Medicare Help Archives - Page 27 of 28

Medicare Will Cover Glucose Monitors

Medicare is making some positive moves in the diabetes field. Not only are they now covering some continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), but they are also beginning to connect it to smartphones. Glucose monitors were not covered by Medicare last year. This left people with diabetes the only option of paying for it out of pocket. If they could not afford it, then they did not get one. These devices help diabetics manage their glucose levels. Now the readings can be transmitted to iPhones.

How A CGM Works

*Medicare will begin to cover 2 brands of continuoius glucose monitors.*

A sensor is worn on the arm or stomach area, and collects glucose data from under the skin. It will test glucose levels every few minutes and send the results to a monitor. The monitor will either be a part of an insulin pump, or a separate device you can carry. The monitor shows when a person’s glucose is going up, down, or staying steady. They are constantly working, even when the person is showering, working out, and sleeping. These devices will send an alert when the levels are high or too low. The sensors have to be replaced every 3 to 7 days depending on the model.

The Devices Now Covered By Medicare

The two CGM systems Medicare will now cover are Dexcom’s G5 Mobile and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre. The two systems will be covered for beneficiaries with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The Dexcom G5 Mobile monitors for up to a week and will send readings to an insulin pump or a wireless receiver such as a phone. This notifies the user when their levels are on the rise, falling, or steady.

The Freestyle Libre collects data up to 10 days from a sensor put into the arm. It will collect the data and the user will have to move a reader device over the sensor to check their levels. This device will show when a person’s glucose level is going up or down, but will not alert the user when it is out of range.

Smartphone Use

You can now connect your glucose monitor to your smartphone to keep track of levels. — *You can now connect your glucose monitor to your smartphone to keep track of your levels, and share with your doctor.*

Companies like Dexcom were able to develop these monitors the ability to transfer information to iPhones. Having levels sent to a smartphone will help users use the Share app. This app allows the user to share their glucose level information with their doctor and caregiver. However, one of Medicare’s conditions with the Dexcom Mobile device is that it is not covered if the person uses the smartphone app. Dexcom is trying to work things out with Medicare to get it covered.

Continuous glucose monitors were not covered by Medicare just a year ago. Now Medicare has loosened their restrictions, allowing two types of devices to be covered for beneficiaries. The only issue is within the limited conditions that it will not be covered if used with a smartphone. Medicare is currently under pressure by beneficiaries and these glucose monitor companies to come to some sort of agreement. Medicare is in talks with Dexcom. The company and users are hoping that the use of smartphones will be allowed, because it makes tracking levels and sharing them with doctors easier, which helps manage glucose levels.

The Benefits of Using EZ.Insure

Comparing and finding the best health insurance, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Advantage plans can be a complicated process. Many people jump around different sites thinking that this will help them get the best price, but they are wrong. Shopping around like this can take up a lot of time , and it gives your information to tons of different companies. At EZ.Insure, we make it quick and easy and we make sure you work with one, and only one, agent who is there to make your life easier. Our purpose is to provide the best products and services at a fair price.

*EZ.Insure provides ou something other agencies do not- your own personal agent. No jumping around, and not hassle.*

There are many advantages to using EZ.Insure, one being receiving your very own knowledgeable advisor. You will not be bounced around from one agent to the next, instead, you will be assigned to and receive help from just one. Every one of our licensed advisors is highly trained and knowledgeable about your region’s health insurance options. The agent will be able to explain all the benefit options because we make sure to pair you with someone who works in your specific area! Your advisor will assist you in applying for coverage that meets all of your needs, within your budget. Because of these attributes, we assure you the best experience in customer service.

What EZ.Insure offers:

No Obligation– When using EZ.Insure, you can cancel your plan at any time. You can even cancel during the underwriting process, and up to 10 days after you receive your policy. Insurance companies will not charge you until you are approved. Most importantly, you are not obligated to buy a plan until you are ready. You can utilize your personal advisor as much as necessary, to search and compare plans without any obligation to purchase until you are certain you found the right plan.

