Medicare Supplement Plans Archives - Page 16 of 17

Reasons You Will Love Medicare

When you enroll in Medicare, you might find there are things you don’t love about it, like the out-of-pocket expenses of Part B or the lack of dental, vision, and prescription coverage. However, despite the bad rap it gets, a recent survey showed that 90% of beneficiaries are happy with the care it provides, and with their coverage choices. If you take the time to review all your coverage options, and find out how it differs from your employer’s coverage, you’ll find that Medicare has a lot to offer. Here are just some of the reasons why you will love it.

Lower Premiums

With Medicare, you’ll save money on monthly premiums. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) premiums are free, as long as you meet the requirements of having worked at least 40 calendar quarters in a job where you paid social security taxes. Part B (medical insurance) premiums are about $144.60 a month. When you compare this to the cost of private insurance, you will find that you’ll be paying a lot less. Even for a healthy 25-year old, monthly premiums will cost around $300 a month under private plans.

Medicare prices also rise more slowly than health insurance plans because they are pegged to inflation. Since 2013, private health insurance premiums have increased 123%, while Part B premiums have only increased by about 25%. That adds up to even more savings the longer you are on Medicare.

You Have Choices!

Medicare also beats private insurance when it comes to plan choice and clarity. When you have employer coverage, you are stuck with whatever healthcare plan your employer offers you, and it can be difficult to change plans. There is also a lot of uncertainty in private plans about how much you will pay for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

However, once you enroll in Medicare at 65, you have the choice of enrolling in other plans that help with out-of-pocket costs, such as Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. There are around 10 different Medicare Supplement plans alone to choose from, and with each you will know just how much you will be spending. And, if you find that you are unhappy with whichever Medicare Supplement plan you choose, you can switch your coverage.

Free Preventive Care

caucasian woman with a face mask on and white coat with a swab in her hand and googles on. — *Medicare offers free preventive doctor visits and screenings.*

Medicare offers free preventive care services to all people covered by Part B. These services include:

“Welcome to Medicare” Preventive Visit– This initial check-up can be scheduled within the first 12 months of your enrollment in Medicare Part B and includes a host of free preventive services. During this visit, your medical and social history is reviewed and you will get certain screenings, vaccines, referrals to specialists if needed, a vision test, body mass index (BMI) calculation, height and weight measurements, blood pressure measurements, depression screening, and a plan for future screenings you might need in the future.
Annual “Wellness” Visits– you are covered for one free annual doctor visit at least 11 months after your first wellness exam, then once every year after that. These visits will include services similar to those in the “welcome to Medicare” visit. Your doctor will also ask you to fill out a questionnaire called a “Health Risk Assessment.”
Screenings– You get free screenings for:
- Mammograms
- Cancer screenings for lung cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, prostate and colorectal cancer.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Alcohol Misuse
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Glaucoma
- Bone mass measurements for bone density
- Obesity screening
- Weight-loss counseling
Vaccines- Medicare Part B covers vaccines for pneumonia, the flu, tetanus, and hepatitis B.

How Medicare Scope Of Appointment Forms Protect You

Enrolling in Medicare can be overwhelming. In addition to all of the new terms that you will need to learn, you will also need to learn about what is covered and how much you will pay for different services. For example, Medicare covers Part A (hospital insurance) fully as long as you meet the requirements,while with Part B (medical insurance), you will have to pay 20% of bills out of pocket. A Medicare Supplement Plan can help make up the difference. With all of the different options you will need to sort through, you may find that you want to go to an insurance agent for help. However, you should not feel intimidated into enrolling in a plan or paying for extra coverage. This is where a form known as the Medicare Scope of Appointment will be your saving grace.

red and white private propery sign — **This form will protect you from scams and unwanted solicitation from high-pressure sales people.**

Medicare Scope Of Appointment Form

A Medicare Scope of Appointment form is a federal form that is required by law when an agent sells you Medicare coverage. If you have decided to reach out and meet with an agent, or work with one to find out what your Medicare options are, then you will need to fill out one of these forms detailing what you would like to discuss. Your answers will help your agent get a better understanding of what exactly you are looking for, so that they can present you with your options and nothing more. This means that this form will also protect you from scams and unwanted solicitation from high-pressure sales people.

