The Basics of Part D Medicare

By Roz Jones

You’re a caregiver. You understand the complex world of insurance and health care. But when it comes to Part D Medicare, you may feel like you’re in over your head. Part D Medicare is a prescription drug plan offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. It is available to people who have Medicare Part A and/or B, which covers hospital and medical insurance, respectively.

What is Part D?

Part D is a prescription drug coverage plan that is available to Medicare beneficiaries. This plan helps to cover the costs of prescription drugs that are not covered under Original Medicare. Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies and each plan has its own list of covered drugs, called a formulary.

How Part D Works

Part D plans vary, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that best meets your aging loved one’s needs. Some plans have low monthly premiums but high deductibles, while others have higher premiums but low deductibles. There is also a wide range in the types and costs of drugs covered by each plan. All plans must offer at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare.

Once you enroll your aging loved one in a Part D plan, they will usually pay a monthly premium. They may also have to pay an annual deductible before their coverage begins. After that, they will typically pay coinsurance or copayment for each prescription filled. Some plans charge a late enrollment penalty if you do not sign up for Part D when you first become eligible.

Part D Medicare can be confusing, but as a caregiver, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how it works. By doing your research and comparing plans, you can find the one that best suits your aging loved one’s needs. And remember, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your local Medicare office for more information.

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Caregivers Trust Your Instincts!

By Roz Jones

Being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding, but also challenging, jobs out there. You are constantly juggling many different tasks and responsibilities, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. It is important to remember that you are the expert on your patients and their care and that you should always trust your instincts!

As a caregiver, you have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. Not only do you have to provide physical care for your patients, but you also have to provide emotional support. It can be easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind and forget why you became a caregiver in the first place. Remembering why you became a caregiver can help you refocus and approach your job with fresh eyes.

It is also important to build a support network of family and friends who can offer emotional support when needed. Being a caregiver can be emotionally draining, and it is important to have people in your life who understand what you are going through. These people can offer words of wisdom or just a listening ear when needed.

Finally, always trust your instincts! You are the expert on your patients and their care. If something doesn’t feel right, or if you have a gut feeling about something, always listen to it. You know your patients better than anyone else, and chances are if something feels off then it probably is.

Being a caregiver is a challenging but rewarding job. Always remember why you became a caregiver in the first place, build a supportive network of family and friends, and always trust your instincts!

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Part B Medicare: An Overview

By Roz Jones

As a caregiver, you may be responsible for managing your loved one’s health care. If your loved one is enrolled in Medicare, you may be wondering what Part B covers and how it works. Here’s a quick overview of Part B Medicare.

What is Part B Medicare & What Does it cover?

Part B is sometimes called “Medigap” coverage because it helps cover some of the costs not covered by Part A. This can include things like outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment.

Who is eligible for Part B Medicare?

In order to be eligible for Part B Medicare, your loved one must be 65 years of age or older and a United States citizen or legal permanent resident. Your loved one may also be eligible if you are under 65 years old and have a disability.

What Doesn’t Medicare Cover?

There are some services that Part B does not cover. It is important to note that Part B Medicare does not cover hospitalization costs of nursing home care. These include long-term care, dental care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Additionally, Part B has a deductible that must be met before coverage begins. Once the deductible is met, Part B pays for 80% of covered services. Your loved one is responsible for the other 20%.

How much does Part B Medicare cost?

Part B also has an out-of-pocket maximum. This is the most your loved one will have to pay for covered services in a year. Once the out-of-pocket maximum is met, Part B pays for 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.

As a caregiver, it is important to be aware of the different types of coverage that are available through Medicare. In this blog post, we’ve given you an overview of what Part B Medicare is and what it covers. We hope this information will be helpful to you as you navigate the world of healthcare with your loved ones.

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Are you a Caregiver who is struggling with being confident in the decisions you have to make for your aging clients or loved ones? Check out the latest episode of The Caregiver Cafe Podcast to learn why you should trust your gut!

