Medicare Questions & Answers: Advice for Caretakers
Advice for Caretakers Q&A
Showing 22 questions
What are some ways to ensure your parents feel supported during the Medicare decision-making process?
Navigating Medicare can be confusing. Having someone come in a talk with parents and have a family member present at the meeting so everyone understands the basics of Medicare is vitally important.Plan options and going over the plans and comparing them is extremely important to find the plan that best fits their needs.
It's important that if a Broker comes in to talk with the parent they are simplifying the process and giving adequate time for discuss and questions at the same time building trust that the Broker has the client's best interest at heart.
How can I select the right healthcare company and representative to work with?
A good representative Will usually be very easy to spot ( Medicare agents hub ). If you End up finding someone that you trust then the carrier that you go with becomes Not as important. I have several clients and I can speak from experience in saying that putting them all on the same“good” plan Is not the right thing to do. Every individual is different, And a good representative should match up your needs with a plan that’s best for you.
Is my son or daughter allowed to help me with my Medicare plan?
Absolutely, I recommend it. Children can become beleaguered when negotiating their parents Medicare Advantage plan network when their parent suddenly falls sick and requires specialized care or treatments or when looking for a specific physician or hospital. Also they can become exasperated when helping their sick parent pay their Maximum Out Of Pocket when covering large expenses such as chemotherapy or complications requiring on going care. This is often further complicated when the parent and adult children live in different states.
I'm caring for my elderly parent with dementia. How can I get legal authority to manage their Medicare?
You will have to obtain a valid power of attorney (POA) or a court-appointed guardianship/conservatorship. It should explicitly grant the power to handle healthcare and Medicare-related decisions. If your parent cannot sign a POA, you will have to petition the court for guardianship/conservatorship.If you decide to petition the court, you will need to gather the necessary documents and information required by the state where you reside. You may need to provide evidence of your parent;s incapacity and why a guardian or conservator is needed. The court will likely conduct a hearing and may appoint an attorney to represent your parent's interests.
Why is it helpful to follow up with your parents after discussing Medicare?
Following up regularly will show your ongoing support and commitment to helping them make the best Medicare choices. This ongoing support is a crucial part of the process and will make your parents feel more secure and cared for.
What is the best way to compare Medicare plans for my parents?
The best way is to contact an independent agent that is contracted with all the carriers in your area. The agents along with you and your parents can compare all plans and together find the plan that meets all your parents needs.
How can you create a comfortable environment for discussing Medicare with your parents?
Excellent Question. Parents often don't want to acknowledge they are getting older!! But it's a must to have a mature conversation about how choosing Medicare properly is vital for the back portion of their lives.Medicare, like so many Health Insurance programs, has variations from year to year. It's important to not assume that we know all there is to know about Medicare and how those choices could affect your future - POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY! Whether it's turning 65 shortly, retiring, or being affected by a change of life scenario, etc., finding a PROFESSIONAL who can demonstrate patience and understanding, while helping calm the "fear of the unknown", and prepare them for this journey has to be a priority. It's important now because there is no Underwriting at this time, where there will be when their Open Enrollment period has ended.
Assisting your parents for you has to come from a calm discussion that lets them know you care about how they approach their future. Without healthcare, all their plans for this time of life that they've saved for could be absorbed by getting the wrong plan. It could also lead to a situation that causes them to encumber family members, take from savings and investments that were meant to go to other places, and detract from their quality of life. Let them know you want the best for them and their health, and with these facts in mind, guide them to bring a professional they can meet, preferably face-to-face, so that they are comfortable in the trust of this choice and the service they may need moving forward.
Can Medicare help cover in-home care for dementia patients who wander or need supervision 24/7?
Unfortunately Medicare does not provide coverage for in home custodial care or supervision. Medicare does provide some home health care but it will not help activities of daily living or companion care.
I'm caring for my spouse with dementia and experiencing caregiver burnout. Will Medicare cover any mental health support for me?
If you’re on Medicare mental health is supported by Medicare as for your spouse with dementia Medicare will provide health care services. But you’d have to look into local caregivers to be able to help you as far as with with that, but not Medicare.
I am planning out my mothers Medicare and long term care and it is quite stressful. What is some advice to make this process more manageable?
1st set up an online account at www.ssa.gov.You can apply on line for medicare.
Then you will need either a medi gap or advantage plan.
On LTC, medicare does not cover That, so you need a special type policy that will cover LTC.
I would consult with an advisor on this issue
Can I meet with a Medicare advisor on behalf of my mom and dad?
So, the question we're looking at is, "Can I meet with a Medicare advisor on behalf of my mom and dad?" Well, the simple answer is yes. You can meet with us, and you can talk to us in general terms. But when it comes to enrollment or actually giving specific advice to people, it has to be the Medicare beneficiary. Unless you've got a power of attorney over mom or dad, or both, then we can speak to you directly, and you can help them enroll with us.
