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A Medicare Supplement Plan Could Be Saving You Money Right Now!

Medicare provides peace of mind. It’s great to know that it’ll be there after you retire and no longer have employer-based health insurance. But Medicare Part B only pays for 80% of your medical costs, which leaves you with 20% of the bill, in addition to any unmet deductibles or copays. That 20% may not seem like a lot, but if you’re living on a fixed income as many seniors are, it can add up.

Luckily, when you sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, you have the opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan as well. These plans provide coverage for the out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare Supplement Plans offer you protection from losing your assets to large medical bills.

blood shaped blood bag with a connecting tube. — *Medicare Supplement Plans cover up to three pints of blood for a blood transfusion.*

What Medicare Supplement Plans Offer

Some of the reasons to choose a Medicare Supplement Plan are:

Helps pay a portion of the approved expenses that you are left to pay out-of-pocket. This includes:
- Copays
- Coinsurance
- Deductibles
- Blood transfusions for up to three pints of blood
- Hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) deductible
- Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Medical costs incurred while traveling outside of the U.S.
- Out-of-pocket limits
There is no network, so you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare assignment.
Coverage will automatically renew each year (unless you want to switch plans)

hand holding a paper that says "medical bill" on it with dollar signs on the bottom circled in red. — *Older people are more vulnerable to accidental falls and broken hips, and when these happen it can mean big medical bills.*

Why You Should Have One

Life is unpredictable, and it doesn’t get any less unpredictable as you get older. Older people are more vulnerable to accidental falls and broken hips, and when these happen it can mean big medical bills. Health care and out-of-pocket costs are on the rise, and you could fall into debt if you had an accident or were diagnosed with a serious illness. Having a Medicare Supplement Plan means not having to worry about that happening to you. It also means not having to set aside money to pay for 20% of any bills you accumulate; you just have to budget for your monthly premiums.

One thing to remember is that you need to sign up for a plan during your Medicare Supplement Plan Open Enrollment Period (the 6-month period that starts the first day you are 65 and enrolled in Part B). Otherwise, you will need to undergo the medical underwriting process, and may end up with higher premiums.

Which Plan Is Right for You?

The cost and coverage of Medicare Supplement Plans vary from one letter plan to another. Some have high deductibles with lower monthly premiums, while some offer more coverage for a little more money per month. There are 10 different types of plans to choose from, so in order to choose the coverage you need for a price that works for you, you need to research and compare all the plans.

Comparing all the plans can take a long time and you might be wondering where to even start. That is why we created our business- to help you compare and sign up for plans at no cost to you. We want to help you make an informed decision, so you can get the best care at the best price. To get your free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the U.S. It is estimated that about 1 in 20 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetimes. This number is high in part because 1 in 3 people are not up-to-date on their colonoscopy screenings. Colonoscopy screenings are the most effective way to detect and prevent colorectal cancer. Getting regularly screened is especially important for older adults, because if you are 65 or older, you are at a greater risk of dying from colon cancer. Fortunately, Medicare covers colonoscopies at specific time intervals, based on a person’s risk for colon cancer.

doctor in blue gown holding a black tube with a light on the end of it. — *During a colonoscopy, a thin, tubed camera is inserted inside the body so that doctors can view the lining of the colon.*

What Is A Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopies are safe, common procedures. According to the CDC, over 25 million colonoscopies took place in 2012. During this procedure, a thin, tubed camera is inserted inside the body so that doctors can view the lining of the colon. There are two types of colonoscopy:

Screening colonoscopy– a routine procedure performed to see how healthy the colon is and to check if there are any polyps that need to be removed.
Diagnostic colonoscopy– performed to check for irregularities because a person is having intestinal issues.

When a colonoscopy is performed, the patient will normally be put under general anesthesia.

How Much Does It Cost?

Many factors go into determining the price of a colonoscopy. This includes the location where it is done, what kind of anesthesia is used, and whether any tissue samples have to be sent to a lab for testing. The average cost of a colonoscopy is almost $4,000. If you have private insurance, the procedure will be covered after you meet your deductible. Medicare also covers colonoscopies, but how they are covered depends on whether they are considered a screening or a diagnostic procedure.

