Medicare

Most people have to wait until open enrollment season to change Medicare Advantage plans. But you still have time to switch to traditional Medicare.

For those enrolling in traditional Medicare, buying a supplemental insurance policy covers the substantial gaps left by deductibles and co-payments.

We reviewed your questions—and our answers—to come up with the most timely financial advice of the past year.

You can enroll three months before your 65th birthday. But if you’re still working, you may want to wait.

Once, retirement meant collecting your last paycheck at 65, saying so long to your co-workers and closing the door for good on your working life. No ...

The gap in the middle of prescription-drug coverage that requires seniors to pay most of the cost of their drugs is shrinking.

It can help ease the pain of a high deductible on your 2015 health plan.

If your income is too high, you could pay a lot more for your monthly Part B premiums. But you may be able to get the surcharge reduced.

The gap in coverage that requires you to pay most of your drug costs is shrinking again for 2015.

The premiums and deductible for Part B are the same as in 2014, but you may have to pay more for Part D.

You may be able to score a better deal on your Part D prescription-drug plan or Advantage plan.

An increasing number of digital tools let patients take charge of their medical records.

Many insurers are shrinking provider networks, so make sure your doctors are included in the plans you're considering.

Plan ahead by including medical expenses as a line item in your retirement budget.

The out-of-pocket costs for a couple in retirement look daunting, but our strategies can ease the pain.

The average couple who retires at age 62 will spend $17,000 out-of-pocket on health care each year until they enroll in Medicare. Can you afford to make the leap?

A new approach to primary care, patient-centered medical homes save money, reduce unnecessary services and improve patients' health.

A little-noticed provision of the Affordable Care Act could open the door for many patients seeking potentially life-saving treatments.

Learn the ins and outs of the system for your sake, as well as your parents'.

Your parent always needs a health care or financial advocate.

Take the following steps if you disagree with a decision made by Medicare.

If a sizable nest egg and long-term-care insurance aren't in the cards, explore these ways to help pay for care.

Find out which doctors are covered by your plan.

As you approach 65, explore your choices and pay attention to deadlines.

Good news for your budget: Premiums will be the same in 2014 as they were in 2013.

During open enrollment, use Medicare’s Plan Finder to compare premiums, co-payments and other cost information for plans in your area.

Even if you’re satisfied with your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, it’s a good idea to reshop it to see if it is still the best deal.

Review your options for Medicare Part D prescription-drug plans and Medicare Advantage to see if you can get a better deal.

Social Security, Medicare, and military and veterans’ health benefits will keep flowing, but you’ll want to cancel any plans to visit national parks.

Take a look at the high-deductible Plan F or at Plan N Medicare supplement plans for comprehensive coverage with lower premiums and more cost sharing.

The new health care law doesn’t apply to Medicare supplemental insurance, so insurers can reject you or charge higher rates because of your health.

These private insurance plans are a one-stop shop for medical care.

With lawmakers and President Obama far apart, compromise seems to be a dirty word in Washington.

With tax revenues on the rise and spending growth reined in by the sequester, Congress isn't interested in real fixes.

Supreme Court ruling opens door to tax breaks, health coverage and retirement benefits.

You might get a better deal on the new exchanges starting in 2014.

Medical expenses are likely to be one of your biggest expenses in retirement, and people totally underestimate the cost: Nearly half of the preretirees ...

Prepare for the financial impact of this devastating disease soon after a diagnosis.

Private and government insurance programs may pay for some of the costs.

Shop around to make sure you're getting the best prescription-drug coverage.

Most people will pay more for this government health care plan for seniors.

Heading into your retirement years brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll, ...

Obama and Romney both aim to slow the rate of growth in Medicare spending, but they differ on how to achieve that goal.

Even if you are happy with your current plan, check out your options. You may find a better deal.

Once you turn 65, Medicare pays the bulk of your medical expenses. But Medicare has its own lingo, and sometimes it can be tough to translate. Medicare ...

Find answers to your Medicare questions with these resources.

Miss an enrollment deadline for Medicare, and you could end up with no medical coverage for months and a lifetime of penalties.

Workers approaching retirement -- and many current retirees -- should plan to sock away more money for future health care costs.

The coverage gap in the Part D prescription-drug plan has started closing through a combination of government subsidies and drug-company discounts.

Before sticking with your current plan, check out all your Medicare options. You may find a better deal.