Medicare Insurance Benefits Advisors Near Lehigh Valley
Medicare Office Near Me
Looking to visit a Lehigh Valley Medicare Office near you? Believe it or not, Medicare does not have local offices. Many people are surprised to find this out. Medicare does have regional offices. (It also has national offices in the Baltimore suburbs and Washington, D.C.) Medicare has 10 regional offices around the US with the closest one to the Lehigh Valley being in Philadelphia, which is obviously not convenient to LV residents. Don’t worry though. You’re actually better off seeing a Medicare Benefits Specialist in a private Medicare office near you such as ours.
Medicare Agents Near Me
Medicare Insurance Agents Near Me
So how do most people find Medicare agents near their area? They search online to find medicare agents locally. They may have seen an ad as well. That’s probably how you found us. Beware, not all of these agents and companies are well versed in the intricacies of Medicare. Especially during the current financial crunch, there are people flocking in droves to become Medicare Benefits Advisors. Obviously these newbies will have no experience in the market and therefore no expertise.
Of those that have been in the field, there are some reputable companies and a bunch you won’t want to deal with because of shady practices, inexperienced advisors, disgruntled and low-paid employees, etc. Often these companies are like doctors offices, overbooked to try and cram in as many appointments possible just to make more money.
Cornerstone Portfolios is the better choice. You won’t find those issues here. You won’t be rushed. Our people are well trained, even our newer employees. And we’ve been in business since the 1980’s. We take the time to explain Medicare plans and benefits, and we ask questions to find out what your needs are. We can then advise you on your best options and make any necessary adjustments to suit those important needs.
Medicare Doctors Near Me
Are you having difficulty finding doctors that accept your Medicare? There are many people search for “doctors that take Medicare near me”. LUKE…WHY WOULD THIS BE??? When you speak with our Medicare specialists you can find doctors easily. Sometimes the online searches don’t provide accurate information, so you can spend many hours looking up doctors, then having to call them to ask if they take your Medicare insurance plan, only to find out most don’t or you don’t have a good feeling about that practice or provider after speaking with them over the phone. This is not uncommon.
Doctors Near Me that Accept Medicare
Be assured, there is Good News on the Medicare doctor front. We can help you find doctors nearby to consult with and perform any medical services and procedures you may need. We do this all the time to help our clients, free of charge. We have resources and experience to lead you in the right direction and narrow down your research greatly saving you valuable time and endless frustration. Just give us a call or fill out our form below today to set up and appointment. We’ll get back to you right away.
Medicare Broker Near Me
What is a Medicare Broker? A lot of people are familiar with what this term really means. A Medicare Broker is essentially the same thing as an insurance broker. We are an insurance broker, which means we have access to different plans and providers giving you more options to choose from. We have myriad of experience with these different plans and providers and stay up on the changes each year, so we can provide up to date advice on what suits your needs and budget best.
Medicare Advisor Near Me
A good Medicare company like ours will have experienced, well trained, and knowledegable Medicare Advisors available to speak with you and answer your questions.
Medicare Advantage Agents Near Me in Allentown – Lehigh Valley
Do you need to learn more about Medicare Advantage? Call us to set up a time to talk with us or come in to our office. We can also schedule to come to you.
What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Many people are unaware of this, but there are basically two ways to get your Medicare Benefits. You can obtain Medicare benefits through the government or Orignial Medicare as it’s know, which is coverage managed by the US federal government, or by way of a Medicare Advantage Plan which is generally an HMO or PPO. If you select Original Medicare, the government pays for your Medicare benefits when you get them. Medicare Advantage Plans may go by different names such as Medicare Part C or MA Plans. Just understand that they are all offered by private healthcare companies that must be approved by Medicare. The government pays these companies through official Medicare channels to cover your Medicare benefits.
If you decide to go with a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan should provide all of your Medicare Part A which is Hospital Insurance and Medicare Part B which is Medical/Health Insurance coverage. This is not the same as Medicare Supplement Insurance which is commonly known as a Medigap policy.
What is Medicare Part B
For the most part, Medicare Part B covers 2 types of services. The first type of services covered are Medically Necessary Services. These are services or medical supplies that are required to either treat or properly diagnose a medical condition. These services and supplies must meet the accepted standards of proper medical practice.
The second type of services covered are what are known as Preventive Services. These include health care to prevent illnesses used to or detect illness or disease early on when available medical treatment is more likely to work better.
