medicare insurance Archives - Page 23 of 38

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Did you know that senior citizens over the age of 65 make up 14% of all chiropractic patients in the US? As people age, they can experience a loss of mobility due to bone and joint deterioration. This can lead to aches and pains that are felt throughout the body, especially the lower back. Some seniors experience frequent falls, which can be deadly. Approximately 9,500 deaths of older Americans each year are due to falls, and more than half of all fatal falls involve people 75 or older. One of the treatments recommended by doctors for all of these issues is to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic visits might be recommended by your doctor, but are they covered under Medicare?

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a treatment system that is meant to help align your muscles and bones. Chiropractors will manipulate your spine by adjusting you with their hands. They do this in order to assess, diagnose, and treat health issues affecting the nerves, muscles, bones and joints, as well as to improve spinal motion.

Medicare Coverage

The only chiropractic service covered by Medicare is manual manipulation of the spine (spinal adjustment), if it is considered medically necessary. It is usually considered medically necessary if you have been diagnosed with a condition known as spinal subluxation, meaning that the bones in your spine are separated or have shifted out of position.

skeleton of the spine — *Medicare will only cover visits for the manipulation of the spine.*

Spinal adjustments are covered under Medicare Part B. With Medicare Part B, you can go to the chiropractor as many times as you need, as long as your visits are considered medically necessary. Medicare will pay 80% of the Medicare-approved rate for a spinal adjustment to treat subluxation. You will pay the remaining 20% out-of-pocket, after you have met your Medicare Part B deductible.

It’s important to know that Medicare does not usually cover other services or tests that are ordered by a chiropractor. This includes x-rays, massage therapy, and acupuncture. The exceptions to this rule are acupuncture for lower back pain, and x-rays that have been ordered by your physician (not your chiropractor) to diagnose spinal subluxation.

Save More With A Medicare Supplement Plan

Chiropractic care can be beneficial, and sometimes even necessary to help ease your pain and save you from a bad fall that could lead to a broken hip or worse. But extra medical expenses can be difficult to fit into your budget when you’re living on a fixed income, even if it is just the 20% Medicare coinsurance. A Medicare Supplement Plan is a great way to save money on costs that Original Medicare does not cover. There are 10 different plans to choose from, and each will help you pay your 20% out-of-pocket costs; some even offer coverage for more services than Original Medicare.

If you are interested in learning more about these plans, an EZ agent can assist you. Our licensed agents will explain each plan’s coverage and costs, and will help you determine which is the best one to suit your specific needs. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-753-7207.

Preparing For Medicare Open Enrollment: 2021 Medicare Supplement Plan Rates

Original Medicare offers great health benefits for people ages 65 and older, but there are some expenses it does not fully cover. Medicare Part B covers 80% of most medical costs, leaving beneficiaries to pay the remaining 20% out-of-pocket. These out-of-pocket costs can add up, which is why many Medicare beneficiaries buy a Medicare Supplement Plan. These plans pay for what Original Medicare does not, and can end up saving you hundreds of dollars each year. CMS has announced that Medicare Part B costs are going up next year, but luckily the costs for most Medicare Supplement Plans will remain the same, with only a few changing. Find out just how much you can save before Medicare Open Enrollment is over!

What Are Medicare Supplement Plans?

older caucasian man with a button up on and a caucasian woman with lab coat checking on him. — *Medicare Supplement Plans cover costs not covered by Original Medicare such as help with nursing facility costs.*

Medicare Supplement Plans are supplemental insurance policies sold by private insurance companies. They help pay for things that are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans, each with different levels of coverage. Some costs that might be covered include:

Parts A and B deductibles
Coinsurance or copays for parts A and B
Part B excess charges
Skilled nursing facility costs after you run out of Medicare-covered days
Hospital costs after you run out of Medicare-covered days
Health-related costs when traveling outside the U.S.
Blood (first 3 pints)

How Much Are Premiums?

The exact amount for monthly premiums can vary by individual policy. Insurance companies can set these rates in three ways:

Community rated- Monthly premiums are the same for everyone that purchases a plan, regardless of their age. Your premium is not based on your age.
Issue-age rated- Monthly premiums are based on the age you are when you first purchase the plan (younger buyers will have lower premiums). Premiums do not increase as you get older.
Attained-age rated– Monthly premiums are based on the age you are when you purchase the plan: the younger you are, the lower your premium will be. Your premium will go up as you get older.

2021 Price Changes

There will be changes to prices in 2021 for some Medicare Supplement Plans; these changes will mainly be to deductible amounts and out-of-pocket limits. Medicare Plan G, the only plan that has a high-deductible option (since Plan F is no longer available, unless you purchased it before January 1, 2020), will see a rise in its deductible amount. For 2021, the deductible for these plans is $2,370.

