Medicare Supplemental Policies

Medicare supplement plans are also known as "Medigap insurance". It is private health insurance, which is designed to supplement the original Medicare plan.

In basic format, Medicare is a coverage plan that usually only covers up to 80% of all aspects of medical care for those that have this form of health coverage. The remainder of expenses are often required to be paid out of pocket from those that do not have any other type of coverage. This remaining 20% could be rather costly depending upon the types of health conditions and needs that are present with anyone under this type of plan.

Recently, there has been an increased awareness placed upon the costs that are out of pocket form those under this plan. With such, an increased focus on supplement insurance has been something that many people have been paying attention to. Understanding what this is and how to select the best provider could save a great deal of money.

There are actually a dozen forms of Medicare supplement insurance that exist today which all offer varying degrees of coverage options and protection. Basically, they are labeled A through L and all have varied costs and levels of coverage. Also, there are various co payment levels within these policies.

For those that wish to pay lower premiums, the Medicare Select plan is best for them. There are much lower premiums and co payments required and provide which are more suited for those with a lower budget. With this plan, there are very specific lists of doctors and specialists that are covered with this plan which could be rather restrictive.

One of the incredible benefits of this type of insurance is that it is very heavily regulated. Basically, this means that any level of protection purchased is the same across the spectrum of companies that offer them. Thus, shopping around is truly not very difficult to do at all.

When purchasing Medicare Supplement insurance, it is usually best to do so within the first six months of receiving Medicare. This is often because companies are unable to deny coverage based upon pre existing conditions.

What Is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D is the prescription drug coverage under the Medicare program. This medicare plan can be somewhat complicated. The best source of accurate information about the Medicare "part d" plan is the official government Medicare web site. Medicare, like many government programs, may seem complicated at first but if you take your time you will be able to understand what is going on. Part D is particularly a little bit quirky.

Part D must be purchased from private insurance companies and health maintenance organizations. Coverage in Part D is voluntary. There are many rules regarding when you can sign up for Part D. You might have to pay a fine if you do not enroll in the right time period.

Congress and President Obama passed significant health care reform on March 23, 2010. The law is called The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Health care reform attempted to address the problem with the so called "doughnut hole". The doughnut hole was a major flaw in this Gov't program.

Part D will pay 75% of prescription drugs after a deductible is met up to a certain limit. When the limit is reach the patient has to pay one hundred per cent for prescription drugs until another limit is reached. At this point medicare will pay for ninety-five per cent of drugs. These terms are done on an annual basis. Each year the patient is obligated to pay the deductible and the limits are reset.

There are many decisions a senior citizen must make regarding prescript drug insurance protection. There are many options to consider when deciding what type of prescription coverage you need. You must analyze your particular situation and making an informed assessment.

Because of the importance of these decisions, it is suggested that the senior citizen consult with a professional. Your CPA, insurance agent or other trusted professional may give you the financial guidance to assist you in making wise informed decisions. It is your responsibility to educate yourself about Medicare. The more you understand how these important federal programs work the better off you will be.

Social Security and Medicare are wonderful programs that are managed by our federal government. The success of these programs demonstrate that our federal government can have a positive effect on our lives. Although there are problems with Medicare, over time these problems will be addressed. Medicare Part D will be an important program that is helping millions of lives.

How Medicare Part D Helps You Pay For Your Mediation

The prescription drug plan sponsored by Medicare is called Medicare Part D. This plan helps senior citizens pay for their medication. There are strict rules stipulating when a senior can enroll in Part D. If you enroll late you may have to pay fine or late fee. You can read about Part D on the official government Medicare web site. Some people find the Part D drug prescription program difficult to understand. Medicare Part D is an important issue that senior citizens ought to be knowledgeable about.

Medicare part d insurance can only be bought from an insurance company or an health maintenance organization. Participation in Part D is strictly voluntary. There are many decisions to make in selecting a part d policy.