You generally will not pay for most preventive services if you get them from a health care provider who works with the Medicare program.
- Medicare Part B covers nearly all of the following:
- Partial Hospitalization
- Limited Outpatient Prescription Drugs
- Inpatient Services
- Outpatient Services
- Ambulance Help
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Clinical Medical Research
- Mental Health Services
Medicare Supplement Agents Near Me
You may not be aware that there are Medicare Supplement plans available to fill in any gaps in Medicare coverage. Obviously not every insurance plan is perfect, so you may want to cover any missing pieces in coverage.
Medicare Providers Near Me
There are many different types of care providers you may be searching for who we can help you find. These include:
Doctors & Clinicians
Hospitals
Nursing Homes including Rehab Services
Home Health Services
Hospice Care
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Long-Term Care Hospitals
Dialysis Facilities
Medicare Phone Number
If you’re looking for the Medicare phone number, don’t waste your time on hold with big govt Medicare lines. You won’t get the best information there anyway. Call us instead at 610-973-5334. Speak to a real Medicare Advisor right away and get the best help and information for your specific needs. We’ll take the time to speak with you, listen, ask questions, and then inform you what your options are.
www.Medicare.gov Login
If you do happen to need the Medicare website login, you can go here:
https://www.medicare.gov/account/login/
Medicare vs Medicaid
For more on Medicare vs Medicaid go to the following article entitled Medicare vs. Medicaid. It’s a 5 minute read to bring you up to speed on the differences.
Lehigh Valley Retirement, Social Security, & Medicare Workshops
Here are the dates for our upcoming Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) workshops:
Tuesday, August 30th: 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday, September 6 at 6:00 (Lower Macungie Community Center)
Tuesday, September 27th: 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday, October 25th: 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday, November 29th: 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday, December 20th: 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday, January 31st: 6:00-7:30pm
Topics: Retirement, Social Security & Medicare.
All of the workshop seminars except the September 6 date are to be held in the Community Services Center, Room CSC 202.
Lehigh Carbon Community College
4525 Education Park Drive
Schnecksville, PA 18078
Any questions can be directed to Emily Haddad by calling 610-973-5334 or by email at cspf.office@gmail.com
Tax Rates
Tax Rates
Please note: Tax rates are for the 2022 tax year and will be updated to the 2023 rates after the 2023 tax filing deadline.
Married Filing Jointly
| Rate | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 | $20,550 |
| 12% | $20,551 | $83,550 |
| 22% | $83,551 | $178,150 |
| 24% | $178,151 | $340,100 |
| 32% | $340,101 | $431,900 |
| 35% | $431,901 | $647,850 |
| 37% | $647,851 | N/A |
Married Filing Separately
| Rate | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 | $10,275 |
| 12% | $10,276 | $41,775 |
| 22% | $41,776 | $89,075 |
| 24% | $89,076 | $170,050 |
| 32% | $170,051 | $215,950 |
| 35% | $215,951 | $323,925 |
| 37% | $323,926 | N/A |
Single
| Rate | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 | $10,275 |
| 12% | $10,276 | $41,775 |
| 22% | $41,776 | $89,075 |
| 24% | $89,076 | $170,050 |
| 32% | $170,051 | $215,950 |
| 35% | $215,951 | $539,900 |
| 37% | $539,901 | N/A |
Head of Household
| Rate | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 | $14,650 |
| 12% | $14,651 | $55,900 |
| 22% | $55,901 | $89,050 |
| 24% | $89,051 | $170,050 |
| 32% | $170,051 | $215,950 |
| 35% | $215,951 | $539,900 |
| 37% | $539,901 | N/A |
Source: IRS.gov, April 2022.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information.
This table is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice. Make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your tax strategy.
Tax Forms
Tax Forms
These links will let you download the Internal Revenue Service's most frequently requested tax forms. Clicking on one of these links will download a PDF version of the form directly from the Internal Revenue Service website.
1040
U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Form | Instructions
1040-SR
An alternative to the Form 1040 for taxpayers who are 65 and older.
Form | Instructions
1040ES
Estimated Tax for Individuals. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding (for example, earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, rents, or alimony).