This form was created specifically for in-person meetings; however, you can choose to have a telephone meeting and consent to an oral agreement. The recording of your conversation will serve as a Scope of Appointment.

Form Options

When you fill out a Scope Of Appointment form, you check off what options you would like to discuss with an agent. The list of options to choose from on the form are:

Medicare Supplement Plans
Dental/Vision and Hearing Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans
Hospital Indemnity Plans
Stand-Alone Part D Drug Plans

Once you check the boxes on what you would like to discuss, you will sign your name on the “Beneficiary Signature” line. Your agent will then only be allowed to discuss the items that you expressed an interest in.

Not Sure What You Need?

In the beginning, the process of signing up for Medicare can be quite overwhelming, and you might not know where to start. You might not know what kind of coverage you want exactly or which boxes to even choose. At EZ.Insure, our team of experts will provide you with knowledge of all the different types of coverage options and which ones will best suit your needs. You will be assigned your own personal Medicare agent, and that agent will prepare quotes for all available options, for free. All of our services are free, because we just want to make sure you get the help and coverage you need. No obligation, no hassle. To get started, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-753-7207.

How To Handle Medicare When Moving To Another State

After retirement, some seniors decide to embark on a new challenge: moving. You may want to relocate to a warmer place that is more “senior friendly.” A lot goes into planning when moving, and it can be quite chaotic. One major need is your Medicare coverage. You must notify your Medicare plan providers that you are moving, and then make sure your future doctors in the new state participate with Medicare. Make sure the Social Security Administration is updated as well. Aside from this, it is super important to know that if you are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan, your policy price may change depending on where you move to. Do not get stuck with extra charges. Make sure to get it all situated before the move.

Map of the United States — *When you are moving across states lines, it is important to make sure your Medicare plan is updated.*

Original Medicare

Medicare is a federal program and does not change no matter where you move to in America. Medicare Parts A and B do not change. Just make sure before you move, research to find doctors who accept Medicare in the new state.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans have networks depending on the state’s county you live in. You will need to change your Medicare Advantage plan. These plans assign specific doctors through their HMO or PPO plans, so you will have to choose a new plan and a new Primary Care Provider within the plan’s network. Some areas do not even offer Medicare Advantage plans. Notify your current plan before moving.

Medicare Supplement

Medicare Supplement plans help pay for the remaining 20% of the Medicare Part B costs. The plan’s price is determined by your zip code because it varies from state to state. In most states, you can keep your Medicare Supplement plan when you move, but you can apply for a different one if you want. Although you can remain on the same plan, your fees may go up (or down) depending on where you go.

If you do decide to change to a different plan, you might have to go through a health exam, also known as medical underwriting, and the plan may not accept your application. After you are accepted into the new Medicare Supplement plan, you have a “free look period” for 30 days to stay with the new plan. You will, however, have to pay for both plans during the 30-day period. If you decide to keep the new plan, then you can call your old plan and ask

Computer keyboard with a key that says "help" on it. — *If you are stressed out, or do not know where to start, then get help from a Medicare agent.*

for your coverage to be over.

If your Medicare Supplement plan increases when you move to a new state, then you can always contact a Medicare agent to help you search for a more affordable plan. EZ.Insure offers Medicare agents that are trained in your area, and within the state you are moving to. Your personalized Medicare agent will go over your current Medicare Supplement plan to make sure it will be a good fit for you in the new state. If it will be too costly, then our agent will go over all the plans within the new state, compare them, and provide you with quotes. There is no hassle and no obligation. To get started, you can enter your zip code in the bar above, or speak to an agent directly by emailing [email protected] or calling 855-220-1144. We promise to help you find, and sign up with the best Medicare Supplement plan that meets all of your needs within your budget.

Is Medicare Underwriting Necessary?

