Needing to have Medicare demystified wasn't something I thought possible.  I am not eligible for Medicare for 13.5 years but needed to learn what I could to care for Mom.

After my Dad died Mom had doctor bills that weren't being paid. With her high coverage health insurance plus Medicare I was confused. The good folks at Medicare won't talk to me without adding another layer of paperwork and bureaucracy to Moms trust . It's called a Representative Payee; another person and bank account just to deal with Moms medicare. I've been advised by folks who know, not to add this headache to our lives.

Eventually the 3 bills got paid and we've managed to ensure Moms health care needs are handled without the added person. Unfortunately, I've been assuming things would be fine and continue as is.  Thankfully, this has been the case so far, but after talking to Danielle from Boomer Benefits, I learned many things about Moms medicare that I can and need to pay attention to.

There are 4 types of Medicare which can get confusing. Your best option is to find a Medicare specialist like Boomer Benefits. You'll save yourself a lot of time and trouble. If learning about all the options available is how you like to spend your time then go for it! Active learning is good for your brain. For those of us who want to avoid our brains exploding, check out this episode.

Medicare Demystified

Generally, the different parts of Medicare help cover specific services. Most beneficiaries choose to receive their Parts A and B benefits through Original Medicare. This is the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the federal government. It is sometimes called Traditional Medicare or Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare. Under Original Medicare, the government pays directly for the health care services you receive. You can see any doctor and hospital that takes Medicare (and most do) anywhere in the country.

You have two ways to get your Medicare benefit. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with a Medigap plan and Part D prescription drug plan.  Or Medicare Advantage with Part D. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option, but you need to think through your health needs before you choose.

Medicare Advantage plans tend to cost less overall, but often have significant restrictions on where and how you get care. On the plus side, most include Part D prescription drug coverage, so you get your Medicare benefits in one convenient plan.

Medicare with Medigap & a Part D plan may cost more in monthly premiums, but you can use them wherever Medicare is accepted. If you travel a lot, or you want the freedom to see any doctor or specialist you want, this path may be best for you.

Other Medicare Issues To Know

Danielle and I discussed many of the decisions that are easy to overlook when working with Medicare. Highlighting those here will help you keep track of what you need to handle and when.

Letting your Part D Plan Automatically Renew Every Year

If you’re 65 or older, you likely depend on Medicare to pay the bulk of your health care costs. It’s tempting to think your part is done when you sign up, but sadly, it’s not that simple. Enrolling is only the first step in managing your Medicare benefits. Make a mistake and you could pay for it for years.

Here’s our list of some of the most common (and expensive) Medicare mistakes you can make.