How Can I Get a Medicare Prescription Plan?

Can I Attain A Medicare Prescription Plan

The medicare prescription plan is just one of a few plans available to those who are eligible for health insurance through Medicare. Medicare is a social insurance institution and program that is available to citizens of the United States. The program is administered by the government and is available to people aged 65 and over. Younger beneficiaries may also be entitled to aid in accordance with certain criteria.

There are a number of health insurance plans available for citizens wanting to apply for this insurance aid. Original Medicare is the central key plan of which other insurance policies and plans can then be added to, depending on the beneficiary's preference.

When applying for Medicare insurance, one needs to be aware that there will be a yearly deductible fee and a co-payment/co-insurance that is subject to change.

After paying the deductible and also a coinsurance payment for covered supplies and services, then Medicare will pay their part of the costs involved for your health care. The deductible and coinsurance payments will vary as you will have to pay a certain percentage of the total according to the plan you have selected. With your Plan member card, you can receive cost coverage at certain clinics and hospitals that have been approved by Medicare.

Medigap policies are advanced policies available, designed to fill the payment gaps that original Medicare does not do on its own. Medigap policies provide some benefits and more help with health care coverage for payments such as deductibles and co-payments.

There is a monthly premium payment required in these policies depending on your choice.

Medicare also offers prescription drug plans which are offered by various insurance and private companies that have been approved by Medicare. These plans involve the benefits of Original Medicare as well as cover for some cost plans and medical savings plans aimed to supplement your medicare coverage.

One will receive a Medicare membership card which they can use at pharmacies to purchase prescription medication at lower costs. There are a number of Prescription drug plans available.

One can easily find out more about Medicare benefits, plans and insurance through the government website. One simply needs to find out if they qualify for coverage according to certain criteria and then apply either online get help by calling. There will be someone who can help you decide on what plan is best for you and how best to go about setting up your policies, what benefits are available to you and the institutions that are accredited by the company.

View the original article here

Finding Extra Security With Medicare Supplement Plans

Looking for the best medicare supplemental insurance? Nowadays, insurance companies are sprouting everywhere, offering the 'best of the best' insurance policies. Some people do not have the luxury of time to conduct a thorough research on the insurance industry that they would just take whatever is being offered to them by the insurance salesman. Worse, some people do not even think of getting a medicare supplement plan. Although a person will receive medical benefits from medicare plans, these may not be able to cover all their medical bills. With Medigap insurance, that gap between one's medicare coverage and actual hospital bill can be filled.

There are actually new insurance plans waiting to be added to the existing supplemental plans available. These new insurance policies will require a beneficiary to use his own money first before a Medigap plan can cover the rest of the bills. Here are few of the out-of-pocket expenses to be shouldered by the plan:

1. Hospital Admittance Copay - $50

2. Medicare Part B Deductible - $155 per calendar year

3. Co-pay for Doctor's visits - Up to $20 per visit

Another new plan, which is to be offered only in selected states, will require policy holders to pay through a cost-sharing scheme which will have out-of-pocket expenses of:

1. Part A Deductible - 50% of $1100 (In 2010)

2. Part B Deductible - $155 annual per calendar year

After the beneficiary pays the out-of-pocket expenses, this new Medigap plan will pay the rest of the expenses.

Some insurance companies offer help by determining what plan would best fit you. They will be the one to check for your eligibility to help you get the most out of the plan while possibly saving you a good amount of money.

If you find these details to be too complicated, find an insurance agent you can consult so can be properly educated on the things that will make a difference as you decide which plan to purchase. You can do your research on the Internet but sometimes, it takes a real live human being you can talk to and actually ask questions so you can be enlightened on any doubts or concerns on which you may need to seek professional opinion. Sometimes, consulting an expert will need you to pay a reasonable fee but this should not be a problem as the benefits you get from expert advice will be rather small compared to the security you get.

View the original article here

Facts About Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare supplement insurance is a highly recommended purchase for most seniors but some of the details surrounding it are confusing. If you are acting on the basis of incorrect information it could hurt you down the road, so be armed with the most important things you need to know about it before you make a purchase.

Insurance plans like these also go by the name Medigap because they aim to take care of the things Medicare does not cover. Hence, they bridge the gaps. You will pay an additional amount to get this type of policy on top of your Medicare premiums. Also, you must first have Medicare Parts A & B before you can purchase a supplemental policy.

Keep in mind that your Medigap policy does not cover your spouse. If you both need coverage, you will have to buy two separate policies. This confuses some people because traditional insurance often does cover spouses.

Government regulations have made the twelve plans offered as Medicare gap coverage standardized. What this means is that while there is a choice between 12 different plans, the plan you choose will be the same no matter which company you buy it from. Any company that tells you their plan A offers more benefits than their competitor's plan A is lying.

It pays to check with a lot of different companies before committing to any individual plan. This is because not all companies carry all 12 plans, so an insurance agent may be steering his or her customers towards one of the plans that company offers when a different plan might be preferable for you.

You may not realize it but current law states that anyone can get prescription plan coverage through Medicare. This was not always true in the past, but because it is now, you cannot get prescription coverage from Medigap because there is not a gap. If you do not have prescription coverage through Medicare their website will tell you what you need to do to fix this problem.

Also, beware of anyone who tries to sell you additional Medicare supplement insurance if you already have this type of policy in place. US law states that it is an offense to try to sell additional policies of this type, as the plans offer a wide range of benefit options and as long as you choose the right plan, a second plan would be totally unnecessary.

