Medicare Supplement Plans Archives - Page 15 of 17

Medicare & COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is most common among individuals 65 and older. It is especially common among women age 65 to 74 years old. This disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and anyone with COPD has a significantly increased risk of severe illness or death from complications from the flu or respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.

When it comes to those suffering from COPD, life expectancy is determined by multiple factors such as history of smoking, and other conditions that might add further complications. While most patients with COPD can live with the disease for many years, they will need to constantly manage and treat this chronic condition. For older Americans, this continuous management can be costly, but fortunately, Medicare covers screenings and treatment up to a certain point.

What Is COPD?

For the over 30 million Americans who are living with COPD, every day can mean a struggle to breathe. COPD, a group of progressive lung diseases, such as emphysema, slowly destroys air sacs in the lung, causing air flow blockage and breathing-related problems. The disease develops over a long time, and the most common cause of it is smoking tobacco.

Because the disease is progressive, there is unfortunately no cure for COPD. However, treatments can help ease the symptoms and lower the chances of complications, while improving quality of life. If not treated, COPD can cause heart problems and worsening respiratory infection.

COPD Symptoms

caucasian woman with short blonde hair holding her chest with one hand. — *Some COPD symptoms include shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.*

The symptoms of COPD come in stages. Early symptoms include occasional shortness of breath, a mild recurrent cough, and a frequent need to clear the throat. But if the symptoms are not treated, they can get progressively worse. Worsening symptoms include:

Shortness of breath with little exertion, such as from going up a flight of stairs
Tightness in the chest
Wheezing
Frequent colds, flu, or other respiratory infections
Chronic cough
Lack of energy

In the later stages of the disease, symptoms include weight loss, and swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs. If you are suffering from COPD, it is important to seek immediate medical care if you have trouble catching your breath, feel confused or faint, or have bluish or gray fingernails or lips.

Medicare COPD Coverage

There is no single test for COPD. Diagnosis is based on assessing the symptoms mentioned earlier, a physical exam, and diagnostic test results. To help diagnose you, Medicare Part B will cover a lung cancer screening with Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT). Medicare will cover this screening once a year if you:

Are 55 to 77 years old
Have a history of smoking at least 1 pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years
Are a current smoker or have quit smoking in the last 15 years
Are asymptomatic (don’t have signs or symptoms) of lung cancer
Get a written order from your doctor

As long as you meet all of the above criteria and your doctor accepts Medicare assignment, Medicare Part B will cover 100% of the screening.

If you have already been diagnosed with COPD, Medicare Part B will cover a pulmonary rehabilitation program to help manage your COPD. This program should help you breathe better and improve your quality of life. Medicare Part B will completely cover the pulmonary rehabilitation program as long as you have a referral from your doctor.

pink piggy bank — *Medicare Supplement Plans will help pay for the 20% Medicare does not cover, which will help you save more money.*

Getting More Coverage

Other expenses related to COPD treatment and management might only be covered 80% by Medicare, leaving you with 20% coinsurance to pay out-of-pocket. But you can save money on these expenses with a Medicare Supplement Plan, which will pay your 20% coinsurance for COPD coverage, as well as all other Medicare-covered conditions.

It can be overwhelming to review your options and go over all 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans, but that is what EZ.Insure is here for. EZ’s dedicated agent will compare all available plans in your area and review all of your options. We will provide you with quotes for free, and find a plan that fits your needs and budget, while helping you save hundreds of dollars a year. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly with one of our agents, call 888-753-7207.

New Medicare Part D Rates

This year, Medicare Part B premiums rates are not the only rates on the rise. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released the 2021 Medicare Part D rates back in October, and noted that, while there are more Part D plans being offered in 2021, plan rates have gone up slightly. Because prices for Medicare Parts A, B, and D continue to rise, there is no better time than now to look into Medicare Supplement Plans.

Part D Plans & Prices

The average Medicare beneficiary has a choice of almost 30 Medicare stand-alone drug plans. The following charts illustrate the costs of Part D plans and how income affects rates.

medicare part d benefit chart — *Medicare Part D Rates*

filing income medicare part d rates — *Medicare Part D Income Rates*

Part D Cost-Sharing

Cost-sharing amounts have also changed for medications in certain “tiers” in Part D plans. Each plan has a drug formulary, made up of tiers which determine the price of each drug. The typical five-tier formulary structure places medications into the following categories:

Preferred generics
Generics
Preferred brands
Non-preferred drugs
Specialty drugs

For all Part D Plans, the median standard cost sharing in 2021 is $0 for preferred generics, $5 for generics (up from $4 in 2020), $40 for preferred brands (down from $42 in 2020), 40% coinsurance for non-preferred drugs (up from 38% in 2020; the maximum allowed is 50%), and 25% coinsurance for specialty drugs (the same as in 2020; the maximum allowed is 33%).

