BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
THE BOOMER'S GUIDE TO PLANET
RETIREMENT
DR. MARILYN BRUNO
WWW.GYNOSAPIENS.COM
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
IN THIS ISSUE: Page 1: END OF THE WORLD TIPS: Reduce Stress for Mental Wellness
Page 2: Safety Tips for the Holidays
Page 3: Save Energy and Resources
Page 6 : When to start taking Social Security Benefits
Page 14: Medicare Update: Open Season Ends 12/7; 2013 Premiums
Page 17: Help Funding CAT and MRI scans
Page 18: Hospital Safety Scores
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them. ~Author Unknown
END OF THE WORLD TIPS: Reduce Stress for Mental
Wellness
With supposedly 12 days to go before it is All Over, according to the Mayan calendar,
you will probably join me in having a little bit more stress nowadays, consciously or
unconsciously. Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of
life -- and impending Doom is no exception.
Everyone experiences stress. It’s unavoidable, and we all respond to it differently. The
key to successfully managing stress is to make sure we approach it in a positive way.
The causes of stress can be negative such as an illness, or positive, such as a
promotion. They can be big – planning a wedding – or small – sitting in traffic.
Recognizing what causes your stress and learning to manage it in a healthy way can
improve your life. The following may help you cope with your stress right away.
1
BOOMER'S GUIDE










VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
Know your limits and be realistic about how much you can do.
Set priorities and focus on what is most important.
Take one thing at a time.
Don’t expect perfection.
Ask for help if you need it.
Have quiet time daily. Relax, even if it is only 5 to 10 minutes.
Exercise and stretch.
Develop a hobby and do something you enjoy.
Eat well and get plenty of rest.
Have a support system. Don’t try to cope alone. Let a friend provide
encouragement, motivation, support and guidance.
The power of positive thought
"Look on the bright side" is more than a clever saying. The benefits of being optimistic
and having a positive mindset are huge. Changing the way you think about yourself and
how you approach life impacts your outlook and self-esteem.
People who think optimistically tend to take more risks. If they should fail, they avoid
blaming themselves, and are more likely to try again. On the other hand, those who
think negatively often blame themselves for failures, and are less likely to try again. The
challenge is to replace negative, unrealistic thoughts with positive, practical ones.
Recognizing and changing behavior takes practice. When optimistic thoughts dominate,
positive events will seem more rewarding and you will feel a greater sense of control. So
take a step back and "look on the bright side."
Let’s all focus on 2013 – a bright new year, full of health and happiness for all -- and no
more predictions of Doom!
Health and Safety Tips for the Holidays
Give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others by following these holiday tips,
courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control:
1. Wash hands often to keep yourself from spreading germs and getting sick. Wash
your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of
light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
3. Manage stress. Don’t over-commit yourself and prevent holiday anxiety and
pressure. Get enough sleep.
4. Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk,
they put everyone on the road in danger.
2
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
5. Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke. There is no safe amount
of tobacco or secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can
be dangerous.
6. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your
child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to
his/her height, weight, and age. Use a seat belt on every trip, no matter how short
the trip.
7. Get exams and screenings. Ask what exams you need and when to get them.
Update your personal and family history.
8. Get your vaccinations, which help prevent diseases and save lives.
9. Monitor the children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household
items, and other objects out of kids’ reach. Dress warmly for outdoor activities.
Develop and reinforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors including
electronic media.
10.
Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so
be careful to never leave fireplaces, space heaters, stoves, or candles unattended.
Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
11.
Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: wash hands and
surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures, and
refrigerate promptly.
12.
Eat healthy, and get moving. Eat fruits and vegetables. Limit your portion
sizes and foods high in fat and sugar. Be active for at least 2-1/2 hours a week
and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
Send a holiday health-e-card or add a cheery line to your holiday cards to show
someone you care about their health!
Save Energy and Resources this Holiday Season
The winter holidays are nearly here. Some of us are ready for the festivities, but many
of us are still planning and shopping for decorations and gifts and organizing holiday
gatherings. We want to enjoy the fun and spirit of the season, but we don’t want to
spend too much money or use too many resources in the process. And most of all, we
want to enjoy quality time with those we love.
The good news is that we can participate in all these holiday activities and still manage
to conserve resources. In doing so, we also protect our environment and protecting our
environment can safeguard our health now and in the future.
Whether we are traveling, sending holiday cards, decorating our homes or choosing
gifts, all of us can have "green" celebrations. Even if you already reduce, reuse and
recycle, browse through the suggestions below for more ways to bring those practices
3
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
into your holiday activities. If all of us make even a few eco-friendly choices, we will
save energy and resources and send less trash to the landfill during this busy time of
year.
Decorate with items that are energy-efficient and durable.