View the original article here

All You Need to Know Regarding Medicare Supplement Insurance

Before you buy Medicare supplement insurance there are a few facts you should be armed with in order to get the best choice possible. This type of insurance is very helpful to seniors but lack of understanding of how it is structured can cost you money in the long run. If armed with the facts, you should be able to choose a policy that suits you without adding unnecessary cost.

Policy premiums for this type of gap insurance will be in addition to whatever you are paying now for Medicare. You need to already have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B before you can get a gap policy. For this reason, supplemental insurance like this is called Medigap because it covers whatever is not covered by your Medicare Parts.

If you are married and your spouse needs coverage as well, you will have to get a policy for each of you. Some people mistakenly believe that they are purchasing a policy which will also cover their wife or husband, but these policies are intended for individuals.

Medigap policies are divided into Plans A-L, and each plan provides a different level of coverage. However, what each plan provides is standard across the board for all insurance companies. In other words, company number one's plan B will be the same as the plan B that company number two provides.

What may be different, however is the price. The insurance companies are allowed to charge whatever they want for any individual plan. For this reason, you should definitely get several quotes in order to assure you are getting the best price. Also, the companies do not have to sell all twelve plans, so if you are being steered towards one in particular you may want to check with another company to see if a different plan might suit you better.

Do not purchase Medigap insurance hoping that it will cover your prescription costs because it will not. Medicare now makes prescription coverage available to all users so if you do not have this coverage in place, you need to get it through Medicare, not gap insurance. The Medicare website has instructions on how to rectify this issue.

US law governs the selling practices of insurance policies, and there are restrictions in place regarding Medicare supplement insurance. One example is that it is illegal to sell any individual more than one gap insurance policy because only one is necessary and they are the same benefits no matter which company you buy from. Do not try to purchase more than one supplemental insurance policy for Medicare, because it is totally unnecessary.

View the original article here

Are You Looking For a Medicare Supplemental Comparison?

You should do a medicare supplemental comparison on a regular basis. This is the supplement insurance coverage that pays for your medical bills, the portion not covered by your Medicare plan. Do not go without this insurance plan. It will pay the twenty percent of your medical costs not paid for under Medicare.

You can find some plans that will even pay the Medicare Part A and Part B deductible. As you can already see, this supplemental insurance has to be part of your financial planning because if you do not have it, you could face an enormous out of pocket health care bill.

You need to compare plans if you do not have a plan in place, or if you do have a plan, but have not looked at the price of other plans available. If you are in good health, then great. However, make sure you have this plan to cover you for the unknown. You do not know what the future holds. Twenty percent might not seem like a lot to pay when it comes to medical coverage, but you could be ruined financially if you need major surgery or other expensive medical care.

Do not try to save money by not purchasing this plan. By law, each company has to offer standardized coverage, but each company is free to charge different rates. So you have to shop for the best premium price that fits your budget. No one has to tell you that health care cost is on the rise. This plan will protect you from rising health care cost.

It is much simpler to compare plans than it was a few years ago. It less confusing to compare your options and you do not have to listen to a sales pitch each time you ask for information. So there is no excuse for not comparing your choices.

You can find all the information you need to make your decision, on the internet. In the past, you would have to call each individual company. And you would have to listen to a sales pitch and sometimes you would be pressured into buying from that particular company.

You can now find all the information you need in order to make an educated decision in one place. You can even find online, an independent insurance broker who will help you choose the plan best priced for your budget

View the original article here

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage - Medicare Complete Or Medicare Direct?

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage choices

You have a lot of options when comparing Medicare Advantage plans. Some plans are recognizable because they have a presence nationally and others may not because they are offered in limited service areas.

Secure Horizons is a division of United Health Care and offers Advantage plans, Medicare supplements and Part D Drug coverage for people with Medicare. Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plans are popular because of the variety of options offered nationally and having plans that are, at the same time both, affordable and benefit rich.

Types of plans

Medicare Advantage plans are typically categorized by two criteria, first what type, (if any) network is required and whether or not the plan includes Part D drug coverage.

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage

View the Original article

Avoid Rising Health Care Costs With Medigap Insurance

New York medicare supplement coverage is a health insurance and it is generally sold by the private insurance companies. Their basic intention is to cover the gaps in expenses which are not covered by original medicare. There are 10 standardized medicare supplement plans that are currently available in New york, they are labeled A through N.

Though every Medicare insurer offers both the categories A and B, all the insurance companies do not cover all the standard plans of this coverage. Every standard supplement policy is bound to provide the basic core benefits like covering the cost of some of the Medicare co-payments and may be some other deductibles. Some of the companies offer some extra benefits which can be foreign travel and care taken during emergency or recovery care taken at home.

If a person wants to become eligible for medicare coverage in New York, then he will have to enroll in both Part A and B. The state law states that the insurance company will have to accept an enrollment application for coverage throughout the year.

The insurance company cannot deny any such enrollment application and also while making premium calculations the health condition of the individual or his claim history or medical condition cannot be considered as a factor.

Experts feel that New York citizens above the age of 65 must purchase a medicare supplement. Choosing the most suitable plan for you from the right company is really a very tricky matter. It has been seen that the premium may vary by a few hundred dollars from one company to another for the same set of coverage. It has also been seen that rates are varying due to factors like age and gender and the amount of coverage you need. There is no point in delaying taking the policy as in that case rates generally go up.

Let us consider the case of a person paying original medicare (Part A and B) and then having a Medicare supplement policy. At the first level, Medicare will pay their share of the approved amounts and Medicare supplement will pay for the rest of the health care cost of the individual. The medicare insurance policies need to be clearly noted as Medicare Supplement Insurance.

