Collin County Living Well Magazine July/August 2017 | Page 33

On Medicare?
Be Aware of Hospital Observation Charges!
By Tucker Thompson, CSA
M
ore and more seniors on Medicare, with or with-
out supplement insurance coverage or Advantage
Plans, are getting stung with higher out-of-pocket
expenses and fewer Medicare benefits in the ever-wid-
ening Medicare net called “Observation Care.” You can
be admitted into a hospital for up to 72 hours under ob-
servation, which will not be paid by Medicare or your
health plan. Make sure you are formally admitted as an
inpatient, after a doctor orders it to a hospital, and not
placed under observation admission. Time spent under
observation does not count towards the three-day hospital
inpatient stay requirement for skilled nursing [rehab] facil-
ity coverage under Medicare. In addition, Medicare will
not pay for drugs or injections during hospital “observa-
tion care.” You or a family member should always ask if
you’re an inpatient or an outpatient each day you’re in
a hospital. This may seem trifle but it may save you big
money plus whether you qualify for Medicare Part A cov-
erage in a skilled nursing facility.
Today electric health files are a common source of informa-
tion for doctors and hospitals. This has greatly improved
health care, especially in the emergency room and when
visiting new physician specialists. Your current medications,
drug and food allergies, and health history can be seen in
a much faster amount of time. The draw back is doctors do
not seem as friendly or personal because they are on their
computers filling in your health information. Doctors are
now required to have Internet web sites that the patients
can interact on with the physician about their health care
and treatment.
Medicare supplement policies can be changed every
month if you can answer the company you are applying
with health questions. You do not have to answer health
questions six months before the month of your birthday and
three months after your 65th birthday. You also may enroll
without health questions if you enter into a guaranteed is-
sue circumstance.
Medicare benefits start the first day of the month you turn
65. If your birthday is the 1st, then your benefits will start
the previous month. For example, if your birthday is June 1,
2015. Medicare started May 1, 2015.
Tucker Thompson, CSA, has worked in the insurance field
for over 22 years in Long-Term Care, Medicare Supplements,
Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans
and Life Insurance policies.
New
Medicare choices in 2017
could mean better coverage for less money!
You can apply to change a Medicare supplement policy
anytime during the year!
Senior Life Division
Medicare Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Long-Term Care Policies
Life Insurance
B enchmark Financial Services is a local company with a Senior Life Division dedicated
to helping seniors review & find Medicare healthcare and prescription plans that best
fit each individual’s needs. With a strong commitment to offer independent,
unbiased advice, we are licensed with over 30 national companies and are not
“employed” by any of these companies whose plans we might recommend.
[phone]
Your Local Agent:
Tucker Thompson
Certified Senior Advisor
COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2017
31