Medical underwriting is a process when a private insurance company reviews your medical history to determine whether they will provide you with coverage, how much to charge you, and whether to set a waiting period before coverage begins. If you have a lot of medical issues, you may have to pay more for coverage or even be denied approval. Pre-existing conditions will come up and can cost you greatly.

denied word in red — *After your Medicare underwriting is complete, companies decide whether to accept you, or deny you coverage due to your pre-existing conditions.*

Medicare Supplement plans help pay for out of pocket expenses such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. When

you sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan, you may need to go through the underwriting process. It all depends on when you decide to sign up for a supplement plan. To answer the question if Medicare underwriting is necessary, both yes and no. Find out how to avoid Medicare underwriting, and if you do have to go through it, then what it entails.

The Only Time To Avoid Medicare Underwriting

During the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is when you have “guaranteed issue rights.” Guaranteed issue means that you will be accepted into any plan regardless of your health condition or pre-existing conditions. During this time, you have a one-time guarantee when companies cannot deny you or charge you more due to a pre-existing condition. The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is a six month period that begins the first day of the month you turn 65 years old, and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

When You Need To Be Underwritten

If you apply for a Medicare Supplement plan after your Medicare Open Enrollment Period has passed, then you may have to go through the underwriting process. In addition, when you are switching Medicare Supplement plans, you may have to go through the underwriting process. If a Medicare Supplement plan accepts your application, the insurer can choose to make you wait 6 months before covering a pre-existing condition. This is known as a “look-back period,” or “pre-existing wait period.”

The Underwriting Process

Private insurance companies will have extensive health-related questions on their applications. It will go over your entire medical history, both past and present. If you have a pre-existing health condition that may be expensive for the company to cover, they can choose to deny your application.

white paper that says checklist with boxes down a line with checkmarks in them. — *During the Medicare underwriting process, companies will go through your medical history and check off which conditions may be considered an expensive health risk for them to cover.*

If you have a health condition that needs constant attention, chronic, or incurable, then you may be denied. Certain medications can also be a reason for denial, especially for the incurable or chronic health conditions, simply because it will be too expensive for the insurers to cover. Often times minor conditions such as BMI, high blood pressure, and cholesterol are not issues for carriers. If you have pending surgeries or treatments, then it is best to get them done before applying. Serious health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, chronic lung disorders, lupus, MS, major heart disorders, and kidney failure will be an automatic denial of coverage for the company.

If you are still within your Medicare Supplement Plan Open Enrollment Period, then great, no better time to get started and sign up for a plan. If you have passed this guaranteed issue window, you can still apply with caution. And if you get denied, then it is not the end of the world, our agents will search through all available Medicare Supplement plans and help you.

EZ.Insure has highly trained agents who will search through all the Medicare Supplement carriers in your region, whether you are within the open enrollment period or not. Your personalized agent will compare all the plans, their coverage, and their quotes. To get started, you can enter your zip code in the bar above, or speak to an agent directly by emailing [email protected] or calling 855-220-1144. We will be by your side throughout the process, walking you through it, while providing you with the best advice and options.

Medication Not Covered Anymore? There’s a Transition Refill!

Imagine walking up to the pharmacy and hearing that your medication is no longer covered by Medicare, followed by the price of the drug. This happens often, and it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there is something that can help: transition refills. A transition refill is a one-time, 30 day supply of the drug that Medicare no longer covers. This will ensure that you receive your medication for at least a month more.

Transition Refills Are Provided When:

Older caucasian man's hand dropping a pill onto his palm from a pill bottle. — *Transition refills will provide you with at leat 30 days more of your mediction that is no longer covered by your plan.*

You recently switched plans and your medication is not covered under your new plan. The plan will give you a 30-day transition refill within the first 90 days of enrollment.
Your plan dropped your medication/s from its formulary, or added coverage restrictions for the calendar year. Your plan will give you a 30-day transition refill within the first 90 days of the calendar year. They will also provide you with a notice about the new coverage policy.