The benefits offered by New York supplement coverage policies are many. Some of them can be mentioned as inpatient hospital care, medical costs and first three pints of blood needed every year. But if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, there is no need to buy a medicare supplement.

View the original article here

Find Out More About the Medicare Drug Program

Original Medicare prescription plan A and B do not cover current costs, which is why they now offer Medigap supplemental policies to fill in the gaps of those original policies. There are range of twelve different policies so it is important to make the right choice.

Policies such as Plan L cover up to 75 per cent of out patient costs, so it is important to see if you are eligible for these policies as they could help save you a lot of money. With the exception of Medicare Prescription drug plans, many insurance companies can not offer these plans, so it is important to check with your employer, union or current insurance company to see if any switches are possible.

If you have an original Plan A or B coverage, you can add a Medigap policy. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can not have and do not need a Medigap policy. You can get Part D prescription plans through these however. Medigap policies do not cover things like prescription glasses, hearing aids or private duty nursing, so it is important to check your individual needs before taking one out.

It is important to check what Medicare plans are available in your local area. Remember, Medicare policies are chosen by private insurance companies, so they will decide what they choose to offer.

Furthermore if you have a spouse or partner, they must have a separate Medigap policy, your policy will not cover their costs.

Remember all Medigap policies must have the same benefits in order to be comparable. An insurance company may charge more for the same policy or for different benefits, so it is important to check your individual needs against any policy. In some cases you must be able to get a Medigap policy regardless of health problems. In other cases, what may be on offer will vary from state to state so it is vital to check before making your choice.

There are three different ways in which a Medigap supplement will be issued. One is based on attained age, with the premiums increasing as you get older. Another is an issue age policy, based on the day in which you enrolled. Finally there are community rated policies, based on geographical area regardless of age. All policy premiums are affected by market forces, so there is no real fixed rate policy.

Like any purchase, it is important to compare and contrast what different companies can offer you. With the right choice, you can get the policy that is best for you.

View the original article here

Now That You're Turning 65, You Need a Medicare Policy - Do You Even Know Where to Begin?

1. Now that you are about to go on Medicare even though you will have Medicare you need to know that Medicare A and Part B only covers 80 percent of "their" approved amount. Which leaves you paying the other 20 percent. That is why you will need to seek out a Trusted Insurance agent or preferably a Trusted Broker. Especially now that the new Health care bill passed, as the government plans on paying for the new health care program by taking over 500 Billion dollars from Medicare over time to pay for the new plan. This can and probably will adversely affect yours and my future Medicare benefits.

2. If you are just turning 65 you should know that you do not have to qualify medically to obtain a Medicare supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. (Please look for my other articles on the differences between Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans), this would be very important information to know!

3. If an agent/broker has sold for a long time in my opinion over ten years, and they have been able to make a comfortable living doing so then they have to know what they are doing and are taking good care of their clients. You would want to deal with someone that you can reach easily by email or phone when a question or problem comes up.

4. One way you can check on how long they have been licensed is to contact your local Department of insurance. They have all the licensing records on all agents as well as any complaints or sanctions. I shouldn't have to tell you that if you check and find out they have a complaint even one or sanctions stay clear of that person!

5. Does he/she seem more concerned about pushing a certain product on you before they have qualified your needs? If so, move on fast! In fact RUN! If an agent cannot give you the respect and time to get to know you and your needs then they only look at you as a dollar sign. Pure and Simple, but one that will insist on a sit down appointment to take the time to ask important questions so they know where and what companies that will fit your needs, that is an agent you want in your corner!

6. You want "your" broker/agent to take the time to ask questions about your life style, your family, your future goals, then that is someone that probably is trying to get to know you well enough to suggest some good plans that will fit you, your needs, and lifestyle.

7. Because Medicare Advantage plans and Drug plans change each year, you need an experienced agent that keeps up with all of the changes in Medicare regulations. You will also want a company that your doctors and clinics in your area will accept. Of course this can change daily, "golden rule", remember that any doctor any time can choose to not take Medicare patients or certain Medicare plans. So always check with your main doctor to be sure the plan your are leaning towards will accept the plan. A good Insurance Broker will usually check this out for you.

Find your Free Newsletter here for more valuable Insurance tips before you buy: http://www.trackingyourfuture.com/
Jacque Smith has been an Independent Insurance Agent for over 16 years. She has helped thousands of people including Seniors choose the right Insurance plan for them. Whether it be Life Insurance, Health, or Medicare Insurance she has always put the clients needs before her own.

Jacque also has done a great deal of voluntary work in the Senior community in her city. The experiences and joy of being able to meet new people every day is what has kept Jacque in the Insurance Industry.

For help in finding an Experienced agent- broker like Jacque in your area go here: http://www.myinsurancetrack.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacque_Smith

View the original article here

Part B Supplement to Medicare Coverage

If you have Medicare, you must be enrolled in Parts A and B. Part B has a standard rate for most of those insured, but if your modified adjusted gross income per your tax return from 2 years ago is above a pre-set amount, you may have to pay more. Social Security (SS) will do this calculation in order to figure your premium cost, but basically, your modified adjusted gross income is your tax exempt interest income added to your taxable income. Social Security will notify you if you are required to pay more for your Part B benefits. If you disagree, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. Also be aware that if you do not sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment fee.