Protected Privacy– People should never worry about your information being sold or traded when doing business. While some businesses break that ethical code, EZ.Insure does not. We will never sell, trade, or give away your personal information to anyone, unless related to the processing of your application. We ensure confidentiality at all times with the use of advanced privacy technologies. When you fill out our form along with quotes, you will immediately see the contact information of the agent you are being to assigned to. This ONE agent is the only person that will receive your information so you do not have to worry about dozens of agents calling and competing for your time.

Expanded Choices– EZ.Insure provides a wide selection of plans in your area so you can make the most informed decision for your healthcare needs. We do not benefit from whichever insurance company you choose to use. Our main goal is to provide you with plans from financially secure companies that provide the best service to their members. With all the plans we have to offer, you are sure to find a plan that meets your personal needs.

Our customer's needs are what is important to our team — *Our customer’s needs are what is important to our team. EZ.Insure values providing the best plan at the most affordable price.*

Fast Quotes– You do not have to wait for a long time to receive a quote, because once you answer a few quick questions, you will instantly get a list of plans to choose from. You can enter your zip code in the bar below to start getting quotes, it’s that simple.

Cost Effective– EZ.Insure can help you find plans with great benefits that cost less, even if you already have coverage. With our agency, you are guaranteed to save money.

At EZ.Insure, we are continuously researching the best information and technology to pass onto our customers. We offer more guidance than any other agency out there with our well equipped and informed agents in the industry. You will never have to worry about being bounced around from agent to agent, or receiving subpar information. Be informed of the top plans for your circumstances with the best price. Why do it the hard way, when you can do it the EZ way?

Start saving time and money by simply entering your zip code above to see quotes now or you can give one of our agents a call at 888-350-1890, or emailing us at replies@ez.insure.

Medicare “Step Therapy” To Lower Drug Costs

Prescription medication can be very expensive, and there is no way around it because it is necessary. However, Medicare has a way to make medication more affordable. The step therapy program allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices and help Medicare beneficiaries save money by offering cheaper medication options.

How Does Step Therapy Work?

Step therapy can be added to your prescription drug plan to offer less expensive medication. The plan will not pay for any of the drugs until you have tried the less expensive ones. It is like a trial and error kind of arrangement.

*Step Therapy offers people less expensive medicine that can be as effective, before having to buy the expensive one.*

First you take the generic form of the medicine, and if it does not work, then the doctor prescribes you another medication. If the second medication does not work, then your doctor will prescribe a different medication that works. However, the medicine that works will be expensive.

Medicare will not pay for the expensive drug unless you go through the step therapy. Once they take a glance and see that you did try the generic forms and they did not work, then they will pay. But if you do not follow the procedure, then the medicine may not be covered, and you will have to pay a lot out of pocket for it.

The CMS has announced that they will be offering the step therapy for Medicare Advantage plans starting January 2019. They estimated that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spend almost $12 billion a year on drugs. Implementing this procedure will hopefully help control spending, and reduce out of pocket costs.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, contact your doctor and find out if there are any generic forms of your medication. You can decide if this step therapy is right for you, especially if you are looking to save money. If you have questions or are looking for Medicare help, EZ.Insure is there to help. You will speak to your own knowledgeable agents that are trained for your area. We will go over all the different plans and provide you with quotes. You decide what works for you, and it is all free of charge. Start saving, enter your zip code in the bar above, or contact an agent directly by emailing replies@ez.insure or calling 855-220-1144.

Mental Health Is Just As Important For Seniors

If a mental illness goes untreated, it can have a serious life impact on a person, leading to depression and even death. The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that depression is the number one cause of disability around the world. In order to battle this, it is important to seek professional help and utilize Medicare coverage for any of your mental health needs.

