Preventing Health Care Fraud: How to Stop Scammers

An older woman examines a card as she talks on the phone.
We’ve all gotten a phone call like this one: “Congratulations, you won an all-expenses-paid vacation! All we need is some information about you.” You may think you won’t be fooled by this type of too-good-to-be-true offer, but scammers have practice with “phishing,” a technique used to trick you into sharing personal information. In the case of medical identity theft,...
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My Personal Experience with Telemedicine (and Why You Should Give it a Try)

A mother sits on her daughter's bed, examining a thermometer while using the phone.
This past November, I had a sore throat and a cough that I just could not kick. I first went to an urgent care center, but a few days later, my symptoms were still persistent and I needed relief. Since it was 11 p.m. and my primary care physician (PCP) was not available, I decided to give my telemedicine benefit through MDLIVE a shot....
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Important Changes to Medigap Plans in 2020

An older couple examines a bill and their laptop while seated at the kitchen table
Medicare Supplement plans (sometimes called Medigap plans) are insurance plans that offer additional coverage to supplement the coverage provided by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). A Medicare Supplement plan can help with some of the roughly 20 percent of out-of-pocket costs beneficiaries are responsible for after Medicare pays its share. So, many beneficiaries are glad to have the peace of mind that comes from the extra financial protection Medigap plans provide....
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Health Plans, Networks, and Provider Relationships Work Together for You

A diverse team of medical professionals smiles at the camera
Health plans often reference their provider networks, describing providers as either in-network or out-of-network. Provider networks include a range of professionals, from nurse practitioners to physical and occupational therapists, in addition to both primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists. When a provider is in a plan’s network, it means that the plan and the provider have a contractual relationship....
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Medication Reviews: Talking to Your Doctor About Your Prescriptions

An older man examines a medication bottle, as woman uses a laptop
If you’re like the average American over 65, you take about three prescriptions each month (prescribed by more than one doctor) in addition to some over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. But what do you really know about these medications? Are they safe to take together? Could they cause unwanted side effects? Is it time to stop taking some of them?...
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How Can Seniors Stay Strong? SilverSneakers!

During a recent train ride into work, I experienced the funniest reminder about exercise. For those of you who don’t take the train, let me set the scene… The sun hadn’t come up quite yet, and the weather was cold and dreary. The train car was filled with early morning commuters who were bundled up and,...
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Medicare Part D: What You Need to Know in 2019

Photo of an older couple picking up their medication at the pharmacy.
Medicare Part D is a federal prescription drug coverage program offered by private insurance companies. Prescription drug coverage can be purchased one of two ways: Bundled with medical. Most Medicare Advantage plans cover both Part C (medical) and Part D (drug) plans, eliminating the need to manage more than one insurance plan. These plans are called Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans....
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The Return of the Open Enrollment Period – New for 2019!

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For 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have brought back the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or OEP. The Medicare Advantage OEP is not to be confused with the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 through December 7. The new OEP occurs from January 1 through March 31 of 2019....
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Getting Started with a New Health Plan

Family with their kids at the hospital
We’re glad to have you as an Independence Blue Cross member! We hope you’ll make the most of everything your health plan has to offer by finding the care you need, getting personalized support to reach your health goals, and saving money on healthy extras. Here’s how to get started with your health plan: 1. Register for the member website....
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What Is a Deductible, and How Does It Affect What You Pay?

A physician reviews a document with a man
Health insurance seems to speak its own language, so we’re here to translate a term you might hear when you’re shopping for a plan: deductibles. While it may not be the juiciest topic to read about, it’s important to understand deductibles since amounts can vary greatly from plan to plan. And those slight differences can have a major impact on your bottom line....
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