In March 23 of 2010, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted into law after a lengthy debate. This health care reform legislation takes some step to alleviate the problem of the Part D "doughnut hole". The doughnut hole is a major problem with the Part D prescription plan under Medicare.

After paying a $310 deductible, Part D coverage will pay 75% of prescription drugs until the total cost of prescription drugs reaches $2,830. At this point, you must pay 100% of the costs until your total cost out of pocket reaches $4,550. This period is called the doughnut hole. After $4,550 out-of-pocket expenses medicare will pay for 95% of the cost of your expenses. This is all done on an annual basis. Every year the deductible and your out-of-pocket total starts back at zero.

Selecting a Part D plan is a major decision a senior citizen must make. There are many aspects to consider with several options to be weighed when selecting any plan under Medicare. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, a health care expert is advised

Many experts recommend using a financial planner or some other qualified professional to help you choose a good Part D plan. You might want to talk to the health care providers you are currently using. If you have Medicare supplemental insurance, the company that sold you that plan may have a Part D plan that will coordinate with your current coverage.

Medicare, Medicare Part D and Social Security are excellent programs sponsored by the federal government. The success and popularity of these great programs are one example of the positive effect that democratic government can have on people's lives. No program is perfect but Medicare is always being improved and should serve our seniors well into the future.

Best Medicare Options 2013

Attention Medicare recipients, are you searching for the best option for 2013? Well, then Medicare Supplemental Insurance is the ideal solution. But what has made Medicare supplemental insurance, an inevitable thing? Of course, I can give solid answers for your question. Lots of debates and discussions are going on about the new health care reform bill because it is found that this new healthcare bill has failed to meet the needs and expectations of senior citizens (65 years and above). Now you might have understood why people are in a hurry to enroll their names in Medical supplemental insurance plans. The proven success and good history of records it holds are the other reasons that make Medicare supplemental insurance simply the best.

For people who are hearing this idea for the first time, here are some basic facts for your better understanding. Medicare insurance is designed to cover about 80% of the hospital expenses like hospitalizations, consultations and diagnosis tests. It is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and also for people under 65 with some disabilities and suffering from the end stage renal disease called Lou Gehrig. The Medicare supplemental insurance can be called as an amended plan as it fills the gaps and cons of the basic Medicare insurance plans. There are 12 existing Medicare supplemental plans labeled from A to L, also termed as Medigap. Each package has distinct coverage and features although all must cover the basic and specific Medicare benefits.

As said before, plans are labeled A through L and offer different benefits, at varying prices, that fill particular gaps in regular Medicare coverage. Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans K and L are similar to Plans A through J but have lower monthly premiums for higher out of pocket costs. All these plans are standardized by Medicare, which shows the equality among all the insurance companies in offering the services. Medicare Supplement Plan F will remain as the preferable choice, but Medicare Supplement Plan N can also be a great option for people who like Medicare Advantage plans and are in good health. Plan N will likely be very popular in 2013 as thousands of people are expected to make a shift from the Medicare advantage program back to original Medicare.

Find a company that specializes in Medicare plans to help you with these questions like Medicare insurance Phoenix. A broker is usually the best bet since they can sort down information for all of the companies and you can compare all insurance from one source. It sure to save your time and beats the alternative of contacting each individual company one at a time.

Author Description :

Timothy Terkander covers the healthcare industry. Specializing in Medicare insurance Phoenix and Medicare supplemental insurance for Phoenix area residents.