What Medicare Covers

Because a screening colonoscopy is considered a preventive service, Medicare Part B will cover it. Medicare will cover all screening costs as long as the doctor accepts Medicare assignment. This means that your doctor agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for the procedure.

Medicare will cover the cost of screening colonoscopies:

Once every 24 months (2 years) if you are at high risk of colorectal cancer because of family history or history of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease.
Once every 120 months (10 years) for patients who are not considered high-risk.

Your screening will be covered in full whether or not you have met your deductible.

Only the screenings themselves are covered, so if your doctor finds a polyp or takes tissue samples during the colonoscopy, then you will have to pay a portion of the bill. You might owe:

20% of the Medicare-approved amount
A copay if you’re in a hospital getting the procedure done

Medicare Supplements can help pay for the additional 20% of out-of-pocket costs if a polyp is found or if you require more than just a screening. Before scheduling your colonoscopy, contact your Medicare Supplement Plan insurer and find out just how much they will cover if a polyp removal is necessary.

A colonoscopy is an important screening test that can help catch colorectal cancer early and possibly save your life. There’s no reason not to get one done if you are over 65, because Medicare covers the cost, and a Medicare Supplement Plan can help pay for any other costs associated with getting tested. If you are looking for a Medicare Supplement Plan, we will help compare the different plan types in your area. We will help you find one that meets your health and financial needs. To get free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent directly call 888-753-7207. No obligation. No hassle. Just free quotes.

Federal Judge Rules Medicare Patients Can Challenge “Observation Care”

There may come a time in many seniors’ lives when they require emergency hospitalization. The hospital provides the necessary treatment, then they might send the patient to a nursing care facility for further care. If you find yourself in this situation, you might think that Medicare will fully cover both your hospital stay and your aftercare. But this is not always the case. If the hospital changed the status of your stay from “inpatient” to “observation care,” you would end up with a big bill, and you would have no way to appeal the decision – until now. At the end of March, a federal judge ruled that beneficiaries who were charged for aftercare after having their status changed can challenge the bills they received.

black and white pic of an elderly man sitting in a wheelchair — *Medicare has very specific rules about covering care in a skilled nursing facility.*

How Observation Status Affects Billing

Medicare has very specific rules about covering care in a skilled nursing facility. In order for your stay to be covered, you need to have been hospitalized as an inpatient for 3 or more consecutive days before going to the facility. But, if you are classified as “under observation” during your stay in the hospital, then you would be considered an outpatient, rather than an inpatient. This means that if the hospital labels your stay as “observation care,” any care you receive at a nursing facility would not be covered by Medicare.

If your status is changed from “inpatient” to “under observation” during your hospital stay, your aftercare could end up costing you thousands of dollars out-of-pocket – or you could even be denied care.

The Lawsuit & Its Ruling

In 2011, seven Medicare beneficiaries filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In Alexander v. Azar, these beneficiaries argued that their status had been switched from “inpatient” to “under observation,” and that they should be given the right to appeal this decision.

On Tuesday, March 24, District Judge Michael Shea ruled in favor of all beneficiaries who had their statuses changed and then received large bills for aftercare. According to his ruling, any patient since January 1, 2009 who had been admitted as an inpatient by their doctor but later had their statuses switched are entitled to appeal the denial of their claims. The new ruling only applies to beneficiaries who were admitted as inpatients and then later switched to outpatient status by the hospital. If the doctor admitted them as “under observation,” then they cannot appeal.

Judge Shea estimates that hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries will be able to appeal and get reimbursed.

It can be frustrating to know the rules of Medicare, but not have any control over following them. Hospitals decide how to classify patients, and their decision could cost you thousands of dollars. Luckily, thanks to Judge Shea, Medicare beneficiaries now have a way to appeal these decisions, and possibly get out of medical debt.

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

As you age, your likelihood of developing cataracts increases. About 30% of Americans 65 and older have some kind of vision impairment from cataracts, and for those over 80, that number jumps to 50%. While Medicare does not cover routine vision care such as eye exams for glasses, it does cover diagnosis and treatment for chronic eye conditions, including cataracts. Cataract surgery is considered a medically necessary surgical procedure, but Medicare will only cover the basics.

