Point of View

UNITED STATES—Hi Toni, I am turning 65 this February and have no idea what I should do because I have lung cancer. Currently I am on a COBRA policy from my old employer with all my medical bills now being paid because I have met my deductible. I receive my care from a major cancer center in my area and...

UNITED STATES—Toni, two of my neighbors told my wife that they get free gym membership through Medicare. Any truth to that, as I never heard about this before? Regards, Sammy from San Diego. Hi there…Sammy: Sammy the answer is NO! Medicare Parts A and B do not provide a gym membership for those who are enrolled in Medicare. It would...

UNITED STATES—Dear Toni: What is the difference between a “Medicare Supplement” and a “Medicare Advantage PPO" plan? I am turning 65 and the marketing material, I am being bombarded with absolutely puzzles me. Friends have told me that a Medicare Advantage PPO plan is the same as a supplement because both have a network of doctors to pick from.  Seems...

UNITED STATES—Toni: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey absolutely devastated my wife. Now, her 84-year-old mother is living in an assisted living facility, and we live over 10 miles away from her. What can we do to be prepared for another hurricane, ice storm or any emergency should it happen in this area to protect the elderly? We are concerned the assistant...

UNITED STATES—Hi Toni, I am turning 65 in March 2023, and I was surprised when Social Security told me to go online to sign up. There is not a local Social Security office open that can help me with the online application process. The Social Security rep suggested that I need a “My Social Security Account” to begin the...

UNITED STATES—Dear Toni, my husband has met his 24th month of being on Social Security Disability which qualifies him for Medicare. His disability is due to a severe case of Parkinson’s. On August 1 his Medicare Parts A and B will begin, but he is only 64. He will turn 65 next March and I am not sure what...

UNITED STATES—Getting a master’s degree is quite hectic. However, nothing tops a Ph.D. thesis. You have to write an original thesis and adhere to language rules. You also have to have regular meetings with your supervisor. And a Ph.D. thesis can be four hundred pages up to five hundred pages. Of course, you know all this. And honestly, writing a...

UNITED STATES—I’ve talked about my concerns with social media for years now, and I know while some of you might suspect things being all negative, there are positive drawbacks to it because it keeps people connected. Something that really stuck in my mind was this notion of the psychology behind people constantly posting on social media and how it...

UNITED STATES—Eating healthy is not easy America. I try and I try, but we all have weaknesses and we do our best to battle them. A recent trip to the doctor made me realize that I have to do a bit more to put my health in a better light. For starters, I have completely eliminated pop/soda/soft drinks, whatever...

UNITED STATES—Money, it is the one commodity some people have loads of and others wish they could earn more of it. With Christmas fast approaching, it really got me thinking about finances, where I’m spending my money and what I’m spending it on. However, this isn’t really a question about my finances it’s about others. Nothing bugs me more...