Article Source: http://business.ezinemark.com/medicare-changes-for-2011-31861de4e3b.html

Bipartisan Deficit Commision Unlikely To Make Big Medicare Changes

Topics: Health Costs, Medicare

Oct 01, 2010

National Journal: "For all of the attention surrounding President Obama's bipartisan commission on deficit reduction, the country's biggest cost centers — health care in general and Medicare specifically — will likely remain unscathed when the panel offers its recommendations in December. The reason is simple: When congressional Democrats crafted the health care reform package, which became law a little more than six months ago, they did so by squeezing Medicare as much as they could politically … The Democrats' nifty feat of taking out more than $500 billion from Medicare, mostly by reducing provider payments and changing how the system pays private health insurance companies, has handcuffed the Republican budget hawks who serve on the panel. The cuts have left them nibbling around the edges in an attempt to reduce the nation's $2.5 trillion health care tab" (DoBias, 10/2). This is part of Kaiser Health News' Daily Report - a summary of health policy coverage from more than 300 news organizations. The full summary of the day's news can be found here and you can sign up for e-mail subscriptions to the Daily Report here. In addition, our staff of reporters and correspondents file original stories each day, which you can find on our home page.

View the original article here

9 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Your Medicare Plan

More than 45 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicare and many of them are paying for a plan that is either too expensive or doesn't have the coverage they need. Each year, Medicare provides a window of opportunity for enrollees to reevaluate their healthcare coverage and to make any necessary changes or adjustments to their coverage. Each year that enrollment period starts on Nov. 15 and ends Dec. 31.

It is crucial that Medicare enrollees use this time to evaluate their coverage to ensure they are getting what they need at a price they can afford. Many people avoid this crucial step, fearing they will be unable to understand the legal and insurance industry jargon. Medicare plan selection services are available for these people. A Medicare plan selection service helps people find the best and most affordable Medicare plan based on their specific needs and circumstances. This service will help you evaluate your healthcare needs using expert knowledge of recent program changes and criteria that include the following 9 questions.

Do I need Medicare if I have private healthcare insurance?

You will use the same factors of cost and coverage when comparing private health insurance with Medicare. It is important that you speak with your private plan administrator before making any changes.
Should I use Traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) is ideal if you require frequent doctor visits and take prescription drugs. If your current medical condition only requires that you make routine medical visits and take few or no prescriptions, traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) with a prescription drug plan (Part D) may be a better choice.

Does my current plan cover prescription drugs?

Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover medications unless they're administered in a doctor's office or a hospital. If you require regular prescription medications, you will need to purchase a Part D plan for that coverage. If, however, you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may already receive prescription drug coverage.

How do I know if my prescription drugs are covered?

Every plan that offers prescription drug coverage has a list of covered medications called a formulary. This list can change each year, which makes it crucial that you or a professional Medicare plan selection service evaluate your coverage during the annual enrollment period. Failure to do so may cost you thousands of dollars in uncovered prescription medications.

What about gaps in coverage between different prescription medication plans?

For many individuals-whether in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage or a stand-alone prescription drug plan-there is a gap in coverage once they reach a certain out-of-pocket threshold. This is referred to as the donut hole.

A Medicare Advantage plan that offers prescription drug coverage provides a combination of services found in Parts A, B and D-your hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage. As far as traditional Medicare is concerned, the Part D coverage is separate-it can even have a separate deductible. So the rules Part D follows (including the donut hole) may be slightly different from the medical portion (Part B) of coverage.

For example, after your plan has paid a certain amount for your prescriptions, you will have to pay the full cost, up to $3,453.75 in 2009, before the plan will pay for your prescription costs again. That cost is prohibitive for many people on Medicare and makes the annual evaluation of your coverage much more important.

Can I keep seeing the same doctors?

Most doctors, hospitals, physical therapists and other healthcare providers accept traditional Medicare, which will allow you to continue seeing the same doctors if you choose to stick with traditional Medicare and a Part D plan. But, as with any other insurance, Medicare Advantage plans have a network of providers. If a doctor is outside that network, you may have to pay more. Before you join a Medicare plan, particularly a Medicare Advantage plan, you should determine if the doctors you see are part of that plan's network.

Will the plan cover dental and vision services?

Traditional Medicare does not cover dental, vision or health and wellness programs, but some Medicare Advantage plans do. To receive this type of coverage, you must evaluate the available Medicare Advantage plans for your needed dental and vision services. Again, the use of a Medicare plan selection service will provide further assurance that you will get the coverage you need.