Form & Instructions
1040X
Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Form | Instructions
5305 - SIMPLE
Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers
Form | Instructions
Schedule 1 (1040)
Additional Income and Adjustments to Income
Form | Instructions
Schedule 2 (1040)
Additional Taxes
Form | Instructions
Schedule 3 (1040)
Additional Credits and Payments
Form | Instructions
Schedule A (1040)
Itemized Deductions. If you itemize, you can deduct a part of your medical and dental expenses and un-reimbursed employee business expenses, and amounts you paid for certain taxes, interest, contributions, and miscellaneous expenses. You can also deduct certain casualty and theft losses.
Form | Instructions
Schedule B (Form 1040)
Interest and Ordinary Dividends.
Form & Instructions
Schedule C (Form 1040)
Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)
Form | Instructions
Schedule D (Form 1040)
Capital Gains and Losses. Use this form to report the sale or exchange of a capital asset not reported on another form or schedule, gains from involuntary conversions (other than from casualty or theft) of capital assets not held for business or profit, capital gain distributions not reported directly on Form 1040, and non-business bad debts.
Form | Instructions
Schedule E (Form 1040)
Supplemental Income and Loss. Use Schedule E to report income or loss from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, estates, trusts, and residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs).
Form | Instructions
Schedule SE (Form 1040)
Self-Employment Tax. Use this form to figure the tax due on net earnings from self-employment. The Social Security Administration uses the information from Schedule SE to figure your benefits under the social security program.
Form | Instructions
W-4
Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. Complete this form so your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay.
Form & Instructions
W-2
Wage and Tax Statement. Every employer who pays for services performed by an employee, including noncash payments, must file a Form W-2 for each employee - even if the employee is related to the employer.
Form | Instructions
W-9
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. Anyone who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA.
Form | Instructions
1099
Miscellaneous Income Statement. Every business that pays for services performed by a non-employee must file a copy of Form 1099 for each non-employee.
Form | Instructions
1099-NEC
Form to report nonemployee compensation.
Form | Instructions
941
Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return.
Form | Instructions
4868
Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Form & Instructions
8863
Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits). Use this form to figure and claim tax credits for qualified education expenses paid to an eligible postsecondary educational institution.
Form | Instructions
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
Tax Calendar
Tax Calendar
Important tax dates for individuals
January 31, 2022 - The deadline to send W-2 and 1099 Forms for 2021
This is the deadline for employers to send out W-2 Forms to employees and 1099 Forms to non-employees who provide services for the 2021 tax year.
February 15, 2022 - The W-4 Form Exemption Due for 2021
If you claimed an exemption from income tax withholding on the W-4 Form you gave your employer last year, you must file a new W-4 Form by this date to maintain your exemption for an additional year.
April 18, 2022 - Individual Income Tax Returns Due for 2021*
2021 individual income tax returns are due, along with any taxes owed.
Note: The IRS has the authority to adjust Federal tax deadlines, including April 15. Most recently, it exercised that authority in 2019 and 2020 tax years. The IRS can make the change on short notice based on its assessment of financial or economic conditions.
Tax Publications
Tax Publications
These links will let you download a number of very useful tax publications from the Internal Revenue Service. Clicking on one of these links will download a PDF version of the publication directly from the Internal Revenue Service website.
Your Rights As a Taxpayer
This publication explains some of your most important rights as a taxpayer and the examination, appeal, collection, and refund processes.
Armed Forces’ Tax Guide
This publication covers the special tax situations of active members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It does not cover military pensions or veterans’ benefits or give the basic tax rules that apply to all taxpayers.
Your Appeal Rights and How To Prepare a Protest If You Don’t Agree
This Publication tells you how to appeal your tax case if you don’t agree with the Internal Revenue Service findings in an audit or other review.
Employer’s Tax Guide
A guide to taxes for employers and business owners.
Your Income Tax for Individuals
This publication covers the general rules for filing a federal income tax return. It explains the tax law to help you make sure you pay only the tax you owe and no more.
Tax Guide for Small Businesses (for individuals who use Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ)
The publication provides general information about the federal tax laws that apply to small business owners who are sole proprietors and to statutory employees. It provides information on business income, expenses, and tax credits that may help you file your income tax return.
Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information
This publication discusses some tax rules that affect every person who may have to file a federal income tax return. It answers some basic questions: who should file; what status to use; how many exemptions to claim; and the amount of the standard deduction.
Medical and Dental Expenses (including the Health Coverage Tax Credit)
This publication explains the itemized deduction for medical and dental expenses that you claim on Schedule A (Form 1040).
Child and Dependent Care Expenses
This publication explains the tests you must meet to claim the credit for child and dependent care expenses.
