joanschult

Comments:

• I’m so sorry to read this, and I wish you the best as you face treatment. As usual, your words in this article carry wisdom about life, beyond the financial aspects. Thank you for letting us know what you’re going through, as we are friends in this community. I’m sending prayers from Bucks County. Joanie S

  Post: The C Word

  Link to comment from June 15, 2024

• I have given a refundable deposit to ACTS. I think it’s a great choice for people like me, who are not yet sure where they will land when the time comes to decide to move in. I currently divide my time between my home near Philadelphia and my NC condo near the kids and grandkids. ACTS has facilities in both locations, and my one deposit puts me on a priority list for all. I could start in one place and transfer later to another. In the meantime, before I am ready to decide to move in at a later date, I have use of the facilities and programs, which is typical of CCRC priority deposit benefits.

  Post: Gift to Myself

  Link to comment from April 13, 2024

• Thanks for another great post about CCRC living. I’m happy that your choice is working out so well for you. I have made two refundable deposits at two facilities, both nonprofit, a plan A Lifecare plan and the other a hybrid type B. The information you shared previously was a big help to me during my research.

  Post: Gift to Myself

  Link to comment from April 13, 2024

• Wonderful article! This is the best accurate summary I’ve seen. You have apparently read “Medicare for Geniuses” 😆 I’m currently very happy with my Medicare Advantage but also interested to research for the future how well those plans work in conjunction with a CCRC LifeCare Plan A community. Since you have also given us some great insights about that lifestyle, any thoughts to share? Thanks so much for your writing.

  Post: The Medicare Maze

  Link to comment from May 3, 2023

• Great food for thought 😊

  Post: No Satisfaction

  Link to comment from March 25, 2023

• I’m sorry about the health issues and insurance problems your family has faced. I hope better days lie ahead for you. It can be frustrating to try to get accurate answers, and as you pointed out the information from one agent seems to conflict with another. It’s worth noting that insurers provide a Certificate of Coverage that is the accurate and complete source of information related to your coverage. It’s a hefty volume, to be sure! I can access mine through my log-in portal, but it’s not easy to find, many clicks away from the glossy online brochures. I was directed on how to look for it after I exasperated my insurance company phone agent by repeatedly asking “But where can I find this information in writing?” Here’s some info that I found online which I hope is helpful to the discussion. What is a certificate of coverage (CoC)?  A certificate of coverage (CoC) is a contract that lists an individual’s health insurance coverage with their payor. The CoC details the health benefits the beneficiary and their dependents have under their plan.   Details include exclusions and conditions. Exclusions are uncovered services, and conditions are actions needed to receive benefits. Conditions may include deductibles and copays.  Individuals can usually receive a written copy of their CoC from their payor at no charge.  Why are certificates of coverage (CoCs) important to healthcare?  Certificates of coverage are important to healthcare because they provide valuable information on the terms of health insurance plans to the involved parties. Individuals can reference this information in making informed medical care decisions. CoCs also contain information that individuals can use to appeal decisions made by payors. 

  Post: Unhealthy Claims

  Link to comment from March 22, 2023

• Great article. I like the way you differentiate in your thought process between investment/insurance and things you can/can’t control. Very helpful.

  Post: Covering the Basics

  Link to comment from March 22, 2023

• How fortunate for your patients to have a physician so dedicated to his/her profession and who loves caring for them! I would imagine that if you retire, you would have much wisdom and experience to offer to a new generation of health care professionals. Have you looked into any teaching/mentoring programs you could join (or start one)? Or you could become a business coach for the medical profession, guiding in the process of setting up or managing a practice. Thank you for your profession, and best wishes for the future.

  Post: No Going Back

  Link to comment from March 18, 2023

• This is a great concise list! I prefer hand-wringing to making big decisions. Indeed I had to put my coffee cup down so I could use both hands to read through the article 😂. I’ve got several decisions checked off already, but to handle future uncertainty, I’m trying to set up options, rather than deciding now. For example, I live in PA and my kids/grandkids are in the Carolinas, a 10 hr drive. I own a small condo there, and visit frequently. But I recently gave a refundable deposit to get on the Future Residency (waiting) list at a CCRC near my kids. So if the time comes to move south, I will have choices. For longevity risk, I just can’t bring myself to purchase long term care insurance, with uncertain premiums going forward for care I might not need. So instead I’m setting up a QLAC now, for payout of $1100/month for life beginning at age 75, to supplement my income and defray some assisted living/nursing costs if needed. I’m curious to hear from the community…what are your thoughts about this approach?

  Post: No Going Back

  Link to comment from March 18, 2023

• I can’t find the words to say how helpful this article, and the comments, are to me at this moment. Thanks so much. I’m retired, recently met with an advisor, made it clear I wanted just to have another pair of eyes on my finances, looking to decide if taking advantage of the recent SECURE 2.0 QLAC legislation would benefit me in my situation. Instead, I had a Monte Carlo presentation nudging me toward slightly more risk to grow my assets. It was a well done presentation for a 30 year old, not particularly suitable for me. It actually was helpful though, since he was courteous, not pushy, and I gained confidence knowing there weren’t any gaping holes in my decision making process. The “initial consultation” was free, lasted 2.5 hours, and we parted as friends.

  Post: Errors of Commission

  Link to comment from March 15, 2023