Coverage for your Immune System

As we head into the warmer months, we would like to forget that RSV, Whooping Cough, and Flu existed.   But as we all know, these viruses don’t go away – and the minute we turn our thermostats over from cool to heat, they are ready and waiting to lob themselves at our unsuspecting immune systems.   […]

Combo Meal or A La Carte?

Who doesn’t love a good combo meal? My favorite has to be the #1 at In-n-Out: A double-double with cheese, fries, and some of that delicious pink lemonade.  The whole concept of the combo meal is great: bundle up the food you would normally get a-la-carte and pay less overall.  (Apparently, the first combo meal […]

Cracking Down on Advantage Plans

Since my Dad started helping folks with Medicare in the 90s, Martin and Associates have been partial to Original Medicare paired with a Med Supp and Part D policy. Why? It gives folks the most freedom of choice: you can see almost any doctor anywhere in the country.  There are no network restrictions.  Med Supps […]

Why is Medicare SO Complicated??

I would just like to take a moment and apologize on behalf of the Federal Government here. They really are trying to help – in their clunky way. Signed into law in 1965 by President Johnson, Medicare began with only two parts: A and B.  Things stayed that way for quite a long time. Fast forward to 1997 (!), more than […]

Medicare and Mental Health

I stumbled upon something disturbing in my inbox the other day. The suicide rates had been steadily declining since 2018.  But in 2021 – those rates took a sharp turn upward and the trend continues to grow.  As of right now, the rate is at 14.3 suicide deaths per 100,000 total deaths – the highest it’s been […]

Medicare Part B Premiums for 2023

Medicare Part B is a government health insurance program that covers medically necessary services such as doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. However, it is important to note that unlike Part A, which is free for most people, Part B requires a monthly premium. The standard monthly premium for Part B in 2023 is […]

Medicare Matters – 2017 Part B Premiums

The C.O.L.A. (Cost of Living Adjustment) was announced by the Social Security Administration. It will be .3% for 2017. That’s pretty small and not much better than 0% which was the C.O.L.A. for 2016. To put this in perspective, if a retiree were receiving $1000 per month in Social Security benefits, a 0.3 % increase […]