Medicare Supplement Plans K and L have out-of-pocket limits. This is the maximum out-of-pocket amount that you will have to pay for covered services. After you reach the limit, your plan will pay for 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. For 2021:

Plan K’s out-of-pocket limit is $6,220
Plan L’s out-of-pocket limit is $3,110

Finding The Best Plan

The best things about Medicare Supplement Plans are that you will save money on out-of-pocket Medicare costs, and that you will not be held back by network restrictions. With a Medicare Supplement Plan, as long as you see a doctor that accepts Medicare, you will be covered by your plan. If you are interested in looking into a Medicare Supplement Plan, EZ.Insure will explain all of them to you and compare plans within minutes. We will assess your health and financial needs, discuss all the options, and guide you in the right direction. Our goal is to help you find the best plan and save you the most money, which is why our services are free. To get instant quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.

Does Medicare Cover Knee Replacement Surgery?

With age comes wear and tear to your body. Knees are especially vulnerable to damage because of how much use they get over the years. As you age, the cartilage in your knees wears down, and can become almost non-existent, causing arthritis and leaving bone to painfully rub on bone as you move. Cartilage loss in your knees can often only be treated with knee replacement surgery. This type of surgery is very common, especially for people over 60: there are over 750,000 knee replacement surgeries performed annually in the United States, and over 3 million Americans have knees that have been replaced. If your doctor recommends knee surgery, it is important to know just how much Medicare will cover.

What The Surgery Involves

x-ray of a knee with plates in it — *During knee surgery, you can receive metal implants or plates between the bones.*

Knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is done to resurface any damage caused by arthritis. During this surgery, doctors:

Remove all damaged cartilage.
Use metal and plastic parts to cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint along the kneecap, so that the two bones are not rubbing against each other when in use.
Put metal replacement implants into the knee.
Resurface the kneecap.

Most patients are able to resume normal daily activities within 6 weeks after surgery, and drive within 3 to 6 weeks. Depending on the surgery, though, it can take as long as 6 months or up to a year to fully recover. Even with the long recovery time, most patients who have had the surgery say that it was worth it. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 90% of people who have had knee replacement surgery experience significantly reduced pain and stiffness, and an increase in vitality.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare Parts A and B will cover knee replacement surgery as long as your doctor considers it medically necessary. Part A will cover in-hospital treatment, including the surgery and any inpatient recovery time, after you have met your Part A deductible of $1,408. If you are in the hospital for less than 60 days, then you will not have to pay a copay for your stay. Part B will cover medical costs before the surgery, any follow-up appointments, and outpatient visits. If you need physical therapy afterwards, Medicare Part B will cover the sessions at 80%. In addition, if you need any durable medical equipment, such as a walker or a cane after your surgery, Medicare Part B will cover the cost, again at 80%. You will be responsible for your part B deductible of $198 and 20% coinsurance.

Can A Medicare Supplement Plan Help?

Medicare Supplement Plans help you pay for your 20% coinsurance, co-payments, and, in some cases, your Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles. Different plans offer different coverage and price points, but having a Medicare Supplement Plan will most likely save you hundreds of dollars a year, if not more. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, so you are sure to find the right plan for your specific needs. If you do not have a Medicare Supplement Plan, then you should consider signing up for one to save money on medical costs, and to have more services covered than are generally covered by Original Medicare.

If you have any questions about Medicare coverage options, or about the Medicare Supplement Plans available in your area, EZ can help. One of our licensed insurance agents will compare all available Medicare Supplement Plans in your area, and will find the one that best fits your medical and financial needs. To explore your Medicare Supplement Plan options, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to a Medicare agent, call 888-753-7207.

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.

Preparing For Medicare Open Enrollment: 2021 Medicare Costs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finally released Medicare costs for 2021. Knowing these costs will help you decide whether to stick with Original Medicare or buy a Medicare Supplement Plan to help pay for your Part B premiums and costs. Medicare Open Enrollment is still going on, but not for long! It will be over December 7, so read on to find out how you can be better prepared for next year.

Medicare Part A Premiums/Deductibles

money bills spread out on a table with a stethoscope on top of it. — *Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) deductible has one up $76 dollars.*

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance, and covers things like skilled nursing facilities, inpatient hospital stays, and some home healthcare services. If you are 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, then you will be eligible for premium-free Part A.

The Medicare Part A inpatient deductible that you must pay when admitted to the hospital will be $1,484 for each benefit period in 2021, which is an increase of $76 from $1,408 in 2020. The breakdown for 2021 is:

Days 1-60- $0 coinsurance for each benefit period
Days 61-90– $371 coinsurance per day of each benefit period
Days 91 and beyond- $742 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
Beyond lifetime reserve days- you pay all costs

Medicare Part B Premiums/Deductibles

Medicare Part B is medical insurance and covers such things as doctor visits, outpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment (DME), and certain home health services. The government had indicated that Medicare Part B premiums would not increase by more than 25% in 2021. CMS’ announcement has now given us the exact amount they will increase by: Medicare Part B premiums for 2021 will be $148.50, which is an increase of $3.90 from $144.60 in 2020. Your premium amount may be higher depending on your income:

CMS also announced that the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will be $203 in 2021, which is an increase of $5 from $198 in 2020. You will continue to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment after this $203 deductible is met.