Research the most energy efficient choice for your holiday tree. The choice will
vary depending on your location. Below are some suggestions.
o Use other types of decorations besides live trees.
o Buy an artificial tree that you can use for years to come.
o Contact your state cooperative extension service to find out about trees
grown in your area or trees grown in ways that keep forests healthy and
safe.
o Buy a living tree you can plant outside or keep as a houseplant after the
holidays.
o Buy a smaller tree so that you have less to recycle.
o Dispose of your tree at a chipping facility or return to the environment in
other eco-friendly ways.
Use energy efficiently.
o Consider using few or no lights in your holiday decorations.
o Decorate with more energy efficient LED (light emitting diodes) strings.
o Plug your decorative indoor and outdoor lights into a timer to save
electricity.
Decorate creatively and inexpensively with natural materials from your yard or
with items you already own.
Choose durable ornaments from wood, metal or cloth rather than plastic or thin
glass.
Use fewer resources when you shop, give presents, and wrap gifts.









Take your own bags on shopping trips. Keep them in the car so they’re ready
whenever you stop at a store.
Shop online.
Conserve energy when shopping. Use mass transit if possible. If you have to drive,
combine several errands in one trip or carpool with family and friends.
Give gifts that are durable, energy-efficient, recyclable, or made of natural
products.
Buy from local shops and craft shows or from companies that use fair-trade
practices.
Search antique and second-hand stores for unique gifts.
Make your own gifts: knit, sew, bake, or create art from reused items.
Make calendars using your own photographs or make a recipe book with your
favorite recipes
Give a membership or an experience – tuition for a class or a visit to museum.
4
BOOMER'S GUIDE



VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
Give of your time – coupons for providing a meal, planting a garden, cleaning, or
using another talent or skill.
Plant a tree in someone’s yard.
Use creative materials for gift wrap:
o Scarves, fabric, handkerchiefs
o Old maps, sheet music, advertisements
o Reusable tins
o Usable baking pans or other home or garden items
Give cards that are eco-friendly and save resources.






Make your own cards.
Buy cards made from recycled paper (look for "post-consumer" content) and
printed in non-toxic inks.
Buy cards and envelopes that can be recycled in your town. Choose cards printed
on white stock without metallic or plastic coatings.
Buy cards wrapped in the least bulky or most recyclable packaging.
Substitute postcards for cards that require envelopes.
Reuse the fronts of old holiday cards as gift tags.
Eat sustainable food and avoid disposable containers and extra packaging.




