Medicare Help Archives - Page 21 of 28

Questions To Ask Your Medicare Agent

When it is time to enroll in Medicare, change your Medicare plan, or purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan, speaking to an agent is a great idea. But before you do, make sure you have all of your information ready and available; you should also have an understanding of exactly what your needs are and what you’re looking for so your Medicare agent can better assist you. Because the details that you give an agent will determine which plan is right for you, EZ has provided you with what information you should have prepared, as well as what questions to consider asking one of our Medicare agents.

What You Will Need

medicare insurance card — *Be prepared with your Medicare Insurance Card, a list of health conditions, and your budget.*

Before speaking to your agent, be prepared to provide the following information:

Personal information- Your agent will ask you what zip code you live in so that they can research and compare plans in your area.
Health conditions– Prepare a list of all your health conditions, concerns, and/or medical records. Providing an agent with your specific healthcare needs can help them decide what plans might be best for you, since each Medicare Supplement Plan provides different coverage options.
Your Medicare Card– You will need to provide your agent with your card number so they can verify coverage.
Your budget- If you live on a fixed income, or have a specific budget in mind, have that information ready so you can discuss it with your agent.

Questions To Ask

There are different Medicare plan routes that you can take. When enrolling in Medicare, you have the option to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan at the same time. There are 10 different plans to choose from that offer different coverage options at different price points. Here are some questions to ask your agent if you’re considering a Medicare Supplement Plan:

Popular plans– Premiums can sometimes be lower for policies that are more popular, because more people are enrolled in those plans. Ask your agent which plans are the most popular in your area so you can compare their costs and benefits with those of other plans.
Waiting Periods– If you enroll in Medicare when you first turn 65, and you enroll into a Medicare Supplement Plan at the same time, then you have guaranteed issue rights. This means that you won’t have to pay extra for any pre-existing health conditions. It also protects you from having to go through a waiting period. But if you are enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Plan outside of your Initial Enrollment Period, then there might be a waiting period while you undergo the Medicare underwriting process, and you may have to pay more because of pre-existing conditions.
Using EZ’s Medicare agent will save you time, money, while providing you with a quality Medicare plan for your needs.
When Medicare Supplement Plan Coverage Begins- When you buy your Medicare Supplement Plan determines when coverage will begin for the plan. Ask your agent for a timeline, so you are aware of when you can start using your plan.
Out-of-Pocket Costs– This is a very important question to ask, especially if you are living on a fixed income. Ask about the out-of-pocket costs you are responsible for so that you can prepare for what your medical costs could be for the year.

Why Use An EZ Medicare Agent

When signing up for Medicare or a Medicare Supplement Plan, you need to have the right agent by your side. EZ.Insure will offer you an agent who cares, listens, and truly has your best interest at heart. What sets us aside from other companies is that our services are completely free. Our main goal is to help you, so our trained licensed agent will do all the work for you and compare all plans to find you the best plan at the best price. We are ready to answer all of your questions and get you covered. To get started, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent call 888-753-7207.

Beware Of Medicare Scams During Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment is the perfect opportunity for you to change plans and find ways to get more coverage and save money. Medicare Open Enrollment is also the perfect opportunity for scammers to try and steal your information. They know that you will be looking for the best coverage at this time, so they’ll jump on the chance to confuse, bait, or scare you. In order to protect yourself, you have to be aware of the most common scams and scamming tactics.

The Different Types of Scams

The most important thing you need to know is that, unless you request information from them, Medicare will not call you. You should treat any unsolicited calls from someone claiming to be with Medicare as suspicious; in fact, the majority of Medicare scams are phone calls. Here are scams to look out for:

A call or recorded message from someone who claims to be helping you navigate your Medicare options. This person might claim that they are an advocate working on your behalf, and that they can enroll you in a better, cheaper Medicare plan if you give them some personal information. If you did not sign up for help, then this is a scammer trying to get your information.
A call from someone claiming to be with Medicare who offers you promotional gifts.
A call from someone claiming to be with Medicare who threatens to discontinue your insurance if you don’t re-enroll now.
If you suspect a scammer has contacted you, call 1-800-Medicare to report it.

What To Do

No one representing Medicare will ever contact you by phone, email, or in person unless you have already made contact with them. The best way to avoid any scam is to never give your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, health plan information, bank information, or any other personal information to someone that you don’t know.

If you do receive a call that is suspicious, then hang up and call 1-800-Medicare to report it. Then contact your Medicare agent, or Medicare, to make sure that there is nothing wrong with your current plan, and that there are no actions that you need to take.