My dad’s back pain is getting worse. Can Medicare cover ongoing chiropractic care, or is it just short-term treatment?
Medicare only covers spinal manipulation adjustments it does not cover routine Chiropractic care and is limited to # of visits.What type of Medicare coverage do I need to cover in-home caregivers?
My mom has dementia and needs in-home dementia care. What Medicare plan will cover this?
MEDICARE HAS HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES, FOR MEDICAL ISSUES, FOR 20 HOURS A WEEK. IF YOU NEED CAREGIVER SERVICES, THEN YOU WOULD NEED A LONG TERM CARE OR HOME HEALTH CARE POLICY.IF SHE IS ON MEDICAID AND MEDICARE, SOME ADVANTAGE PROVIDE SOME CARE IN THE HOME, BUT IT IS LIMITED.
THERE ARE SOME HOME CARE POLICIES THAT HAVE GURANTEE ISSUE, SO SHE MAY BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR ONE OF THEM FOR ADDITIONAL HOME CARE.
Have you ever encountered a situation where a healthcare power of attorney made a significant difference? What guidance would you offer to someone thinking about setting one up?
Yes I have, and in ALL of my experiences it was a good thing. If someone is in a position where they are able to have a loved one be power of attorney over them it usually is because they are unable to see the full picture of how to manage their healthcare. I don’t say this lightly but some of my clients can be “stubborn” when deciding what plan to get on and may see a small benefit or allowance as a good reason to select a plan while displacing the fact that there may be a deductible, lack of providers, excessive co-insurance for needed services etc.. Seeing the big picture is crucial and the person most invested in the overall health of an individual is usually most qualified to make an enrollment decision between a bad/good plan.My mother is in a Georgia nursing home with asset limits. If she sells her car for its listed value, her bank balance will exceed the limit. Can the extra go into a burial account? The nursing home says yes, but online sources say no. Please help! Or do I need to hire an elder care lawyer?
I always recommend a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Most states allow the purchase of a pre-paid Irrevocable Funeral Trust, this will be Medicaid exempt. The Elder Law Attorney knows the options for Medicaid eligibility. If a person has whole life insurance, it is often possible to change the ownership of the policy to a family member before the Medicaid application to allow the family member to control the policy as not to lose the accumulated cash value and use that money for the future funeral. Proceeds from life insurance are generally tax free when going to a family member, but not when going to an estate, in most states. Again, consult the certified Elder Law Attorney.
What are some common emotional barriers families face during caregiving transitions?
I specifically work with family of ages Senior. That way the family also knows how the program works. I sell both Ma plans and supplemental programs and a PDP plan.What Medicare-related items commonly get missed or misunderstood when doing taxes?
Because again, when it comes to signing up for Medicare, the appropriate time to sign up is crucial. Understanding that it's very important that if you're getting close to eligibility, turning 65, or you're currently working and getting ready to retire, is when you have to activate your Medicare Part A and Part B. Those are key questions.
So I would highly recommend sitting down with a licensed Medicare agent before you're leaving your employer. Your agent can help you understand your options when it comes to signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B. Hopefully, that answers your question. Thank you very much.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Unfortunately Medicare does not cover assisted living and will not pay room and board or custodial care.In order to get those services you will need either a long term care policy, or a separate policy that will help you pay for those services.
Does Medicare cover Alzheimer's disease treatment?
Original Medicare with or without a supplement will cover everything your doctor says is medically necessary - so it is up to your doctor if you need treatment.
My parents, ages 90 and 91, can no longer afford their Medicare Supplement Plan F and do not qualify for Medicaid. What happens if they cannot pay the 20% not covered by Medicare after cancelling the supplement?
Going without a Medicare supplement can get risky fast because Original Medicare has no cap on the 20% they leave behind. One hospital stay, surgery, or ongoing treatment can create bills that are hard to recover from at their age. Before cancelling Plan F, it’s worth checking whether they could switch to a lower-cost supplement or even another company offering the same coverage for less. A Medicare Advantage plan may also be worth looking at since those plans are required to have a yearly max out-of-pocket limit.Browse Other Questions & Answers
Coverage (246) The Medicare System (199) Advice for Seniors (157) Medicare Advantage (125) New To Medicare (74) Medicare Part B (71) Agent Interview (61) Medicare Part D (59) Enrollment Periods (51) Prescription Drug (51) Medicare Supplement (50) Eligibility (42) Medicare Part A (36) Advice for Caretakers (22) Turning 65 (18) Social Security (13) Retirement (12) Life Insurance (2)Have a Medicare Question of Your Own?
Submit your question to our nationwide community of licensed Medicare agents.
We'll only use your email to notify you when a licensed Medicare agent answers your question.