Avoid These 6 Medicare Mistakes to Protect Your Health and Your Wallet

Retirement is supposed to be a time to relax and enjoy your golden years. But managing your health care can be a whole new challenge.

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Medicare is a complex system, and it's easy to make mistakes. Here are six of the most common Medicare mistakes to avoid:SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

1. Picking a plan based on the advice of friends or insurance agents.

Medicare is complicated, and your friends or insurance agent may not be experts in your specific situation. Get unbiased advice from a Medicare counselor or the Medicare Rights Center.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

2. Forgetting about your 'freebies.'

Medicare covers certain medical services and products for free, such as annual wellness visits, preventive care, and some prescription drugs.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

3. Missing your annual chance to change plans.

Your Medicare coverage, costs, and benefits can change from year to year. During open enrollment, you can review your options and switch plans if you find a better fit.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

4. Losing in-network access.

Not all health care providers accept all Medicare coverage. If you go to a provider who isn't in your plan's network, you could face higher costs.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

5. Losing Medigap coverage.

Medigap policies can help cover the costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can't buy a Medigap policy. So, if you decide to switch back to Original Medicare, you may not be able to get a Medigap policy.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

6. Getting hit with a tax penalty for HSA contributions.

If you contribute to your health savings account (HSA) while on Medicare, you could be subject to a tax penalty.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

By avoiding these common Medicare mistakes, you can ensure that you have the coverage you need to stay healthy and independent in retirement.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

Here are some additional tips for avoiding Medicare mistakes:SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html

• Do your research. Before you sign up for any Medicare plan, be sure to compare your options and understand the benefits and costs of each one.
• Get help from a qualified professional. A Medicare counselor or the Medicare Rights Center can help you understand your options and choose the best plan for you.
• Stay informed. Medicare rules and regulations can change, so it's important to stay informed about your coverage. You can do this by visiting the Medicare website or by signing up for email updates from Medicare.

By following these tips, you can avoid common Medicare mistakes and ensure that you have the coverage you need to stay healthy and independent in retirement.SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html SourceMoneyGuru-https://www.mgkx.com/5007.html