It can be difficult to choose the right medicare plan for you and your loved ones

By Ross Blair

The 43 million caregivers in the U.S. — people who provide unpaid care to family members or friends age 50 and older — are overworked and need help. Here’s why:

26 million of these caregivers hold down fulltime jobs and care of the older person in their spare time.
27 million of them also manage the older person’s finances, which includes helping them decipher their Medicare options.

With five parts to Medicare; 10 different Supplement plans: a multitude of Part C (Advantage) options, from drug coverage to networks to out-of-pocket limits; and increasing prescription drug costs, navigating the Medicare maze is a daunting task to an overburdened caregiver.

The Caregiver Medicare tips below offer help. They were developed by Ross Blair, CEO of Plan Prescriber, a provider of comparison tools and educational materials for Medicare-related insurance products. These tips answer common questions and help caregivers choose the Medicare plan that meets both the health and financial needs of their loved one.

1. Manage Timelines Effectively: Medicare eligibility begins for U.S. citizens and legal residents when they turn 65. A person has a seven-month initial enrollment period that begins three months before their birthday month and ends three months after. During this initial enrollment period, a person can enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A&B), a prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) or a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you want to enroll in a medigap (Medicare supplement insurance) policy, the open-enrollment period starts the first month the person is both 65 and enrolled in Part B, and lasts for 6 months. During that 6-month medigap enrollment period, a person has a guaranteed right to buy any medigap policy sold in their state.

2. Avoid Late Enrollment: Those who enroll late in Original Medicare (Parts A & B) or a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) can incur permanent late penalties. Anyone who isn’t working, doesn’t have insurance from an employer or lives abroad should plan to enroll in Medicare at age 65.

People on Medicare who have a gap in their creditable prescription drug coverage for more than 63 continuous days will also have to pay a late-enrollment penalty for their prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D).

3. Don’t Expect a Notification: If the person you’re caring for began receiving their Social Security benefits before age 65, they don’t have to apply for Original Medicare when they turn 65.  But, nobody else should expect to receive a notice from Medicare when they turn 65. Medicare puts the responsibility on the individual senior to begin the enrollment process.

4. Know Your Loved One’s Prescription Drugs: Compile a list of the future Medicare beneficiary’s current prescription drugs: names, dosages and required frequency of use. Then use the prescription drug plan comparison tool at PlanPrescriber.com to:

- Find out if the drugs on your list are generic or available in generic form. If a generic drug is available, ask the Medicare beneficiary’s primary doctor if it makes sense to switch from a to a lower-cost generic alternative.

5. Obtain Consent: If you are a caregiver for your parents and are meeting with their doctor to discuss their health and treatment plan without them, make sure your parents sign a consent form so their doctor will be able to legally discuss their medical and coverage needs with you.

6. Take Care of Yourself: Preserving your own health is just as important as caring for someone else’s. Take control of your own life by balancing caregiving with personal needs. Take time to nurture your interests and tend to your health. Know the Caregiver’s bill of rights.

7. Beware of Fraud: Identify and report any Medicare fraud, abuse or scams. To be on the lookout, carefully review the ‘Explanation of Benefits’ statements received for all regular Medicare and Part D services. Review bills from all providers to make sure you are paying for only the services or equipment the Medicare beneficiary received. Be careful about giving out any personal information (your own or your loved one’s) to individuals or organizations. There is a helpful section on fraud and specific tips to avoid fraud at www.Medicare.gov.

8. Don’t Overlook Legal Matters: At a certain point, it may be advisable for your loved one to grant you or another family member a Durable Power of Attorney that includes the ability to make decisions relating to your loved one’s healthcare. Discuss who will take on this important responsibility and if there are specific medical preferences or directives that your loved one has requested. You don’t want to make these types of decisions in the middle of a health crisis. Also, make sure your loved one has a Living Will or Advanced Healthcare Directive.

9. See if You Qualify for Financial Assistance: If you provide unpaid care for a family member or friend, it might be possible for you to get a small but regular payment for your work. If the person you’re caring for is eligible for Medicaid, a program called “Cash and Counseling” might be available in your state. Call Medicaid or visit http://www.cms.gov/home/medicaid.asp to find out.

