Buying a Medigap Policy (Medicare Supplement) If you’re wondering when the best time to buy a Medigap policy is, the answer is clear: your best (and easiest) time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the window when you typically get the most plan choices, the best pricing protections, and guaranteed acceptance. What [...]
Medicare and Working Past 65 Turning 65 doesn’t always mean retiring. If you’re still working—or covered by a spouse’s employer plan—you may want to wait about beginning Medicare. The right choice depends on your situation, and knowing the rules can save you money and help you avoid penalties later. Do I Have to Sign Up [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 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 (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, [...]
