Medicare Insurance

Medicare Open Enrollment Ending

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:11:01 +0000

As the Medicare open enrollment is coming to an end. We have some quick obervations to some frequently asked questions.

Medicare part D is getting more complicated not less. Although we had high hopes coming into this sign up season that the number of plans would shrink, this has not been the case. In fact, it has become more important than ever to check you plans formulary. Which prescriptions you are taking matters more than ever in determining which plan to choose.

Medicare Advantage plans are still popular. Despite the contraversial nature of these plans, most Medicare participants who are contacting us about these plans seem to be satisfied. It is important to check you plans coverage as there has been changes in some of the major plans, but overall the clients we have talked to want to remain in the advantage plan system.

The best way to get complete coverage is still a Medigap plan. With those changes in coverage nearly all of the Medicare advantage plans now require significant co-payments if you use the services. Because of this, individuals who are seeking no co-payments or deductibles are still usually purchasing a Medicare supplement policy.

Switching Medicare Advantage Plans

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:40:06 +0000

Since we are coming up on the open enrollment period for Medicare advantage plans, I thought it would be a good idea to quickly review the rules for switching Medicare Part C plans. During November 15th to December 1st, you may switch or enroll for the first time in any Medicare Advantage plan provide you live in the plans service area (generally this would be your county.) The only health question you must answer is do you have end stage renal disease.

In addition, from January 1st to March 31st you may also have the option of switching and/or enrolling in a new Medicare Advantage plan. This can depend on if you are enrolled in a Medicare prescription plan, and if you are changing that prescription plan, so check the Medicare rules prior to enrolling.

Loren

Medicare Part D Update

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:54:53 +0000

Although it’s not a surprise, it appears that for 2009 there will be no company that offers coverage for brand name drugs in the coverage gap. There are still several companies that offer coverage for generics in the coverage gap, but generics are usually very inexpensive anyway. The good news is the initial coverage limit was raised to $2,700 for most companies, but it appears there is little relief for those individuals on high-priced name brand prescriptions. We still don’t have enrollment kits for 2009 in yet, but we hope to receive them by the end of the month.

Loren Camp - President

Medicare Overview

cfischer83 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:19:22 +0000

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilties and any age with ESRD. Medicare has four parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance) - cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.

Part B (Medical Insurance) - covers services like doctors, outpatient care, some preventative services and other medical services that part A does not cover.

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) - private insurers that provide Part A, Part B and sometime Part D coverage to people who enroll

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)- Helps cover prescription costs.

Listed below are some common examples of what medicare covers and what you may pay without a medigap or medicare advantage plan.

Cost - Sharing	Medicare pays in 2008	What you pay in 2008
Part A HospitalCoverage Deductible1-60 Days61-90 Days91-160 DaysBlood	Nothing 100% All but $256 per day All but $512 per day All but three pints	$1,024Nothing$256 per day$512 per daythree pints
Skilled Nursing1-20 days21-100 days	100% All but $128 per day	Nothing$128 per day
Medicare Part BDeductibleCoinsuranceExcess Benefits	Nothing 80% Nothing	$13520%100% up to Medicare’s Limit
Foreign Travel	Nothing	100%

This is just a partial table of all of the benefits offered under Medicare. Please contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services for a complete description.

If you would like a quote on a medicare supplement or medicare advantage plan to help pay for the costs medicare does not cover please click here.

Medicare News

cfischer83 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:57:54 +0000

Coming soon…

What Is Medicare Part A,B,C and D?

admin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:27:16 +0000

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities and any age with ESRD. Medicare has four parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance) - covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.

Part B (Medical Insurance) - covers services like doctors, outpatient care, some preventative services and other medical services that part A does not cover.

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) - private insurers that provide Part A, Part B and sometime Part D coverage to people who enroll.

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)- Helps cover prescription costs.

Why Buy Additional Medicare Coverage?

admin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:25:56 +0000

Original Medicare was designed to only pay a portion of your medicare expenses. There are deductibles and/or co-payments that are assessed whenever you use a Medicare covered service or order supplies. Here are some examples:

Hospitalization $1,024 deductible plus a daily fee after the 61st day
Outpatient surgery 20% co-pay
Durable equipment 20% co-pay
Part B deductible $135
Physical therapy 20% co-pay
Diagnostic tests 20% co-pay

And these are just a few of the various services you may have pay for under the original Medicare plan. Perhaps most importantly, there is also no cap on how much you can be charged in co-payments and deductibles. Because of this many individuals purchase a Medicare supplement (often called a Medigap plan) or a Medicare advantage plan to help cover those expenses.

If you would like a Medigap, Medicare advantage plan or Medicare prescription quote just on this Medicare Insurance link and get a free customized comparison of plans available in your area.

What Does Medicare Cover?

admin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:50:20 +0000

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilties and any age with ESRD. Medicare has four parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance) - cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.

Part B (Medical Insurance) - covers services like doctors, outpatient care, some preventative services and other medical services that part A does not cover.

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) - private insurers that provide Part A, Part B and sometime Part D coverage to people who enroll

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)- Helps cover prescription costs.

Listed below are some common examples of what medicare covers and what you may pay without a medigap or medicare advantage plan.

Cost - Sharing	Medicare pays in 2008	What you pay in 2008
Part A Hospital Coverage Deductible 1-60 Days 61-90 Days 91-160 Days Blood	Nothing 100% All but $256 per day All but $512 per day All but three pints	$1,024 Nothing $256 per day $512 per day three pints
Skilled Nursing 1-20 days 21-100 days	100% All but $128 per day	Nothing $128 per day
Medicare Part B Deductible Coinsurance Excess Benefits	Nothing 80% Nothing	$135 20% 100% up to Medicare’s Limit
Foreign Travel	Nothing	100%

This is just a partial table of all of the benefits offered under Medicare. Please contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services for a complete description.

If you would like a quote on a Medicare supplement or Medicare advantage plan to help pay for the costs medicare does not cover please click on this Medigap quote link.

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment

admin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:41:06 +0000

We are coming up quickly on the open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription plans. Although we don’t have enrollment kits yet, we do have some information available. Contact our office at (800) 330-6595 to discuss your options for 2009.

Loren Camp

Hello world!

admin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:36:53 +0000

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