*Mental health affects seniors 65 and older. It is important to seek help before it worsens.*

The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that about one in five adults deal with some form of mental illness each year. About 20% of adults 65 and older in America are diagnosed with either schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders such as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and/or certain phobias. Medicare covers a large variety of these mental health illnesses within hospital inpatients and outpatients.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Medicare Part A covers services in either a general hospital or a psychiatric hospital when admitted as an inpatient. If you are in a psychiatric hospital, Part A coverage is limited to 190 days of services during your lifetime.

Medicare will pay for approved inpatient stays during your benefit period. Once you are admitted to the hospital, the copayment is $0 until you reach 60 days. After that, your benefit period ends and you begin paying a copayment of $335 for days 61-90 of each benefit period. After the 90 days, you will have to pay $670 per “lifetime reserve day” for each period (up to 60 days in your lifetime). After that, you will pay for all costs.

There is a lifetime limit of 190 days for inpatient psychiatric hospitals. For example, if you go to the hospital for psychiatric care in April and stay for 80 days, once you leave, that period is considered done and over. Now if you have to re-enter a hospital again for treatment in September, it is considered a new benefit period. You can keep starting a new benefit period at anytime and it will be covered until you have reached 190 days totaled between all the visits. The inpatient deductible for each benefit period (every time you start a new hospital stay) is $1,340 in 2018.

It is important to know that you will also still pay your 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services received from providers while in hospital inpatient.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Doctors help explain what is covered and what you can do. — *Talk with your doctor and find out how they can help and what is covered by your Medicare.*

Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychiatric services that are considered a substitute to inpatient care. The visits covered are those of psychiatrists, clinical social workers or licensed alcohol and drug counselors, clinical psychologists, and others. If you meet certain requirements, and a doctor says it is necessary, Medicare will cover you for individual or group psychotherapy, family counseling, and psychiatric evaluation.

Medicare can cover occupational therapy that is part of your mental health treatment as well as individual patient education about the condition you are diagnosed with.

When it comes to payment, you will pay the 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the services from doctors who accept Medicare assignment. The Part B deductible will apply, which is $183 in 2018. If the services are provided in a hospital outpatient clinic, you may have to also pay a copayment.

Medicare Part B covers at no cost to you one depression screening every year, as long as the doctor accepts Medicare assignment. The screening has to be done at the corresponding doctor’s office or primary care that can provide follow-up treatment and referrals.

Ask Questions

Some recommendations by your doctor may not be covered by Medicare and will have to come out of pocket at full cost. So make sure to ask questions about the condition you are diagnosed with and whether Medicare will cover it.

If you have any questions regarding Medicare, and you are seeking coverage for mental health, EZ.Insure can help. We offer you your own highly knowledgeable agent for your region, to go over all the plans and what they offer. We provide you with quotes and will help you sign up, free of charge. Contact us through email at replies@ez.insure, call 855-220-1144 to get a quote, or enter your zip code in the bar above. We promise to help as much as we can to provide you with the most affordable plan.

Traveling Outside of the US? Consider a Medicare Supplement for Coverage

Retirement is the perfect time to begin traveling and enjoying your freedom. Original Medicare will cover your medical needs while traveling within the United States and American territories- Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Medicare’s network of doctors and hospitals are large around the U.S. However, the moment you decide to travel internationally, Medicare will not cover you in case of an emergency or other medical needs you might have. This is when a Medicare Supplement will be useful, because it will save you money and give you the coverage you need while abroad.

What a Medicare Supplement Plan Covers

Medicare Supplement plans cover travel bills outside of the U.S. — *Medicare Supplement can prepare you for any medical bills accrued while overseas.*

Standard Medicare Supplement plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide foreign coverage. These plans will cover emergency care during the first 60 days of your trip, and pays about 80% of the charges. For example, Medicare Supplement Plan F will be cover up to $50,000 in foreign medical bills. In order to begin coverage for these plans, you must meet your $250 deductible first. This coverage of $50,000 is available to you every time that you travel outside of the U.S. and its territories, it is not just a one time deal.

