Here's A Medicare Checklist For Your Parents (And Maybe You, Too)

Forbes

22-05-2025

Are you, or someone you love part of the Sandwich generation?
Sandwich generally means something you eat that consists of two pieces of bread with a filling between them. But in 1981, it became the name of a generation. Initially, it described a segment of the middle-aged generation (young Baby Boomers) who were caregivers, 'sandwiched' between their young children and aging parents. Today, Boomers may find themselves sandwiched between their grandchildren, children, parents, maybe even, grandparents. Sometimes, the Boomers may need caregivers, as well.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Baby Boomers most often cared for a parent or parent-in-law (42%). Besides all the physical, emotional and mental issues related to that care, there are many Medicare concerns that need to be addressed. In my experience, those often seem to get lost in the shuffle. But when there is a health crisis, not having addressed Medicare issues can intensify the situation.
It's never too late to get ready. This checklist will help you fill in the gaps just in case and, if you are a Boomer, it might be good to do this for yourself, another 'just-in-case.'
Because Medicare encompasses so many Social Security issues (and vice versa), let's start with that.
Verify that contact information (name, address, email) is current. One of the biggest roadblocks in verifying identity with Social Security is a name or address that doesn't match the system's records.
There's no need for information about your parents' health and medical coverage when they are healthy and managing on their own. But when a medical crisis is wreaking havoc, you'll need that information so you might as well get it now.
Just as with Social Security, you need more than a POA to talk with Medicare. You must be a Medicare representative to talk to Medicare and deal with claims, appeals, and grievances. Complete a form and submit it to Medicare.
If you want to talk with a Medicare Advantage or drug plan representative about a billing or coverage issue, you may need to complete a form for the plan.
Medicare Part B, medical insurance, Medicare supplement plans, some Medicare Advantage plans, and most Part D drug plans come with monthly premiums. Failing to pay them can lead to cancelation of the coverage. Once that happens, there is often a delay in getting the coverage back in place. With Part B and Part D coverage (either a standalone plan or incorporated into an Advantage plan), there can be lifelong penalties. If the Medicare supplement is canceled, it may be necessary to pass medical underwriting to get the coverage reinstated.
Here are a few things to know about payment for each type of coverage.
Part B:
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans:
Medicare supplement plans:
There is no option for deducting these premiums from Social Security. The next best option is to arrange for automatic deductions from a checking or savings account.
As you may have noticed, the safest solution is to set up everything on auto pay. One client did not trust auto-pay, so he opted to just send payments via US Mail. The next time I heard from him two years later, his Part B had been canceled for nonpayment of premiums. He wasn't sure exactly what happened.
You don't need to check out these documents if your parent is independent. Just know where they are. Before my father went in for major surgery, he showed me his hiding spot in the basement ceiling. I suspect as soon as he was back home, he moved them.
If there's a hospitalization, this information will be important.
Some days, it seems as though the mailbox is filled with only junk mail. However, it's important to dig through that for any important mailings. I have heard from children of retirees who learned that their parents' retiree coverage was changed to a Medicare Advantage plan when they started getting bills from their doctors who were suddenly out-of-network. Every January, I get calls from those who did not pay attention during Open Enrollment. Their premiums skyrocketed or an expensive drug was no longer covered.
Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing long-term care services and support in their remaining years. Over half of middle-income Baby Boomers believe that Medicare will pay for their ongoing long-term care, so they believe they're covered.
If you don't know whether your parent has planned for these costs, this could fall on you. The average annual amount caregivers spend out-of-pocket on caregiving is $7,242. Plus, all the hours of caregiving provided by family members is worth $204,000. Maybe, it's time to have a conversation.
I know from experience that this is not easy, but you can get through this with a plan. Arrange the steps in a logical order and check them off. Then, you will be prepared for whatever lies ahead.