We are currently in the middle of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2023, and I thought that it might be a good time to review the basics of Medicare. Earlier, I went over the basics of Medicare Part A, as well as Medicare Part B.
To get the most out of your Medicare coverage, it’s important to understand what the different parts of the Medicare program provide and what the cost is to you. The Medicare program consists of three parts: Part A – Hospital Insurance, Part B – Medical Insurance, and Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage.
Let’s talk about Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage. Medicare Part D helps you cover the rising cost of prescription drugs after age 65. Premiums may vary depending on what plan you choose and may change each year.
You may also have to pay an extra amount each month based on your income. If your adjusted individual gross income from the two years prior exceeds preset earnings limits for filing Single or if Married Filing Jointly. Social Security will tell you if you must pay this extra amount to Medicare – not to your plan – and the amount will be adjusted each year based on your most recent IRS return.
You might pay a penalty if you don’t join a drug plan when you first join Medicare and go 63 days without coverage similar in value to Part D coverage.
Most plans do charge a deductible, and the amount that you pay out-of-pocket before the plan begins to pay, as well as the payment amount, will vary. Your actual costs will also depend on the drugs you take, what drugs the plan covers, and the pharmacy.
As you can see, there’s a lot to know about Medicare, so why not get some help with your Medicare plan? Call us today to make sure you get all the benefits from Medicare that you deserve.
For more information about how to plan well for your family’s future, give us a call today.
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About Andy
Andrew Tapparo is a fee-only financial advisor at Tapparo Capital Management, a financial planning firm in Topsfield, MA, helping clients turn their savings into a retirement income that lasts. Inspired by the quote “Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life,” Andy founded Tapparo Capital Management in 1997 with a passion for helping clients enjoy a truly worry-free and fulfilling retirement and experience financial freedom. As a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), he designs retirement strategies along with sound money management to help clients retire with confidence.
Andy holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, and a Master of Science in Finance from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Specializing in retirement income planning, Andy completed a comprehensive financial industry education program at The American College of Financial Services and was awarded the Retirement Income Certified Professional® designation. He is frequently quoted in the media as a financial expert.
Andy and his wife, Susan, live in Topsfield, Massachusetts, and have two beautiful daughters. Outside of work, he is an automobile enthusiast, enjoys taking road trips, and loves the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In his spare time, he volunteers with the local high school varsity girl’s basketball team as the team statistician and runs the team’s website. He is passionate about supporting charities that serve our veterans and their families. To learn more about Andy, connect with him on LinkedIn.
