Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover ambulance services? About three months ago, I took an ambulance to the hospital emergency room because I rarely drive anymore, and I just received a $1,100 bill from the ambulance company. Surprised Senior Dear Surprised, This is a Medicare issue that confuses many seniors. Yes, Medicare does covers emergency ambulance services and, in limited cases, non-emergency ambulance services too, but only when they’re deemed medically necessary and reasonable. So, what does that … [Read more...] about How Medicare covers ambulance services

Dear Savvy Senior, Can men get osteoporosis or is it primarily a problem for women? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter the doctor that treated me told me I might have osteoporosis, but I never got it checked. What can you tell me? Bony Bill Dear Bill, Many people think osteoporosis is a woman’s disease, but men can get it too, especially in their later years. Here’s what you should know. Osteoporosis in Men Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones to become weak and brittle and more susceptible to … [Read more...] about Men get osteoporosis, too

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any sources you know of that can help me save on my Medicare coverage? I’m 65, and live primarily on my Social Security, and am having a hard time paying my Medicare out-of-pocket costs. Need Some Help Dear Need, There are several financial assistance programs that can help lower-income Medicare beneficiaries who are having a difficult time paying their out-of-pocket health care costs. Here’s what’s available, along with the eligibility requirements and how to apply. Medicare Savings … [Read more...] about Where to get help paying your Medicare costs

  Dear Savvy Senior, I recently read that seniors are the number one purveyor of fake news on the Internet. Is this true, or is it fake news too? If it’s true, how can seniors go about spotting fake news? Faked Out Senior Dear Faked Out, Yes, it’s true. According to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, people aged 65 and older are almost four times more likely to share fake news on social media than younger people. Why do older users share fake news more often? There are two theories. The … [Read more...] about How seniors Can Spot Fake News

Dear Savvy Senior, I need to locate a good in-home caregiver for my 83-year-old mother. What’s the best way to find and hire one? Looking for Care Dear Looking, Finding a good in-home caregiver for an elderly parent can be challenging. How can you find one that’s reliable and trustworthy, as well as someone your parent likes and is comfortable with? Here are some tips that can help. Know Your Needs Before you start the task of looking for an in-home caregiver, your first step is to determine the level of care your mom … [Read more...] about Hiring an in-home caregiver

  Dear Savvy Senior, I just found out I have stage 1 hypertension and my doctor recommended I get a home blood pressure monitor to keep an eye on it. Can you offer me any tips on choosing and using one? Hypertensive Helen Dear Helen, It’s a smart idea! Everyone with elevated or high blood pressure – stage 1 (or 130/80) and higher – should consider getting a home blood pressure monitor. Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. Plus, if you’re taking medication it will … [Read more...] about How to choose and use a home blood pressure monitor

  Dear Savvy Senior, I recently received a strange call from a Social Security employee. He told me my Social Security number had been suspended because it was involved in a crime, and that I needed to reactivate it and secure my bank funds by withdrawing them and putting them on gift cards. Is this a scam? Worried Rita Dear Rita, Yes. It’s actually known as the “Social Security imposter scam” and it’s becoming a widespread problem in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission has received more than 76,000 reports about … [Read more...] about How to protect yourself from the Social Security imposter scam

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good websites for finding cheaper travel accommodations? My husband and I love to travel but hotel costs eat up our budget so much that we can’t afford to go as often as we’d like. We’ve used Airbnb with some luck but are wondering if there are other options for budget-conscious retirees. Retired Travelers Dear Retired, Accommodations are typically one of the costliest travel expenses. But, if you’re willing to do a little research and preplanning, there are a number of ways you can … [Read more...] about Thrifty travel: How retirees can find cheap travel accommodations

  Dear Savvy Senior, As a teacher for 20 years, I receive a pension from a school system that did not withhold Social Security taxes from my pay. After teaching, I’ve been working for a small company where I do pay Social Security taxes. Now, approaching age 65, I would like to retire and apply for my Social Security benefits. But I’ve been told that my teacher’s pension may cause me to lose some of my Social Security. Is that true? Ready to Retire Dear Ready, Yes, it’s true. It’s very likely that your Social … [Read more...] about How a government pension might reduce your Social Security benefits

  Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about the different enrollment periods for Medicare? I’m planning to work past age 65 and understand Medicare offers Initial, Special and General periods in which I can enroll. How does this work? Medicare Illiterate Dear Medicare, The rules for signing up for Medicare can be quite confusing, especially if you plan to work past age 65. But it’s critical to understand the ins and outs of enrolling because the consequences of missing a deadline can be costly and last a … [Read more...] about Understanding Medicare’s enrollment periods