How much is it going to cost me?

Traditional Medicare premiums are relatively inexpensive, but your deductibles and copayments or coinsurance costs may be higher than what you would pay with a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans may offer zero-dollar premiums and low copays. Some plans may even put a cap on total out-of-pocket costs. Your Medicare plan selection service can give you specific dollar amount and coverage information.

Will I be covered when traveling?

Traditional Medicare provides coverage throughout most of the country. Some Medicare Advantage plans are restricted to certain areas, but many offer out-of-network coverage in the event of an emergency while traveling. If you travel frequently or reside in different areas depending upon the time of year, it is important to find a Medicare Advantage plan that will provide coverage in both areas.

How do I know if I need a supplemental plan?

Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) may not provide all of the coverage you require. Before paying for a supplemental plan, it is important to determine if you qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, have adequate coverage through an employer, or if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

With medical costs skyrocketing and your own healthcare needs changing, it is imperative that you take advantage of the upcoming annual enrollment period offered by Medicare to determine whether you are receiving the coverage best suited to your needs and budget. This process is made easier with the professional expertise of independent Medicare plan selection services. Their knowledge and experience will ensure that you get exactly what you need at a price you can afford.

Jim Allsup writes for Allsup, a provider of Social Security disability and Medicare services, including Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service for people with disabilities and seniors.

Medicare Supplement Plans And Open Enrollment

Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is used to assist with health care charges that are not covered by the original Medicare program. The coverage cost varies quite a little as the different companies demand a variety of monthly premiums. This insurance helps as well with copayments and deductible sums. Consumers who are registered for a Medicare Edge Plan cannot put it to use. All Medicare product policies must be plainly identified accordingly. These policies must have similar or even identical benefits.

Rewards like long term care, spectacles, dental health, and so forth - are not covered simply by these policies. The insurance policy companies may decide which types of plans they sell yet state laws have an effect on the policies that you can get. Sometimes, insurance companies need to sell you a coverage regardless of virtually any health problems you might have especially if you decide to make application during enrollment.

At times apart from open enrollment, the coverage policy company will not issue you a coverage if you have preexisting conditions. Because many individuals have medical concerns, the best occasion to get a policy will be during open application..

Open enrollment can last for six months and also starts on the very first day of the particular month that you reach your 65th birthday and are registered for Part-B Medicare. They will make you hold out to start the coverage for any previous conditions however you will find numerous ways to cut short or avoid the holding out period. Also remember, if it is a site covered by Medicare health insurance, they will nonetheless cover the expenses, even when your personal charges are not covered by your other policy.

It is quite crucial to understand just how open enrollment operates. During open application, the insurance business must sell you a policy at a similar price as healthy folks even if you have got health issues. Acquire help from a coverage specialist, if needed and this important opportunity should not be missed. If you delay until your open application is over, the coverage policy firm does not have to offer you a coverage if you are ill.

There are certain circumstances when insurance firms must offer you insurance coverage by law, although you may have health issues. Typically, if you have some other insurance coverage which you lose for a reason, it is possible to still get a coverage with existing conditions. This example is called a certain issued right.

Attention should be given when choosing the coverage that is right for you. There are numerous issues to look at. What forms of benefits do you need? Simply how much do you want to devote to your premium?

How Medicare is Failing Diabetic Americans

Bill was 67-year old real estate agent. He was semi-retired. He like showing houses because he had lived in the same small town his whole life. People trusted him. But one day he got a diabetic foot infection. He called his primary care doctor and was referred to a podiatrist. But the podiatrist didn't have any more "Medicare appointment slots" available until the end of the month. While waiting for the appointment, the infection got worse. So instead of high quality care, Bill got an amputation. Now he sits in a wheelchair, wishing he could sell houses.