The same holds true if the person you are caring for has long-term care insurance that includes home care coverage. Call the insurer to ask about this benefit and any possible restrictions.

Additional Resources
You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for your or your loved one’s prescription drug premiums and costs. For more information on Extra Help, you can contact:

- PlanPrescriber.com at 800-404-6968

- Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24-hours-a-day/ 7-days-a-week;

- Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778;

- Your Medicaid Office

In general, beneficiaries must use network pharmacies to access their prescription drug benefit, except in non-routine circumstances, and quantity limitations and restrictions may apply.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information provided in this press release.

You’ve probably heard that it’s the 75th anniversary of Social Security. However, there is another important birthday going on.

Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator is now celebrating its second anniversary.  The Retirement Estimator stands as the most popular online service in both the public and private sector “” a position it shares with another popular service, Social Security’s Benefit Application.  That’s according to the most recent annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), which came out earlier this year. In an index ranking online services, Social Security’s Retirement Estimator and Benefit Application take the top spots, each with a score of 90. What’s the highest ranking service in the private sector? It’s Netflix, with a score of 87, tying with Social Security’s Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs application.

The onlineRetirement Estimator is a convenient, secure, and quick financial planning tool that lets you calculate how much you might expect to receive in Social Security benefits when retirement rolls around. The tool uses your actual earnings information on file at Social Security, without displaying your personal information. So you get an instant estimate of your future retirement benefits.

TheRetirementEstimator even lets you run personalized scenarios and “what if” situations. For example, you can change the date you expect to retire or change expected future earnings to create and compare different retirement options. This can help you as you plan ahead.

And, it’s so easy to use.

To use theRetirement Estimator, you must have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits and you must not already be receiving monthly benefits.

We may take a few moments to celebrate this birthday, but we’re not resting on our laurels just yet. Later this year Social Security plans to introduce a Spanish-language version of the Retirement Estimator.

High customer service scores are a great birthday present for the two-year-old Retirement Estimator.  Come join the celebration and get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Mike Weakland is the Social Security Area Director in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

While there have been numerous hearings and reports about challenges that our growing number of seniors over 65 will create for Social Security and Medicare systems, there has been considerably less focus on the importance of older Americans in the workforce and their role in the future. At the behest of many employers and senior citizens, Congress is beginning to focus on ways to retain an older work force, as well as attract seniors to work in their companies.

The focus of the April hearing was to examine a shift in thinking about retirement. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) testified at the hearing that “with more Americans retiring and fewer workers to replace them, companies face a labor force shortage-we could face a gap of about 18 million workers by 2020.” He continued, “We need to encourage businesses efforts to recognize the talent of our nation’s seniors and take a look at laws that make if difficult to attract and keep older workers.” The laws he was referring to relate to the ability of older Americans to access 401K funds, pensions and medical insurance, while being employed on a part-time basis. Mandatory retirement age requirements were also examined and questioned.

According to a recent survey by AARP, 80% of baby boomers expect to work into their retirement years; while only about 13% of people over 65 are currently employed. Several Goodwin House residents are among this working group.

Goodwin House resident William (Bill) Hamilton believes that more seniors are not working today because of the mandatory age requirements that many government agencies and private companies have in place. He retired from the Department of State at 62, when that was the mandatory age requirement – it is 65 now. “I think the mandatory age for retirement should be based on a variety of factors including the physical demands of the job, but generally the age should be 70.”

Fortunately, Mr. Hamilton is still able to work for the Department of State today under a program called “When and As Employed (WAE)”. This program is for seniors and is an hourly contract. He has a flexible schedule that allows him to work when he likes-based on the needs of the office-but generally he averages 15 hours per week.

Mr. Hamilton reports that while some of the work is monotonous, much of it is very interesting. What he does is review old files to determine whether the information can be declassified. He says this is area where seniors excel since they have had the benefit of previously working on these policy issues and can best determine what must be protected even after 25 years.

Similarly, several Goodwin House residents are still working in their own businesses. In these cases, the jobs may not have the same flexibility, but they do help keep them engaged and involved which research shows helps to keep individuals healthier and happier.