The Surgery

Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye becomes clouded. Having this condition makes your vision blurry and less colorful, or like you are looking through a foggy or dusty window. During cataract removal surgery, the surgeon removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial implant. It takes about an hour to perform and can be done in different 2 ways:

Phacoemulsification– A tiny probe is inserted into the lens and ultrasound waves are used to break up the cataract. The particles are then “vacuumed” out.
Extracapsular– The doctor makes an incision in the cornea and lifts out the lens in one piece before replacing it with the implant. You will most likely need stitches after this procedure.

Surgery is normally very successful for the majority of people who get it done. After surgery, you might need to wear an eye patch and use special eye drops to prevent infection.

What Medicare Covers

Medicare will cover your cataract surgery as long as it is deemed “medically necessary” by your doctor. Both traditional and laser cataract surgeries are covered, but if you opt for premium products such as intraocular lens (IOL) implants, then you will have significant out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare will not cover. Medicare will also cover one pair of glasses after cataract surgery.

glasses with words on each lens from a book in the background — *Medicare covers one pair of glasses after cataract surgery.*

The specific list of what Medicare covers includes:

Preoperative exams
Removal of cataracts
Implantation of lens
Postoperative exams
One pair of prescription glasses

How Much Medicare Covers

Cataract surgery can cost about $2,700 for one eye and $5,200 for two eyes, depending on the type of procedure and whether it is done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital. For outpatient procedures, Medicare Part B covers 80% of the costs of the outpatient facility, the doctor’s fees, and other costs related to the surgery, once you meet your deductible.

Medicare’s Part A will cover the hospital stay if your cataract surgery takes place in the hospital instead of an outpatient facility. You will have to pay a separate Part A deductible if your cataract surgery needs an inpatient stay.

Help with Out-of-Pocket Costs

Because Medicare Part B only covers 80% of the cost of the surgery, you will have to pay the remaining 20% out-of-pocket. Having a Medicare Supplement Plan can help you pay this balance. A Medicare Supplement Plan works like any other private insurance plan: you pay monthly premiums and your plan can cover deductibles, copays, and other out-of-pocket expenses. The cost of each plan, as well as the coverage they provide, varies.

Medicare covers 80% of costs, but if you need surgery or any other type of procedure, you could still end up paying hundred of dollars out-of-pocket. It is wise to have a Medicare Supplement plan to help you pay for those out-of-pocket costs. In order to find the right Medicare Supplement Plan for you, you’ll have to compare all the different types, which can be time consuming and confusing. EZ.Insure will help compare all the plans and their costs, and will help you sign up for the best plan for your budget. To get free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to a trained agent, call 888-753-7207.

Don’t Let These Medicare Mistakes Ruin Your Retirement!

Retirement. A simple word that has so much meaning to it. You have been working your whole life looking forward to the day you no longer have to work. Now that the time has finally come, you can begin enjoying the next phase of your life by traveling, relaxing, and checking things off your bucket list. However, there is one thing that you have to get done the right way before you can fully enjoy your retirement. Whether you’ve already enrolled in Medicare, or you’re planning on enrolling soon, you need to avoid these simple Medicare mistakes.

Not Signing Up On Time

piles of coins going up in range with a clock in the background — *You will need to sign up for Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period or face a penalty.*

The first thing you need to think about when it comes to Medicare is enrolling at the right time. You will need to sign up for Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, which is the 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the 3 months after you turn 65. If you opt out of Part B without a valid reason, such as still being on an employer’s insurance, and don’t sign up during your initial enrollment period, then you will end up paying a penalty fee. This means that, when you eventually do sign up for Medicare Part B, you will have to pay an extra 10% in monthly premiums for every 12 month period that you did not enroll.

For example, if you opt out of signing up for Part B benefits for 2 years, then you will face a 20% penalty fee added on to your monthly Part B premiums. If you opt out for 4 years, then you will pay an extra 40%, and so on. In most cases, you will have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare.