Retired Americans often view Health Care paid for by Medicare as one of the few perks of retiring. After a lifetime of working hard, raising children, and paying into the System, Medicare is one of the few reliable ways to get a return. But unfortunately for those who are diabetic, Medicare can be bad for your health. It's just math; not enough money equals not enough high quality medical care.

The recent attempted resurrection of President Obama's Health Care reform efforts speak to the broken system. The fact is that Medicare is an expensive program. Since 2002, Medicare has been short of money. There is only just so much money to go around. All of the federal mandates that have been written into law to save money are simply killing diabetics. As long as you understand why, you'll be able to get quality care even if you do have Medicare.

1. Difficult to Find a Medicare Doctor.

Since 1986 Medicare has set all doctor fees. Doctors don't decide how much they get paid, Medicare decides. Adjusted for inflation, over the last eight years, Medicare Has reduced fees about 20% every year. On March 1, 2010 doctors took another hit when Congress let another 21.2% reduction in doctor pay take effect. Imagine if at your job every year you get 20% less pay instead of a raise. How long would it take you to look for another job? Obviously your doctor can't just switch careers, but he can stop taking Medicare.

In some places this means less doctors are available to accept new patients. If you live in San Francisco, the cost of living may be twice that in rural Ohio. But incredibly, doctors seeing patients in San Francisco get paid comparable fees by Medicare. So your doctor has to either learn to live poor or see twice as many patients.

2. Doctors Who Accept Medicare are Swamped.

In 2008, the president of the American Medical Association (AMA) was testifying in front of Congress about declining care for Medicare patients and the problem of Medicare cuts. The AMA President informed congress that the vast majority of doctors in the United States would simply opt-out of Medicare and stop providing care for Medicare patients. Senator Stark replied that since Medicare started reducing payments to doctors many years ago, doctor's have simply seen more and more patients each year to make up for the lost revenue.

But it is now clear that doctor's can't keep seeing more and more patients. Sixty patients in a day is just plain bad medicine. Seven minutes of time in a room with a patient is not enough time to understand blood sugar readings, sugar pills, insulin shots, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and explain diabetic foot care. It just isn't enough time to practice good medicine. Too many patients and not enough time is a prescription for a diabetic disaster.

3. Less Pay for Medicare Diabetes Doctors.

Many people don't think pay should have anything to do with the quality of the care. But the reality is, it just comes down to math. If your doctor accepts Medicare, but has to see 60 patients a day, you won't get much time. I actually have a doctor friend who says, "I just tell Medicare patients they get two problems to talk about during a visit. Just two," she said holding up two fingers.

But what if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, and you also have a little sore on your foot? If you can only talk about two problems, you'll ignore the diabetic foot ulcer. And if that diabetic foot sore turns in to a diabetic foot infection, you just might wind up with an amputation.

When you are allowed the time you need to talk to your doctor, you would and should talk about all of your health concerns. This of course is the way medicine used to be. The fact that most patients don't know is that your doctor is obligated ethically and in many cases legally to hear about all of your health problems that need to be treated. So if you doctor says, "We'll have to discuss that next time," just insist that he hear you out.

4. Medicare is Decreasing Services.

If you have diabetes you will be sent to a lot of different specialists. Studies have shown that having diabetes make you four times more likely to have a heart attack. You are also way more likely to develop kidney trouble, blindness, or diabetic foot infections that lead to amputation. To make sure everything is working right, your primary care doctor will likely send you for "consultations" with other diabetes specialists like podiatrists, cardiologists, opthalmologists and nephrologists.

A consult is a visit to a specialist requested specifically by your primary care doctor. The problem is that Medicare simply stopped paying "consult codes" this year. So don't expect a specialist to take any extra time explaining your health problems to you or your primary care doctor. And don't be surprised if these specialists don't work you into their schedules very quickly. They simply are making money like the once were.