Research sustainable food choices in your area and buy locally if possible.
Buy snacks and beverages in bulk to avoid extra packaging.
Serve food with washable utensils, plates, and glasses, rather than disposable
items.
Make homemade eggnog, hot chocolate or iced tea in large quantities, and
prepare pitchers of ice water in advance to reduce waste from water and soda
bottles or cans.
Choose a few of these ideas that will be easy for you to incorporate into your holiday
celebration. Not only will you conserve energy and resources, but chances are you will
also simplify your life. And you may get more of what we all need at this time of year –
time to enjoy our families and friends and to focus on the joys of the season.
You can also go all-out and look into new technologies to save energy – like getting
solar-powered outdoor lighting, etc.
And, for those of you who are junkies for cutting-edge technologies, here is what we can
look forward to: making our own ultra-low-cost solar panels from agricultural waste!
Forget about mulch! We can use organic refuse for fuel – just like they did in the movie,
Back To the Future II! In fact, this new technology is already being tested in remote
villages in the developing world where otherwise worthless agricultural waste can be
used as raw material for energy.
5
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
MIT researchers have created a new system that is reportedly 10,000 times greater than
previous versions, and is converting just 0.1 percent of sunlight’s energy to electricity.
Before commercializing the invention, researchers want to improve the technology
another tenfold. The basics of the technology is a tiny forest of zinc oxide (ZnO)
nanowires as well as a sponge-like titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructure coated with
the light-collecting material derived from bacteria. The nanowires not only serve as a
supporting structure for the material, but also as wires to carry the flow of electrons
generated by the molecules down to the supporting layer of material, from which it
could be connected to a circuit. As an bonus, both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide —
the main ingredient in many sunscreens — are very good at absorbing ultraviolet light.
The remaning ingredients are so cheap and the processing so simple, that you can use
anything green, even grass clippings as the raw material. No special laboratory
conditions are needed. For more info: Ref.: Andreas Mershin et al., Self-assembled
photosystem-I biophotovoltaics on nanostructured TiO2 and ZnO, Scientific Reports,
2012 [DOI: 10.1038/srep00234
Imagine if generators using this technology had been available to the victims of
Superstorm Sandy!
WHEN TO START TAKING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
My readers are always raising this topic, which is important for all Boomers. Some
people want to wait until age 70. Others want to retire early. Here are the pros and
cons of retirement planning:
Retiring at age 66:
This is the Fulll Retirement Age (FRA) at which individuals born between 1943 and 1954
can receive 100% of their Social Security monthly retirement benefit. You can estimate
your benefit amount by going to the Retirement Estimator at
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10070.html#a0=0, filling in the blanks, and seeing your
bottom line. Or, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social
Security office.
As you will find out, your Social Security benefits are not simply based on your lifetime
earnings. Your actual earnings are adjusted or “indexed” to account for changes in
average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then Social Security
calculates your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you
6
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
earned the most. They apply a formula to these earnings and arrive at your basic
benefit, or “primary insurance amount” (PIA). This is how much you would receive at
your full retirement age, depending on your date of birth.
Confused? Confounded? Of course! Below is a worksheet that the Social Security