Divorced or Separated Individuals
This publication explains tax rules that apply if you are divorced or separated from your spouse.
Charitable Contributions
This publication explains how to claim a deduction for your charitable contributions.
Business Expenses
This publication discusses common business expenses and explains what is and is not deductible.
Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund
This publication discusses general rules and procedures that the IRS follows in examinations.
Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
This publication discusses traditional, Roth, and SIMPLE IRAs. It explains the rules for setting up an IRA, contributing to an IRA, transferring money or property to or from an IRA, receiving distributions from an IRA, and taking credit for contributions to an IRA.
Survivors, Executors, and Administrators
This publication is designed to help those in charge of the estate of an individual who has died. It shows them how to complete and file federal income tax returns and explains their responsibility to pay any taxes due on behalf of the deceased person.
Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans
This publication explains health savings accounts (HSAs), medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs and Medicare Advantage MSAs), health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
Tax Resources
Click on one of the categories below to find forms, explanations, and other tools to help you manage your taxes.
Tax Calendar
Important tax dates for individuals
Tax Forms
A full set of downloadable forms from the IRS
Tax Publications
A full set of downloadable publications from the IRS
Tax Rates
Tables to enable you to find your federal marginal income tax rate
Does Your Child Need to File an Income Tax Return?
Does Your Child Need to File an Income Tax Return?
As parents, we encourage our children to work, so they can learn important values about work and independence. At what point, if at all, do children need to file an income tax return for the money they earn?
The IRS does not exempt anyone from the requirement to file a tax return based on age, even if your child is declared as a dependent on your tax return.1
Your dependent children must file a tax return when they earn above a certain amount of income.
Dependent children with earned income in excess of $12,400 must file an income tax return. Dependent children with unearned income of more than $1,100 must also file a return. And if the dependent child’s earned and unearned income together total more than the larger of $1,100, or a total earned income up to $12,050 plus $350.2
These thresholds are subject to change, so please consult a professional with tax expertise regarding your individual situation.
Here’s an example. Kyle is a 20 year old college student who’s claimed as a dependent by his parents. He received $400 in unearned income and $5,500 for a part-time job on campus. He does not have to file a tax return because both his unearned and earned income fall below the thresholds. Kyle’s total income of $5,900 is less than his total earned income plus $350.
Even if your child earns less than the threshold amount, filing a tax return may be worthwhile if your child is eligible for a tax refund.
If you decide to prepare a separate return for your child, the same reduced standard deduction rules detailed above will apply.
1. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties.
2. IRS.gov, 2021
Five Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
Five Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to?
While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Let’s take a quick look at the five most overlooked opportunities to manage your tax bill.
- Reinvested Dividends: When your mutual fund pays you a dividend or capital gains distribution, that income is a taxable event (unless the fund is held in a tax-deferred account, like an IRA). If you’re like most fund owners, you reinvest these payments in additional shares of the fund. The tax trap lurks when you sell your mutual fund. If you fail to add the reinvested amounts back into the investment’s cost basis, it can result in double taxation of those dividends.1
Mutual funds are sold only by prospectus. Please consider the charges, risks, expenses and investment objectives carefully before investing. A prospectus containing this and other information about the investment company can be obtained from your financial professional. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.
- Out-of-Pocket Charity: It’s not just cash donations that are deductible. If you donate goods or use your personal car for charitable work, these are potential tax deductions. Just be sure to get a receipt for any amount over $250.1
- State Taxes: Did you owe state taxes when you filed your previous year’s tax returns? If you did, don’t forget to include this payment as a tax deduction on your current year’s tax return. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 placed a $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction.2
- Medicare Premiums: If you are self-employed (and not covered by an employer plan or your spouse’s plan), you may be eligible to deduct premiums paid for Medicare Parts B and D, Medigap insurance and Medicare Advantage Plan. This deduction is available regardless of whether you itemize deductions or not.
- Income in Respect of a Decedent: If you’ve inherited an IRA or pension, you may be able to deduct any estate tax paid by the IRA owner from the taxes due on the withdrawals you take from the inherited account.3
1. IRS.gov, 2021
2. IRS.gov, 2021
3. Under the SECURE Act, in most circumstances, once you reach age 72, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Withdrawals from Traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. You may continue to contribute to a Traditional IRA past age 70½ under the SECURE Act as long as you meet the earned-income requirement.