Medicarebob

   This Rate Watch Wednesday is focused on Medicare Supplement Plan G, for a male and female, ages 65 and 70 in Woodbridge, Virginia (zip code 22193). As I have said before, Medicare Supplement plans are all Federally regulated by the government. There is no reason for anyone to pay more for their Medicare Supplement Plan G with one carrier over another because the letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. You are not getting any additional benefits by paying more. That’s why it is important to shop your Medicare Supplement coverage every year, and we can help you with that.  You may ask, “Why do these companies charge different prices if they are all the same?” That’s a great question. Carriers have different administrative costs and they have different profit goals. There’s tons of different reasons why these big companies charge different prices. What you need to know is, just like in your Medicare book, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the same with every carrier.  If you

   In order to switch a Medicare Supplement after the age of 65 you must medically qualify. You do not have to be as healthy as a 30-year-old but most carriers want at least a two-year stability of your health. In this post, we are going to go over the qualifications for most carriers with those that have diabetes. First thing is, from the carrier’s perspective there is no such thing as “pre-diabetic”. If you are taking medication for diabetes, in the carrier’s eyes, you are diabetic. The biggest thing they are looking for is at least two-years stability with your diabetes.  The carriers are looking for: · A two-year stability of your diabetes with any heart issues. For example, if you have high blood pressure in combination with diabetes, they want that to be consistent and stable for at least two years.  · There is a limit on the amount of diabetic medications you can be taking in combination with a heart pillar blood pressure medication. For example, if you take a blood pressure medicat

   First, I would like to start with our office cannot make the determination if you qualify for extra help. We can answer any questions you have but when it comes to extra help, your best resource is going to be Social Security.   If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for help to pay for some health care and prescription drug costs. Extra Help is a Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug costs. If you qualify for Extra Help and join a Medicare drug plan, you’ll get help paying your Medicare drug plan’s costs, you will not go into the Coverage Gap (Donut Hole) and you’ll pay no late enrollment penalty fee.  You may qualify for Extra Help if your yearly income and resources are below these limits in 2018: · Single Person-you must make less than $18,210. If you have other resources, you must make less than $14,100. · Married person living with spouse and no other dependents-you must make less than $24,690. If you ha

   This Rate Watch Wednesday is focused on Medicare Supplement Plan G, for a male and female, ages 65 and 70 in Virginia Beach, Virginia (zip code 23464). As I have said before, Medicare Supplement plans are all Federally regulated by the government. There is no reason for anyone to pay more for their Medicare Supplement Plan G with one carrier over another because the letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. You are not getting any additional benefits by paying more. That’s why it is important to shop your Medicare Supplement coverage every year, and we can help you with that.  You may ask, “Why do these companies charge different prices if they are all the same?” That’s a great question. Carriers have different administrative costs and they have different profit goals. There’s tons of different reasons why these big companies charge different prices. What you need to know is, just like in your Medicare book, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the same with every carrier.  If

   Two very common myths regarding Medicare Supplement Plans are as follows: 1. I can only change my Medicare Supplement plan during the Annual Election Period. This isn’t true. You are allowed to shop for your Medicare Supplement Plan all year long. The October 15th to December 7th deadline only applies to Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D Plans.  2. I am automatically approved for a Medicare Supplement Plan. This isn’t true either. Unless you purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan within 6 months of starting Medicare Parts A and B, you have to medically qualify to get a Medicare Supplement Plan. Whether it be you have just Medicare and you want a Medicare Supplement, you have a Medicare Advantage Plan and you want to upgrade or you already have a Medicare Supplement and you want to shop for a lower premium. You have to medically qualify with any of these scenarios.  If you have any questions regarding Medicare, please give our office a call at 1-855-368-4717 or visit one of our p

   There are two time periods of the year that you can upgrade from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Supplement Plan. The first is the one we’re all familiar with, the Annual Election Period which is every year between October 15th and December 7th. The second is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which started January 1st and will end March 31st.  You will not be automatically approved to go from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Supplement Plan. In most cases, you will have to through the underwriting process which will require you to answer around 20 health questions and the underwriters will also cross reference your medications and look about 2 years back into your health history.  Please feel free to call my office with any questions at 1-855-368-4717 or visit one of our pages:  https://www.seniorhealthcaredirect.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MedicareBob/ https://twitter.com/MedicareBob https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_avKva4VN0DBEgjP7I43w?view

