3 Best Travel Ideas for Older Travelers and Their Companions

One of the things many people look forward to in retirement is the opportunity to travel. Visiting new places, seeing new things. However, no one wants to think about needing medical care while traveling. Its important to review your Medicare plans travel rules long before you ever need help. Understanding Medicares travel rules can save your dream vacation from becoming a nightmare.Different plans = different rulesEvery Medicare plan has its own rules. You will want to review your own coverage restrictions before planning a trip, especially if planning an international trip. Rules can change depending on where you travel so read carefully.Traveling within the United StatesWhen traveling within the United States, you will have Medicare coverage throughout the nation. But what counts as the U.S. is a little different than just the 50 states, youre used to thinking about. United States Medicare coverage includes all 50 states plus territories and U.S. waters. That means that your Medicare coverage will count in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands as part of the U.S.Traveling with Original MedicareIf you have Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, you can travel anywhere within the U.S. and have Medicare coverage anywhere that accepts Medicare. Outside the U.S., your coverage is limited. There are a few exceptions:Emergency services in Canada: If youre going between Alaska and another state, your travel route is direct and without unreasonable delay, and the closest hospital that can treat you is in Canada, you may have coverage for those services.Medical care on a cruise ship: If the ship is in U.S. territorial waters when you receive care or within 6 hours of your departure or arrival from port, then your Medicare will cover those services. Beyond that, coverage gets murky.Nonemergency inpatient services (under Part A): If the foreign hospital is closer to your home residence than the nearest U.S. hospital, then coverage may occur.Traveling with Part D Prescription Drug PlansPart D Prescription Drug Plan coverage depends on where you are intending to travel. Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs purchased outside the U.S. Within the U.S., your coverage will be limited based on whether you have a carrier network. If you have a network, you will need to find a pharmacy that is in your network. Most insurance carriers have an online tool to help you search for an in-network pharmacy within a ZIP code.Traveling with Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage coverage while traveling depends on your plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover medical emergencies outside the U.S. If you have or are considering a Medicare Advantage plan and are planning to travel outside the country, please verify with your carrier that they cover emergency care.Within the U.S., plan networks might be an issue as well; although it is worth noting that, regardless of your plan, all plans are legally required to cover emergency care if it occurs within the U.S.International plans? Get travelers insuranceMany Medicare users can benefit from purchasing travelers insurance when traveling outside the country, especially if youre taking a longer trip. This will guarantee health coverage if/when you need it and give you peace of mind. For those who have scheduled with a travel agency, they will often have suggestions of good travelers insurance plans for the country youre visiting. If not, we would be happy to help you find an option that fits your travel plans.Long-term travel and movingLong-term travelIf you are traveling outside the U.S. for more than 6 months, you will automatically be disenrolled from your current Medicare Advantage plan and given a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new coverage plan.MovingWhether you are moving inside or outside the U.S., you should contact a licensed insurance agent to verify your coverage. Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans are location-based and you may need to change plans before you move.ConclusionTraveling can be a lot of fun. Your insurance should not be a reason to avoid or delay your travel plans. But just like you make sure your passport is up to date, you should check in on your Medicare coverage long before you need it.If you are traveling and have Medicare questions or are planning on moving, call to set up a free consultation with one of our licensed insurance agents. We are happy to answer your questions to help you get ready for your big trip.PlanEnroll is a brand operated by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC and used by its affiliated licensed insurance agencies that are certified to sell Medicare products. PlanEnroll is not endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or any other government agency.

Many Colorado Seniors and Disabled Adults are concerned about the recent funding discussions about Federal, not State, Medicaid changes, and how they might impact Long-term Care Medicaid benefits here in Colorado. There are 40+ different Medicaid programs in the State of Colorado alone, which are funded differently. Some of these Medicaid programs will be impacted by Trumps changes.At this time, it is important to know that the Medicaid changes imposed do not affect Long-term Care Medicaid in Colorado. If you are currently receiving Long-term Care Medicaid benefits or considering applying, you can rest assured that your eligibility, services, and coverage remain intact. Long-term Care Medicaid has already been funded for 2025, therefore nothing will change this year. In addition, there have not been any major changes to Colorado Long-term Care Medicaid in 20 years, and we dont foresee any changes now. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your coverage or need assistance navigating the Long-term Care Medicaid process, please dont hesitate to reach out to Beneficent. www.DoingGoodForOthers.com/contactus