Once upon a time, house calls were common, but now very few doctors who accept Medicare can afford to make house calls. There is just no way they can take the time to drive from house to house with the low rates medicare pays. This is obviously a big problem for an elderly diabetic who may have poor eyesight or an open wound on the foot. If you can't see because of your blindness and aren't supposed to walk on the foot with an open sore, how can you easily get to the doctor's office?

5. No Diabetes Prevention.

It is simply a fact that the problems related to poorly managed diabetes are preventable. Blindness, kidney failure, and diabetic leg amputations are all preventable. Doctors fully understand how elevated blood sugar levels damage the eyes, kidneys and feet. Doctors also fully understand how preventative care can prevent this damage. But Medicare won't pay for intensive diabetic foot monitoring programs. It has been shown that close monitoring of diabetic foot skin temperatures can prevent diabetic foot sores. But this sort of close monitoring by a diabetic foot expert isn't a service that Medicare will pay for. As a result, it is a service that isn't offered to you by your doctor.

So now that you know the Top 5 Reasons Medicare is bad for your diabetes, what can you do about it? First keep in mind that most doctors decided to become doctors because they really and truly want to help people stay healthy and happy. Remember that your doctor is on your team. But feel free to remind him or her that you need help, even if it might take a little extra time. In most cases your doctor will listen.

You've got to ask tons of questions. Take a list of questions so that you can stay on track and get all of your concerns dealt with in a short doctor visit. Ask your doctor about performs house calls. If not, find one that does. Even if you have to pay for it, having a doctor come to your home is an amazing convenience. Make sure you ask your doctor about any new treatments that are available, but not covered by Medicare. If you don't ask, many docs will simply not take the time to offer all available treatments if they aren't covered.

Diabetes is a serious disease. Many patients with diabetes will die from health complications directly attributable to poorly controlled blood sugar. Given that most of these problems can be managed and prevented, you owe it to yourself to insist on the very best care from your doctor.

Dr. Christopher Segler is a podiatrist in the San Francisco Bay Area. He offers House Calls for diabetic foot exams, Diabetic Foot Emergencies, and Diabetic Foot Wound Treatment. Serving San Francisco, Marin, Palo Alto, and Walnut Creek. You can learn more about house calls as solution to foot pain at San Francisco Podiatrist housecalls or visit the best info on San Francisco Podiatry.

Will Health Care Reform Kill Medicare Advantage?

It has been six months since the highly contested Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also called health care reform, became law. Polls show that people remain worried about how the law will affect their health care. There is a lot of talk about big cuts in Medicare, and seniors are worried their coverage will be reduced or that their doctors will no longer accept Medicare. Should they be worried?

The worst news is for people who love their Medicare Advantage plans. This program pays private insurance companies to enroll seniors in managed-care networks. Many plans offer more benefits than "plain" Medicare, such as dental and vision coverage and health club memberships.

The problem with Medicare Advantage is that taxpayer's aren't getting their money's worth from the program. Much of the recent increases in Medicare costs can be traced to overpayments to insurance companies offering the subsidized plans.You've heard that Medicare is going broke? Well, Medicare Advantage is a big reason for that.

A Medicare Advantage benefit costs the government 14 percent more than exactly the same benefit offered through regular Medicare. In some parts of the country, the difference is as high as 20 percent. That extra money is being eaten up in marketing and administrative costs, and in profits to the insurance companies.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, all Medicare beneficiaries, including those enrolled in regular Medicare, are paying for these overpayments through higher premiums. HHS says that this year these subsidies are adding about $3.60 per month to premiums.

But there is no proof that the program is providing better health care than regular Medicare; just that it's more expensive. And for this reason, most of the cuts to Medicare provided in the health care reform law are cuts to Medicare Advantage, not regular Medicare.

These cuts won't go into effect all at once. In 2011, the subsidy going to private insurance companies will be frozen at 2010 levels. After that, the payments will be reduced an average of 12% per year, until costs are more in line with the cost of regular Medicare. Beginning in 2014, the private insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans must maintain a "medical loss ratio" of at least 85%, which is a fancy way of saying that 85 percent of the subsidies and premiums they receive must be paid out in benefits. On the other hand, companies that meet certain benchmarks for quality of service are eligible for a bonus.

