medicare insurance Archives - Page 5 of 38

Have Pre-Existing Conditions? Your Guide to Getting a Medicare Supplement Plan

Having a pre-existing condition used to be a serious problem for people looking for health insurance. Fortunately, the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 changed that for people purchasing private insurance. But what about Medicare beneficiaries? Medicare Parts A and B cover anyone who paid into these programs, but what about Medicare Supplement Plans? Can you be denied for these plans – or charged more for one – if you have a pre-existing condition? With pre-existing conditions affecting an estimated 53.8 million adults 65 and older, this is an important question.

What Is Considered a Pre-Existing Condition?

Almost any illness or injury you had prior to enrolling in your insurance plan can be considered a pre-existing condition. The list is long but some of the most common ones are cancer, diabetes, end stage renal disease, and stroke. Not all pre-existing conditions are as serious, though: things like asthma, sleep apnea, and lupus can be pre-existing, too.

When it comes to Medicare specifically, for a condition to be considered a pre-existing, you have to be diagnosed and begin treatment before your Medicare start date. Even if you don’t receive a diagnosis before enrollment, your condition can still be count as pre-existing. For example, if you have a condition with emergent symptoms that the average person would have already had treated, your insurer can classify it as pre-existing.

What Are Medicare Supplement Plans?

Medicare Supplement Plans are insurance plans offered by private companies. They help cover the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare. While Medicare covers most of your health services it won’t cover everything: for example, Medicare Part B only covers 80% of medical services, leaving you to pay a 20% coinsurance. But if you have a Medicare Supplement Plan, this coverage will kick in and pick up the remaining costs.

Medicare Supplement Plans cover a number of things like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, meaning you’ll only have to pay a low monthly premium. Some Medicare Supplement Plans even cover care you receive outside of the country, which Original Medicare won’t cover at all.

Can I Get a Medicare Supplement Plan with a Pre-Existing Condition?

Fortunately, the answer to this is yes! You can get a Medicare Supplement Plan even with pre-existing health issues. Companies that offer these plans are usually able to use underwriting to determine your eligibility. Luckily there is a way around it. It all depends on when you sign up for your plan.

The best time to get a Medicare Supplement Plan without worrying about being denied or paying more for your plan because of health issues is during your Medicare Open Enrollment Period. This period begins the first day of the month your Medicare Part B. And is in effect and lasts for 6 months.

Your Open Enrollment Period is the best time to get Medicare Supplement Insurance with pre-existing conditions. During this time, you have something called a guaranteed issue. This means that insurers have to offer you the best rates available. And they can’t deny you based on your health.

If you miss your Open Enrollment Period, you can still get a Medicare Supplement Plan. But you may run into problems like high premiums or a 6-month waiting period. This means that you will have to pay for expenses related to your pre-existing condition for 6 months. Once that waiting period is over, your Medicare Supplement Plan will start covering your costs as normal.

Some states do offer additional enrollment periods though, so check with your state’s Medicare office. Additionally, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can skip the pre-existing condition waiting period.

How Do I Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

If you’ve missed your Open Enrollment Period, you can still get a plan with the better rates. There are a number of circumstances that can trigger a Special Enrollment Period. During which you can get a new Medicare Supplement Plan:

Your employer’s supplemental insurance ends, or benefits are reduced
Your Medicare Advantage Plan changes or ends its terms
You move out of your plan’s coverage area
Your Medicare Supplement Plan insurer commits fraud
You are utilizing your “trial right” within 12 months of applying for a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time

Need Help?

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan with pre-existing conditions can be tricky. If you need help navigating the enrollment process, EZ.Insure is here to help! Our highly trained insurance agents are always available to help you with any questions. We also provide free instant quotes. Simply put your zip code in the bar above, or you can speak to an agent directly, just call 888-753-7207.

Co-written by Brianna Hartnett

Missed the AEP? Find Out What You Can Do

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, you have a few opportunities throughout the year to enroll in, change, or drop your Medicare plan. One of the opportunities to do so is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which runs from October 15th to December 7th. Because this period is such a short amount of time, many people accidentally miss it. So what happens if you missed the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, but would like to make changes to your current plan?

Research Other Medicare Enrollment Periods

Although you might have missed the AEP, there are other Medicare enrollment periods that you might qualify for, including:

Initial Enrollment Period – This is when you have just become or are about to become eligible for Medicare. It begins three months before your 65th birthday and continues through the three months following.
General Enrollment Period – This runs from January 1-March 31 each year, and is an opportunity for individuals who didn’t sign up for Original Medicare when they were first eligible to sign up. It’s important to note that you might have to pay a late enrollment fee if you enroll after your Initial Enrollment Period, and your coverage will not start until July 1 of that year.
Special Enrollment Period – Certain life events can make you eligible to enroll in Medicare, such as moving, losing employer coverage, being diagnosed with a qualifying chronic condition, or moving in or out of a skilled nursing facility or long-term hospital care.