As a caregiver, should you trust your gut when making decisions that affect your loved one?
Research has shown that when people base decisions on their instincts, they often come up with the correct answers to problems.

In this episode, I share why you should trust your gut when responsible for the health and well-being of a loved one.

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Medicare, Medicaid, and Hospice Care: What Services Are Covered?

By Roz Jones

When a loved one is nearing the end of their life, it’s important to know what kind of care is available to them and how it will be covered. Hospice care is a type of skilled care that focuses on providing comfort and support to patients who are facing a terminal illness. While hospice care can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and at home, most hospice care is provided in the home.

Medicare and Medicaid are two government-sponsored programs that can help cover the cost of hospice care. In general, Medicare will cover hospice care for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, while Medicaid will cover hospice care for patients with a life expectancy of two months or less.

What Services Are Covered Under Medicare?
Medicare will cover all services related to the terminal illness and its management, including:

Doctor services
Nursing care
Medical equipment (like hospital beds)
Prescriptions
Home health aides
Social work services
Dietician services
Spiritual counseling
Grief counseling
Short-term inpatient care (for pain and symptom management)

What Services Are Covered Under Medicaid?

In addition to the services covered under Medicare, Medicaid will also cover:

RN Case Management Services (which may include physician services, social work services, homemaker services, and physical therapy)
Respite Care (to give caregivers a much-needed break)

When it comes time to make decisions about end-of-life care, it’s important to know what options are available and how they will be covered. Hospice care is a type of skilled care that focuses on providing comfort and support to patients who are facing a terminal illness. Medicare and Medicaid are two government-sponsored programs that can help cover the cost of hospice care. In general, Medicare will cover hospice care for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, while Medicaid will cover hospice care for patients with a life expectancy of two months or less. Knowing what services are covered under each program can help you make the best decision for your loved one’s care.

Are you interested in learning more about this topic? Subscribe to The Caregiver Cafe Newsletter below!

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Get Part A Medicare and Be Prepared…

By Roz Jones

What is Part A Medicare?

Medicare Part A is the most important part of your aging loved one’s Medicare coverage. It pays for inpatient hospital care, certain types of nursing facility care, home health care and hospice care. If your aging loved one is eligible for Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits and has paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, they are probably eligible to get Part A without having to pay a premium.

How does my aging loved one pay for Part A Medicare?
Part A Medicare pays for itself through monthly premiums that are deducted from your aging loved one’s Social Security benefits. If your aging loved one is not receiving Social Security benefits, they can still enroll in Part A Medicare, but they will have to pay a monthly premium.

Eligibility
Your aging loved one is eligible for Part A Medicare if they are 65 years of age or older. If your loved one is under 65 years of age and has been receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration for at least 24 months.

If your loved one is not eligible for Part A Medicare, they can still enroll in Part B Medicare. Part A Medicare has no annual deductible and no coinsurance amount; however, there is a lifetime maximum benefit limit of $4000.

Part A Medicare is a government-sponsored health insurance program that covers hospitalization, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. If your aging loved one is 65 years of age or older, or if they are under 65 years of age and have been receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration for at least 24 months, they may be eligible for Part A Medicare. Most people who are eligible for Part A Medicare do not have to pay a monthly premium; however, there is a lifetime maximum benefit limit of $4000.

If you would like to learn more about Part A Medicare, be sure to sign up for my newsletter below!

Are you looking into admitting your loved one into an assisted living facility? Check out my latest podcast where I share 5 things you should be aware of when finding a facility!

It can be overwhelming to face the fact that your elderly loved one can no longer live independently. Finding a facility that can provide the assistance and care that your loved one deserves can be challenging, and there is a lot at stake.
Elder abuse and neglect are very real concerns in nursing homes and residential care facilities. It is of the utmost importance to do your due diligence prior to admitting your loved one into care.

In this episode, I share 5 things you should be aware of as you look into admitting your loved one to a living assistant facility.

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