Welcome to Tips & Tricks Thursday on Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this episode, Al delivers 19 actionable strategies to streamline your Medicare journey, reduce costs, and safeguard your benefits.

1. Medicare Card Protection Trick
   • Carry copies or phone photos of your card; keep the original safe at home; annotate emergency contacts on copies
2. Provider Network Research Trick
   • Call doctor offices to ask about prior authorization delays, denial rates, and new-patient policies—not just network inclusion
3. Part D Pharmacy Shopping Trick
   • Identify preferred pharmacies for lower copays; compare local versus mail-order pricing for each medication
4. Medigap Shopping Trick
   • Solicit quotes from at least five insurers for identical Plan F coverage; evaluate rate increase histories and household discounts
5. Claims Tracking Trick
   • Maintain a spreadsheet of services and compare against Medicare Summary Notices; set up a Medicare.gov account for real-time monitoring
6. Emergency Preparation Trick
   • Assemble and update tri-location emergency folders containing card copies, medication lists, and provider contacts
7. Annual Review Trick
   • Begin plan comparisons in September; list providers and prescriptions first, then calculate total annual costs
8. Provider Communication Trick
   • Confirm Medicare assignment, request cost estimates before procedures, and obtain copies of all test results
9. Prescription Money-Saving Trick
   • Ask pharmacists about generics, manufacturer discounts, pill splitting, and 90-day supply savings
10. MA Extra Benefits Trick
    • Maximize gym, dental, vision, OTC, and transportation benefits by scheduling early and reviewing benefit catalogs
11. Appeal Process Trick
    • Document all interactions, request written denial explanations, use certified mail, and escalate to supervisors as needed
12. Customer Service Strategy
    • Call during off-peak hours, note representative names and reference numbers, and persist politely
13. Open Enrollment Preparation
    • Research plan changes before October, focusing on network shifts and formulary updates
14. Medicare Advantage Escape Hatch
    • Use MA’s Jan 1–Mar 31 Open Enrollment to switch plans or revert to Original Medicare if dissatisfied
15. SEP Trigger Awareness
    • Recognize moving ZIP codes, losing coverage, or provider exits as SEPs to change MA or Part D plans off-cycle
16. Technology Optimization
    • Utilize Medicare.gov and plan mobile apps for claims tracking, provider searches, and instant benefit checks
17. Fraud Protection
    • Never share your Medicare number with unsolicited callers; report scams immediately to 1-800-MEDICARE
18. Medigap Underwriting Tip
    • If denied coverage, apply to different insurers—underwriting criteria vary significantly between companies