You are eligible for Part B coverage:

When you start receiving Social Security benefits or benefits from the RRB (Railroad Retirement Board). For most people, automatic coverage starts the first day of the month that you turn 65. For those whose birthdays fall on the first of the month, part B will be in place the first day of the month prior to your 65th birthday.If you become disabled under the age of 65 you will automatically get Part B coverage once you have received SS or RRB benefits for a period of 24 months. You will either get your Medicare card in the mail about 3 months before your 65th birthday or at the beginning of the 25th month of your disability.If you are diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a.k.a. Lou Gehrig 's disease, you will automatically be enrolled in Part B on the first month that your disability begins.

Part B covers medically necessary services that are required in order to diagnose or treat a medical condition. These services must almost meet the accepted standards of medical practice. If the service is considered 'experimental' or is not an accepted standard, your claim will not be allowed. It is your doctor's or the testing facility's responsibility to inform you if either of these conditions are present for a procedure or testing.

Part B also covers many preventive services. These services have been proven to either prevent an illness or to detect it at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Some of the preventive services covered include:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ScreeningBone Mass MeasurementCardiovascular ScreeningsColon Cancer ScreeningDiabetes ScreeningsSelf-Management Diabetes TrainingEKG ScreeningFlu ShotsGlaucoma TestsHepatitis B ShotsHIV ScreeningMammogramsNutritional Therapy ServicesPap and Pelvic Exams for Cervical and Vaginal Cancer ScreeningPneumococcal ShotSmoking Cessation CounselingThe "Welcome to Medicare" one-time physical exam

Only some of these will be covered 100% and many of them require a referral, so referring to the Medicare & You Handbook or consulting with the Medicare professionals at your doctor's office is recommended. Also keep in mind that in many cases your deductible must be met before payment will be made by Medicare and that some of these procedures or tests are only allowed so often.

Being well informed is the best way to not only manage your health care needs, but to be fully aware of the costs associated with your medical care. If you live on a fixed income and have trouble being able to afford your medical care, check with your local county health office for alternatives or with your local Department of Human Services or similar entity. Many of the larger drug companies even have programs by which all or part of your RX costs can be covered if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask and you may be surprised at the ease with which your health care can be managed.

View the original article here

What Does Medicare Supplemental Insurance Cover?

Medicare is America's largest healthcare program sponsored by the government, and provides coverage to close to 44 million Americans who have qualified for enrollment in the program. Though coverage is provided for most of the medical expenses, there are some expenses which are left uncovered by the program. Hence, the participants who have Medicare coverage should know the aspects that are covered and those left uncovered so that they can opt for Supplemental medical insurance to cover the additional expenses incurred.

Before enrolling for Medicare Supplemental insurance, the individual must know the current health plan they have enrolled for. The health plans that the participants will have are Medicare Part A or Part B.

Medicare Part A - Gaps

Since the Part A plan covers expenses incurred due to inpatient care, hospital fees, nursing services, hospice services and home health care, this plan is called the hospital plan. The drawback is that there are a significant number of gaps in this plan, since many costs are not covered under it.
There is a hospital deductable for every new illness which during 2009 stood at $1,068There are coinsurance payments applicable for the hospital charges. Once the deductible amount has been paid, the plan will cover the hospital costs for 60 days and post that for the next 30 days, from day 61 to day 90, a coinsurance of $267 had to be paid by the participant as coinsurance in 2009. The payment for the next 60 days, from day 91 to day 150, the coinsurance payment in 2009 was $534.The cost of staying in the hospital after 150 days has to be borne by the participant completely.Skilled nursing facilities also involve coinsurance payments post a certain time limit. While the plan will cover the complete costs for this in full for the first 20 days, a daily coinsurance payment of $133.50 was applicable for this service in 2009.Coverage for full time home health services.Coverage for home health services when not provided by skilled professionals.Medicare Part B - Gaps

This plan that provides coverage for many outpatient services and physician fees is also called the Supplemental Medicare Insurance. Prosthetic devices, and durable medical equipment are covered under this plan. The gaps in this plan are as follows.
There is an annual deductible which has to be paid before availing coverage under Plan B. The annual deductible payment for 2009 was $135.There is a coinsurance payment of 20% applicable since this plan will reimburse only 80% of the total costs incurred under approved services.A portion of the bill which is not covered by the Medicare Plan B should be paid by the participants.Filling the gaps in Medicare coverage

It is recommended that the participant ensures comprehensive health coverage by opting to close the gaps in the current plan they hold. The options that one has to close the gaps are as follows.
Opting for programs like Medicaid, Special Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program, Qualified Medical Beneficiary Program and Qualified Individual Program, all of which come under the umbrella of Government programs.Group retirement policies which are non-standardized.Medicare Supplement Plans, issued prior to July 31, 1992 which are non- standardized plans.Medicare Supplement Plans, issued post July 31, 1992 which are standardized plans.? Prior to enrolling in these plans, it is recommended that consumers get free Medicare quotes to compare prices.It is important for participants to know that people who have Medicaid need not obtain Medigap insurance since the former will cover their healthcare expenses. QMB? can be acquired by people who are within the 100% poverty level set by the federal government and not eligible for Medicaid. This plan will cover their annual deductibles, coinsurance payments and Medicare premiums.

All people should be aware of the gaps in their policy and avail the best possible option to cover these gaps to ensure they are fully covered in case of medical emergencies.

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage - Medicare Complete Or Medicare Direct?

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage choices

You have a lot of options when comparing Medicare Advantage plans. Some plans are recognizable because they have a presence nationally and others may not because they are offered in limited service areas.

Secure Horizons is a division of United Health Care and offers Advantage plans, Medicare supplements and Part D Drug coverage for people with Medicare. Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plans are popular because of the variety of options offered nationally and having plans that are, at the same time both, affordable and benefit rich.