Transition refills are not for new prescriptions, only for drugs you were taking before losing coverage or switching plans. The refills are not free, and you will have to pay the cost-sharing associated with the medication. This means you will have to pay as a Tier 4 or 5 Specialty Drug with 25% or more of the retail value.

Options After Using A Transition Refill

Switch Medications– Speak with your doctor immediately and ask if there is a drug on the plan’s formulary that will work for you. The doctor will write a new prescription for you, with a generic form, or a different brand name.
File for a formulary exception– If the prescription you are taking is absolutely necessary, then your doctor can contact your plan to request an exception. If denied, then you can file an appeal. If the exception is not processed by the end of your 90-day transition refill period, then your plan must provide more refills until the exception is answered.

Caucasian hands holding a wallet, with one hand holding hundred dollar bills out of it. — *You will still have to pay for your transition refills. A Medicare agent can look over all plans to save you money on your medications.*

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) stated “The purpose of providing a transition supply is to promote continuity of care and avoid interruptions in drug therapy while a switch to a therapeutically equivalent drug or the completion of an exception request to maintain coverage of an existing drug based on medical necessity reasons can be effectuated.”

When signing up for a new Medicare Supplement Plan, you should ask your Medicare agent if all of your medication is covered. EZ.Insure offers you your own Medicare agent that will search the best plan options based on your medication list. We will provide you with your own personal Medicare agent that will do all the research and provide you with plan options reflecting your interests. To get an instant quote, simply enter your zip code in the bar above. To speak to an agent directly, call 855-220-1144, or email replies @ez.insure.

Medicare AEP Is Over, What If You Missed It?

Every year from October 15 to December 7 is Medicare’s Annual Enrollment. This is the time you can switch from Medicare to Medicare Advantage, and vice versa. You can also change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plans.

*Just because Medicare OEP is over, does not mean you do not have other options to help you save money.*

Time flies and things happen, and before you know it, open enrollment has ended. You may have not gotten the chance to look over plans, change plans to meet your needs, or did not have enough time to research your options. But luckily if you missed open enrollment, there are still some options for you to choose from.

Medicare Advantage OEP

Beginning 2019, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 every year. During this period, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, or disenroll from their Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare. If you choose to switch back to Original Medicare, then you can enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan. Do some research to make sure whichever way to choose to go that the network covers your doctors.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period, SEP

If you missed the open enrollment period, you can qualify for Medicare Special Enrollment Period. Here are the circumstances to qualify for SEP:

- Moved out of plan’s service area

- Lost employer-based health insurance

- Used to be eligible for Medicaid and now you are not

- Your plan is ending its contract with Medicare

Moving back to US after living outside of the US

5 Star Plans

In 2010, the Health care Reform Law created a star rating system for Medicare Plans. One star being poor, and 5 stars being the best. Every fall the ratings are updated for these plans. Beneficiaries can enroll in a Medicare Advantage 5-star plan once a year from December 8 to November 30th.

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement Plans can help you pay for Medicare Part B bills that may be hard for you to pay. These plans are sold by private insurance companies, and you can always consider buying one as long as you are 65 years old. There are 10 different supplement plans to choose from, some covering more than others. If you consider buying one outside of the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period (the 6 month period beginning the month you turn 65), then you may be subject to paying more for pre-existing conditions.

Another option you can take is to ask your doctor for the generic, cheaper brand of the precritions you take.

Change Your Drugs

If you missed the chance to find a better plan to cover your prescriptions, then you can always talk to your doctor about cheaper drug options. The Medicare Modernization Act requires that Medicare offer at least two drugs in each category class. What this means is that you can talk with your doctor and ask to take the alternative drug that costs lower.

Missing the Medicare open enrollment period can cause a lot of stress. EZ.Insure offers agents within your region to help you and answer any questions you may have. Our agents are highly trained to provide you the best option for your needs. The agents will provide you with Medicare Supplement quotes from top carriers in your area, and even help you sign up at no cost. To get quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent directly, email [email protected], or call 888-753-7207. Do not worry if you missed the OEP, we can help you get on the right track.

Tag: Medicare Supplement Plans