Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Medicare

This week’s money news

By

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on making your big money reset. In other news: what do financial experts say about investing in AI stocks, if COVID costs will be covered when the health emergency is ended, and what to do when Medicare doesn’t cover your prescription drug.

Smart Money Podcast: Making Your Big Money Reset, With Jill Schlesinger
This week’s episode is dedicated to a conversation with Jill Schlesinger, CBS business analyst, host of the “Jill on Money” podcast and author of “The Great Money Reset.”

What Do Financial Experts Say About Investing in AI Stocks?
Several publicly traded companies have links to artificial intelligence. But do AI stocks have a place in investors’ portfolios? Here’s what the experts say.

The Health Emergency Is Ending. Will COVID Costs Be Covered?
The health emergency expires May 11, with different impacts for those with private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.

What to Do When Medicare Doesn’t Cover Your Prescription Drug
You may need to request a formulary exception or switch plans during an enrollment period.

This week’s money news

By

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on CDs and managing a life-changing windfall. In other news: How to minimize the impact to your business from a bank failure, how Silicon Valley Bank failed, and the hurdles on the road to Medicare coverage of cannabis.

Smart Money Podcast: Are CDs Worth It, and Managing a Life-Changing Windfall
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about certificates of deposit, or CDs.

Spooked by Bank Failures? Minimize the Impact to Your Business
Keep an emergency fund at a separate business bank to help insulate your company from a bank failure.

How Silicon Valley Bank Failed (and Why That Probably Won’t Happen to Your Bank)
Silicon Valley Bank failed after a series of events that aren’t likely to happen at your bank.

When Will Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?
From regulatory to more practical issues, here are the hurdles on the road to Medicare coverage of cannabis.

Q&A: Avoiding Medicare late enrollment penalties

By

Dear Liz: I have taken multiple in-person and online educational classes about Medicare prior to my 65th birthday. What I learned from these classes was that the law demands people register for Medicare Part A when we turn 65 whether we are working or not. Like the woman in your column, I also work full time and do not plan to retire until 70 (at least that is my new target date). At the time of my retirement I will apply for Medicare Part B and purchase supplemental insurance.

Answer: It’s wonderful that you made the effort to educate yourself about Medicare, which can be incredibly complicated. However, you got the wrong lesson about what’s required, since there’s no law that forces people to sign up for any part of Medicare, including Part A, which covers hospitalizations and which is typically premium-free.

The reason most people should sign up at age 65 has to do with penalties. People who delay signing up for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor’s visits, or Part D, which covers prescriptions, can face permanent, lifetime premium penalties unless they qualify for certain exemptions. One of those exemptions is having qualifying health insurance coverage from a job, either your own or your spouse’s. You can find more details at https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties.

Q&A: Switching back to original Medicare

By

Dear Liz: I’m 75 and I’ve been on an Advantage plan since I started on Medicare at 65. I’m interested in switching to original Medicare with a supplemental policy. I know I will have to enroll in a drug policy also. Will I be subject to any penalties for late enrollment for any of the three policies?

Answer: You won’t be subject to penalties but you will be subject to underwriting for the supplemental policy. That means the private insurance companies that offer these plans can deny you coverage or charge you more for preexisting conditions.

There are a few exceptions. Insurers can’t subject you to underwriting if you’re still within the first 12 months of having a Medicare Advantage plan, for example, or if you move out of the plan’s service area. In addition, four states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New York — require Medigap companies to offer coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries.

Start shopping around and make sure your application for a supplemental policy has been approved before canceling your current plan.

Q&A: How to avoid Medicare late enrollment penalties

By

Dear Liz: I am 65, still working and have health insurance through my employer. I have not enrolled for Medicare and have been told I do not need to. I plan to once I retire. There is a passage in my Social Security statement that says, “Because you are already 65 or older, you should contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare. You may be subject to a lifetime late enrollment penalty. Special rules may apply if you are covered by certain group health plans through work.” I have tried to research further through the Medicare website but can’t find a clear answer about whether or not I am OK not enrolling at this time.

Answer: If your employer has 20 or more employees, then you’re fine for now. When you stop working for that employer, you’ll have eight months to sign up for Medicare without owing penalties.

If you want your Medicare coverage to start when your job-based coverage ends, though, you should sign up a month before you retire. Similar rules would apply if you were covered by a spouse’s workplace health insurance plan. As long as your spouse is still working for the employer that provides the coverage, you can avoid permanent Medicare penalties.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, however, you may be required to sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible. Check with your employer.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 7 things Medicare doesn’t cover. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the cost of eggs, where small businesses are feeling inflation most, and the No. 1 hotel amenity people love might surprise you.

7 Things Medicare Doesn’t Cover
From dental cleanings to overseas health care, here’s what you’ll have to cover on your own.

Smart Money Podcast: What’s Up With Eggs, and Home Improvement Projects
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about eggs — why they’re so expensive right now and how you can adjust your shopping habits.

Here’s Where Small Businesses Are Feeling Inflation Most
Consumers aren’t the only ones with rising prices. Small businesses are battling inflation and supply chain delays.

The No. 1 Hotel Amenity People Love Might Surprise You
It seems everyone’s ready to kick back by the pool this summer.