Everything keeps changing, how do I keep up? Why is there so many choices? This is common question and concerns of most seniors today. The cost of health and prescriptions is higher today for seniors, averaging over $500.00 a month.

With fixed incomes, a comfortable retirement seems to be slipping away.

Retirement is re defining itself. The days of a lifetime pension and 401ks are being wiped out. You must think and live different than our Mothers and Fathers did before us. The nest egg is under attack with high health rates, limited 401k's and lack of pension plans from former employment. Some day Social Security may not be available. What are we to do?

Today a person coming to retirement must study and understand their future goals. A plan must be in place. Some may have to work part time to assist their retirement funds, and some maybe able to live from rare pension plans and investments. Education is the key. Classes, Seminars and home study is available and necessary.

Here are a few items to cover:

- How do the changes for 2006 affect me?

- What do you need to understand about the new Medicare plans.

- How do I plan for retirement.

- Can you plan on your pension?

Business Subjects That affect Retirement:

- How do I manage my portfolio.

- What investment should you consider?

- What do you need to know about Social Security and Medicare.

Donald Trump has proven to be a household name to us for his accomplishments. Many folks down play his forwardness and horn blowing ways, but he always seems to be on top. Mr. Trump is someone to watch, learn and understand.

There is a few sites provided for you to understand Social Security, Medicare and Retirement better, at http://www.medicare-search-online.com , http://www.socailsecuritydata.com and http://www.retirementonlinefind.com.

You can also email ssn@nwcustomwebs.com with any of your questions

There is nothing more important than your health and the health of your family. Of course, education, food and shelter are also important, but at the end of the day the health of our family is probably the most important thing to us. After all, how can we get good education, put food on our table and build our family good shelter when we cannot get up to work every morning.

In the past, people go to work seven or six days a week to feed their families and put clothes in their backs. But there is no medical care available so they just spent most of their money on food, education and other living expenses. But in the 1950s, the officials of the Social Security administration noticed that older Americans were facing a health crisis. With the increasing number of older Americans each year, the Social Security Administration and the Congress established the Medicare program. Medicare applies to everybody over the age of 65. As the population ages, so is the risk of certain serious health conditions. But if you are covered by Medicare, you likely qualify for a number of benefits that could help prevent life-threatening illnesses.

The benefits you can avail of when you are covered by Medicare may include tests for prostate cancer, breast, vaginal, cervical and colorectal cancer, diabetes monitoring, bone mass measurements and pneumonia and hepatitis B shots. Although Medicare is mostly available for older Americans, younger people with disabilities and people with end stage renal disease may also be eligible.

The Medicare program has two parts, Part A otherwise known as Hospital insurance and Part B or Medicare insurance. Part A covers home health and hospice care, hospital and skilled nursing facility while Part B covers outpatient hospital services, doctor’s services, and other medical services and supplies. Eligibility for Medicare requires that you have to be a US citizen or have been a permanent legal resident for five continues years and you are 65 years old and older.

Remember that illness and disease unlike aging can be prevented. Hence, it is essential that you have a healthy lifestyle and make it a point to take advantage of the medical and preventive services available to you. When you have done this, the chances of your living to your golden years will be higher.

Medicare is America's health insurance program for citizens or permanent residents age 65 or older. Some patients younger than age 65 can also qualify for Medicare, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Medicare helps pay for the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.

The program is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers, as well as monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks. The Medicare program is run by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Medicare has four parts. Part A is hospital insurance which helps pay for inpatient services in a hospital, nursing facility or hospice, and some forms of home health care. Part B helps cover doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies not covered by hospital insurance. Part C, or Medicare Advantage, allows patients to receive all of their health care services through one of the provider organizations listed under Part C. Part D is prescription drug coverage.

Medicare and Medicaid are two different programs. Medicaid is a state-run program providing hospital and medical coverage for low-income residents, and each state has its own eligibility rules and coverage benefits. Some people qualify for both programs. Information about the Medicaid program is available from local medical assistance agencies, social services or welfare offices.

