Lets Talk About Medicare
Our Agency represents majority of the insurance companies when it comes to picking a Medicare secondary plan. We offer one on one consultation’s to review your choices in picking the best secondary policy that best fits your needs. Our objective to make sure your coverage is a smooth transition into your Medicare eligible years. We offer reviews of your plan during open enrollment and we are here to answer any questions throughout the year. Those questions could be billing questions, claims questions or a refresher of your benefits. We provide every client the information needed to make a well advised decision on your Medicare plan.
What Are the Benefits of Working with a Broker?
The rates you pay for your insurance are exactly the same Agents are up to date with multiple insurance carriers plan benefits and rates We can offer a variety of plans so we do not have bias when you decide to choose a Medigap, Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan that best fits your needs Licensed with multiple insurance companies Call us today to set up your appointment
The Basic Parts of Medicare
What is Original Medicare
Original Medicare refers to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance), and is in some ways central to your Medicare coverage. That is, the Medicare plan options described below require you to be enrolled in Medicare Part A, Part B, or both (depending on the type of plan); some plan options are meant to work alongside your Original Medicare coverage, while Medicare Advantage offers an alternative way to get that coverage – more on this follows later in this article.
Most of those eligible are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when they turn 65; if you’re already receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you’ll “age in” automatically. If you’ve been receiving SSA or RRB disability benefits for 24 consecutive months, Medicare enrollment is also automatic for you. On the other hand, if you have ALS, you’ll be automatically enrolled the same month that you start receiving SSA or RRB disability benefits.Some people need to sign up for Medicare. If your circumstances don’t fit the criteria above, or if you have ESRD, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare through the SSA or RRB.
What is Original Medicare
Original Medicare refers to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance), and is in some ways central to your Medicare coverage. That is, the Medicare plan options described below require you to be enrolled in Medicare Part A, Part B, or both (depending on the type of plan); some plan options are meant to work alongside your Original Medicare coverage, while Medicare Advantage offers an alternative way to get that coverage – more on this follows later in this article.
Most of those eligible are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when they turn 65; if you’re already receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you’ll “age in” automatically. If you’ve been receiving SSA or RRB disability benefits for 24 consecutive months, Medicare enrollment is also automatic for you. On the other hand, if you have ALS, you’ll be automatically enrolled the same month that you start receiving SSA or RRB disability benefits.Some people need to sign up for Medicare. If your circumstances don’t fit the criteria above, or if you have ESRD, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare through the SSA or RRB.
How Can a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Help?
Another word for these plans is “Medigap”. These plans fill in the gaps of Part A and Part B. They pick up the deductibles and the 20% remainder that Medicare does not pay. The benefit of these plans are: No referrals, no or low copays and a small, if any Deductible
You can buy a Medigap policy through a private insurance company to help fill the gaps in Medicare Part A & B coverage such as coinsurance and deductibles.
There is a six-month Open Enrollment Period when you can purchase a Medigap plan without medical underwriting. This period starts when you are both 65 or over and enrolled in Medicare Part B and it cannot be extended. Thereafter Medigap Insurance companies can refuse to accept new applicants based on health history.
Medigap policies do not work with other health insurance including Medicare Advantage, VA benefits or Employer group plans.
Every Medigap policy must follow federal and state laws and can only offer standardized policies labeled by letters A through N. Each standardized policy must offer the same benefits no matter which insurance company sells it.
Cost and Financial Ratings are usually the primary considerations when comparing similar policies offered by different companies.
Ask yourself… If Yes… If No…
Can I afford to pay the health care costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover? | You will be responsible for:
· Part A and Part B deductibles · A monthly premium for Part B · 20% of the amount Medicare approves for the medical services it covers · 100% of the cost for services not covered by Medicare |
Consider joining a Medicare Advantage plan. Your premium could be as low as $0 a month and may cover extra benefits like prescription drugs, vision, dental, hearing, as well as provide an over-the-counter allowance.
Another option is to stay with Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement plan and stand-alone Medicare part D plan. |
Do I live out of state for part of the year? | Choosing Original Medicare and purchasing Medigap is a good option, which would provide coverage anywhere in the United States. | A Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO-POS, or PPO plan may cover you for emergency or urgently needed care worldwide. |
Do I want coverage for hearing aids, routine eye exams, and dental services? | You may want to choose a Medicare Advantage plan that offers these additional benefits. | Consider staying with Original Medicare and purchasing Medigap. |
Am I willing to pay more so that I can receive care from any provider? | Consider a Medicare Advantage PPO plan or Medigap and enjoy greater flexibility in your choice of providers. | A Medicare Advantage HMO plan will keep your costs down as long as you stay in network.
Some plans offer some flexibility by not requiring referrals to see specialists. |
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.