Bottom line: according to the Congressional Budget Office, by 2019 the private insurance companies offering these plans will receive $136 billion less than they would have received at the current level of subsidy.

Naturally, the private insurance companies do not like this one bit, and they say they will drop out of the program if these cuts aren't repealed. And when those Medicare Advantage taxpayer subsidies stop being a cash cow for those companies, they might very well drop out of the program. Companies that stay in the program probably will eliminate some of the extra benefits that make Medicare Advantage popular.

Some seniors will be unhappy about this, but it's important for them to understand why it is happening -- Medicare Advantage as it is has been dragging the entire Medicare program closer and closer to bankruptcy.

Before the Medicare program began in 1965, only 56 percent of people over age 65 had any health insurance. Today, without Medicare, the percentage of seniors with health insurance would be very tiny, indeed. It's a sad fact that in our autumn years, nearly all of us will suffer increasing problems with our health. Some ailments -- arthritis, heart disease -- are common, and some are rare, such as mesothelioma cancer, rarely diagnosed before the patient is 50. Either way, senior health care is expensive, and private insurance companies don't want seniors as customers -- unless taxpayers are supplying the profits.

In 2009, while health care reform was being hotly debated in Congress and town hall meetings all over America, some insurance companies deliberately misinformed their customers about what the bill would do to their Medicare Advantage Plans. One major Medicare Advantage provider sent out a letter to its Medicare Advantage customers claiming that Congress and President Obama would cut "important benefits and services" provided by Medicare.

Remember the stories about silver-haired grandmothers marching in protests with signs saying "Keep Government Out of My Medicare"? People laughed at them, but it's possible those were misinformed Medicare Advantage customers.

But the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not cutting any benefit from Medicare. In fact, it is adding a few new benefits. Beginning this week, Medicare patients will not have to pay a co-payment to the doctor for preventive care or for an annual checkup. The health care reform law also will gradually close the infamous "doughnut hole," the gap in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that costs some Medicare patients thousands of dollars every year.

Last year, the trustees of the Medicare program announced that by 2017, the part of Medicare that pays hospital bills would be out of money, and Medicare would have to stop paying those bills. This year, the same trustees said the hospital fund should be good until 2029, thanks mostly to the health care reform bill. This tells us the struggle to save the program isn't over, but we're moving in the right direction.

As we get closer to the November midterm elections, watch out for politicians citing the cuts to Medicare Advantage as a reason to repeal the health care reform bill. Without those cuts, Medicare itself is in grave danger.

Barbara O'Brien is a concerned citizen who writes the popular political blog, The Mahablog.

Medicare Advantage Plans - Advantages to Seniors

Some Medicare Advantage Plans have gotten a bad rap lately, but that may have been because of the overzealous marketing efforts of a few people, rather than the actual plans. All Medicare Advantage plans must be approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). They must provide services that are equal to, or better than, services provided by the traditional Medicare Part A and Part B. Of course, the point of these plans is to provide services that will provide advantages over Part A and Part B!

What is the Problem With Medicare Advantage?

The recent flak over Medicare Advantage Plans is over the type of plan called PFFS (Private Fee For Service). These plans allowed access to "any doc", or the enrolled person's choice of Medicare care. The problem there was that the doctor or other medical provider had to accept and bill to the plan. Since some of the plans were very new, medical providers like doctors, hospitals, and therapists did not have the plans yet. This caused problems because the enrolled people needed to file the bill with the insurance companies instead of having the medical provider do it. Indeed, this did cause problems for many Medicare recipients.

What about other Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Medicare Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) have been around a long time. Both of these types of Medicare Advantage plans use networks of doctors and other medical providers that have already agreed to participate in the plans. As long as plan members use their identification card, they are not experiencing a lot of billing problems. In general Medicare PPO and HMO members are expressing great satisfaction with their health plans.

