You’ll want to read every issue of the Medicare Reporter.
Here’s why.
Medicare is one of the best and most cost-effective health insurance plans in the country. But it’s plagued by inconsistent coverage, complicated regulations, confusing and misleading alternative programs, and dense jargon that few understand. Seriously, it’s enough to make a policy wonk’s eyes glaze over. Even many health-care providers and their staff don't fully understand it, and that ends up being a problem for you - the patient.
Medicare’s confusing regulations and often unclear practices leave those of us who are enrolled, those about to, and those in charge of someone else's care, searching for answers. Unfortunately, too often the answers are hard to find, inadequate, and sometimes wrong or deceptive. And who can afford to waste time and money on mistakes? I can’t. Can you? Confusion about Medicare can also put you at the mercy of private-insurance companies trying to sell you something you might not really need.
I’ll be your guide to the world of Medicare. I’ll walk you through the maze of difficult-to-understand regulations and misleading private insurance advertising. I’ll provide you with easy-to-understand information that you can use to make the decisions that work for you. And I’ll point you to other, carefully vetted sources of additional information that also may prove useful.
I’m a journalist, I research and explain things for a living. I’ve also been a medical consumer for longer than I care to remember. Over the years I’ve developed an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system – how it works, and how it doesn’t. Now I’m combining my professional skills with my healthcare experience to help you navigate Medicare’s maze. Each piece of information contained in the Medicare Reporter will be scrupulously checked, rechecked, and approved prior to publication by me and my medical advisers.
Medicare-related private insurance (Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement plans, and Part D drug plans) is BIG business with billions in annual profits. And in just nine years, in 2030, every Baby Boomer will be at least 65 years old and eligible to enroll in Medicare. That’s nearly 70 million people as of 2019. And millions of the first Gen Xers aren’t far behind. That’s a lot of profit for the insurance industry. What happens to those profits? Read the Medicare Reporter and find out. Hint: they’re not being used for your benefit.
Why I created the Medicare Reporter.
Helping others find accurate information about Medicare is why I created the Medicare Reporter. I’m a 68-year old freelance journalist and a Medicare beneficiary myself. I discovered the need for better, easy-to-understand information while researching my own Medicare needs. I’ve spent a ton of time online sifting through endless websites, making phone calls, and talking to experts about Medicare. Plus I’ve been troubleshooting problems for myself, friends, family, and for my late-parents. And honestly, who wants to do all that work for something that should be simple?
Toni - what can I expect from the Medicare Reporter?
Each issue of the Medicare Reporter will
highlight one or two Medicare topics or services and provide solutions to some of the difficulties and challenges you face when trying to get treatment or service. You’ll come away with valuable and clear information that you can use to get answers to questions and make informed decisions.
provide you with a list of carefully-curated links to other reliable sources of information so you can get as full a picture of each topic as possible.
The Medicare Reporter is also a place where you’ll see original reporting on Medicare and related topics, along with interviews with medical professionals and others working on the front lines of health care and health policy.
Here are just some of the broad topics I’ll cover
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Privatization
Drug plans (aka Part D)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Crucial services Medicare does not cover
Why your Medicare coverage may depend on where in the US you live
All about open enrollment
Medicare supplement insurance (aka Medigap)
I’m committed to having the Medicare Reporter serve you, the Medicare consumer, with the most up-to-date, easy-to-understand information about Medicare. Income will come solely from subscriptions.
So if you like what I’m offering and want to give me a shot here’s how.
Is there a topic you’d like covered? Email themedicarereporter@gmail.com