Administration provides so that Boomers born after 1950 can estimate our retirement
benefits (see below). They are quick to note that this It is only an estimate, subject to
many variables. The first variable is age! The worksheet provided (see below) is no
good for Boomers born before 1951! If you are born in 1950, you are directed to
“Other Worksheets” at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10070.htm. But, if you
were born before 1950, Geezer that you are, you are instructed to request on online at
www.socialsecurity.gov or by writing to the Social Security Administration!!!
Do you get the idea that you are being kept in the dark as to how all this works?
Moving along, for those born after 1950, the worksheet provided online shows how to
estimate the Social Security monthly retirement benefit you would be eligible for at age
62. It also allows you to estimate what you would receive at age 66, your full
retirement age, excluding any cost-of-living adjustments for which you may be eligible.
If you continue working past age 62, your additional earnings could increase your
benefit. People born after 1950 can use this worksheet, but their actual benefit may be
higher due to additional earnings and benefit increases.
Example:
Step 1:
Enter your actual earnings in Column B, but not more than the amount shown in
Column A. If you have no earnings, enter "0."
Step 2:
Multiply the amounts in Column B by the index factors in Column C, and enter the
results in Column D. This gives you your indexed earnings, or the approximate
value of your earnings in current dollars.
Step 3:
Choose from Column D the 35 years with the highest amounts. Add these amounts.
Step 4:
Divide the result from Step 3 by 420 (the number of months in 35 years). Round
down to the next lowest dollar. This will give you your average indexed monthly
earnings.
$__________________
$__________________
Step 5:
a. Multiply the first $767 in Step 4 by 90%.
$__________________
b. Multiply the amount in Step 4 over $767 and less than or equal to $4,624 by
7
$__________________
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
32%.
c. Multiply the amount in Step 4 over $4,624 by 15%.
$__________________
Step 6:
Add a, b and c from Step 5. Round down to the next lowest dollar. This is your
estimated monthly retirement benefit at age 66, your full retirement age.
Step 7:
Multiply the amount in Step 6 by 75%. This is your estimated monthly retirement
benefit if you retire at age 62.
Year
$__________________
$__________________
A.
B.
C.
D.
Maximum
Actual
Index
Indexed
Earnings
Earnings
Factor
Earnings
1951
$3,600
14.89
1952
3,600
14.02
1953
3,600
13.27
1954
3,600
13.21
1955
4,200
12.62
1956
4,200
11.80
1957
4,200
11.44
1958
4,200
11.34
1959
4,800
10.81
1960
4,800
10.40
1961
4,800
10.20
1962
4,800
9.71
1963
4,800
9.48
8
BOOMER'S GUIDE
Year
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
A.
B.
C.
D.
Maximum
Actual
Index
Indexed
Earnings
Earnings
Factor
Earnings
1964
4,800
9.11
1965
4,800
8.95
1966
6,600
8.44
1967
6,600
7.99
1968
7,800
7.48
1969
7,800
7.07
1970
7,800
6.74
1971
7,800
6.41
1972
9,000
5.84
1973
10,800
5.50
1974
13,200
5.19
1975
14,100
4.83
1976
15,300
4.52
1977
16,500
4.26
1978
17,700
3.95
1979
22,900
3.63
1980
25,900
3.33
1981
29,700
3.03
9
BOOMER'S GUIDE
Year
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
A.
B.
C.
D.
Maximum
Actual
Index
Indexed
Earnings
Earnings
Factor
Earnings
1982
32,400
2.87
1983
35,700
2.73
1984
37,800
2.58
1985
39,600
2.48
1986
42,000
2.41
1987
43,800
2.26
1988
45,000
2.16
1989
48,000
2.07
1990
51,300
1.98
1991
53,400
1.91
1992
55,500
1.82
1993
57,600
1.80
1994
60,600
1.75
1995
61,200
1.69
1996
62,700
1.61
1997
65,400
1.52
1998
68,400
1.44
1999
72,600
1.37
10
BOOMER'S GUIDE
Year
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
A.
B.
C.
D.
Maximum
Actual
Index
Indexed
Earnings
Earnings
Factor
Earnings
2000
76,200
1.30
2001
80,400
1.27
2002
84,900
1.25
87,000
1.22
2004
87,900
1.17
2005
90,000
1.13
2006
94,200
1.08
2007
97,500
1.03
2008
102,000
1.01
2009
106,800
1.02
106,800
1.00
2003
20102011
Factors that can change the amount of your retirement benefit