Getting Taxed

If you’ve enrolled in Medicare, but still have money left in a health savings account (HSA), then beware of tax penalties. You can continue to use the money that is already in your HSA after enrolling, but if you contribute to your HSA while on Medicare, you will be subject to an income tax penalty on the amount you contribute. In order to avoid this penalty, you need to stop making contributions to your HSA 6 months before enrolling in Medicare.

Not Considering A Medicare Supplement Plan

Another mistake to avoid is assuming that everything is covered by Medicare, and that you don’t need a Medicare Supplement Plan. For example, Medicare Part B doesn’t usually provide much coverage if you travel overseas. So, if you are planning on taking advantage of your retirement and doing some traveling outside of the U.S., then it would be smart to consider getting a Medicare Supplement Plan.

A Medicare Supplement Plan will not only help pay for your Part B bills, but standard Medicare Supplement Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N also provide foreign coverage. These plans will cover emergency care during the first 60 days of your trip, and will pay about 80% of your bills. They will cover up to $50,000 in foreign medical bills after you meet your $250 deductible. This $50,000 coverage is available to you every time that you travel outside of the U.S. and its territories.

calendar with the date October 15 on it — Take the time during Medicare Annual Enrollment, which is every year from October 15 to December 7, to go over your coverage.

Missing Your Annual Period To Change Plans

Your plan’s coverage, costs, and benefits change from year to year. If you are enrolled in a plan, you may be tempted to stick with it and avoid the hassle of switching. However, this can cost you in the long run. Take the time during Medicare Annual Enrollment, which is every year from October 15 to December 7, to go over your coverage and make sure it fits your needs and budget. During open enrollment you can:

Switch to Original Medicare Parts A and B with or without a Part D plan from a Medicare Advantage Plan, or vice versa.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
Switch from one Medicare Part D plan to another.
Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you did not do so when you were first eligible, although a late enrollment penalty may apply.

The open enrollment period is a good time to look at all the plans in your area, find out what their premiums are, and calculate the share of costs. Make sure your pharmacy, hospital, and providers are within the new network if you do plan on switching. Review different Medicare Supplement Plans and see if there is a better fit for you.

Losing Your Medicare Supplement Plan

If you do decide to make a change when open enrollment comes around, make sure you know what you are getting – and what you risk losing. If you decide to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot also have a Medicare Supplement Plan.

If you bought a Medicare Supplement Plan when you enrolled in Medicare, and then you decide to switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will have to drop your Medicare Supplement Plan. Doing so means that you are at risk of facing underwriting, and if you have any pre-existing conditions then you can be denied coverage or charged more for your plan. The only time to avoid underwriting is when you first become eligible to sign up for Medicare, so be sure that you know what you are doing before you give up your Medicare Supplement Plan.

With there being so many Medicare Supplement Plans, comparing all of them can be time-consuming. EZ will provide you an agent to compare all the different Medicare Supplement Plans within minutes. They will go over all the plans with you, and advise you on which is the best plan for your health and financial needs. All of this will be done at no cost to you, that’s right, it’s free! Enjoy your retirement fully by saving more money. To get you free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-753-7207. No obligation and no hassle!

7 Essential Rules Of Medicare You Need To Know

If you’re about to turn 65, then you have a lot to look forward to, including finally being able to take advantage of the Medicare benefits that you’ve worked so long for. You probably already know that once you turn 65, you can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. But if the ins and outs of Medicare are new to you, take a look at our list of the 7 rules of Medicare that you need to know. These rules will help you avoid penalties, prepare you for the costs of Medicare, and allow you to maximize your benefits.

1. The More You Make, The More You Pay

hand holding a blue bank card — *The IRMAA determines how much you will pay for Medicare premiums.*

Medicare Part B premiums are generally pretty affordable for most: this year premiums are $144.60 a month. However, if your income goes above a certain amount, then you will have to pay more in premiums. The income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAAs) determines the amount you will have to pay. Currently, you will face IRMAA surcharges if you earn over $87,000 individually, or $174,000 jointly.