Getting Trusted Help

Medicare Open Enrollment can be a very busy and overwhelming time. You are in the midst of figuring out if your current plan is right for you, and researching other plans in your area to try to save money and get the most coverage. On top of that, you have to worry about people trying to steal your information. You can protect yourself from the many scammers out there by knowing their scare tactics and the ways that they will pretend to help you. In addition, you can make sure that you are fully protected from identity theft or worse by contacting an EZ agent!

EZ.Insure uses state-of-the-art technology to protect your information when you fill out our online form. To further protect your information, we will only share it with one agent. Whether you want to know more about your Medicare options, sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan, or simply compare plans, EZ’s got you covered. With us, you will never have to worry about outside parties getting their hands on your information. To start comparing quotes for free, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-753-7207.

Preparing For Medicare Open Enrollment: Medicare’s 2021 Part B Premium Capped By Congress

Amid uncertainties about Medicare prices for 2021, Congress has taken action to provide some relief next year for the 64 million Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. On Wednesday, September 30th, a short-term government funding bill was passed by the Senate and signed by President Trump that will cap Medicare Part B premiums for 2021. There has been no official announcement indicating how much premiums will be next year, but thanks to the bill, any increase will be capped at 25% of what it otherwise would have been.

picture of congress building — *A short-term government funding bill was passed by the Senate will cap Medicare Part B premiums for 2021.*

No Real Numbers Yet

Medicare Part B premiums rose nearly 7% in 2020, which had Medicare trustees predicting back in April of this year that the standard 2021 Part B premium would be $153.20, a 6% increase. However, due to the pandemic, there has been uncertainty surrounding Medicare prices for next year. The impacts of COVID-19 might be a major factor in determining how much premiums will increase.

“One thing that’s really hard about this year is that there’s been increased costs from treating Covid, but decreased cost from people delaying care or avoiding being in hospitals or doctors offices,” said Casey Schwarz, senior counsel for education and federal policy at the Medicare Rights Center.

Social Security COLA Role

social security card under some money bills and coins — *Social Security COLA is expected to be 1.3%, but this might not be enough.*

It is also unclear whether Social Security’s associated annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA, will be enough to cover next year’s increase in Medicare premiums. The COLA, which is provided to seniors to help with the costs of necessities like Medicare premiums, is estimated to increase 1.3% next year, meaning the average monthly benefits will increase from $1,053 to a little over $1,522.

A discrepancy between the increase in Part B premiums and the increase in the COLA wouldn’t necessarily be a major problem for Social Security recipients. If Part B premiums increase is more than the COLA, then Medicare beneficiaries who are collecting Social Security are “held harmless.” This means that they can see a premium increase but it can’t be larger than their COLA dollar-amount increase. Unfortunately, Medicare beneficiaries who are not collecting Social Security benefits absorb the extra costs, which means they could see a sharp rise in premiums.

“What seems to be motivating Congress is the fear that there will be an unexpected spike in premiums, or one that’s out of step with normal premium increases across the board, or specifically for those not held harmless,” Schwarz said.

The Cap

sign of a red hand in a red triangles — *Congress put a cap on Part B premiums so that it is guaranteed to not exceed a 25% rise.*

While we would normally have a good idea by now of how much premiums are going to be for the following year, the pandemic is putting everything on hold. Only 25% of Part B is funded through premiums; the other 75% is funded through money from the federal government’s general revenue – this year, the government took a “loss” by providing millions of Americans, hospitals and businesses with financial relief, and so that loss may be passed on to Medicare beneficiaries.

Even if Congress has capped the premiums and will not allow them to increase by more than 25% of what they would have increased by, that percentage could still mean a large jump in premium prices. Many Medicare beneficiaries could still end up struggling to keep up with costs. Premium prices are expected to be revealed in early November.

If you need help planning for next year, consider getting help from an EZ.Insure agent. Our licensed agents will help you prepare financially for next year, and review all Medicare options in your area. To get free advice and quotes on plans, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to one of our agents, call 888-753-7207.

Preparing For Medicare Open Enrollment: Getting Great Coverage For 2021

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is right around the corner, so it’s time to start reviewing your current plan. Is it working for you? If you’re not totally satisfied with your coverage, then you might want to look for a better plan that has everything you need and saves you money. One of the best ways you can get the best coverage for next year is to add a Medicare Supplement Plan to your Original Medicare plan.

calculator with the word cost on it with a hospital bed in the background and money below the calculator — *Healthcare costs are on the rise, and with Medicare only covering 80% of costs, the rest that you pay out-of-pocket can add up quickly.*

Why A Medicare Supplement Plan?