Considering the high cost of medical care, Medicare provides patients with great financial savings. An average monthly premium of approximately $32 offers two levels of coverage, standard and catastrophic. After a $250 deductible, Medicare pays 75% of the cost of covered medications up to a yearly cost of $2,250. There is extra help for people with limited income and resources. Approximately one third of people with Medicare coverage will qualify for extra help and Medicare will pay for almost all of their prescription drug costs.

Once yearly out-of-pocket prescription costs exceed $3,600, which often happens in the event of serious health problems such as AIDS, cancer or heart disease , catastrophic coverage takes effect and Medicare covers up to 95% of the remaining drug charges for the rest of the year. Many health plans will offer more coverage, smaller deductibles or premiums lower than $32. Most patients with limited income and resources will pay only a few dollars for each prescription.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) boasts a membership of over thirty five million people aged fifty years and older. The massive non-profit organization is recognized as a political advocacy powerhouse whose influence seems to grow along with the "graying" of America. AARP, however, does not limit itself exclusively to legislative lobbying for its membership demographic; it also (in conjunction with established companies) provides insurance opportunities to its members. Two of these products include AARP life insurance and AARP Medicare health insurance.

*AARP Life Insurance

For well over ten years, AARP has been offering whole and term life insurance policies to its members in association with the New York Life. The AARP life insurance program offers plans featuring premiums touted as "affordable" that are specifically designed for people age fifty and older. Coverage amounts vary, with policies being available with benefits ranging from only a few thousands of dollars to fifty thousand dollars.

AARP life insurance is available to any AARP member between the ages of fifty and eighty. Spouses of AARP members may also receive coverage, so long as they are forty-five years of age or older. AARP life insurance does not require a medical exam. According to AARP, approval is based on answers to "three simple health questions." Policies can be applied for via mail and the program touts the ease of application and approval as two of its strengths.

*AARP Medicare Insurance

AARP offers a health insurance policy designed to supplement the coverage provided by Medicare. This "Medicare Supplement Insurance" is offered in association with United HealthCare Insurance Company. Premised on the notion that Medicare generally covers slightly more than half of an individual's health care expenses, AARP's Medicare health insurance plan seeks to provide a means by which to cover costs such as co-insurance, deductibles and prescription medications.

AARP's Medicare health insurance program allows members to continue utilization of their own physicians and is promoted with a focus on its ease of use, as well as its coverage. For instance, AARP members using this supplementary insurance plans are not required to fill out claim forms and the coverage is valid across the U.S., making it available for use when traveling and in other similar circumstances. According to AARP, rates for this insurance product are not increased based on age alone. Individuals are not to be "singled out" for rate increases, either. Rate changes are applied to all members of a matching class insured under the plan and residing in the same state.

AARP is one of America's largest organizations and is one of its most politically powerful. In addition to using its membership to wield political clout, AARP has also used its massive membership as a group for insurance purposes. Teaming up with established providers like New York Life and United HealthCare, AARP offers its members insurance packages ranging from AARP life insurance to AARP Medicare supplementary health insurance.

A new study shows that Americans who were not insured before the age of 65 and gained access to Medicare cost the system exponentially more money than those who were previously insured with prior health insurance.

According to HealthDay, Data on more than 5,000 older people from a national study found that the previously uninsured needed 13 percent more doctors visits, experienced 20 percent more hospitalizations and had 51 percent higher total medical expenditures after their care began to be covered by the government program.

Dr. J. Michael McWilliams, a research associate in the Harvard Medical School department of health care policy and lead author of a report in the July 12 New England Journal of Medicine said, "Providing health insurance coverage for these adults [before age 65] could not only improve their health but also partially offset the costs of expanding coverage."

Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, were found to be the most costly conditions among seniors. "This study demonstrates conclusively what common sense tells us -- that people with ongoing health care coverage are healthier people," said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a consumer advocacy group based in New York City.

The solution to the problem would be to offer government covered healthcare assistance before the age of 65 in order to keep those entering into the system in better health. The report hits home in a time where the future of the American Healthcare System is being hotly debated.

Visit this Consumer Advocacy website for more information on ordering from an online Mexican pharmacy.

About the Author: Mark has been in the pharmaceutical search industry since 1999 and has quickly become one of the most widely used pharmaceutical resource sites. Visit this Consumer Advocacy website for more information on ordering from an online Mexican pharmacy.

In spite of the fact that people have been warned about getting burned by the newest breed of insurance sharks, several people have still dropped their very dependable Medicare Supplements for one or more of the newest scams being peddled. They are new Medicare Advantage Plans.

Are they good plans? Some could be, and most are not scams in and of themselves; what makes them bad is that they are being pushed down seniors' throats by high pressure sales people who just hammer price, price, price. They tell people things like "your Med supp will go WAY up; how will you afford it?" They scare you to death expecting a double or triple jump in your current coverage before you can even blink. Then they tease you with FREE health care, Donut hole coverage, or Dental and Vision care.

If all else fails, they will turn to the spouse and ask him or her what they could do with the extra money they will have in their pocket when they are no longer paying a Medicare Supplement premium. They ask you what one thing you would buy for yourself if you had a couple hundred dollars a month extra, and then promise to show you how they are going to give you that money. Then they keep tantalizing you with it, holding that dream purchase in front of you like some sort of carrot. They are pushing your emotional hot buttons, and they do it very well. Even the best educated people fall for it because it just seems so good.

Some are telling lies. Others just aren't telling you the whole truth.

It is true that Med Supps go up in price, and it may even double, but it will take the rest of your life to do that. And if it ever does get to where you can't afford it, you can consider an Advantage plan at that time. Plus, Advantage Plans change their COVERAGE terms every year, and sometimes add RADICAL premiums. Case in point: one of the Care Improvement plans in South Carolina offered coverage for a $110 premium in November of 2007; however, once the plan actually went into effect, the premium jumped to $173, leaving people scrambling to get out of it.

If you are turning 65, you are vulnerable. Furthermore, while Medicare Supplement plans give you 6 months before and after your birthday, Medicare Advantage plans only give you three months. Thus, the agents can come in behind the company that provided your supplement-after you have paid a couple months premium-and offer you this "free" alternative. If you have already paid premium, but haven't yet had a major illness, and you are accustomed to group health insurance where you never had to worry about premium, the Advantage plan seems closer to what you had under your company. It isn't.

However, unscrupulous agents from multiple companies use high pressure strategies to fast talk you into something that will just give them a commission. In one case, one of my own clients was tricked into changing not only their med supp, but also the drug plan. They had no idea the guy had slipped in a new drug application until another company called them and asked why they were trying to get a stand alone plan outside of open enrollment. Still, It almost took an act of Congress to get them out. Although the company wasn't to blame for the application, they wasted no time in activating it with CMS and trying to capture the account.

Do NOT conduct business with anyone who refuses to give you carbons and/or company contact information.

Some agents are promising to "mail" your carbons because they know that if they can turn them in without giving you a chance to change your mind, they've GOT you. There is no 30 day free look on this. Agents are playing GRAB AND RUN because the system is set up to allow them to do just that. Furthermore, even though you may still be in open enrollment for Medicare Supplement, if you are more than three months beyond your birthday, you may not be able to get out of the Advantage plan.

If you have severely low income, say, just above eligibility levels for Medicaid, an Advantage Plan may be the best option for you. Just know that if you do not take a Med Supp when you are able, and then you develop chronic health conditions, you will NEVER have another chance. Regular Medicare Supplement is absolutely the most dependable coverage you can get other than Tri-Care or the Federal Plan offered to retired Federal employees such as U.S. Postal workers.

