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Medicare

Helping You Choose The Right Plan

  • Medicare is not anything like your group or individual plan. I know Medicare can be confusing, but I can help 
  • You have two choices - Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. I will explain the differences
  • Know the Medicare Parts - A,B,C, and D and what they do for you. I will explain the Parts and why they are important to you.
  • Know what the Medicare Supplemental Parts are and which one is best for you. If you pick Original Medicare, this will be important for you to understand.
  • ​Know when and how to enroll. If you are still working, you may not need to enroll until you quit work.
  • Know how to pick your prescription drug plan
  • Know where to go for help

Medicare - The Health Plan For Retirees

Medicare Can Be Confusing

When you evolve to Medicare, there is lots of confusion. For the first time in your working career you are leaving the safety of your employer sponsored group plan. Now you will have to make your own decisions - decisions that may not be fixable until the next open enrollment window. 

National studies have shown that nearly 95% of people pay too much for their Medicare coverage. They do not understand the full costs they will pay in addition to the premiums.

We will not only educate you on your current situation, but we will provide specific knowledge to ensure you have picked the right plan.

You Need Information 

We have been helping people through the Medicare maze for years. We have come to realize that if folks had a little more information up front, they could make
better decisions about their Medicare plans and make Medicare work better for them.

What Makes Medicare Expensive?

If you will soon be applying for Medicare, you want to understand IRMAA, Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. Medicare premiums are based on your income. If you make more than $85,000 as a single person or $170,000 as a married couple you will pay more than the base rate for your Medicare Parts B and D premiums. 

When Do I Enroll?

Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is your first chance to enroll in Medicare parts A and B. It starts three months before your 65th birthday. The fourth month will be the month of your 65th birthday. The IEP ends after the third month past your 65th birthday month.

Avoid Penalties

If you didn't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you should have Part B, but did not. This is a lifetime penalty. Be aware this penalty increases the longer you go without Part B coverage.

What Drug Plan Do I Choose?

Part D is your Prescription Drug Plan and it is mandatory (if it weren't, there would be no penalties for not enrolling, right?) Medicare.gov is the website I use to help educate you and calm your fears. After going through this, you will have a better understanding of your drug choices.

Where Can I Get Help?

We strive to create mutual trust with our clients leading to long term relationships. If you would consider changing your plan, would you let us know? 

Medicare - The Health Plan For Retirees

Medicare Can Be Confusing

When a person evolves to Medicare, there is lots of confusion. For the first time in their working career, maybe 40 years, workers are leaving the safety of their employer sponsored group plan. They will have to make their own decisions - decisions that cannot be fixed at the next open enrollment window.

We will not only educate you on your current situation, but we will provide specific knowledge to ensure you have picked the right plan.

What Are My Choices?

Medicare offers two choices - Original Medicare which is Parts A & B and Medicare Advantage which is Part C. Part D is the Prescription Drug plan and can be offered through a stand alone plan or part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans are good for the government as the risk transfers to the private insurance carrier. It’s good for the carrier. It’s good for the agent who sells lots of Medicare Advantage. Sometimes, it’s not so good for the consumer when they have a health issue and face the cost sharing of Advantage plans.

What Are The Parts?

Parts A - Hospital Insurance - short term care in skilled nursing facilities for rehabilitation and hospice services

Parts B - Outpatient Healthcare - doctors, outpatient surgery, durable medical equipment and diagnostic testing.

Part C - Medicare Advantage - HMO type coverage. It is not a separate Part of Medicare but it does combine Parts A & B in its coverage.

Part D - Prescription Drug - helps pay for your prescription drugs. It is an optional plan available to those enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and many Medicare Advantage plans.

What Are The Medicare Supplement Plans?

There are 10 supplement plans. A Medicare Supplement policy must follow federal and state laws designed to protect you. Insurance companies can sell you only a standardized policy meaning a Plan G for one insurance company is the same Plan G with any other insurance company.

When Should I Enroll?

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is your first chance to enroll in Medicare parts A and B. Except for those who are under 65 and medically disabled, the IEP lasts for seven months, and it starts three months before you turn 65. The fourth month will be the month of your 65th birthday. The IEP ends after the third month past your 65th birthday month.

There are other enrollment periods - Special Enrollment Period (windows where you can enroll in certain Parts of Medicare or select different Medicare plans outside of the standard schedule), Open Enrollment Period (October 15th to December 7th), General Enrollment Period (Jan 1 - Mar 31)

What Drug Plan Do I Choose?

The best way is to start is to look at your priorities. See if any of these apply to you:
 - You may take specific drugs.
 - You want extra protection from high prescription drug costs.
 - You want your drug expenses to be balanced throughout the year.
 - You take a lot of generic prescriptions.
 - You don't have many drug costs now, but you want coverage for peace of mind.
 - You would like the extra benefits and lower costs available by getting health care and prescription drug coverage from one plan. 

Where Can I Get Help?

We strive to create mutual trust with our clients leading to long term relationships.  

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