Speak With Your Doctor

If you have missed this year’s AEP, and you don’t qualify to change your coverage or can’t wait for another enrollment period, there are still ways you can lessen the burden of healthcare costs. One of the best ways is to speak with your doctor. Talk to them about your medications, for example: they might be able to find a generic version that will help you save hundreds of dollars each year.

In addition, ask your doctor if certain medical services are required, and how you can save on those, particularly when it comes to how they are coded for billing.

Work With An EZ Agent

Missing the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period can cause a lot of stress. EZ.Insure offers agents in your region to help you and answer any questions you may have. Our agents are highly trained to provide you with the best option for your needs. Our agent will provide you with Medicare Supplement Plan quotes from top carriers in your area, and even help you sign up at no cost. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your current doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar on the side, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Is Medicare at 60 Coming?

President Biden has been on a mission to reduce the age of Medicare enrollment to 60. During the 2020 election, he mentioned numerous times the importance of lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 as part of his healthcare reform platform. The reasoning behind lowering the age is that doing so will provide healthcare to those who retire early, or who lack health insurance through their employer. But is Medicare at 60 really coming, or was it all just talk?

The Proposal

On September 3, 2021, Representative Pramila Jayapal introduced H.R.5165, the Improving Medicare Coverage Act. This bill proposes lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 as a way to expand access to health insurance for older adults. The change is designed to last 5 years, after which time Congress would re-evaluate it.

Who Would Be Eligible

If the Improving Medicare Coverage Act were to become law in its original form, all US citizens would have the ability to enroll in Medicare at age 60 without any additional requirements. That means millions more Americans would be able to enroll in Medicare, but it is not clear if the penalties people must pay for delayed enrollment would become effective when they turn 60 or 65.

The Cost Of Medicare at 60

There are some financial concerns that come with reducing the age of Medicare eligibility to 60. One of the major concerns is the possible risk of the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund becoming insolvent, or running out of money. If more people enrolled in Medicare, it’s possible that there wouldn’t be enough revenue to cover Part A premiums after just a few years, possibly by 2026. In addition, adding millions more Americans to Medicare would mean that the trust fund would need more funding, and it is currently unclear where this money would come from.

Will It Happen?

It’s not clear if the bill has enough bipartisan support to pass. There were more than 100 Democratic cosponsors of the bill in the House, and some Republicans have also voiced their support for lowering the eligibility age. But there are still some reservations regarding how much it would end up costing.

How You Can Save Right Now

As Medicare costs increase, older adults need to find ways to battle these rising prices, whatever their age. One way to do this is by investing in a Medicare Supplement Plan. The best way to find the right plan for you is to get personalized assistance from an EZ agent. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, which means there’s sure to be a plan that’s right for you.

But that also means it can be confusing and time-consuming to compare and choose between plans. That’s where EZ comes in! And our services are free because we just want to help you find an affordable plan with the coverage you need – no obligation, just free quotes. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your current doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar on the side, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

The AEP Is Almost Over! Have You Done Everything You Need to Do?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time to review your current plan and ensure it will still work for you for the coming year. But the AEP ends December 7, leaving you with a little less than a week to make any changes to your Medicare plan. Before this time is over, it is imperative that you do all of the following to make sure that you are fully and financially prepared for next year!

magnifying glass looking over a piece of paper — *It is very important to review your plan before the AEP runs out to make sure it meets your needs next year.*

Review Your Current Plan

This is one of the most important things that you need to do during the AEP! Oftentimes people will not read the letters they receive about upcoming changes to their plan, but it is very important to review any correspondence that you receive in order to make sure that your plan will cover your medical needs in the coming year, and that you will be able to afford it.

Review Your Healthcare Habits & Needs

Gather all of your healthcare receipts, and think back to all your doctor visits, specialist appointments, and any other health-related expenses from the last year. Then make a list of everything health-related that you think you will need or healthcare expenses that you anticipate for the coming year. Will your current plan cover these needs for next year? Or do you need to start searching for a plan that will?

Check Your Coverage for Medications

If you regularly take prescription medications, you will need to make sure that your plan’s drug formulary includes these necessary medications. Different Medicare plans have different formularies, meaning each plan covers medications differently. Some plans might have your prescription on a different tier, making it less expensive. Make a list of all the prescription medications that you take, and compare plan formularies and pricing to make sure that your medications will be covered at a reasonable price.

list with a pencil — *Remember to make a list of your doctors and specialists!*

Make A List of Your Doctors & Specialists

Write down all of the medical providers that you visit, including your primary care physician, your hospital of choice, and any specialists that you see regularly. If you want to continue seeing the same providers, make sure they will still be covered by your current plan next year. If not, it’s time to search for a plan that will cover them.