During your Initial Enrollment Period there is no underwriting, meaning you will not have to worry about pre-existing conditions used against you for pricing. This bonus is something to think about and consider, especially if you do have major pre-existing conditions. Having these benefits while outside of the country will protect your wallet and your health. It is always better to be safe and protected than pay thousands out of pocket later. Not to mention, Medicare Supplement plans will cover more than just international travel medical fees. These plans will help reduce costs of copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that Original Medicare does not cover.

Need help?

It is better to travel and actually have fun without this worry in the back of your mind. Accidents can happen, even if you are careful, which is the reason this coverage is essential to have when outside of the U.S. If you are considering traveling outside the U.S., interested in a Medicare Supplement plan, or just have questions regarding what is offered and the difference between all the plans, EZ.Insure can help. EZ.Insure has highly trained and knowledgeable agents in Medicare Supplement plans. An agent will be able to assess your situation and find you the most affordable Medicare Supplemental plan that suits your needs. To get a quote, you can enter your zip code in the bar above, email replies@ez.insure, and call 855-220-1144.

An Overview of the Different Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement plans are purchased to help relieve some of the burden that Medicare part A & B leave behind in the form of out of pocket expenses. Medicare covers only 80 percent of Part B costs and the 20 percent is left for the individual to pay. Even though it is only 20 percent, it can be too much for a retired person to pay. Because of this, insurance companies decided to create Medicare supplemental insurance plans, to pay for that 20 percent difference to help with finances.

There are 10 different standard Medicare Supplement plans that are sold in most states. These 10 Medicare Supplement plans are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N, as well as a high-deductible Plan F option. Not all plans cover the same services.

In general, all Medicare Supplement plans cover at least part of:

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 (first 3 pints)

Two Medicare Supplement plans (Plan K and L) include an out-of-pocket limit. This means that once you have reached a certain amount spent on Medicare-covered services, the Medicare Supplement plan will cover 100% of Medicare-covered costs for the rest of the year.

An overview of the different Medicare Supplement plans and what they cover.

* There is also a high-deductible version of Plan F.

Some Facts to Know:

All insurance companies that sell Medicare Supplement must offer Plan A. A company must also offer either Plan C or Plan F if it offers any other plan besides Plan A.
Each standard Medicare Supplement plan option must provide the same basic benefits. For example, a Plan A policy sold by a company in California will have the same basic benefits as a company in Pennsylvania selling the same lettered plan.
Plans E, H, I, and J are no longer offered, but if you already have one, you can keep using it until you decide to switch, then you cannot go back.
Not all Medicare Supplement plans may be available in your state. In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Medicare Supplement policies are standardized differently.
Standardized Medicare supplemental plans do not provide coverage for dental care, hearing aids, vision care, prescription drugs or long-term care.
You can see any doctor, whether they accept Medicare assignment or not. Medicare assignment is when your doctor or provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount as full payment.
- If your doctor accepts assignment, then your Medicare Supplement insurance company will pay your doctor directly.
- If your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, you will have to pay your doctor yourself and send in claims to your insurance company.

Medicare SELECT

In some states you can purchase Medicare SELECT, which is a type of Medicare Supplement policy. Medicare SELECT can be any standardized Medicare Supplement plan (plans A-N). It requires the policyholder to use hospitals and doctors in their network. If it is an emergency, then you will not have to stay in network. Medicare SELECT plans often have lower premiums.

Medicare Part B bills can become overwhelming, so a Medicare Supplement plan is beneficial to sustain the costs. At EZ.Insure we are trained to be on your side and get you the best plan in your budget. Get an instant quote by typing your zip code in the bar above, or speak with someone now. You can contact one of our highly trained agents through email at Replies@EZ.Insure, or by calling 855-220-1144. At EZ.Insure we want to help you get coverage, not help insurance companies get right. We know how hard it is dealing with a ton of phone calls and agents hounding you, which is why we want to help, we work for you. Let us help you today!

Tag: Medicare Help