Types of plans

Medicare Advantage plans are typically categorized by two criteria, first what type, (if any) network is required and whether or not the plan includes Part D drug coverage.

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage? include all types of plans in relation to network status.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)Health Maintenance Organization -? Point of Service (HMO_POS)

All plan types have options that both, include Part D drug coverage and medical only benefits.

HMO, PPO and HMO-POS? are branded as Medicare Complete.PFFS is branded as Medicare Direct.

Not all options are available in all service areas and some may not be renewed for the coming year. Advantage plans are available as annual plans and insurance carries that offer Advantage, contract with The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to offer a particular option for the calendar year.

Looking at Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plan differences

HMO, PPO and HMO-POS plans are all network based plans. PFFS plans do not require a network and members are not required to choose a plan doctor.

The PPO plans will generally afford the member more freedom of choice. As a PPO member, you can choose to receive your services from either a network provider or go out-of-network to receive services. If you use a network provider, you will generally have lower cost sharing for co-pays and co-insurance.

The primary benefit of the HMO is the lower cost sharing by using network providers. HMO plans often have additional benefits that may not be found in other types of plans. HMO plans are often available in metropolitan areas with a greater population and a comprehensive provider network. Make sure that you are comfortable with the provider network before you choose this type of plan.

PFFS plans allow you to choose any provider that accepts Medicare assignment, and as long as the provider accepts the plans payment terms and conditions. The provider is able to accept the plan on a visit-by-visit basis.

Beginning in 2011, all companies marketing PFFS plans will be required to give those plan members access to a provider network. This has had many companies either leave the PFFS market or announce that they will non-renew plans for the following year.

If you have a PFFS plan from Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage or any other carrier, be sure to watch your mail to see if your plan is one that will not be available the following year. Too many people just assume that their plan will renew only to find out that they have lost their coverage when they attempt to use it the following year.

No matter what type of Advantage plan you have, when it comes time to renew, taking a look at Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plans may be worth your time. Just be aware of the type of plan that you are enrolling in so you don't have any surprises when it comes time to receive your benefits.

View the original article here

National Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Medicare supplemental insurance is one of the many types of private insurance plans for health that are intended to provide a supplement for the original plans in Medicare. If this insurance plan covers you, it will pay off some of the costs you will incur in seeking healthcare. Most of these costs are not covered by the initial policy that you took.

Medicare supplements are very important. This is because we all find that we need health care and medication at some point in time. Hence the reason why we need to insure ourselves so that in the eventuality that we become sick, get admitted into hospital or have other medical needs, we will not have to look for money. The insurance plan will cover all the incurred costs to enable our quick recovering by providing the best medical services possible under our cover.

These plans, however, only pay for cases which they deem to be most necessary, medically speaking. The premiums for each insurance policy will vary. However, they are determined using three primary methods.
First, the policy writers will check the age that has been attained. This contains the lowest premiums especially for senior citizens over the age of 65 years. The older you get, the higher the premiums. Adjustments are normally made annually, after 3 years or 5 years. The adjustments also entail inflation that also increases the premiums to be paid.

The age of issuance is also another method that is factored in to the premiums to be paid by the insured. This is where the premiums are chiefly based on how old you were when you purchased that insurance cover. The premiums do not increase the older you grow. They will only increase due to the adjustments that the supplement makes to factor in the inflation.

The final method that is used to determine the premiums that you will pay is the community rated method. With this method, everyone who is found within the same geographical location will pay standardized premiums. This is regardless of their age.

To conclude, after you have picked to plan that suits you best, ensure you purchase the policy for supplement of your Medicare that has the lowest premiums. It may prove expensive at first but the premiums will not increase each year as you grow older.

View the original article here

Medicare Supplemental Insurance - All About Part A

Medicare and all of its parts, from A through L, provide different coverage at different costs. Navigating the Medicare map can be almost impossible for people that are aging and dependent upon this care, leaving them befuddled and uncertain about what will be covered by what part and even if that coverage is something they have. Many seniors are filing medical bankruptcy, regardless of their Medicare coverage, because they didn't have what they thought they had or couldn't afford to pay for the higher care plan, which resulted in humongous hospital bills.

So, what does Medicare Part A cover? This is one kind of hospital insurance that covers inpatient care in critical access hospitals, nursing homes, hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Certain people may meet the requirements for hospice or home health care, but even those explanations are impossible for many to understand and unless they have someone who is their advocate, will not avail themselves of these services. Part A does not, however, include long-term or custodial care.

Many seniors are also surprised at medical bills they receive when first being treated under Medicare. They unexpectedly find that not only does Medicare not cover everything; it doesn't, in many cases, cover the total cost of 'covered' services or supplies. Coverage amounts are based completely on which plan you have and Part A only covers 'medically necessary' services and there are rules and regulations at every turn.

Medicare, Part A, for instance, will cover blood transfusions that are received during a 'covered' stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. And, Part A also covers hospital stays, including miscellaneous hospital services, meals, general nursing requirements, a semi-private room and miscellaneous hospital supplies. But...a hospital stay must be at least 72 hours (3 days) and the time does not begin until the first midnight after admission and does not include any hours on the day that you are discharged. WHAT? If you are admitted at 12:05 a.m., your time does not start until the following midnight, and then you have to stay a full 72 hours, not including any of the hours on the day you are discharged. Let's do the math here. You will spend 23 hours and 55 minutes in the hospital until such time as your Medicare allowable time will start. Then, you have to stay 3-24 hour periods before you can even think about being discharged, which takes you to 12:05 a.m. on the 4th day following your admission, and then you can't be discharged until after midnight the following night because otherwise the 23 hours and 55 minutes on the 4th day following your admission will disqualify you for Medicare, Part A benefits by 5 minutes. And the hospitals are griping about how little they receive in benefits, when under this plan, they were able to keep the patient for 5 days rather than 3? And let's reiterate here: blood transfusions are only covered during a 'covered' hospital stay. By the way, you can also be covered for up to 190 days in a mental care facility (in your lifetime, on Medicare, Part A), which you will need once you've tried to figure Part A out.

