Hello, all. I’m Julie Mason, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and recently founded Mason Medicare Advocates. My entire 35-year career following graduate school has been in the Medicare space. For the first 20 years, I was a Federal regulator with the Federal agency that runs the Medicare program (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid…[Read more]

Thank you everyone. I have not looked yet to see if this name has been used. This is just my initial vision for my company 🙂

I think that is a really great name as well, it really covers what we do!

There is information in our lessons to make sure we check on the potential for any trademarks and to make sure that web addresses are available when creating these wonderful names. Like Kimberly said, to also make sure it isn’t too similar to anyone else that could cause…[Read more]

Laura,

I love your comment about missing questions about keeping yourself separate from difficult situations! You are right on target that this is real, can happen easily and does happen. Being aware of it and how we can prepare ourselves for those types of scenarios is a great plan.

Thank you!
Steph

I’m a medical coder, so billing and claims is my niche. Maybe we can connect and network 🙂

Great update and since this post I can now redirect my GNA leads to my listing with Umbra.

Thank you @Chris and @Adria. At least I’m not missing something, and Chris, good tip to call. I’ll suggest it.

I told her – hang on till Medicare – you’ll have tons of options! (but that’s not helpful NOW).

What Adria said. I live in such an area of the country.
We had 3 HMOs to choose from until just a couple of years ago.
Your friend could ask if the company offering the HMO has any plans that include out of network benefits.
I recommend calling the Company directly instead of just looking online. My local company had a couple of plans that they…[Read more]

Thanks for posting Deb,
I let my clients know we might win, or we might not. Better than just taking a direct hit to their finances to be in the game and fight! Great statistics!
Julie

Hi Deb,

In Colorado, same as most states, they only offer an HMO, not PPOs.

The only other option I have seen is if they belong to an organization, network or a large club that offers PPOs.

The commercial insurers only want to offer PPOs to large groups, not individuals.

I wish I had better advice…..

There are some on the Alzheimer’s store – https://www.alzstore.com/searchresults.asp?Search=pill+dispenser&Submit=

Note that even if someone with dementia can open the pill box when the alarm goes off, that doesn’t mean the pills make it into their mouth. I tried automatic pill dispensers for a client (her sons didn’t want to pay for daily…[Read more]

LOVE IT! I looked at including empower in mine and decided against it because of similiarly named businesses in the area, so i love love that you are using it!!

Steph,
I guess hearing it out loud is a helpful understanding that while we are soft hearted we need to remeber we are creating a business because of that and providing a service that is so needed.
I like the other areas you touched on in our conversation to give back in different ways!
Thank you for that!
Tracy

Welcome Janan,

I am sorry for what you were faced with in regard to your parents illnesses. My Mom also passed from away from pancreatic cancer 40 days from diagnosis. Caring for both my mom and dad throughout their illnesses was my driving force to get into the medical field.
What a blessing you will be to those facing end of life care and the…[Read more]

Hi Julie,
Such a great post and very informative. I agree our personal experiences are the forefront of what drives us and helps us to understand the challenges so many patients face.
I have a very personal understanding of what you’re going through with your abdominal issues and surgeries. I too had an abdominal perforation that which was…[Read more]