How Do Medicare HMO and Medicare PPO Differ? If you decide to replace your Original Medicare with a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) Plan, your two most common options are an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). Both use provider networks to help manage costs, but they balance price vs. flexibility differently. Medicare PPO [...]
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) When it happens: October 15 – December 7 each yearWhen changes begin: January 1 of the next year Heads-up: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies can be shopped and changed any time of the year. AEP doesn’t govern Medigap. Switch coverage types: Move between Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and Medicare [...]
Do you need to sign up for Medicare at 65 if you have other coverage? If you turn 65 and already have comprehensive health insurance, you don’t necessarily have to enroll in Medicare. In some situations, though, enrolling at 65 is essential to avoid coverage gaps and penalties. When enrolling at 65 makes sense Potentially [...]
Your Road Map to Medicare What is Medicare? Car Analogy: Medicare is the national interstate system for health care when you hit age 65 (earlier for some disabilities). To “get on the road” you will need Medicare Part A & Part B. Your “big” decision will be selecting how you want to travel. You will have two options. [...]
Avoiding the Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty When it comes to Medicare, timing is everything. Unless you have qualifying (creditable) employer group coverage, you generally need to enroll in Medicare at age 65. Some people qualify earlier due to disability or certain medical conditions. Missing key enrollment windows can trigger late enrollment penalties—especially for [...]
Understanding Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Letter What it is, what to look for, and what to do next. What is the ANOC? The ANOC is a letter from your current plan—either a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan—spelling out any updates that will take effect [...]
Medicare Eligibility Medicare is the federal health insurance program that helps millions of Americans get the care they need. But who qualifies? Let’s break it down in simple terms. The Basics of Medicare Eligibility You may become eligible for Medicare a few different ways: Turning 65 Most people qualify for Medicare when they turn 65 years [...]
Hospital Ratings: What They Mean for You Choosing a hospital is a big decision, and quality of care matters. To make that choice easier, Medicare provides an Overall Star Rating for hospitals across the U.S. This rating takes lots of different quality measures and combines them into a single score—ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Simply put, [...]
How to Choose the Right Fit for You Choosing a Medicare plan can feel overwhelming. You’ve probably heard about Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, but what’s the real difference? Both options will give you health coverage—it just depends on your lifestyle, budget, and priorities. Let’s walk through the main things to consider so you can feel more [...]
Medicare Supplements Original Medicare is intended to help cover your healthcare costs. Unfortunately, Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) does not pay 100% of your costs for medical care. You will be financially responsible for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. After Medicare pays, your cost will usually be 20% for medical services [...]