Talk With An Agent

The best way to find the right plan for you is to get personalized assistance from an EZ agent. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, which means there’s sure to be a plan that’s right for you. But that also means it can be confusing and time-consuming to compare and choose between them. That’s where EZ comes in! And our services are free because we just want to help you find an affordable plan with the coverage you need – no obligation, just free quotes. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your current doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar on the side, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Top 2023 Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement Plans are a popular go-to for Medicare beneficiaries because they help save a lot of money on out-of-pocket costs. Since we are in the middle of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you might be looking into a Medicare Supplement Plan for just that reason, and you might be wondering what your best options are. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, but there are a few top favorites that you need to know about.

What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

A Medicare Supplement Plan covers all of the gaps in Medicare. Medicare only covers 80% of your medical costs, leaving you to cover the remaining 20% out-of-pocket. Medicare supplement plans will cover things like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

The Top Medicare Supplement Plans

The coverage and plan letters for Medicare Supplement Plans in 2023 are not changing, but premium prices will change. If you are new to Medicare, or changing Medicare Supplement Plans to save money, you will most likely want to enroll in one of the top-rated, most popular plans in 2023:

Medicare Supplement Plan G– Medicare Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement Plan because of the coverage that it offers for both Parts A and B. With Medicare Plan G, you will only have to pay for one thing out-of-pocket: your annual Medicare Part B deductible. Once you meet your deductible, Medicare Part B will kick in and pay 80% of the rest of any Medicare-approved expenses; Medicare Plan G will cover the remaining 20% coinsurance, with no limit for the calendar year.
High Deductible Plan G– You also have the option of a high-deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G. These plans are the same as Plan G, except you will have a larger deductible to meet, with a smaller monthly premium than original Plan G.
Medicare Supplement Plan N– With Medicare Plan N, you will have to meet your annual Medicare Part B deductible, just like you would with Plan G. The difference is that with Plan N, you may have to pay a small co-pay for each doctor visit if you return to the doctor throughout the year. The co-payment is normally not more than $20 per visit. If you go to the emergency room and are not admitted to the hospital, you will have a $50 copay. In addition, Medicare Part B excess charges are not covered in Plan N.

Need More Information?

If you are interested in getting a plan from a top-rated Medicare Supplement insurance company, EZ can help. We work with all of these companies, and we will provide you with a highly trained licensed agent who will compare all available Medicare Supplement Plans to find the best one for you. You deserve the best, so we’ll make sure you get the best. 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!

What Medicare Part A’s Belly-Up Date Means for You

According to the June 2022 Medicare trustees report, the Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund will run out of money in 2028 if things continue at their current pace. If this trust fund is depleted, and Medicare does go “belly up”, the program will not have enough revenue to cover all of its operating costs. This would most likely result in a financial shock to hospitals that rely on Medicare revenues to operate. Find out just what all of this means for you.

What Does the Part A Belly-Up Date Mean For Beneficiaries?

stethescope with a calculator behind it and money sign — *If the Medicare insurance trust fund runs out of money, this could result in a backlog to payments, which will affect beneficiaries.*

As stated, if the Medicare insurance trust fund runs out of money, this could result in a backlog to payments, and financial shock to the whole program. “This part of the Medicare program won’t be able to make payments to health care providers and health insurers that are due, and those payments will become increasingly delayed over time,” says Matthew Fiedler, a senior fellow with the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy.

And what does this mean for Medicare beneficiaries? In short, costs would rise in order to help make up for some of the shortfall. But there are a number of different ways to address this problem being looked at, all of which will affect how much you will pay in the present for Medicare, if implemented.

How Can Medicare Be Fixed?

There are a few options that Medicare officials are looking at to help with the situation, including tweaking service coverage in order to redirect revenues. This would mean, for example:

Moving some Medicare Part A services to Part B- Some experts suggest moving post-acute services (such as physical therapy or nursing care after a hospital stay) from being covered by Part A to being covered by Part B. This solution might look good on paper, but other experts are concerned it wouldn’t make a real difference.

“That makes the Part A trust fund look better, because you’ve taken some of the expenses off the books,” says Dr. Mark McClellan, the Robert J. Margolis professor of business, medicine and policy at Duke University, who holds a doctorate in economics. “But that’s not really changing the overall cost or sustainability of the program.”

For Medicare beneficiaries, doing this would mean services that used to be 100% covered under Part A would now be subject to the Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance.

Modernize the Medicare drug benefit– The government pays the majority of the bill for high-cost drugs. One option to cut costs is to cover less of these drug costs, and apply those savings to the Part A trust fund.
Cut payments to providers- If the government were to reduce Medicare payments to some or all Part A providers, it would save the program a lot of money. But while that would have less of a financial impact on beneficiaries, it would reduce access to some providers, or mean that some providers would offer services that weren’t covered by Medicare, to increase their revenues.

Finding The Most Savings

With all the talk of Medicare raising prices, you might feel a little overwhelmed, especially by the costs of Medicare Part B. Your best option to keep yourself financially on track? A Medicare Supplement Plan, which will cover most of your medical expenses for a low monthly price.

At EZ.Insure, we are trained to be on your side and get you the best plan for your budget. Get an instant quote by typing your zip code in the bar above, or speak with someone now. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your current doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar on the side, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207. 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!

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