Med Supp coverage won't change; You will never be dropped as long as you pay your premium. In fact, I recently refused to replace a lady's BC/BS Med Supp because she is 80 years old, in poor health, and will NEVER get it back. I could only give her an Advantage Plan, but as long as she can afford the Med Supp, I refused to do so.

In some cases, a person needs an Advantage Plan; they may not be eligible for a Supplement, or perhaps they truly cannot pay for it. In these cases, you should work with an agent or person you already know who is able to recommend the best options available in your area and who will be available for service in the future. Don't let just anyone slam-dunk you into something different and leave you hanging.

And know that if you cancel your Med Supp, you won't get it back unless your health is still good. Plus, Advantage plans can be canceled by Medicare any time.

The reason the companies are pushing these plans now in addition to the chance to trap you is because Congress is working on a "House Budget Reconciliation Bill" (reported by Capitol Hill Watch) that will reduce Medicare funding of Advantage Plans by $50 billion if it passes...yes, that's BILLION, folks. So, companies are taking advantage of the opportunity to rake as much profit out of Medicare as possible while they have the chance. You are living in dreamland if you think your "FREE" health insurance will stay the way it is today. You may find yourself begging to have your Med Supp restored, and if the company has paid for a lot of health care, your own records will keep you from being accepted.

It doesn't matter what supplement you have. If it is a true supplement as designated by the words "Plan J, Plan D, Plan F, Plan L," or any other letter from A through L, and preceded by the word PLAN, don't change it. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS HIGH PRESSURE TALK. Do NOT switch for an Advantage plan unless you have already decided to drop your supplement without any pressure from some agent you have never seen before. It has gotten so bad that United Health Systems of Eastern Carolina (an entire hospital group from NC) has taken the stand and now will not accept any of these high pressure plans--solely because of the marketing strategies that are threatening senior health coverage.

If you have any questions, please call someone you know. Some states handle Medicare issues through their Lieutenant Governor's Offices. If you don't have a person at a local senior center, call the person at the state level. Do not let one of these sharks come to your door. They are trained to make sure they walk out the door with your signature. At the very least, they will tell you to just sign it as you can always cancel it. That, too, is not true. It can be very difficult to cancel a Medicare Advantage plan once you get into it until the next open enrollment. By then, it will be too late to save what you had.

Karen Ruff, D.A. is a Registered Financial Representative, a freelance writer and insurance agent for a 128 year old nationwide company. Licensed in South Carolina and Georgia, she specializes in life insurance, annuities, and is certified in long term care. She also provides cancer insurance and alternatives for protecting senior savings and investments.

Dr. Ruff is the owner of a quarterly newsletter "Silver Scoop" which is available in print or as a PDF email attachment. For additional information, email silverscribler@aol.com

Are you taking a trip outside of The United States? If you're 65 or older, you may not know that Medicare doesn't cover you outside the United States. That's where getting a good travel insurance plan can come in handy.

The Original Medicare Plan does not cover health care when you travel outside the United States, except for some emergency situations in Mexico and Canada.

In rare cases, Medicare can pay for inpatient hospital services that you get in Canada or Mexico. Medicare can pay only if:

1. You are in the United States when a medical emergency occurs and the Canadian or Mexican hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.
2. You are traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.
3. You live in the United States and the Canadian or Mexican hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether an emergency exists.

Some Medicare + Choice plans may provide worldwide coverage benefits for health care needs when you travel outside the United States. You should check with your Medicare + Choice plan prior to traveling outside of the United States regarding worldwide coverage benefits.

Medigap policies C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J provide Foreign Travel Emergency health care coverage when you travel outside the United States. Under these plans, Medigap policies pay for 80% of the cost of emergency care during the first 60 days of each trip after you pay the $250 deductible. Foreign Travel Emergency coverage with Medigap policies have a lifetime limit of $50,000. Check with your plan or insurance regarding your coverage before you travel outside the country. Here's a link to Medicare's Questions and Answers.