On to Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities. Your requirement for these services must be associated with a diagnosis obtained during a hospital stay. It is unclear if the 'covered' hospital stay language is in effect here. Anyway, say you have a stroke and then need rehabilitative care in one of these facilities. Medicare will allow you up to 100 days-in a benefit period. Medicare will gladly pay the first 20 days in full, but the rest of the time, up to 80 additional days, will require co-payment, which can add up to quite a few dollars. You're really lucky if you have your stroke on September 22nd (September 21st in leap years) because then you can stay to the end of the year and start a new benefit period and get an additional 100 days. Oh, wait a minute...maybe you have to have your stroke 5 days earlier so that your hospital stay is a 'covered' one. I think more research may be required.

Home Health Services are also covered, but include only limited 'reasonable' and only 'medically necessary' part-time care. It also includes services such as occupational or physical therapy, speech/language pathology, skilled nursing care, home health aide service and medical social services. As long as it is 'medically necessary' and 'reasonable' Medicare will also cover certain medical equipment for home use, such as wheelchairs, oxygen, walkers and hospital beds. There is no mention of toilet seat risers or shower seats, so you will probably have to buy them yourself, though gauze, bandages and other medical supplies will be covered.

Hospice Care is only for the terminally ill with 6 months, or less, to live. Medicare, Part A will not cover your care in a hospice center, but will cover a hospice caregiver that comes to your home. Drugs to provide pain relief and to control symptoms will be covered, though this may be reviewed since Medicare does not cover prescription drugs. Support and medical services and other services are also covered as is additional care in order to give the usual caregiver a time of rest. The hospice care agency must be Medicare-approved and be aware that there are many services provided by hospice that Medicare Part A does not cover.

If you are totally confused about Part A, you are not alone. As baby boomers become golden boomers, the numbers of Medicare-confused seniors will continue to rise. Maybe it's time for some real people, rather than politicians and bureaucrats, to look at the wasted money (5 day hospital stay instead of 3) that occurs throughout the system and to make this system that is supposed to help seniors more user-friendly and able to provide more for less.

View the original article here

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Comparison

One of the most hotly contested debates in the country today revolves around Medicare reform. It is certainly no secret that Medicare alone is not sufficient to cover all of our health care needs. Medicare supplement insurance is one step the government has taken in order to address the need for more medical coverage for the average person at as low a price as possible.

The twelve Medigap plans have been put into place in order to help close the gaps in the standard Medicare package. These 12 plans have been named "Medigap Plan A" through to "Medigap Plan L." Not all of them are available in every state, but there are twelve in total.

It is very important that you understand from the outset that they are called "plans, " because Medicare comes in two different "parts." Part A is the basic Medicare health package, while Part B must be paid for in monthly premiums. Bear this in mind for two important reasons.

When you start looking into Medigap plans, you will discover that it is generally necessary to first purchase Medicare Part B before you can qualify for Medigap plans. One of these plans is "Plan B." It is not the same as Medicare Part B.

Another aspect of this that sometimes creates confusion and misunderstanding is that when you purchase a Medigap plan, that does not exempt you from also paying for your Medicare Part B policy. You must pay these two separate premiums separately. Sometimes people get the mistaken impression that if they opt for the gap program's "Plan B, " they no longer have to participate in Medicare's "Part B."

Another thing to remember is that the Medicare supplement packages are the same. Whatever plan you choose will be the same, whoever you purchase it from. Your first order of business, therefore, is to understand what is included in the plans and to choose the one that is right for you. If you choose a more comprehensive plan, such as Plan J, is will naturally cost more than Plan B, for instance, but even so, one insurance company may charge more or less for it than another. Insurance companies are not bound by law to charge the same premium for the same policy.

For this reason, choose your plan first and only then do your price comparing through the different insurance companies. If you want Plan J, you know that no matter which company you get it from, it will be the policy you want, though one company may offer it to you cheaper than another.

Keep these facts about Medicare Supplement Insurance firmly in mind when you start comparing prices. This way, you can save money on your Medigap insurance and get the coverage you need.

View the original article here

Medicare Part D Insurance - An Insurance Plan That Covers Prescription Drugs

It is humanly impossible for anyone to know all there is to know, the same can be said about the world of insurance. There are various kinds of insurance; however, we are looking at Medicare part D insurance. If you are not armed with information regarding Medicare part D insurance read on to educate yourself on the same. When it comes to Medicare part D insurance one should be sober minded and not get carried away with all the various options. In reality Medicare part D insurance is related to the prescription drug part of the program. In order to be actively involved in any of these insurance plans a person needs to first establish the fact of eligibility. One should bear in mind that there is no stringency when it comes to sign up for any part of the program, it is human nature to experience agitation, and a person always tends to foresee medical expenses. Due to this foresight many are being lead to sign up for Medicare part D insurance. If you qualify for part A and B then automatically you will qualify for the Medicare part D insurance coverage as well.

