How to Sign Up for Medicare Part B
What is the process of enrolling in Medicare Part B?
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan Questions
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan Questions Am I eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy? If you are enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B, you can purchase a Medicare supplement insurance policy. If you have had your Medicare Part B six months or less, you are in a period called open enrollment. [...]
What Does Medicare Cost?
What Does Medicare Cost? Medicare Part A Covers inpatient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health care services. Thankfully, most Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have 40 or more quarters of employment. Forty Quarters is the equivalent to ten years. For a stay in a [...]
What is The Difference Between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage Comparing Your Two Coverage Options Original Medicare (Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) are two different ways to receive your Medicare benefits/coverage. Both options provide you with hospital and medical insurance, but there are differences between them. Learning about the differences in your coverage options will allow [...]
Can I Change My Medicare Advantage Plan?
When Can I Change My Medicare Advantage Plan? If we lived in a perfect world, you would be more than satisfied with your new Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans may be a perfect coverage option for some individuals. However, situations occur, and maybe you realize that your family doctor doesn’t accept your plan, or [...]
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans A Medicare Supplement insurance plan, also known as Medigap, is an insurance you can buy that helps pay for the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover. There are ten different supplemental plans to choose for coverage. Plans are referred to by letters. The three most purchased plans are Plan [...]
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (For Individuals Currently Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1st through March 31st The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) gives you the opportunity to enroll in another Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan or go back to Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). Normally, [...]
Medicare Premiums
Medicare Premiums Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Some individuals believe that once they begin Medicare, that it is free. Unfortunately, that is not true. Original Medicare is composed of two working parts, Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A is free for most individuals because they paid Medicare taxes while working. [...]
Medicare and Marketing
Medicare and Marketing Agents assisting you with your Medicare options ARE NOT allowed to….. Ask for information, such as your bank account, over the phone unless it’s needed as part of an enrollment. Require you to provide them your Medicare Number or Social Security Number for a quote. Plans don't need those numbers to [...]
Medicare Supplement Plan G
Medicare Supplement Plan G: A GREAT value!
Annual Election Period – October 15 – December 7
Medicare Annual Enrollment Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins October 15th and runs through December 7th. This is your time to review your Medicare coverage. There will be many changes coming for year 2025. Our job is to note changes concerning plans and assist you in making the best decision for your coverage. What [...]
Annual Notice of Change
Annual Notice of Change Letter During the month of September, you should receive a Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Letter. What is the Purpose of this Letter? The purpose of the ANOC letter(s) is to describe any changes for the upcoming year. You should except to receive a letter if you have a Prescription [...]
How Do I Pay My Medicare Part B Premium?
Paying Your Medicare Part B Premium You are probably like most people and receive Medicare Part A at no cost. Medicare Part A is premium free if you or your spouse worked 10 years or more and paid Medicare taxes while working. However, Medicare Part B is not free. If you are receiving retirement benefits [...]
What is the Difference in Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid are two separate programs that are both run by the government. A person may qualify to receive benefits from one or both programs. The major difference between Medicare and Medicaid is that Medicare covers health care mainly for people age 65 and older. Medicaid is for people with low income. Medicare provides health [...]
New to Medicare: Consider Your Coverage Options
New to Medicare Several months prior to your 65th birthday, something happens. You start receiving mail and phone calls like never before. Every phone call and letter you receive in the mail is about Medicare. You will also receive a book in the mail entitled Medicare and You Handbook. This book has information and terms [...]
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Each month groups and organizations highlight various health and medical conditions to increase awareness and provide educational information. The mission and overall goals are to improve the health of everyone in the United States. The month of June is dedicated to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and brain health. As part [...]
Working at age 65?
Working at age 65? Do you keep employer coverage or enroll in Medicare? The month you turn 65 you are eligible to receive your Medicare benefits. In most cases, you don’t have to sign up for Medicare if you have health insurance through your or your spouse’s employer. If you or your spouse [...]
National Walking Day
NATIONAL WALKING DAY National Walking Day is the first Wednesday in April and is sponsored by the American Heart Association. The first National Walking Day was in 2007. This day promotes awareness to healthy living and the benefits of taking a walk. Activities such as walking can help you lower stress and improve your mood. [...]
Alzheimer’s and Medicare Coverage
Alzheimer’s and Medicare Coverage According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is estimated that over six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 1 in 9 people age 65 and older have Alzheimer's. Women make up close to two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's. Older Black Americans are almost twice as likely to have Alzheimer's [...]
Medicare and Your Health Savings Account
Your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Medicare According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines, you cannot make contributions to your Health Savings Account once you enroll in Medicare. To contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA you must be enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan. The month you begin your Medicare benefits, you should [...]
Extra Help for Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D Extra Help Medicare Part D Extra Help is a federal program that lowers your Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) premiums and lowers the cost of your prescriptions. You may qualify if you have limited income and assets. Extra Help Eligibility/Qualifications Your monthly income falls into a certain range and your assets [...]
Vaccines Covered by Medicare
Medicare Covers Many Vaccines for Free! Great news! Because of a prescription drug law that went into effect January 1, 2023, your Medicare Part D drug plan will cover the cost of most vaccines. All adult vaccines that are recommended by the CDC are covered with no out-of-pocket costs to you. Medicare Part B [...]
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
Medicare Coverage and Cataract Surgery Cataracts are a common part of aging — in fact, more than half of Americans over 80 either have cataracts or have had them removed. Left untreated, cataracts can interfere with daily life and may even cause blindness. The good news? Cataract surgery is safe, simple, and usually painless. But [...]
Medicare and Cancer Coverage
Medicare and Cancer Coverage Unfortunately, Cancer is something many of us will face directly or indirectly at some point during our lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.9 million new Cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2023. Does Medicare cover Cancer? Yes, it does. Depending on your choice for coverage [...]
Home Health Services Covered By Medicare
Original Medicare and Home Health Care Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and/or Part B) will cover eligible home health services if you are considered homebound and need part-time or intermittent services. To Qualify and be Considered Homebound: You are having trouble leaving your home without some type of help due to an illness or injury. Examples [...]