2. Medicare & HSAs Don’t Go Together

Do you have a health savings account (HSA), alongside either employer-based or private insurance? These accounts are great for putting aside pre-tax money for medical expenses. But, once you enroll in Medicare, they can also cause a tax headache for you if you’re not careful. Don’t worry, you can still use the money that is already in your account., but you can no longer contribute to your HSA. If you do, you will face tax penalties on any money you do contribute.

3. You Can Have Medicare & Private Insurance

If you are one of the many people 65 and older who decide to keep working and put off retirement, then you may be wondering whether you’ll have to give up your employer-based insurance to enroll in Medicare, or vice versa. No need to worry: if you choose, you can have both private or employer-based health insurance and Medicare at the same time. One will be the primary payer and the other the secondary payer, under a process called coordination of benefits. The rule of thumb when you have both employer-based insurance and Medicare is: if the employer has 20 or more employees, then the group health insurance plan will be the primary payer. If the employer has less than 20 employees, then Medicare will pay first.

4. You Don’t Need to Be Collecting Social Security to Enroll in Medicare

Waiting to start collecting Social Security could be a smart option for some people: the longer you wait to start collecting, the higher your monthly payments. And, if you’ve decided to wait as long as possible to start collecting SS benefits, you can still enroll in Medicare without any problems. However, don’t wait to sign up for Medicare! The longer you wait past your initial enrollment period, the more you’ll have to pay for your Part B premiums.

5. You Can Change Your Coverage

Not happy with the coverage you have? You can change it, but only during the annual enrollment period from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or switch your Advantage plan. Just know that if you have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement Plan, switching to an Advantage Plan will mean you will lose your Medicare Supplement Plan. Review your plan every year to make sure that it has not changed and still offers the coverage you need.

6. You Can Dispute a Denied Claim

Mistakes happen. Sometimes Medicare will deny a claim that they should’ve paid. Medicare processes millions of claims a day, and sometimes there is a billing error or a problem with your coordination of benefits. When this happens, you can absolutely dispute the claim. When you get denied for a claim, you will receive a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) listing the denied claim/s. You need to file your appeal within 120 days of receiving the MSN.

Do not simply accept that a claim was denied. Ask questions and make sure that your denial was not caused by a clerical error.

7. Medicare Supplements Will Help You Save More

Medicare only pays 80% of Medicare Part B costs; you are responsible for the other 20% out-of-pocket costs. These costs can become a burden for some people – and this is where a Medicare Supplement Plan can come in handy. Medicare Supplement Plans are offered by private insurance companies; you pay a monthly premium, and the plan pays most of your expenses not covered by Medicare Part B. For example, if you have a $4,000 ambulance bill and have already met the yearly Medicare Part B deductible, Medicare Part B will pay 80% of the bill. This leaves you to pay the 20% that is left, $800, out of pocket. But if you have a Medicare Supplement Plan that covers Part B copayments and coinsurance costs, then it will pay the remaining $800.

Are you interested in a Medicare Supplement Plan? There are around 10 different types of Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, and each offers different coverage at different prices. If you want to pay less in out-of-pocket costs, then a Medicare Supplement Plan is perfect for you. EZ gets how time consuming and frustrating it can be to search for the right plan, so we will offer you an agent that can compare all the available Medicare Supplement Plans in your area, and help you choose the best one for your needs and budget. To get your free quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with an agent, call 888-753-7207.

Tag: medicare insurance

A Medicare Supplement Plan Could Be Saving You Money Right Now!

What Medicare Supplement Plans Offer

Why You Should Have One

Which Plan Is Right for You?

Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?

What Is A Colonoscopy?

How Much Does It Cost?

What Medicare Covers

Federal Judge Rules Medicare Patients Can Challenge “Observation Care”

How Observation Status Affects Billing

The Lawsuit & Its Ruling

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

The Surgery

What Medicare Covers

How Much Medicare Covers

Help with Out-of-Pocket Costs

Don’t Let These Medicare Mistakes Ruin Your Retirement!

Not Signing Up On Time

Getting Taxed

Not Considering A Medicare Supplement Plan

Missing Your Annual Period To Change Plans

Losing Your Medicare Supplement Plan

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