Regardless of whether you are enjoying the best of health presently you should consider enrolling for the part D insurance as this will come handy if at all there are high medical expenditures in the future. It will be possible for you to get help through the co-payments and premiums. However, if you neglect to enroll in the initial stages you are liable to pay a penalty if you intend to enroll at a later stage. Remember that some of these Medicare options extend to future needs as well as current ones, if at all you have coverage in the present time you can keep that as well. The benefits of enrolling for the plan as early as possible lower the monthly premiums, co-pays are taken away and the waiving of deductibles. The downside of not qualifying for additional help where costs are concerned a person is held responsible for the yearly deductibles, respective co-insurance amounts for prescriptions and monthly premiums. It would be wise on your part if you opt for plans that have a low yearly cost. Co-payments, premiums and deductibles as well as any other cost that needs to be paid over the coverage gap, the gap that is being spoken about here is the amount of prescription expenditure that is shelled out by an individual after exceeding the benefit amount due per year has been exhausted.

When it comes to the Plan D insurance plan there are certain drugs that are covered by the same, other supplement plans are available and help a person pay for prescribed drugs. The supplement plans later help pay for generic drugs or brand names. It is clearly mentioned in every Medicare part D insurance plan as to how much a person is liable to pay for a particular drug or if they are restricted from the same. It is imperative that you scrutinize each Medicare part D insurance plan and find the one that covers a wide range of prescription drugs.

View the original article here

How Much Does Medicare Part A Pay?

Most of us know that The Part A program provides compensation for healthcare or medically needed services for hospitalization, however there are certain caps in benefits you should be aware of in order to make precautionary arrangements. To conceptually grasp and understand Part A, you need basic information about the programs payment allocation, for hospitals, nursing facility, or home health care, as well as benefit periods and coinsurance amounts. How much Medicare Part A pays depends on how many days of inpatient care you have during what is called a benefit period or spell of illness.

A benefit period or spell of illness refers to the time you are treated in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, or some combination of the two. The benefit period begins the day you enter the hospital or skilled nursing facility as an inpatient, and continues until you have been out for 60 consecutive days. If you are in and out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility several times but have not stayed out completely for 60 consecutive days, all your inpatient bills for that time will be figured as part of the same benefit period.

Hospital Reimbursement.

Medicare Part A pays only certain amounts of hospitalization for any one benefit period.

The Deductible.

For each benefit period, you must pay an additional amount before Medicare will pay anything. This is called the hospital insurance deductible. The deductible is increased every January.

First 60 Days.

For the first 60 days you are an inpatient in a hospital during one benefit period, Part A hospital insurance pays all of the cost of covered services. However, non-essentials, such as televisions and telephones, are not covered. You pay only your hospital insurance deductible within this time frame. If you are in more than one hospital, you still pay only one deductible per benefit period and Part A covers 100% of all your covered cost for each hospital.

Days 61 - 90.

After your 60th day in the hospital during one spell of illness, and through your 90th day, each day you must pay what is called a coinsurance amount toward your covered hospital cost. Part A of Medicare pays the rest of covered cost.

Reserve Days

Reserve days are a last resort coverage. They can help pay for your hospital bills if you are in the hospital more than 90 days in one benefit period, however the payment is quite limited. If you are in the hospital for more than 90 days in any one spell of illness, you can use up to 60 additional reserve days of coverage. During those days, you are responsible for a daily coinsurance payment. You do not have to use your reserve days in one spell of illness, however you can split them up and use them over several benefit periods. You have a total of only 60 reserve days in your lifetime. Whatever reserve days you use during one spell of illness are gone for good. In the next benefit period, you would have available only the number of reserve days you did not use in previous spells of illness.

Psychiatric Hospitals.

Medicare Part A hospital insurance covers a total of 190 days in a lifetime for inpatient care in a specialty psychiatric hospital. If you are already an inpatient in a specialty psychiatric hospital when your Medicare coverage goes into effect, Medicare may retroactively cover you for up to 150 days of hospitalization before your coverage began. In all other ways, inpatient psychiatric care is governed by the same rules regarding coverage and co-payments as standard hospital care. There is no lifetime limit on coverage for inpatient mental health care in a general hospital. Medicare will pay for mental health care in a general hospital to the same extent as it will pay for other inpatient care.

Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Despite the common misconception that nursing homes are covered by Medicare, the truth is that it only covers a limited amount of inpatient nursing care.

For each benefit period, Medicare will cover only a total of 100 days of inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility. For the first 20 of 100 days, Medicare will pay for all covered cost, which will include all basic services excluding television, telephone, or private room charges. For the following 80 days, the patient is personally responsible for a daily co-payment; Medicare pays the rest of covered cost. Reserve days, available for hospital coverage, do not apply to a stay in nursing facility. After 100 days in any benefit period, you are on your own as far as Part A hospital insurance is concerned. However, if you later begin a new benefit period, your first 100 days in a skilled nursing facility will again be covered.

Home Health Care.

Medicare Part A pays 100% of the cost of your covered home health care when provided by a Medicare approved agency, and there is no limit on the number of visits to your home for which Medicare will pay. Medicare will also pay for the initial evaluation by a home care agency, if prescribed by your physician, to determine whether you are a good candidate for home care. However, if you require durable medical equipment, such as a special bed or wheel chair, as part of your home care, Medicare will pay only 80%.

Hospice Care.