You choose to get benefits before your full retirement age. You can begin to receive Social Security benefits
as early as age 62, but at a reduced rate. Your basic benefit will be reduced by a certain percentage if you
retire before reaching full retirement age.

You are eligible for cost-of-living benefit increases starting with the year you become age 62. This is true
even if you do not get benefits until your full retirement age or even age 70. Cost-of-living increases are
added to your benefit beginning with the year you reach 62 up to the year you start receiving benefits.

You delay your retirement past your full retirement age. Social Security benefits are increased by a certain
percentage (depending on your date of birth) if you delay receiving benefits until after your full retirement
age. If you do so, your benefit amount will be increased until you start taking benefits or you reach age 70.
11
BOOMER'S GUIDE

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
You are a government worker with a pension. If you also get or are eligible for a pension from work where
you did not pay Social Security taxes (usually a government job), a different formula is applied to your
average indexed monthly earnings. To find out how the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) affects your
benefits, go to Information For Government Employees and use the WEP online calculator. You also can
review the WEP fact sheet to find out how your benefit is figured. Or, you can contact Social Security and
ask for Windfall Elimination Provision (Publication No. 05-10045).
You may find a more detailed explanation about how your retirement benefit is calculated in the Annual Statistical
Supplement, 2010, Appendix D. You can order a copy by writing to the Government Printing Office, P.O. Box
371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.
Retiring after age 62:
As you can see from your calculations using the Estimator above, the Social Security
administration will now penalize you for retiring before age 66. The percentages vary
but, in general, the retiree loses 25% for retiring at age 62, rather than at age 66.
If you opt for “early retirement” at age 55, be prepared to receive no benefits at all for 7
years until you do turn 62.
Why would anyone do this? Well, if you calculate inflation and the depreciation of the
dollar’s buying power over time, you realize the wisdom of getting the money while the
getting is good. Your Social Security benefit is also taxed as ordinary income, so you
may find that earning a higher benefit just has you paying higher taxes. If you are on
the borderline to receive Federal healthcare subsidies (Medicaid, Extra Help, etc.), this
can be important. You may also do your numbers and wonder whether getting $50$100 more or less every month on you Social Security check is going to substantially
impact your lifestyle – particularly if you are in a high-stress job or just want to do
something else for the rest of your life while your health is still good rather than to keep
that 9-5 job – such as enjoying grandchildren, starting a small business, traveling, etc.
Retiring at age 70:
The Federal government is encouraging all working Americans to stay in their jobs and
work beyond their Full Retirement Age. Let’s face it: this is intended to keep as many
Boomers as possible from sapping funds from the Social Security till until they reach
age 70. The septuagenarians also have a higher likelihood of dying within 10-20 years,
reducing the benefits that they will receive. The incentives for deferred retirement are
tantalizing, as Social Security benefits are increased by yearly “delayed retirement
credits” (DRC) beyond age 66. For example, any individual born between 1943 and
1954 will receive a DRC of 8 percent per year for every year they delay receiving their
first retirement check. Age 70 is the last age for which SSA will pay a DRC. This
means that Boomers can increase their Social Security monthly retirement benefit by a
whopping 32 percent by delaying the start of their Social Security retirement benefit
until age 70. Very enticing.
12
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
Spousal Benefits - Let the Games Begin:
You don’t have to be a Boomer or be retired to get Spousal Benefits from the Social
Security system! You may be eligible to get benefits on someone else's record--for
example, on the record of your current spouse, divorced or deceased former spouse.
Here are the rules in a nutshell:
Regardless of your age, if you were married at least 10 years and then divorced
your spouse, you are eligible to receive 50 percent of your spouse’s benefits upon
his/her retirement. If you were married at least 10 years to 2 or 3 spouses and then
divorced them, you can receive 50 percent of each of their benefits!
If you are under Full Retirement Age and qualify on your own record, Social Security
will pay you that amount first. But if you also qualify for a higher amount as a spouse,
widow or widower on another record, you'll get a combination of benefits that equals
that higher amount.
If your spouse is already receiving benefits when you apply online, or if you and your
spouse apply online at the same time, Social Security will also check your eligibility for
benefits as a spouse. If you qualify, your application will also automatically serve as a
request for spousal benefits.
The one exception is that, if you receive a pension for your work that was not covered
by Social Security, your Social Security benefits may be lowered.