   Medicare has released a new app for your phone or iPad called the “What’s Covered” app.  You can use this Federal app for the following:  · Get answers to your Medicare coverage questions · See how much you’ll pay · Learn about the covered items and services · See helpful notes and where to get more information · Browse free preventative services, Original Medicare items and services Find out exactly what your Medicare coverage has to offer by getting answers to questions like: · When are Mammograms covered? · Are specialists or home healthcare covered? · Will Medicare pay for crutches, walkers or diabetes testing supplies? If you have any questions regarding Medicare, please give our office a call at 1-855-368-4717 or visit one of our pages:  https://www.seniorhealthcaredirect.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MedicareBob/ https://twitter.com/MedicareBob https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_avKva4VN0DBEgjP7I43w?view_as=subscriber

   It’s the beginning of the year and most people are starting to receive their Notice of Increase from their Medicare Supplement carriers. It’s a very common misunderstanding that you can only change your Medicare Supplement once a year starting in October. However, that is untrue. The October to December annual enrollment deadline only applies to Medicare Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans.  If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you can shop your plan all year long. One very important thing to remember about Medicare Supplement plans is that they are federally regulated plans. The letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier, so there is no reason to pay more with one carrier over another.  If you have any questions regarding Medicare, please give our office a call at 1-855-368-4717 or visit one of our pages:  https://www.seniorhealthcaredirect.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MedicareBob/ https://twitter.com/MedicareBob https://www.youtube.

   Medicare was not designed to cover long term care (nursing homes) insurance; therefore, it does not cover long term care. It does cover care in a skilled nursing facility. These are the differences between the two types of care:  · Long-term care is a range of services and support for your personal care needs. Most long-term care isn't medical care. Instead, most long-term care is help with basic personal tasks of everyday life, sometimes called activities of daily living. · Skilled care is nursing and therapy care that can only be safely and effectively performed by, or under the supervision of, professionals or technical personnel. Its health care given when you need skilled nursing or skilled therapy to treat, manage, and observe your condition, and evaluate your care. Medicare will cover your medical bills if you are hospitalized or have to see the doctor while living in the facility but it will not cover your actual stay in the nursing home. 

   This Rate Watch Wednesday is focused on Medicare Supplement Plan G, for a male and female between the ages of 65 and 77 in Dallas, Texas (zip code 75217). As I have said before, Medicare Supplement plans are all Federally regulated by the government. There is no reason for anyone to pay more for their Medicare Supplement Plan G with one carrier over another because the letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. You are not getting any additional benefits by paying more. That’s why it is important to shop your Medicare Supplement coverage every year, and we can help you with that.  You may ask, “Why do these companies charge different prices if they are all the same?” That’s a great question. Carriers have different administrative costs and they have different profit goals. There’s tons of different reasons why these big companies charge different prices. What you need to know is, just like in your Medicare book, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the same with every carrier. 

   If you have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement, you do not need a referral to see a specialist. You can go to any doctor or any hospital as long as they accept Original Medicare. It’s as easy as calling and making the appointment.

   I want to start this post by saying that I do not think Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) are bad. There are many Medicare Advantage plans out there that are very good plans and it really depends on the person’s situation and their needs on whether or not a Medicare Advantage plan is a good choice for them or not. My goal is not to bash Medicare Advantage plans but to educate. Unfortunately, it is all to common that agents will sell a Medicare Advantage plan to someone without fully giving them all of the information and the full effect of their choice.  Let’s start by explaining what a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) is and how it works. A Medicare Advantage plan is a private alternative to Medicare. Medicare pays these carriers such as Aetna Coventry, Cigna Healthspring, United Healthcare, Humana etc. to provide seniors their benefits more affordably than they can provide them. Medicare then regulates these carriers to ensure that they are doing their job and they are do

   This Rate Watch Wednesday is focused on Medicare Supplement Plan G, for a male and female, ages 65 thru 75 in Brownsville, Texas (zip code 78521). As I have said before, Medicare Supplement plans are all Federally regulated by the government. There is no reason for anyone to pay more for their Medicare Supplement Plan G with one carrier over another because the letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. You are not getting any additional benefits by paying more. That’s why it is important to shop your Medicare Supplement coverage every year, and we can help you with that.  You may ask, “Why do these companies charge different prices if they are all the same?” That’s a great question. Carriers have different administrative costs and they have different profit goals. There’s tons of different reasons why these big companies charge different prices. What you need to know is, just like in your Medicare book, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the same with every carrier. 

