Did you know that individuals with dental and vision insurance are more likely to visit the dentist and ophthalmologist and have better overall health compared to people who don't? Anyone who needs corrective lenses should visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly to have their eyes checked for overall health. And for overall oral health, everyone should visit the dentist regularly, and dental insurance can defray the costs of regular exams as well as any work you may

Finding respite care and breaks for caregivers involves exploring several options to ensure you get the support you need. Area agencies on aging are an excellent starting point, as these government or nonprofit groups assist older adults in every community and will know about funding sources, volunteer programs, care agencies, and facilities in your area. You can find your local agency at the Eldercare Locator or by calling 800-677-1116. There are various types of respite s

When people sign up for a new health insurance plan, be that an employer-sponsored plan or one purchased on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange, they can often be confused about when coverage starts, what is covered, and whether they have to share in the costs of a medical procedure. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently compiled a list of seven takeaways from stories about people who ended up paying large out-of-pocket expenses for medical care. Health plan enrollees shou

Today's consumers value convenience. Ours is an economy of drive-through meals, online shopping, and groceries brought straight to our doorsteps. Insurance carriers are also offering "simplified issue" policies and even life insurance without an exam. That may be convenient, but it may not be a great deal for you — especially if you're in less-than-perfect health. Traditionally, life insurance underwriters have required a medical exam for all but the smallest life policies. I

Transitioning out of active duty or reaching retirement age brings many changes, and understanding your healthcare shouldn’t be a source of stress. TRICARE is a powerful benefit, but with various plans like Prime , Select , and For Life , it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What Veterans Need to Know Now The most important thing to remember is that your TRICARE options depend on your military status (Retiree, Reserve, or Medically Retired) and your age. TRICARE Prime vs. Select:

A new study suggests that older adults with cancer may be especially good candidates for a little-known Medicare benefit that can make expensive prescription drugs easier to manage financially. Researchers found that the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, sometimes called M3P, can significantly reduce the financial strain that often hits Medicare beneficiaries early in the year, when high-cost medications sometimes must be paid upfront. That's because it allows Part D enroll

One of the biggest challenges as we age is the prospect of having to spend days, weeks, months, or even years in a hospital. If you're enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) it can help foot the bill for the first 60 days, but far less in the following 30 days, and after that you will pay full price out of pocket. Also, the number of days in the hospital that Medicare will cover over your lifetime is capped, and once you burn through those days, you are on your own f

More and more Americans are being saddled with high out-of-pocket medical expenses after an accident, especially those enrolled in high-deductible health plans. HDHPs have become popular, especially among younger and healthier individuals because of their lower monthly premiums. The tradeoff is that they carry the risk of significant out-of-pocket costs if medical services are needed. Depending on the deductible, a broken leg can end up costing thousands of dollars out of poc