Medicare pays 100% of the charges for hospice care, with two exceptions. First, the hospice can charge the patient up to $5.00 for each prescription of outpatient drugs the hospice supplies for pain and other symptomatic relief. Second, the hospice can charge the patient 5% of the amount Medicare pays for inpatient care in a hospice, nursing facility, or the like every time a patient receives respite care. There is no limit on the amount of hospice you can receive. At the end of the first 90 day period of hospice care, your doctor will evaluate you to determine whether you still qualify for hospice, meaning your disease is still considered fatal and you are still estimated to have less than 6 months to live. A similar evaluation is made after the next 90 day period, and again every 60 days thereafter. If your doctor certifies that you are eligible for hospice care, Medicare will continue to pay for it even if it exceeds the original six month diagnosis. And if your condition improves and you switch from hospice care back to regular Medicare coverage, you may return to hospice care whenever your condition warrants it.

By knowing exactly what Medicare Part A pays, an educated decision can me made as far supplementing the gaps.

If you would like more information on supplemental Medicare plans, please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com/ and leave your contact info. One of our licensed agents will contact you and provide assistance on this matter.

Carlos Diez is a senior benefits consultant for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that refers consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants and needs. He holds life, health, and annuity licenses in 48 states and is appointed with over 88 carriers. For contact information please reach him at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carlos_Diez

View the original article here

Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans, Understanding the Difference

Two main options exist when it comes to covering expenses not taken care of by straight Medicare. Medicare advantage plans and medicare medigap plans. Because there is a lot of confusion between the two I would like to address the main differences. Typically there are always exceptions to any rule so please check with your qualified representative to insure your best option.

Medicare advantage plans usually have premiums that are lower that medicare supplement plans. Additionally, prescription drug coverage is usually included in the plan. A medicare advantage plan is typically set up as an HMO which means you have to choose your primary care physician. If you need to go to a specialist a referral would be required. When care is provided on this type of plan there is usually a copay that needs to accompany the visit. Plans changes can only be done on these plans during open enrollment periods.

There are some medicare advantage plans that do provide a greater degree of flexibility in choosing doctors. Those types of plans would be considered PFFS or PPO plans. Both of these plans usually require a monthly premium.

Medicare supplement options work differently than medicare advantage plans. On a medicare supplement plan Medicare is your primary insurer and the medigap plan is what is called your secondary insurance. There are several types of medicare supplement plans. For explanation purposes I will concentrate on plan F.

On a medicare supplement plan you are not limited to having to have a primary care physician. You can go to any doctor (primary or specialist) that accepts medicare. This includes out of state coverage.

If medicare is your primary insurance you will need a part D (prescription drug plan) that will have to be purchased separately. The average cost of a plan D is $30.00 per month.

Changes on a medicare supplement plan may be made at anytime. However the company that you are switching to may require underwriting.

A medicare supplement plan F would take care of doctors office visits so no copay would be necessary. Additionally, there would be no hospital copay or deductible.

Because of the enhanced benefits there is a monthly premium required for medigap plans.

By providing details on the different available options my hope is that you can make an informed decision.

View the original article here

Medicare Part D Drug Coverage Explained For the Newbie

Medicare Part D provides some coverage for the cost of prescription medication on behalf of eligible dependents enrolled into the program. A familiarity of the basic concept will help make an educated and intelligent decision before purchasing the benefit which is after all offered through private insurance carriers. This article was created for those considering coverage and is intended to provide a conceptually easy way of understanding exactly what it can do for you.

Who is eligible.

If you are entitled to Medicare Part A or are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you may join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Participation is voluntary for most people. However, if you receive benefits through Medicaid you are automatically enrolled in a Part D plan in order to continue receiving prescription coverage.

Who Administers The Program?

Medicare operates the overall program, but you must choose one of the specific Part D drug plans offered by private insurance companies in your state. It is ultimately your decision to enroll directly with the carrier.

What Is The Cost For Participation?

Most people pay a monthly premium to the insurer. Premium dollar amounts may range $0.00 through $50.00 per month depending on the plans available within your geographic area and also on the particular level of benefits chosen.

What Is The Coverage?

All plans cover some, but not all, prescription drugs in every category of medication. Each plan has its formulary list in which consist of the specific prescriptions covered. The plan will pay its share only for drugs listed and purchased from a pharmacy or other distributor that participates in that plan.

How Much Is The Reimbursement or The Amount The Plan Pays?

For Basic Part D coverage there are four payment allocations which comprise of deductibles, partial coverage, coverage gaps, and catastrophic coverage.

Deductible: You pay for the first $295.00 per year of the total cost of your drugs. A few high premium plans waive this deductible.

Partial Coverage: Once your total yearly drug expenses reaches $295.00 and before it reaches $2,700.00, the plan pays 75% or you pay 25% of your drug cost. Your portion comes in the form of a copayment for each prescription. Your copayment may be higher for brand name drugs, or less for generics, depending on your plan.

Coverage Gap: more commonly referred to as "The Doughnut Hole". Once your total yearly drug expenses reaches the threshold of it's maximum allowable which is $2,700.00, you must pay the entire amount of your drug cost. Your plan generally pays no part of your prescription drug cost within this doughnut hole, although a few high premium plans may pay some portion of your cost.

Choosing The Right Plan.

Not all plans are alike, and choosing the best plan for you involves several steps. You must get the most comprehensive possible coverage of the drugs you take, with fewest restrictions on availability. You must also accomplish this means with the lowest overall out of pocket cost to you. This does not necessarily mean the lowest premiums or deductibles. Choosing the right plan can be a difficult and cumbersome endeavor, if you need assistance in this regard, please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and leave your contact information so one of our licensed insurance agents can help you with a no hassle quote and free consultation.

Carlos Diez is a senior benefits consultant for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that refers consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants and needs. He holds life, health, and annuity licenses in 48 states and is appointed with over 88 carriers. For contact information please reach him at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carlos_Diez

View the original article here