Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you provide any advice on choosing a Medicare supplemental policy to help cover things outside of Medicare? I’ll be 65 in a few months and could use some assistance. Looking for Help Dear Looking, If you plan to enroll in original Medicare, getting a supplemental policy (also known as Medigap insurance) too is a smart idea because it will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Here are some tips to help you choose an appropriate plan. Medigap … [Read more...] about The ABCs of picking a Medicare supplemental policy

Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any resources that can help me find affordable high-speed home Internet services? I’m retired and live primarily on my Social Security and would like to find something cheaper than the $40 per month that I currently pay. Searching Senior Dear Searching, There are two great resources you can turn to, to help you locate low-cost or discounted Internet services, but’s what’s available to you will depend on where you live and/or your income level. Here’s where to begin. Low-Cost … [Read more...] about How to find affordable high-speed home Internet services

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover 100 percent of all preventive health care screenings? I’m due to get a colonoscopy and a few other tests, but I want to find out if I’ll have to pay anything before I proceed. New to Medicare Dear New, Medicare currently covers a wide array of free preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy, but not all services are completely covered. You also need to be aware that the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) – which helps financially support Medicare – may … [Read more...] about How Medicare covers preventive health services

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? My income dropped way down when I retired last year in 2016, so I’m wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year. New Retiree Dear New, There are several factors that affect whether or not you need to file a federal income tax return this year including how much you earned last year (in 2016), and the source of that income, as well as your age and filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s (2016) IRS tax … [Read more...] about Do you need to file a tax return in 2017?

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend that can help me deal with my mom’s bad driving? At age 83, her driving abilities have declined, but I know she’s bound and determined to keep driving as long as she’s alive. Nervous Nelly Dear Nelly, There’s no doubt that giving up driving can be a tough step for many elderly seniors, as well as a difficult conversation for concerned family members. While there’s no one way to handle this sometimes touchy topic, there are a number of tips and resources that can help you evaluate … [Read more...] about How to help older drivers give up the car keys

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the steps seniors need to take if they suspect Medicare fraud? Suspicious Sandy Dear Sandy, Medicare fraud costs taxpayers more than $60 billion every year, making it one of the most profitable crimes in America. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips for preventing, detecting and reporting it, if it happens to you. What is Medicare fraud? In a nutshell, Medicare fraud happens when Medicare is purposely billed for services or supplies that were never provided or received. Here are … [Read more...] about How to guard against Medicare fraud

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the best treatments recommended to help seniors with bladder control problems? Leaking Linda Dear Linda, Incontinence is very common in older adults. According to the CDC, more than half of women and 30 percent of men ages 65 and older are affected by it. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment options that can help, as well as a number of absorbent pads or underwear you could use for leakage protection. Here’s what you should know. See A Doctor If you leak unexpectedly (also known … [Read more...] about Help for seniors with bladder control problems

Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I would like to get our personal and financial affairs in order so our kids will know what’s going on if we get sick or die. What tips can you offer? Procrastinating Paul Dear Paul, Organizing your key information and getting your personal and financial affairs in order is a great gift to your loved ones. To help you get started, your first step is to gather up all of your important personal, financial and legal information so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit you now, and … [Read more...] about How to organize your affairs

Dear Savvy Senior, After a recent hospital stay, I have a stack of confusing medical bills at home I need to decipher. I’ve heard these bills frequently contain mistakes. How do I spot them to ensure I’m not paying more than I need to be? Cautious Carol Dear Carol, Medical billing errors and overcharging is not uncommon. According to the American Medical Association, 7 percent of medical bills in 2013 had errors, and other groups estimate that figure to be much higher. Unfortunately, untangling those mistakes is almost always up … [Read more...] about How to spot and fix medical billing mistakes