This chilling scene from The Beekeeper is a dramatic yet realistic example of a type of phishing scam directed at seniors: Eloise, a retired schoolteacher, is on her computer looking over charity accounts that she manages when a virus warning pops up. She calls the provided number, which unknowingly to her connects to a call center operated by a phishing scam operation.The call center rep portrays a support desk tech and during his conversation with Eloise, he lies about the source of the virus warning. She falls into his trap by installing fake antivirus software, which links to all the charity accounts. The connected malware drains over $2 million from the charities Eloise runs. She realizes too late what has happened and is left in despair.Among the fastest-growing cybercrimes targeting seniors today are phishing or smishing scams. In phishing/smishing scams, criminals send fake messages to trick seniors into giving away personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or even one-time passwords (OTP) for account verification.Why are seniors often preferred targets for these scams, and how can they stay protected? Heres a comprehensive guide to help you and your loved ones stay safe from smishing.Why Are Seniors a Preferred Target for Phishing/Smishing Scams?Seniors are often targeted by scammers for several reasons:Less Familiarity with Technology: Many seniors arent as familiar with new digital threats, making them more vulnerable to smishing and phishing techniques.Trusting Nature: Scammers exploit the trusting nature of seniors, knowing that they may be more likely to believe the legitimacy of a message.Isolation: Scammers often prey on seniors who may be isolated or lonely, making them more willing to respond to messages, even from unknown numbers.Financial Independence: Many seniors control their own finances or have access to retirement funds, which makes them valuable targets.Keep reading for more about the different types of phishing and smishing scams and how to recognize and avoid them.Common Types of Phishing and Smishing ScamsOne-Time Password (OTP) ScamOne-time passwords (OTPs) are security codes sent to your phone to verify your identity when logging into accounts or making transactions. Scammers try to trick seniors into giving up these codes, allowing them to take control of their accounts.Example  Your Venmo account login is suspicious. Please verify your identity by providing the OTP sent to your phone.In this case, the scammer is pretending to be a trusted company and trying to get the OTP that was sent to you for your own security. Never share your OTP with anyone, especially through text messages or phone calls. If you receive an unexpected OTP request, its a red flag that someone may be trying to access your account.Bank Account and Credit Card ScamsThese messages often warn of suspicious activity on your bank account or credit card and ask you to take immediate action by clicking a link or providing your details.Example  Your account at Bank of America has been temporarily locked due to unusual activity. Click here to unlock your account: www.fakebanklogin.com.Banks will never ask you to verify your account through a text link. Always contact your bank directly using the phone number from your card or statement if you suspect an issue.Delivery ScamsScammers will send messages claiming that you have a package waiting for delivery, but they need additional information to process it.Example  UPS: We tried to deliver your package but need additional information. Please provide it here: www.fakedelivery.com.These messages are often designed to capture your personal information or steal credit card details. Always check with the delivery service directly through their official app or website.Fake Tech Support ScamsScammers impersonate tech support from well-known companies, claiming that your device has been compromised.Example:   Microsoft: Your device has been infected with malware. Click here to install antivirus software immediately.Legitimate tech support will never contact you this way. These scams aim to trick you into downloading malicious software that can steal personal data.Government or Tax ScamsScammers impersonate government agencies like the IRS, warning about unpaid taxes or offering refunds in an attempt to steal personal information.Example  IRS: You have an overdue payment of $1,500. Please pay immediately to avoid legal action.Government agencies will never ask for personal information or payments via text. Contact the agency directly if youre ever unsure.How to Report a Phishing/Smishing ScamIf you or a loved one encounters a suspicious text message, its important to report it to help stop the scammer from targeting others.Heres what you can do:Forward the Scam TextIn the U.S., you can forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). This service is provided by most major mobile carriers, and they will investigate suspicious messages.Report Scam to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)You can report smishing and other frauds to the FTC by visiting their website at ftc.gov/complaint. Reporting these scams can help law enforcement track and shut down fraud rings.Report Scam to the Company Being ImpersonatedIf the scam text appears to be from a well-known company (like Amazon, your bank, or the IRS), you can report it directly to their fraud department.Block and Delete the Number from Suspicious MessageIf you receive a suspicious message, block the sender immediately and delete the text. Never engage with the message, as scammers can collect information based on your replies.Tips for Seniors to Protect Yourself from Smishing ScamsBe Skeptical of Urgent RequestsSmishing messages often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly. Dont let the panic take overslow down and think it through.Verify with the Company DirectlyIf a message seems to come from a known company or institution, contact them using their official phone number or website. Never use the contact information provided in the suspicious message.Look for Red FlagsCommon red flags include poor grammar, generic greetings, and unsolicited offers. Trust your instinctsif something feels off, it probably is.Never Share Personal Information via TextLegitimate organizations will never ask for your passwords, credit card numbers, or OTPs via text. Always keep this information private.Install Security SoftwareThere are security apps that help detect and block phishing or smishing attempts. Consider installing one to safeguard your mobile device.Educate Your Loved OnesTalk to seniors about these common scams, and make sure they feel comfortable asking for help if they receive a suspicious message. Staying connected and informed can make all the difference. Keep Alert for New Scams Targeting SeniorsBy educating yourself and your loved ones about smishing and other scams, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to these harmful schemes. Always be cautious, never share personal information through text, and report suspicious activity immediately. Remember: when in doubt, dont click, dont reply, and always verify.