Medicare Supplement Plans

Costs continue to increase yearly for Medicare beneficiaries, but that does not mean you have to live on a tight budget. Medicare Supplement Plans can help you pay for medical costs that Original Medicare does not cover. For example, Medicare Supplement Plans cover the 20% coinsurance that you usually pay for a medical service. There are 10 different types of Medicare Supplement Plans to choose, and each offers different coverage at different price points. To easily compare these plans within minutes, use an EZ agent. Our agents will compare prices, go over your financial and medical needs, and help you save hundreds a year – and we’ll do it all for free! Medicare rates are on the rise, but we will help you save! To get started, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to a licensed 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.

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

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

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

No Real Numbers Yet

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

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

Social Security COLA Role

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

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

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

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

The Cap

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

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

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

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

Get A Plan From One of The Best Rated Medicare Supplement Companies Through EZ

There are a lot of choices when it comes to Medicare Supplement Plans. You not only have the choice between 10 different letter plans, but you also have the choice of multiple companies to buy your plan from. There’s Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, and so many more. But which one in this sea of companies should you go for? First you need to determine which companies service your area. Next, you need to check each company’s ratings. At EZ, we have agents who can find the company that best fits your needs, so you can get the best possible plan and service.

How Companies Are Rated

yellow trophy with a star in the middle of the cup part. — *Organizations like the Better Business Bureau will sometimes evaluate multiple companies and give awards based on certain factors.*

Ratings for insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Plans are not based on the coverage that their plans offer. This is because Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized by Medicare, so each insurance company has to offer the same benefits for each letter plan across the board. Insurance companies can, however, set the premiums for their plans, so those vary from one company to another. Ratings aren’t generally determined by price alone, though. Insurance company ratings are based on:

The variety of plans offered. Many companies only offer a limited number of policies out of the 10 different letter plan types.
Their customer service. This is determined by customer reviews.
Awards received. Organizations like the Better Business Bureau will sometimes evaluate multiple companies and give awards based on certain factors.
How many states they offer plans in. Some companies only offer plans in a handful of states, while others serve more areas.

The Top Rated Companies

After evaluating all of the criteria above, we have determined that the top 5 Medicare Supplement insurance companies are:

Humana– Covers all 50 states, offers plans A,B,C,K,L,N, and has the best additional member benefits. This company generally uses attained-age pricing, meaning premiums increase as you age, and premiums depend on your location, age, tobacco use, and gender. They offer small discounts to those who are living with another senior member who has one of their Medicare Supplement Plans.
Aetna- Covers 42 states, offers plans A,B,G,N, and is rated best for customer service. Aetna generally uses attained-age pricing, so premiums increase as customers age. They also offer a 12-month rate lock, which guarantees that your premiums will not go up in the first year. They offer a 12% discount for customers who live with another senior who has one of their Medicare Supplement Plans.
Cigna– Covers 50 states, offers plans A,B,C,D,G,N, and has been rated the best overall value for the plans they offer. They do not require customers to use an in-network doctor, and they offer competitive premiums and some of the most affordable options. They offer a 7% discount for customers living with one other person that is enrolled in one of their Medicare Supplement Plans.
AARP– Covers 50 states, offers plans A,B,C,G,K,L,N, and is rated the most experienced in working with seniors. To qualify for a plan, you must be an AARP member. Their plan prices are community-rated. They offer an enrollment discount in most states of up to 30% for seniors aged 65, and they offer a 5% discount when more than one person in the household is enrolled in one of their plans.
Mutual of Omaha– Covers 50 states, offers plans A,G,N, and is rated the most experienced in working with the Medicare system; they have been offering Medicare Supplement Plans since 1966. Their plans usually use attained-age pricing, so premiums increase as customers age. They offer a 12% discount if you live with one other person (over 60 years old) that is also covered by one of their plans.

If you are interested in getting a plan from a top-rated Medicare Supplement company, EZ can help. We work with all of these companies, and more, and we will provide you with a highly trained licensed agent who works with these companies. Your agent 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!

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.

Tag: Medicare Supplement Plans