Frank and Sally McDermott love being able to continue their professional careers. While Mr. McDermott, who is 84, goes to work every day with his son, who has taken over the role of president of his company, Mrs. McDermott, who is a young 82, goes only a few days a week. Their company was founded after Mr. McDermott, who had worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, was encouraged to start his own business. The company specializes in voice tapes, i.e. “black boxes,” that are installed in airplanes and help in assessing the causes of airplane accidents. “I have always been a determined person-that is why I continue to work today-I enjoy contributing to the field, and there are still opportunities to ensure safety in the field of aviation,” said Mr. McDermott. “Although our commute actually increased from going down to the recreation room in our house to driving out to our son’s new office in Great Falls, there is nothing negative about living in a retirement community and continuing to work. Lots of people we know could not understand why we did not want to stay in our home in McLean-but I see what happens to seniors who don’t have enough to do. We stay busy at work and have become involved at Goodwin House, too,” said Mr. McDermott. “Just the other day my one of my sons said, ‘Did I ever thank you for making the decision to move to Goodwin House? I want you to know that I realize in many ways you did that for us.’,” said Mrs. McDermott. For them it made sense to move when they were offered a lovely, large apartment with a spectacular view in an active community.

Another resident who is still professionally active is Admiral Mike McCaffree. He retired from the Navy in 1988 after 34 years. While the military system for retirement differs and is not tied to age, he was ready to retire from the military, but not from working altogether. He began consulting and held part-time positions with several think-tanks. “At one time, I held part-time positions at three different companies resulting in a 40-hour week!” Today, he works as a part-time mentor and senior research analyst for the Center for Naval Analyses and points out that he is not the oldest employee in the office.

Admiral McCaffree also feels that there should not be an age limit. “I know some 75-year-olds who are not mentally and physically well, and I know people in their 90s that are mentally sharp and physically strong. It has nothing to do with age,” he said. When asked why he and his wife Lynn moved to Goodwin House while still being gainfully employed, he said, “Our house and yard began to own us! They were requiring more time and expense with each passing year, so we decided to make one move instead of moving to a condo and then moving again in a few more years.” He continued, “People thought we were too young to move to a retirement community, but we have not regretted moving one day since we arrived in October 2001. In fact, we now exercise five days a week-we did not do that at home-we socialize more here than we did in Annandale, and we still have our outside lives, too.”

Valerie Pagnelli, a senior retirement consultant with Watson Wyatt, who testified at the Senate Committee on Aging hearing, said, “The clear implication is that phased retirement programs can support older workers to remain in the workforce and increase the supply of experienced workers over the coming decade.”

It appears that seniors will be in great demand in the future, and as in many other aspects of retirement, Goodwin House residents are leading the way in these trends.

While dispensing legal advice, elder law attorneys are also able to refer clients to other professional and/or non-legal resources that are available to help meet their needs. For instance, elder law attorneys are aware of the necessity to pay close attention to the tax consequences of any legal action. They will advise clients to seek the assistance of a tax professional should that be necessary. In other cases, they may be able to recommend public or private resources that are available to help seniors in a number of areas.

Do I need an Elder Law attorney?

Because of the expense of legal services, you want to be absolutely certain that your situation necessitates the assistance of a legal professional before hiring an attorney. Before consulting an attorney, you should consider the following questions: Is this a complex legal issue? Is it likely that you will have to go to court? Are there non-legal resources available to help you? Can you resolve this difficulty on your own?

How do I find a qualified, Elder Law attorney?

The most effective way to locate a qualified, elder law attorney is through a recommendation from a family member, friend, or an attorney you have consulted before and trust. The AARP (http://www.aarp.org/legalsolutions) and the state bar association (www.hg.org) offer impartial attorney recommendations. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (www.naela.org), a professional association of attorneys dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to the elderly, and the National Elder Law Foundation (www.nelf.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and improvement of the professional competence of lawyers in the area of elder law, can both offer advice for finding a qualified elder law attorney.