Considering A Medicare Supplement Plan

Although the costs are not going up by too much next year, for some who are on a fixed income or a tight budget, an almost $4 a month rise in premiums can be a lot. On top of that, the 20% coinsurance you will have to pay could increase with the rising costs of healthcare. Luckily there are ways to help pay for coinsurance and save money.

Medicare Supplement Plans are perfect for beneficiaries looking to save money and have more of their medical care covered. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, each with different price points and coverage options. If you are interested in looking into these plans but do not know where to start, allow an EZ.Insure agent to help. Our licensed agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country and can compare plans in your area in minutes. We will assign you one and only one agent who will go over your budget and medical needs. They will compare Medicare Supplement Plans to find the one that is best for your needs. What’s even better is that all of our services are free! To get instant free quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-753-7207.

Medicare When Self-Employed

For many people, turning 65 and starting to collect Social Security means being automatically enrolled into Medicare. There are exceptions to this and ways to put off enrolling into Medicare, such as if you are still working and have health insurance through your employer. But what happens when you are self-employed and you’re about to turn 65? Do you have to sign up for Medicare, or can you delay enrolling without facing a penalty? Being self-employed impacts your Medicare options, so it is important to understand how you can be fully insured and avoid any penalties.

How Medicare Works

the numbers 65 as candles that are lit — *Normally, if you are collecting Social Security, then you will be automatically enrolled into Medicare when you turn 65.*

Self-employed or not, as long as you have been paying income taxes in the U.S., you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when you turn 65, but only if you are already receiving Social Security. If you are not receiving Social Security, then you will need to manually sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is the 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the 3 months after your 65th birthday. You can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B at this time or you can choose to opt out of Part B; it is optional because it has a premium. If you decide to enroll in Part B later, though, you will pay a penalty on your premium for as long as you have Medicare. If you do decide to enroll into Medicare and you are still self-employed, then Medicare will be your primary insurance.

Self-Employed With Marketplace Plan

If you are (or were) self-employed, you might have a Marketplace insurance plan if you aren’t covered by your spouse’s employer-based plan. When you turn 65, you have the option to cancel your Marketplace plan without a penalty and join Medicare, or you can choose to keep your Marketplace plan. If you do decide to keep your health insurance plan, then it will become secondary to Medicare, meaning Medicare will be your primary payer. Be aware that having a Marketplace plan does not qualify you to delay enrolling in Medicare without a penalty, so you will have to enroll in Medicare during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period when you turn 65 in order to avoid paying extra on your Part B premiums.

Self-Employed With Employer-Based Coverage

older caucasian man working on a saw table — *If you are enrolled in an employer’s health plan, then you can wait to enroll into Medicare without penalty.*

If you don’t have a Marketplace plan, but are covered through another job you have or through your spouse’s plan, then you might be able to wait to enroll into Part B and not face a penalty. If you or your spouse’s workplace has fewer than 20 employees, you will be required to sign up for Medicare at age 65, but if it has fewer than 20 then you will not have to.

The number of employees at you or your spouse’s workplace also determines which insurance plan will be your primary payer. If you or your spouse’s workplace has 20 or more employees, the employer-based plan will be primary. If you sign up for Medicare and you also have an employer-based plan through a business with less than 20 employees, then your employer’s health plan will become secondary coverage after Medicare.

Self-Employment & Medicare Premium Deductions

Since 2012, the IRS has allowed self-employed individuals to deduct all Medicare premiums from their federal taxes. This includes Medicare Part B and Medicare Part A premiums, Medicare Supplement Plan premiums, and your spouse’s Medicare premiums. When deducting your Medicare premiums, your premium payments are subtracted from your gross income, which is different from doing an itemized deduction for medical expenses that are taken after your adjusted gross income (AGI) is calculated. In order to deduct your premiums, you have to report a profit from your business.

Using Your HSA

If you are 65 or older and self-employed, you can open and contribute to an HSA as long as you meet these HSA eligibility requirements:

You’re covered by a HSA-qualified medical plan.
You’re not someone’s tax dependent.
You don’t have any conflicting coverage (including being enrolled in Medicare).

If you are enrolled in Medicare then you can no longer contribute to your Health Savings Account (HSA). However, you can continue to withdraw money tax-free from the account and use it to help pay your Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Understanding how Medicare works can be tricky. You need to make sure that you have all of your bases covered so you are insured and do not receive any surprise bills. EZ.Insure will go over all of your options and make sure that you are prepared to transition to Medicare, and we can sign you up for a Medicare Supplement Plan for extra savings if need be. To get instant, free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.

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