Steve Dasseos is the CEO of TripInsuranceStore.com, the world's most informative travel insurance website. You can compare reputable travel insurance plans, get person-to-person service & advice. Contact Steve here.

Medicare open enrollment is a six month period which includes the three months before and after a consumer's 65th birthday. In many cases, it is advantageous for seniors to purchase a Medicare supplement policy during their open enrollment window. Under certain circumstances, consumers who allow their six month window to expire may not medically qualify for a supplemental plan.

Guaranteed Eligibility at Age 65

Medicare qualified seniors are guaranteed eligible for insurance during open enrollment regardless of their health history. Health underwriting is not necessary and there are no medical questions to answer on an application. All Medigap insurance plans offered in the applicant's state will be available for purchase. Simply put, insurance companies cannot deny Medigap coverage if application is made during the six month time-frame.

Other Guaranteed Periods of Eligibility

There are other time periods of guaranteed eligibility for Medicare supplement insurance for those outside of their six month window. Consumers age 65 and older who are involuntarily losing group health insurance or group supplemental coverage will also be guaranteed a Medicare supplement plan. However, they may have to go through underwriting for certain plans (Plan J for example) and they might not be offered premium discounts on their plan choice.

Additional Advantages of Purchasing Coverage in Open Enrollment

There are many supplemental insurance providers who provide discounts during open enrollment. In some cases, the applicant's price reduction can be as much as 15%. This savings will carry over into subsequent years helping to keep premiums lower as the insured grows older. Additionally, some insurance companies will require underwriting for popular supplements, like Plan J, if the applicant is more than three months past their 65th birthday. If applying during open enrollment, health underwriting will not be required for Plan J.

Medicare Disability and Open Enrollment

In some states, acceptance into Medicare disability is a qualifying event for guaranteed coverage. Consumers under age 65 who are approved for government disability will have a six month window to purchase a Medicare supplement regardless of health history. (Missouri is one such state.) It is very advantageous for Medicare disability consumers to enroll in a plan during their six month opening. Otherwise, they will have to go through medical underwriting and acceptance would be unlikely due to health concerns.

In summary, seniors near their 65th birthday and disabled persons eligible for Medicare coverage should consider applying for supplemental coverage. Applying during a period of open enrollment will render underwriting unnecessary, allow for more plan choices, and also offer premium discounts.

Medicare supplement insurance quotes in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio - Including Plan F and Plan J

A.M. Hyers has been working in the insurance and investment industry for over ten years. He owns and operates Hyers and Associates, Inc. an independent insurance agency doing business in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio.

His agency offers insurance products in the individual, family, and small business group marketplace. They use the leading national insurance carriers to quote health insurance, health savings accounts, dental, and vision plans.

Other lines of insurance offered include life insurance, disability insurance, and long term care insurance. They use several carriers to quote Medicare supplement plans and Medicare Part D coverage for seniors. Additionally, the independent agents of Hyers and Associates Inc. offer fixed, indexed, and immediate annuity policies for individual and group retirement plans.

Insurance quotes in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio

Individual, Family and Group Health Insurance Quotes in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio

Medicare Advantage Plans, are health plans from insurance companies that have a contract with CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid). Individuals who have Medicare Part A and B are eligible to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. Specialized plans exist for people with certain health conditions, but beyond that the general plans are not allowed to decline based on health except for very specific reasons.

When an individual is enrolled in the plan they do not lose their Medicare. They are entitled to cancel their Medicare Advantage plan, and the next month, they can go back to original Medicare. While enrolled in Medicare Advantage, they will have to use the insurance card provided by the Medicare Advantage plan instead of their Medicare card.

These plans may cost the participants nothing, or very little, though many still require the Part B participation amount. A Medicare Advantage plan is not free however. The plans receive a contribution from CMS every month, instead of having that tax money go to original Medicare. That is how the bulk of the plan is paid for, from tax money.