Medicare Part B only pays for 80% of your medical costs, leaving you to pay 20% of all of your bills out-of-pocket. 20% might not sound like a lot, but if you are living on a fixed income, living with a chronic medical condition, or need to see the doctor regularly, then those bills can really add up. A Medicare Supplement Plan will cover your 20% share, which can save you hundreds of dollars a year! All you have to do is pay a low monthly premium, and let your plan to take care of the rest.

Healthcare and out-of-pocket costs are on the rise, so it’s better to be fully insured in case of an emergency or accident. Having a Medicare Supplement Plan means you won’t have to worry about setting money aside to pay any unexpected bills that you may accumulate.

There are 10 different types of Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, with each plan offering different coverage and different prices, so you’re sure to find one that fits your financial and medical needs. Medicare Supplement Plans cover:

hundred dollar bills in a glass jar — *A Medicare Supplement Plan will cover the costs Original Medicare does not cover, which will save you hundreds of dollars.*

Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles
Skilled nursing facility costs after you run out of Medicare-covered days
Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used)
Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
Part B excess charges
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
Blood transfusions for up to three pints of blood

Some will cover:

Foreign travel emergencies (up to plan limits)

Another advantage to these plans is that there is no network, so you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare assignment.

How To Add A Medicare Supplement Plan

silhouette of a person standing in front of 3 arrows pointing in 3 different directions — *You have different options during Medicare Open Enrollment Period to add a Medicare Supplement Plan.*

With Medicare Open Enrollment approaching, you’re probably getting a lot of information in the mail about your plan. If all of this has you rethinking your coverage, then now is the time to add a Medicare Supplement Plan. These are your options during this period:

If you currently have Original Medicare, you can choose to stay on your Original Medicare plan and add a Medicare Supplement Plan to fill the gaps. You may not be eligible for guaranteed issue, but the sooner you apply for a plan, the better.
If you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan, but are considering switching over to Original Medicare, then Open Enrollment is the best time – you’ll be able to add a Medicare Supplement Plan with guaranteed issue, meaning you won’t have to face the underwriting process.
If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare and your employer-based coverage is ending, you can choose to add a Medicare Supplement Plan for extra coverage.

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the time to look at all your options so you can save money in the coming year. You can choose to stay with Original Medicare, or consider switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare while adding a Medicare Supplement Plan. A Medicare Supplement Plan will provide you with more coverage, while putting more money back into your wallet. This will ensure that you have great coverage next year, plus you’ll have peace of mind knowing that all you have to pay (aside from your Medicare Part B deductible) is one low monthly premium, and all of your medical costs will be covered.

If you want the best Medicare Supplement Plan from one of the top-rated Medicare Supplement companies, EZ can help. Our agents work with all of the top-rated Medicare Supplement companies, and we’ll compare all available plans in your area within minutes. We’ll find you the best plan with the most savings. To get free Medicare Supplement Plan quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or if you prefer to speak to an agent directly, call 888-753-7207. Our agents are ready to help you get the best coverage for next year!

Medicare Coverage For Mammograms

Breast cancer. Those two words can be terrifying, especially for older women. The median age for a breast cancer diagnosis is 61 years old, with 41% of breast cancer cases diagnosed in women age 65 and older. In addition, the median age of death from breast cancer is 68 years old. These are scary statistics for older women, but there is one simple thing you can do to minimize your risk. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want older women with Medicare to understand how mammograms can help detect (and successfully treat) breast cancer, as well as how they are covered under Medicare.

The Different Types Of Mammograms

A mammogram is generally scheduled every year for women aged 50 and older to help with early detection of breast cancer. It is a simple procedure: once you remove your clothing from the waist up, you will place each breast between two specialized plates on the machine. The breast is then compressed for imaging. It might be uncomfortable and there might be some pain involved, but the compression does not last longer than a few seconds each time. The 3 types of mammograms are:

Film Mammograms– Conventional 2-D X-rays record black and white images on large sheets of film.
Digital Mammograms– 2-D black and white images of the breast are taken and then recorded into a computer. This allows the doctor to zoom in and enlarge the picture to take a closer look.
3-D Mammograms– 3-D images of the breast are taken in thin slices. This type of mammogram has been shown to improve the diagnosis of cancer in dense breast tissues.

Screening Vs Diagnostic Mammograms

The mammograms you get at your doctors office are classified in two different ways: screening and diagnostic. Screening mammograms are administered as part of a routine checkup to detect breast cancer in women who have no apparent symptoms. Diagnostic mammograms, on the other hand, are used after abnormal results on a screening mammogram, or if there are signs of breast cancer, such as a lump, that alerts a physician that there may be a problem.

