dependent spouses, or do we have to purchase Obamacare? Approaching Retirement Dear Approaching, Medicare, unfortunately, does not offer family coverage to younger spouses or dependent children when you qualify for Medicare. Nobody can obtain Medicare benefits before age 65, unless eligible at a younger age … [Read more...] about Health coverage options for pre-Medicare-age spouses

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve recently read that all baby boomers should get tested for hepatitis C. Is this really necessary, and if so, what are the testing and treatment procedures? Healthy Boomer Dear Healthy, It’s true. Both the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all baby boomers – people born from 1945 through 1965 – get a hepatitis C test. The reason is because baby boomers account for 75 percent of the 3 million or so hepatitis C cases in the U.S. … [Read more...] about Should all baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C?

Dear Savvy Senior, What happens to a person’s debt after they die? My mother has taken on a lot of medical and credit card over the past few years and I’m worried that my brother and I will be responsible for it when she dies. What can you tell me? Worried Daughter Dear Worried, In most cases when a person with debt dies, it’s their estate, not their kids, that is legally responsible. Here’s how it works. When your mom dies, her estate – which consists of the stuff she owns while she’s alive (home, car, cash, etc.) – will … [Read more...] about Can I inherit my parent’s debt?

Dear Savvy Senior, What types of products can you recommend to help people with hearing problems? My 65-year-old husband has some hearing issues, but doesn’t think he needs a hearing aid, so I’m looking for some alternative devices that can help. Loud Talker Dear Loud, If your husband feels he’s not ready for a hearing aid but needs some hearing help, there are dozens of “assistive listening devices” on the market today that can make a big difference. Assistive listening devices are over-the-counter electronic products … [Read more...] about Nifty gadgets that can help seniors with hearing loss

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you explain how Medicare covers physical therapy services? I’m a new beneficiary, and would like to get some treatments for my back. Need Help Dear Need, Medicare covers a variety of outpatient therapy services including physical, occupational and speech therapy, if you meet their coverage criteria. Here’s how it works. Medicare Coverage To get Medicare (Part B) to help cover your physical therapy, it must be considered medically reasonable and necessary, and will need to be ordered or … [Read more...] about How Medicare covers therapy services

Dear Savvy Senior, When my father passed away a few months ago we had him cremated, but are now wondering what to do with his ashes. My sister and I would like to do something celebratory for his life, but aren’t sure what to do. Any suggestions? No Instructions Left Dear No, If your dad didn’t leave any final instructions on what to do with his cremated remains (ashes), you have a wide array of choices. They can be kept, buried or scattered in a variety of ways and in many locations. Here are some different options to help … [Read more...] about What to do with cremated ashes?

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m considering retiring later this year and starting my Social Security benefits, but would also like to work part time. Will this affect my benefits, and if so, how much? Ready to Retire Dear Ready, You can collect Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time, but depending on how old you are and how much you earn, some or all of your benefits could be temporarily withheld. Here’s what you should know. Working Rules Social Security says that if you’re under your full retirement … [Read more...] about How working in retirement can affect your Social Security benefits

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to get my 82-year-old mother, who lives alone, a home medical alert system with a panic button that she can push in case she falls or needs help. Can you recommend some good options to help me choose? Overwhelmed Daughter Dear Overwhelmed, A good medical alert system is an affordable and effective tool that can help keep your mother safe, but with all the choices available today choosing one can be quite confusing. Here are some tips that can help. How They Work Medical alert systems, … [Read more...] about How to pick a medical alert system