The American Retirement Advisor

The high cost of long-term care is what most folks are concerned about. When discussing this with clients, the one thing we ask is “What’s your Plan?” Many people take this as what long- term care policy do you have in place when I mean nothing of the sort. I asked “what’s your plan?”  Your plan...

This task can be daunting, especially if you live in a large metropolitan area like say…Phoenix, AZ. In that metro area there are 48 carriers of Medigap plans, each offering as many as 10 plans, 30 Prescription Drug Plans, and 39 Medicare Advantage plans. The mixture means there is a possibility...

“How come I got charged extra when I was at my Advantage Network Plan Hospital? I thought if I was at my plan's Network Hospital, I only had to pay day co-pays for a certain number of days. But after I got home, a few weeks later I got a bill from the Emergency Room anesthesiologist for $400.00. ...

We are starting to get feedback from some clients that use Non-Participating Providers, who are now asking for a 2% additional payment? (i.e., Mayo Clinics). So what is this 2% thing all about? Well if you are on a Medicare Advantage Network Plan this will not apply to you. If you have a Medigap/...

So many of our clients that we assist with their individual retirement plans have not checked their retirement fund, 401(k), Mutual Fund, Roth, or 403(b) accounts prior to meeting with us, and have just trusted their employer Retirement Administrator with their funds by simple good faith. It’s no...

  Surcharges to Monthly Premiums For Medicare Part B & D The standard premium for Medicare Part B as of 2014 is $104.90. There are contingencies that apply. The following chart explains any additional costs. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Part B Monthly Cost Part D Monthly Cost -Individual...

On August 27, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a final rule for the individual mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). As a reminder, the individual mandate requires most individuals to have minimum essential coverage in 2014 or pay a penalty. This pe...

Many of us have the Heebee Geebees when we think about changes, especially when it a major change.   Well, buckle up for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride because the Health Care Changes are barreling down on us at the speed of light!  While there are many specific items still up in the air, some of the chang...

On the cover of the July 29th edition of the Wall Street Journal the article seeks to SCARE folks on Medicare, into believing that they will not be able to find a doctor.   Read the article!   SIDE NOTE - Facts are 60% of the US Labor force is eligible to retire in the next 5-7 years. The challen...

Referral called the the office. Challenge: Mom is spending over $40 a month on prescriptiion drugs and her health plan has a $500 drug deductable. What can I do? The answer to your question, "What can I get my mom to contain her drug costs" is common. Unfiortunately it comes with a IF THEN ELSE t...