Doctors use the same machines for both screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Screening mammograms usually consists of taking two or more images of each breast while diagnostic mammograms involve taking a higher number of images from different angles.

Medicare Part B

If you have Medicare Part B, both screening and diagnostic mammograms are covered, but there are different coverage levels and out-of-pocket costs depending on your situation. Medicare will pay for:

One screening mammogram every 12 months if you’re 40 or older.

Medicare will pay for one screening mammogram every 12 months if you’re 40 or older.
One or more diagnostic mammograms, if necessary, to diagnose breast cancer
Both conventional and 3-D mammogram costs, if the provider offers 3-D mammograms.
Transportation costs if you need to get to your mammogram appointment

You will pay nothing for a screening mammogram as long as your doctor accepts Medicare assignment. However, if your doctor recommends more frequent tests or additional services, you might have to pay co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs. For example, as with many services, Medicare will cover 80% of the costs of diagnostic mammograms and you will pay the other 20% of the medicare-approved amount. You can avoid these out-of-pocket costs if you have a Medicare Supplement Plan. As long as you pay your monthly premium, many of these plans will cover your share of the costs.

If you are looking for ways to help pay for mammograms or any other Medicare costs, a Medicare Supplement Plan is a great option for you. There are 10 different types of Medicare supplement plans to choose from, so it can be a lot of work trying to determine which one is best for your needs. EZ is here to help make the process as painless as possible: we will provide you with a personal agent who will compare all available plans in your area, and sign you up with a Medicare Supplement Plan that is within your budget. To get started simply enter your zip code in the bar above or to speak to one of our highly-trained licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.

Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Rides?

Ambulance rides are not cheap, they can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. During a medical emergency, the last thing you want to worry about is if Medicare will cover the large ambulance bill. Thankfully, Medicare does cover ambulance rides so you don’t have to worry about anything but receiving the care you need. In fact, Medicare pays over $5 billion for ambulance service claims every year. However, to receive these benefits, there are stipulations you should be aware of first.

Eligibility Under Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance services, and in some cases will also cover non-emergency services. An emergency is considered any situation in which your health is in serious danger. If you schedule your ambulance ride, then it is not considered an emergency. To receive coverage from Medicare:

The ambulance service must be medically necessary, and the only way to safely transport you to the hospital.
The transportation supplier (meaning nursing care facility or any provider asking for ambulance services) must meet Medicare ambulance requirements.
The reason for the trip must be to receive a Medicare-covered service during transportation or to return from receiving Medicare-covered care.
if it is not an emergency, then your doctor must provide a written order ahead of your scheduled trip.

If the situation is not an emergency, then ambulance services will only be covered if:

You are confined to your bed and unable to get up.
You need medical services during the trip that are only available in an ambulance.
You live in a skilled nursing facility and your doctor has written an order for an ambulance. You might be required to produce the order within 48 hours of the transport.
Your doctor deems that ambulance transport is medically necessary and provides a written order ahead of your scheduled trip.

Be aware that if you ask first-responders to take you to a hospital or facility other than the one that is closest to you, Medicare will only cover the cost of a ride to the nearest hospital or facility. You will be responsible for paying the rest of the bill out-of-pocket.

Ambulance Flights

Medicare will also cover other modes of emergency transportation, including ambulance flights. In order for Medicare to cover an ambulance flight, a ground ambulance must be unable to make it to your location. Medicare will also approve a flight if a ground ambulance can make it to the location but the situation is unsafe for the crew.

Your Costs

As with many services, Medicare Part B covers 80% of ambulance services, leaving you to pay 20% coinsurance out-of-pocket after you meet your Part B deductible ( $198 in 2020). It is illegal for ambulance companies to apply excess charges to your bill.

Some Medicare Supplement Plans will cover your coinsurance payments, so if you have certain letter plans, then ambulance rides will be covered 100%.

Ambulance rides are mostly covered by Medicare, but if you are worried about coinsurance payments, then consider a Medicare Supplement Plan. These plans mean that you won’t have to face Medicare bills alone, allowing you peace of mind, while at the same time putting money back in your wallet. There are different types of plans to choose from, with different coverage options at different price points. If you’re unsure where to begin, EZ can give you free quotes and a breakdown of all the plans. One of our agents will compare all of your options and find the perfect plan for your budget and needs. To get your free Medicare Supplement Plan quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-753-7207.

Tag: Medicare Help