Here is an example:
A has been married over 10 years to B. A is entitled to 50 percent of B’s FRA benefits
of $2,400, or $1,200. A can opt to receive 50 percent of B’s benefits rather than
his/her own benefits if half of B's benefit is more than A's own benefit. In our example,
we assume that A’s benefits are $800 per month.
Assuming that A files for benefits at FRA, A receives the full $1,200. However, B must
have filed for benefits in order for A to be eligible to receive the $400 adjustment. If A
files for her benefit at age 62 (resulting in a reduction because she is filing before her
FRA of age 66) and B has not yet filed, A will receive a reduced benefit of $600 (25
percent less than her full benefit of $800) because A is not eligible for the spousal
adjustment of $400 until B files for benefits.
Fast-forward four years. B files for his Social Security retirement benefit, thereby
making A eligible for an additional retirement benefit from the spousal adjustment. In
13
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
this scenario, Social Security will look at A’s attained age when she became eligible for
the spousal adjustment or age 66. Even though A has already filed, Social Security
determines the difference between A's FRA benefit and the $1,200 A was entitled to as a
spouse, resulting in a $400 adjustment amount that is added to the $600 that A was
already receiving. A receives $1,000 a month (excluding any cost-of-living
adjustments) when A becomes age 66, based on filing starting when A was age 62.
In the above example, B and A can collect optimal benefits when B files for his Social
Security retirement benefit. A little known and legal strategy is "file and suspend" in
which the spouse with the higher benefit reaches FRA, files for benefits but requests an
immediate suspension of benefits. In so doing, this allows the spouse with the lower
benefits to collect on one-half of higher spouse's benefit. This strategy satisfies the
requirement that the primary spouse file for benefits, but Social Security does not
specify that the primary spouse must collect benefits.
This “file and suspend” approach may have an impact on lifetime Social Security
retirement benefits. If B and A both live to age 90. If A files at age 62 and then collects
the spousal benefit at age 66 and B files and suspends at age 66 and ultimately collects
benefits at age 70, the impact is significant – running into hundreds of thousands of
additional dollars!
One downside to the "file and suspend" strategy is that, if the spouse with the higher
benefit (B) dies before age 70 after suspending benefits and before collecting full
benefits, then the spouse with the lower benefit (A) will not be entitled to the increased
spousal benefit. The spousal benefit will be based on the spousal benefit as if he or she
files at FRA.
Another little known fact about the "file and suspend" strategy is that if an individual
files and suspends, he or she reserves the right to go back to Social Security and
request a lump sum payment of all back payments. For example, an individual who
elected to "file and suspend" but a few years later had a sudden change of health and
needs a lump sum payment to pay medical bills or wants funds to provide for heirs. But
in electing a lump sum payment of all back Social Security payments, the individual is
effectively filing at FRA and loses the 8 percent DRC he or she may have earned.
The decision of when to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits can be a
challenging one for individuals.
This topic is worth some homework! Contact Social Security and your accountant or
estate planner for more info.
MEDICARE UPDATE – OPEN SEASON ENDS 12/7; 2013 Premiums
14
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
I remember December 7th as a day that will live in infamy, to quote FDR, but it is also
the day the Medicare’ s Open Enrollment period (“Open Season”) ends. So do consider
fast whether or not you wish to make as many changes as you like to your Medicare
health or drug coverage. The last change you make will take effect January 1 of the
following year.
But, every rule has an exception. This year, individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy
who are unable to make a plan selection by December 7 may still enroll in health and
prescription drug coverage for 2013 by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) tollfree, 24 hours a day. This includes those who live in the affected areas as well as those
who rely on help making healthcare decisions from friends or family members who live
in those affected areas. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) wiill review
requests case by case to determine appropriate action. In most cases, beneficiaries will
be enrolled in their plans by the first of the month after the enrollment request is made.
Prescription and Benefits Access
In light of the events of Hurricane Sandy, Medicare Part D plans must guarantee
immediate refills of medications for any members located in disaster areas. Likewise,
the Food and Nutrition Service is able to offer quick, short-term food assistance benefits
to families in need through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Following are some tips from the S.H.I.P. Navigator, a monthly newsletter (that
coincidentally, I named, always loving a pun!):
Before choosing a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) that best suits your health
care needs, it’s important that you ask yourself the following questions:

Does the plan cover all the medications I’m taking (i.e., are they listed on the
plan’s list of covered drugs or formulary)?

Does the plan have any rules I need to follow in order to get my prescription drugs
(e.g., prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits)?

What are the premium and deductible amounts I may have to pay if I join this
plan?

How much will I pay at the pharmacy (copay/coinsurance) for each drug I take?

Is the pharmacy I go to in the plan’s preferred network? (You pay the least if you
use preferred, in-network pharmacies.)

Can I fill my prescriptions by mail order? (Ordering your prescription drugs
through mail order may help you save on drug costs.)

Will the Medicare drug plan work with the drug coverage I get through my retiree
plan?
15
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
You may also want to consider the plan’s star rating. Star ratings are quality ratings that
measure a plan’s performance. Ratings range from one to five stars, with five being the
highest and one being the lowest score. Keep in mind that a plan’s star rating is only
one factor to look at when you compare plans in your area. Even though a plan has a
high star rating, it may not be the right plan for you. For the most up-to-date star
ratings, you may call 1-800-MEDICARE or check the online Medicare Plan Finder tool at
www.medicare.gov.
Keep in mind that if you have a Medicare Advantage plan that provides health and drug
coverage, switching drug plans will affect your health coverage. However, if you have
Original Medicare and a separate Part D plan that just covers drugs, you can switch Part
D plans and keep your current health coverage.
For more information on Part D plans, the drugs they cover and their costs, check out
Medicare’s Plan Finder tool by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by going online at
www.medicare.gov. If you would like to switch Part D plans, it may be best to call 1800-MEDICARE to do so, in order to avoid administrative errors.
If you need help paying for your medications, see if you are eligible to receive Extra
Help:
http://www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor&page=script&slide_id=
1310
And, to answer the burning question of what the Medicare Part A and Part B monthly
premiums will be 2013, here is the guidance from CMS:
PART A (Hospital Insurance)
Premium = $0 for most people who worked and paid into Medicare for 40 quarters. If
you don’t get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $441 each month.
Hospital Stay: $1,184 deductible per benefit period; $0 for the first 60 days of each
benefit period; $296 per day for days 61–90 of each benefit period; $592 per “lifetime
reserve day” after day 90 of each benefit period (up to a maximum of 60 days over
your lifetime)
Skilled Nursing Facility Stay: $0 for the first 20 days of each benefit period; $148 per
day for days 21–100 of each benefit period. All costs for each day after day 100 of the
benefit period.
PART B (Medical Insurance)
Premium = $98. If your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax
return from 2 years ago is above a certain amount, you may pay more:
16
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
$104.90 if your income was under $85,000 (individual) or $170,000 (joint);
$146.90 if $85,000 to $107,000 (individual) or $170,000 to $214,000 (joint);
$209.80 if $107,000 to $160,000 (individual) or $214,000 to $320,000 (joint);
$272.70 if $160,000 to $214,000 (individual) or $320,000 to $428,000 (joint);
$335.70 if above $214,000 (individual) or $428,000 (joint).
If you pay a late enrollment penalty, these amounts may be higher.
Part B Deductible - $147 per year
Estimated prescription drug plan monthly premium
Premium = your Plan Premium plus a surcharge based on your yearly income in 2011:
$0 surcharge if income was under $85,000 (individual) or $170,000 (joint);
$11.60 surcharge if $85,000 to $107,000 (ind) or $170,000 to $214,000 (joint);
$29.90 if $107,000 to $160,000 (ind) or $214,000 to $320,000 (joint);
$48.30 if $160,000 to $214,000 (ind) or $320,000 to $428,000 (joint);
$66.60 if above $214,000 (individual) or above $428,000 (joint).
The 2013 Part D National Base Beneficiary Premium = $31.17. This figure is used to
estimate the Part D late enrollment penalty and the income-related monthly adjustment
amounts listed in the table above. The national base beneficiary premium amount can
change each year.
For more info, see your 2013 Medicare & You handbook, visit www.medicare.gov, call
Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or your S.H.I.P. representative (“SHINE” in Florida;
“HICAP” in California).
HELP FUNDING MRI AND CAT SCANS
NeedyMeds, an organization funded by the big pharmaceutical companies
(www.needymeds.com), now offers a new discount program for people needing MRI and
CAT scans. NeedyMeds offers access to a nationwide, credentialed network of medical
imaging centers that match their specific needs.
This discount is for people who have a prescription from their physician and are
uninsured, underinsured, or have a high deductible -- or for anyone who prefers to pay
17
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
cash for imaging needs rather than go through insurance.
With the MRI/CAT Scan discount, you get:







Over 2,500 credentialed imaging providers nationwide
All equipment is American College of Radiology (ACR) certified
Same day or next day scheduling
Matches your injury to the appropriate equipment nearest you
Cost savings of 50-75% on MRI/CT imaging services
Quality diagnosis by certified physicians
Physician's final report sent to your doctor
To schedule an MRI or CT, you will need the following:

a prescription from your physician or chiropractor. You can have your physician
fax it to 1-800-637-5164.
 Call 1-888-693-8867 and speak with a scheduling coordinator. Tell them
you heard about the discount from NeedyMeds and give them this
Group ID number: 1362.
 The scheduling coordinator will set up an appointment for you or, if applying
online, follow the prompts and submit the requested information. A representative
will contact you within 24-48 hours.
 All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted and approval of payment is
done at the time of scheduling.
 Within 24 to 48 hours of the test, a representative will follow up with the imaging
center to ensure the final report is sent to your physician.
Hospital Safety Scores
Hope none of you need a hospital, but courtesy of my former colleague at SHINE, here
is a site that scores the safety of hospitals. This tool may help you select the hospital
with the best record in your area:
www.hospitalsafetyscore.org
Other important information about hospital care that you may find helpful when deciding
where to get care:
18
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2012
Leapfrog Hospital Survey Results: www.leapfroggroup.org/cp
CMS Hospital Compare: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov
The Commonwealth Fund’s quality information website: www.whynotthebest.org
Consumer Reports Health Ratings: www.consumerreports.org/health/home.htm
HealthGrades: www.healthgrades.com
WebMD: www.webmd.com
ShareCare: www.sharecare.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! MAY 2013 RING IN WITH
HEALTH, HAPPINESS, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY
FOR ALL!!!
Please let me know how topics you would like covered in our next
Newsletters! E-mail:DrBruno@gynosapiens.com.
All previous Newsletters are posted online on the homepage of
www.gynosapiens.com
19