Hiring an attorney is a very important decision, and you should ask a lot of questions before you make a final choice. Once you have chosen an attorney, you should continue to ask questions to ensure that you are clear on the steps necessary to quickly and efficiently resolve your legal issue.

While calling potential Elder Law attorneys, you should ask standardized questions in order to choose the attorney who is right for you. It is important that the attorney’s background demonstrate a focus in and concentration on elder law issues. Also, be aware of the fact that not all Elder Law attorneys specialize in the same areas. Be sure that the attorney has experience with the specific legal issue that you need help with. Before hiring an attorney, ask the following questions:

How long has the attorney been in practice?
What percentage of his/her practice is devoted to elder law?
What is his/her area of emphasis?
How long has he/she been in this particular field?
What is the fee for the initial consultation?
What information should you bring to your first meeting?

Once you have found an Elder Law attorney that you are considering hiring, carefully and fully explain your legal problem to them. This allows the attorney to provide an accurate estimate of the time that will be necessary to solve your problem. You will also want to inquire about the attorney’s certifications and memberships with professional elder law organizations. Finally, be sure that you clear on the specific costs involved in solving your problem, as well as the attorney’s billing methods. The questions below will help you to get the information you need before making a final decision to hire a specific Elder Law attorney.

What will it take to resolve this issue?
Are there alternative courses of action?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each possibility?
How many attorneys are in the office?
Who will handle your case?
How long has the attorney been practicing?
What percentage of the attorney’s practice is devoted to elder law? Does his or her practice emphasize a particular area of elder law?
How much experience does the attorney have with cases like or similar to yours?
How much elder law training has the attorney had, and from what organizations?
If a trial will be involved, does he/she do trial work? If not, who will go to trial for you, and how much trial experience do they have?
Is your attorney a member of the local bar association?
Is your attorney a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys?
Is your attorney certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation?
What is the estimate of the time involved to resolve your problem?
How are fees computed? Will rates be hourly, or is there a flat rate for this particular service?
What additional out-of-pocket expenses will be incurred (such as copying, postage, court, messenger, and phone fees)?
What is the estimate of the cost involved to resolve your problem?
Will the attorney require a retainer (money placed in a trust account before services are rendered)?
How often does the attorney bill?
Will the attorney provide you with an agreement for both of you to sign that specifies what services will be performed and what the fees and expenses arrangement will be?

This article was adapted from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney’s and the National Elder Law Foundation’s websites. For more information, please visit their sites: www.naela.org or www.nelf.org.

What is an Elder Law Attorney?

Since retirement living decisions are becoming increasingly complex, seniors often find themselves searching for someone who can cater to their specific legal needs. An elder law attorney is an individual who specializes in areas of the law that are particularly relevant to senior citizens and their family members. Elder law attorneys generally focus their practices in a few of the following areas: estate planning, long-term care planning, social security, public and private pensions, Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap insurance, long-term care insurance, age discrimination, durable powers of attorney, living wills, conservatorship and guardianship, or elder abuse. Elder law attorneys are devoted to serving seniors and can offer an especially sensitive ear concerning the sometimes difficult decisions involved in aging.

Do I need an Elder Law attorney?

Because of the expense of legal services, you want to be absolutely certain that your situation necessitates the assistance of a legal professional before hiring an attorney. Before consulting an attorney, you should consider the following questions: Is this a complex legal issue? Is it likely that you will have to go to court? Are there non-legal resources available to help you? Can you resolve this difficulty on your own?

How do I find a qualified, Elder Law attorney?

The most effective way to locate a qualified, elder law attorney is through a recommendation from a family member, friend, or an attorney you have consulted before and trust. You can also receive recommendations from the AARP (http://www.aarp.org/legalsolutions), the state bar association (www.hg.org), or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (www.naela.com), a professional association of attorneys dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to the elderly.

Hiring an attorney is a very important decision, and you should ask a lot of questions before you make a final choice. Once you have chosen an attorney, you should continue to ask questions to ensure that you are clear on the steps necessary to quickly and efficiently resolve your legal issue.

This article was adapted from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ website.
For more information, please visit their site:
www.naela.com.