Building a Sustainable Long-term Plan

Healthcare
Planning

Who will take care of you if you are unable to care for yourself?

One of the biggest concerns may not be outliving income but outliving good health.

Create a Plan to Help Protect you
Against Rising Healthcare Costs

Strategize Which Tax Category to Draw
Income from First to Reduce Tax Burden

Review of Medicare –
Parts A, B and D Options

Analyzing Options for
a Long-Term Care Plan

Introduction to Healthcare Planning
Adequate healthcare planning involves preparing for future needs/costs and creating a strategy to address the unknowns associated with personal health during retirement. This process can involve:
01

Selecting appropriate insurance coverage

02

Identifying sources of financial support

03

Creating a budget in order to cover healthcare expenses.

Undertaking this planning is a very important step in creating a holistic retirement plan as it can ensure that you and your loved ones are adequately cared for while also preserving money to leave a legacy or simply enjoy the golden years. Proper planning can also help individuals have peace of mind knowing that they can receive the care and support they need to maintain their health and quality of life presently. This planning can also help individuals prepare for unexpected health events, such as a chronic illness or disability, and ensure that they have the adequate resources to deal with these situations.

Due to the ever increasing cost of health services and the complexity of the system, it is pertinent to consult with a professional in order to make sure there is proper coverage in place before needs arise.

General Overview Introduction to Healthcare Planning

Structuring a Plan to Protect Against Rising Costs

As healthcare costs continue to increase at a rapid rate in the US, the importance of properly structuring healthcare plans cannot be overstated.

01

One effective way to structure healthcare plans to protect against rising costs is to consider options that offer fixed costs, such as health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs). These types of accounts allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses, thereby reducing taxable income and providing a predictable source of funding for healthcare costs.

02

Another way to protect against rising costs is to evaluate different insurance options and compare their costs and benefits. This can include evaluating different insurance providers, selecting appropriate deductibles and copays, and considering supplemental coverage, such as Medicare Advantage plans or Medigap policies.

03

Finally, it’s important to stay informed about changes in healthcare policy and to the healthcare market, as these can impact costs and coverage options. Regularly reviewing and updating healthcare plans can help individuals and families protect against rising costs and maintain access to quality services. Our advisors keep a close eye on this market and can help ensure you are taking the proper steps to offset increasing prices

How Medicare Can Play into the Healthcare Equation

As healthcare costs continue to increase at a rapid rate in the US, the importance of properly structuring healthcare plans cannot be overstated.

01

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for individuals over the age of 65, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. This coverage is an important consideration in healthcare planning because it can help individuals and families manage care costs during retirement and access appropriate care.

02

Additionally, Medicare is an important source of funding for long-term care services, such as nursing home care, which can be a significant healthcare expense for individuals and families. Proper healthcare planning should take into account the different options and requirements of Medicare and create a plan that maximizes the benefits of the program while managing healthcare costs.

03

Understanding the different parts of Medicare, such as Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and Part D (prescription drug coverage), is important in selecting appropriate insurance coverage and managing healthcare costs. The following is a basic breakdown of the three key components of Medicare, but speaking with our advisors can help make sense of how the program can fit into your personal healthcare plan:

Part A

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for individuals over the age of 65, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. This coverage is an important consideration in healthcare planning because it can help individuals and families manage care costs during retirement and access appropriate care.

Part B

Medicare Part B is a component of the Medicare program that provides coverage for medically necessary services and supplies, such as doctor’s visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment. Part B requires payment of a monthly premium, which is based on income and can be automatically deducted from Social Security benefits. Individuals who enroll in Part B must also pay an annual deductible and coinsurance for certain services.

Part C

Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage to individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, and requires payment of a monthly premium. Part D plans have a formulary and may have different tiers of cost-sharing for different types of drugs.

Considerations for Long-Term Care

Long-term care refers to a range of services that support individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities who require assistance with daily activities. These services may be provided in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home care. Long-term care can be a significant expense, which can cause a depletion of retirement funds or reduce the ability to pass assets on to the next generation, thus, planning for these costs is an important consideration. It is estimated that nearly 70% of Americans will need this kind of care at some point in their lives. Options for financing long-term care include long-term care insurance, personal savings, and government programs such as Medicaid. A holistic healthcare plan should take into account the potential need for long-term care and the associated costs in order to create a plan to manage these expenses while ensuring access to appropriate care. This process can include things such as identifying appropriate long-term care providers, exploring different financing options, and considering options for home modifications or other adaptations to support aging in place.

Tax Strategy for Healthcare

Under the US tax code, individuals can deduct some medical expenses that exceed a certain percentage of their income. This can include expenses such as doctor visits, prescription drugs, and long-term care services. In addition to medical expense deductions, individuals should also be mindful of their eligibility for premium tax credits. Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals and families with low or moderate incomes may be eligible for premium tax credits to help offset the cost of insurance premiums. There are also accounts, which have been previously mentioned, that help in tax minimization. HSAs and FSAs can both be contributed to in order to cover future expenses and decrease taxable burden. A financial advisor can help in ensuring that your healthcare and tax strategy fit together in a way that prevents you from paying more than you are obligated.

How Medicare Can Play into the Healthcare Equation

01

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are tax-advantaged savings accounts that can be used to pay for qualifying medical expenses. To be eligible for an HSA, an individual must be covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and contributions to the account are tax-deductible, grow tax-free, and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified medical expenses.

02

Flexible Savings Account (FSA)

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are employer-sponsored savings accounts that can be used to pay for qualifying medical expenses, as well as certain dependent care expenses. Contributions to an FSA are made with pre-tax dollars, reducing an individual’s taxable income, and funds in the account can be withdrawn tax-free for qualifying expenses. However, funds in an FSA generally must be used by the end of the plan year or they will be forfeited.

03

Options for Early Retirees (Before 65)

Medicare coverage generally begins at the age of 65, so individuals who plan to retire before that age may need to seek other coverage options.

01 Medicare coverage generally begins at the age of 65, so individuals who plan to retire before that age may need to seek other coverage options.

02 Another option is to purchase coverage through a private health insurance plan, which may be more expensive than employer-sponsored coverage.

03 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also provides options for individuals to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, with subsidies available based on income. It is important for individuals who retire before age 65 to research and compare different healthcare options to ensure they have access to appropriate coverage at a cost they can afford. This process can seem complex, but our team works hard to craft personalized plans to fit the needs of our clients.

Fuchs Financial is not connected with, affiliated with, or endorsed by the United States government, the Federal Medicare program, or a state agency. Medicare has not reviewed nor endorsed this information. Products sold by our team are backed by the insurance company’s guaranteed association and underwriting powers. We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Adequate healthcare planning involves preparing for future needs/costs and creating a strategy to address the unknowns associated with personal health during retirement. This process can involve:
01

Selecting appropriate insurance coverage

02

Identifying sources of financial support

03

Creating a budget in order to cover healthcare expenses.

Undertaking this planning is a very important step in creating a holistic retirement plan as it can ensure that you and your loved ones are adequately cared for while also preserving money to leave a legacy or simply enjoy the golden years. Proper planning can also help individuals have peace of mind knowing that they can receive the care and support they need to maintain their health and quality of life presently. This planning can also help individuals prepare for unexpected health events, such as a chronic illness or disability, and ensure that they have the adequate resources to deal with these situations.

Due to the ever increasing cost of health services and the complexity of the system, it is pertinent to consult with a professional in order to make sure there is proper coverage in place before needs arise.

General Overview Introduction to Healthcare Planning

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