Traditionally, Medicare Advantage Plans were thought of as HMO plans were an insured person had to use the plan hospitals, doctors, and other medical providers to be covered. Many Medicare Advantage Plans are HMO plans. However, PPO Medicare Advantage plans also exist. Fee for Service Medicare Advantage Plans, or plans that will cover any medical providers who accept the insurance, are being marketed aggressively these days.

Your own medical needs and preferences will determine which plan will work out well for you. If your current medical providers contract with the plan's HMO, then you may be very satisfied with comprehensive coverage with very little extra payments. If you like more choice, and area doctors will accept a Free For Service plan then you might consider an “Any Doctor” plan. Be aware that not all doctors work with the Fee For Service plans, even though the insurance company claims it will work with any doctor! A great compromise is provided by PPO plans. You get the greatest coverage at the lowest price inside the network, but will still be covered by other medical providers.

Most, but not all, Medicare Advantage plans also contain Part D, or prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may have very low, or no, premium for the insured people beyond their normal Part B premium. Some plans even refund the Part B premium. Also, Medicare Advantage Plans are not allowed to do a lot of risk selection based upon health, so they may be a good choice for less healthy applicants.

A traditional Medicare Supplement is very different from Medicare Advantage. With Medicare Supplements you still use your original Medicare Card, and add your Medicare Supplement health card. These plans are also provided by insurance companies, but they simply supplement the coverage gaps and deductibles not provided by original Medicare Part A and Part B.

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, your Medicare supplement plan will pay the portion of your medical bill that Medicare will not pay. Of course, Medicare supplement plans differ, and so you need to be aware of exactly which portions a Medicare Supplement plan will pay before you sign up. For instance, Medicare may be 80% of your hospital bill, and your supplement will pick up the other 20%.

Medicare supplements come with premiums, and also may exclude unhealthy individuals. However, they generally provide the broadest access to health care.

M Katz has helped hundreds of people, including many Medicare participants.

No matter what your age, find great, affordable health insurance plans that work for you. Find Health Assurance. at http://www.247QuoteUS.com

For those who qualify using a diabetes Medicare supplies company can significantly reduce the cost of managing this life threatening disease. These online companies work as the middle man between their customers and the Medicare bureaucracy to ensure that all the necessary paper work is filled out correctly. This allows the diabetic to receive their needed supplies on a regular schedule at no cost.

There is no known cure for type 1 or type 2 diabetes which makes lifelong management an important part of minimizing the effects of this disease. Controlling blood sugar levels is the cornerstone of diabetes management and a key part of this management regimen is daily blood glucose tests.

Blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets, and alcohol wipes are all a part of a diabetics daily life. These testing supplies can be used from 3 to 7 times a day depending on the type and severity of diabetes an individual is dealing with. The one constant is the blood glucose monitor which with proper care and maintenance will last a long time. The other testing supplies will need to be replaced as they are used to ensure that blood sugar control is maintained everyday.

This used to mean regular trips to the local pharmacy which tends to become more of an inconvenience over time. This is still an option today but with the growth of diabetic delivery supply companies it is much easier to get all the necessary supplies and equipment delivered directly to the front door on a set scheduled basis.

For those diabetics who have Medicare these companies work as the middle man between their customers and the government bureaucracy. They are able to expedite the process of getting their customers diabetes Medicare supplies by filling out all the required paper work and submitting it through the proper channels. This means receiving all your supplies free of charge, and that normally includes no shipping costs as well.

Running out of testing supplies is something that no diabetic wants to have happen. With the hectic race of modern life it is easy to forget if and when to re-stock those necessary items. Letting a diabetes Medicare Supplies Company do the work for you can make life a little easier making sure you never have to worry about running out your needed supplies again.

Visit the website Diabetic Diet Plan for more information about buying diabetes Medicare supplies on the internet by clicking here