   As we all know, going to the hospital can be a very pricey visit. If you are hospitalized, your Medicare Part A deductible is $1,364 for 2019. That deductible is a per occurrence deductible so you would normally have to pay that every time you are hospitalized. That deductible doesn’t include any procedures or treatment you have done. This is the cost if you have Medicare ONLY, however with Medicare and the Medicare Supplement Plan G, you would pay nothing. The Medicare Supplement Plan G covers that deductible for you. If you are admitted to the hospital, Medicare has a co-pay starting day 61 and that increases starting day 91. The Medicare Supplement Plan G would cover that for you as well. So, to answer the question, “What would I have to pay with Medicare and a Medicare Supplement Plan G?” you would pay nothing, with Medicare and the Medicare Supplement Plan G your hospital costs are zero.  

   How you sign up for Medicare depends primarily on if you’re drawing Social Security. If you are currently drawing Social Security and you’re turning 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You’ll receive your Medicare red, white and blue card about three months before you turn 65. Starting your birth month, Medicare with deduct $135.50 out of your check. That is Medicare’s Part B premium for most people.  If you’re not drawing Social Security, there’s three ways you can sign up for Medicare:  · Go to the Social Security Office and sign up.  · Call the Social Security office and sign up.  · You can go online to Medicare.gov and sign up online.  If you are still working and have coverage through your employer, you will need a form called “Creditable Coverage” form. You will need to have that form filled out by your employer. Once that’s been filled out, you can either mail it to the Social Security office or bring it into the office. Once that’s been

   This Rate Watch Wednesday is focused on Medicare Supplement Plan G, for a male and female, ages 65 and 70 in Houston, Texas (zip code 77084). As I have said before, Medicare Supplement plans are all Federally regulated by the government. There is no reason for anyone to pay more for their Medicare Supplement Plan G with one carrier over another because the letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. You are not getting any additional benefits by paying more. That’s why it is important to shop your Medicare Supplement coverage every year, and we can help you with that.  You may ask, “Why do these companies charge different prices if they are all the same?” That’s a great question. Carriers have different administrative costs and they have different profit goals. There’s tons of different reasons why these big companies charge different prices. What you need to know is, just like in your Medicare book, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the same with every carrier. 

   The only time you are automatically approved for a Medicare Supplement is when you turn 65 years old or if you delayed your Part B enrollment and started your Part B later on in life. If you are wanting to upgrade from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplement plan or you are wanting to switch your Medicare Supplement plan to another plan to save money, you will be subject to answer heath questions. There are no medical tests or a physical like when you purchase life insurance. How the process works is the agent that assists you with your application will ask you a series of health questions and after the application is submitted, you will most likely be contacted by and underwriter from the carrier. The underwriter will then ask you some of the same health questions and pull your medication report for any red flag medications. After this interview is completed, you will wait for the underwriter to determine whether or not you are approved with their specific carrier. 

   Simple fact for anyone that has a Medicare Supplement plan: you can shop your Medicare Supplement plan all year long. The December 7th deadline only apples to anyone that has a Medicare Advantage plan or switching your Part D drug plans. If you are experiencing a rate increase on your plan, you can shop your plan for a better rate. If you have a Plan F, Plan G, Plan N or any Medicare Supplement plan you can shop your plan all year long. There is no reason to pay more with one carrier over another because these plans are all federally regulated. The letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. So, give our office a call and we can help you start saving today. 

This Rate Watch Wednesday is focused on Medicare Supplement Plan G, for a male and female, ages 65 and 70 in Houston, Texas (zip code 77084). As I have said before, Medicare Supplement plans are all Federally regulated by the government. There is no reason for anyone to pay more for their Medicare Supplement Plan G with one carrier over another because the letter of the plan dictates the coverage, not the carrier. You are not getting any additional benefits by paying more. That’s why it is important to shop your Medicare Supplement coverage every year, and we can help you with that. You may ask, “Why do these companies charge different prices if they are all the same?” That’s a great question. Carriers have different administrative costs and they have different profit goals. There’s tons of different reasons why these big companies charge different prices. What you need to know is, just like in your Medicare book, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the same with every carrier.

Starting in January 2019, Medicare is going to have a new open enrollment period that runs from January 1st to March 31st. Medicare offered this open enrollment a few years ago but decided to end it and came out with MADP period which is the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. The MADP was designed for people who chose an Advantage Plan during Annual election period and realized they didn’t like it. They were given six weeks to upgrade back to a Medicare Supplement plan. The good news is that so many people have complained that that time period in not long enough so Medicare is getting rid of the MADP and they’re bringing back the open enrollment period from January 1st to March 31st. What this means is if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can go back to Original Medicare and get a Medicare Supplement plan. You do not have to wait until the Annual Election Period in October and vice versa, if you have a Medicare Supplement and want to switch to a Medicare Advantage, you can make this switch as well