MEDICARE ISSUES - Consumer Rescue

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?

October 31, 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

October 31, 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.

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.

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.

A doctor's office for elderly people on Medicare.

I have Medicare drug insurance. Why did I get this $2,055 bill?!

July 20, 2025January 27, 2024 by Abe Wischnia

After Michael Foxhoven learned that Medicare covers shingles and Tdap vaccinations, he made appointments for both himself and his wife at their doctor’s office. Since they were due for a Covid booster, they figured they could also get that out of the way in the same visit.

But a few months after that appointment, Foxhoven got the sticker shock of his life. That’s when he received a $2,055 bill for the vaccinations that he thought Medicare would cover.

So why didn’t it?

The answer will probably surprise you.

Medication, Medicare drug plans, penalty, mistake

How a few little mistakes can lead to a Medicare late enrollment penalty

February 12, 2024November 1, 2023 by Abe Wischnia

This Medicare beneficiary made a series of small mistakes that led to a late enrollment penalty. How could this have been avoided?

Medicare prescription drug plan coverage, pills at the pharmacy.

How to save money on your Medicare prescription drug plan

September 27, 2024October 25, 2023 by Abe Wischnia

If I could show you how to save money on your Medicare prescription drug plan, would you be interested?

You have an opportunity to possibly do so during Medicare’s annual election period – better known as open enrollment.

Regardless of which name you use, this is the period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 when Medicare beneficiaries can elect to change prescription drug plans, change Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, switch from original Medicare to Part C, and vice versa. Changes you make are effective Jan. 1.

Last week, I wrote about why and how to be a careful shopper when you’re looking at Medicare Advantage plans. I used an enticing offer I received as an example. Today, I’ll do the same about your prescription drug coverage.

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