ELDER ISSUES - Consumer Rescue

Medicare Plan Finder confusion, Medicare questions, Abe Wischnia is Consumer Rescue's registered Medicare counselor

Why is the Medicare Plan Finder giving me confusing information? Help!

November 16, 2025 by Abe Wischnia

Medicare beneficiary Thomas Devich did everything right. He read his Annual Notice of Change and used the Medicare Plan Finder to compare his drug coverage for the coming year. He even called the insurance companies directly to double-check the numbers.

But instead of getting a clear answer, he ran into something far more confusing: every source gave him a different price for the exact same prescriptions.

What’s going on here? Consumer Rescue’s registered Medicare counselor, Abe Wischnia, explains.

An active elderly couple taking a hike to illustrate and article about the Medicare Open Enrollment deadline approaching, Getting Medicare beneficiaries ready for 2026, Abe Wischnia is a registered Medicare counselor for Consumer Rescue

Medicare open enrollment is closing soon. Are you prepared for 2026?

November 16, 2025October 31, 2025 by Abe Wischnia

Sometimes fall can seem like it’s open season on Medicare beneficiaries. Insurance companies are after your money by raising costs, reducing benefits, and dropping covered drugs. And, of course, there are crooks who use this period to target you with Medicare scams.

If you’re on Medicare and want or need to watch your budget, pay attention. Now is the time to protect yourself.

Here’s what Medicare beneficiaries need to know to prepare for 2026.

An older couple pondering Medicare Advantage options, Original Medicare problems, trapped in Medicare Advantage

The Medicare Advantage trap: why leaving can be too expensive

November 16, 2025July 20, 2025 by Abe Wischnia

Some Medicare Advantage plan members feel trapped, finding it too expensive to revert to Original Medicare. Here’s what to be aware of and how to avoid the same situation.

Consumer Rescue’s special features columnist, Abe Wischnia, a registered Medicare counselor, answers your questions.

Why did the bank reverse this credit card dispute?

Help! My credit card company reversed my $16,544 dispute a year later

October 4, 2025November 3, 2024 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

Your bank can’t reverse a successful credit card dispute nearly a year after confirming a positive resolution. So why did Nusenda backtrack and surprise this customer with a $16,544 recharge long after his dispute was finalized?

That’s what the Consumer Rescue team aimed to find out after this unusual request for help hit our inbox.

Two seniors on a park bench with their dog talking about Medicare Open Enrollment

Unhappy with your plan? Good news! It’s Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

January 10, 2025October 16, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

If you’re unhappy with your Medicare coverage, October 15 to December 7 is your chance to make a change. It’s Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period. Here’s what you need to know.

Medicare doesn't pay for all blood tests, Medicare awareness

Help! Why won’t Medicare pay for all these expensive blood tests?

October 31, 2025September 28, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

What if your doctor recommended some expensive blood tests that Medicare would not cover? That’s what happened recently to Kim Hanks. Unfortunately, she didn’t find out until after her blood tests were complete that Medicare would not pay for them.

La-Z-Boy recliner problem and fix: Good news from La-Z-Boy

My La-Z-Boy recliner feels like I’m sitting on a $1,900 rock. I need help!

October 28, 2024August 5, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

Barbara Goldfuss saved for two years to buy the $1,900 La-Z-Boy recliner she finally ordered last year. After relaxing in the comfy model in the local showroom, she eagerly awaited her custom-made chair. But months later, when the much-anticipated La-Z-Boy recliner arrived, Goldfuss immediately detected a terrible problem.

Are these Medicare charges valid? Two elderly people walking on a path.

What are these Medicare charges and do these readers really have to pay?

June 22, 2024May 3, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

Have you received an unexpected bill from Medicare? Luckily, Consumer Rescue’s special features columnist is also a certified Medicare counselor. Today, he answers some questions posed by our readers.

Medicare Advantage customers feel trapped.

Feeling trapped by your Medicare Advantage plan? You’re not alone

October 16, 2024March 4, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

Imagine needing a medical procedure only to find that your Medicare Advantage plan is denying coverage. Unfortunately, that’s not an imaginary scenario. In fact, it’s very real and happens millions of times a year for seniors in Medicare Advantage plans. The problem of unfair coverage denials is finally getting more national attention. But it’s too late for those who were wrongly denied care.

Medicare 101, taking notes in class, a notebook, pen and glasses on a desk

Approaching 65? Here’s your Medicare 101 crash course

October 31, 2025February 10, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

What if you had to make a healthcare decision that could affect the rest of your life?

That’s not a hypothetical question if you’re 65 and about to go on Medicare. Every day another 10,000 Americans turn 65 and need to make critical decisions regarding how they structure their healthcare going forward.

But Medicare comes with complicated rules that can be confusing and can lead to problems if ignored or misunderstood. It’s important that you make informed choices.

Read on as I take you through a simplified Medicare 101.

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