A combination of private competition and federal incentives allow private plans to offer health plans that do deliver quality health care and save Medicare recipients money. The networks, once thought to be restrictive, actually ensure that medical providers understand and agree to the system so that system works more smoothly. These plans usually include the Part D or prescription part of Medicare too!

Who is Happiest With Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Advantage plans appeal to people with moderate incomes. Medicare supplements can be a burden for seniors and disabled people on fixed incomes. However, many seniors with larger incomes also participate in Medicare Advantage plans because they come from the same companies that used to carry their old group or individual health plans, and they are comfortable with the medical providers in the network!

Medicare Advantage plans also provide satisfaction to those with specialized or chronic needs. Plans are available that address chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, or those in nursing homes. Some plans even address the needs of caregivers!

You have choices about how to get the most out of your Medicare benefits!

M Katz is a licensed Texas insurance agent, who has been certified to work with many Medicare Advantage Plans. In her experience, the vast majority of her clients who chose Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Supplements with traditional Medicare were satisfied because they chose the right plan for their own needs.

We have helped thousands of seniors and disabled people make the most of their Medicare benefits. If have questions about Medicare Benefits, consult with the Medicare Health Plan Experts at Trusted Senior Specialists Medicare Plans!

The Medicare Factor in Long Term Care Planning

Medicare and Health Insurance History in the United States With a vision to provide a universal health plan, such as Medicare, the United States does not truly have a national health care plan. Even though universal health care, another name for national health care plans, has its conception in the 20th century, the United States has shied away from its inception. In fact, the United States is one of the few industrialized countries that do not offer true, government provided universal health care.

The first private health insurance programs created nation wide was the Blue Cross plans. Originally paid by individuals on prepaid bases for certain hospitals, this was later changed to include any sponsored hospital. The individual would provide a monthly payment that ensured he was cared for a specified number of days.

The Blue Shield plan was another plan created during the 1940s. It allowed the prepayment for doctor services. The plan’s creation provided an alternative to a national health care plan. The Blue Shield and Blue Cross plans eventually merged, forming what we call today Blue Cross Blue Shield.

There are varying reasons that a national health care insurance plan has not taken hold in the United States. As the American Medical Association has opposed the establishment of a national plan, the employer sponsored insurance plan has added the catalyst to not create a national plan. Since the employers can write off the plans provided to their employees, Congress has not received any push to change the concept of employer-sponsored plans.

The closest conception of universal health care the United States institutionalized is Medicare. Medicare was created in 1965.

Then Came Medicare

So how did Medicare take hold? Though it is not a true national health care plan for everyone, only for those over 65, it is because of President Lyndon B. Johnson and a majority of Democrats in both houses of Congress that the plan came into existence.

Attempting to provide a plan comparable to the private sector, the creation of Medicare part A came about. By mimicking the current plans, Medicare part A provided a determined amount of hospital care. Any more care beyond what the plan stated was to be paid by the patient.

The disadvantage to a plan such as this is the increasing expense of hospital care. The costs paid by the insured are now at a level to completely destroy financially that individual. In other words, as expenses have increased with hospital care, Medicare Part A has not kept pace. Therefore, any difference in cost is paid for by the patient.

This realization gave way to catastrophic plans. These plans allow the insured to pay for some of the upfront costs up to a predetermined out-of-pocket limit. Once that is reached, the insurance pays 100% of the cost. Unfortunately, Medicare has not evolved into this type of arrangement.

As such, we are beginning to see the bankruptcy of the plan, as well as the bankruptcy of the insured attempting to cover their part of the insurance plan.

Medicare part B evolved into a plan to encourage doctors to be paid by the federal government with the attempt to not institute price controls by the same. Under the original intent, Medicare part B paid for 80% of a doctor’s services while the patient paid the other 20%, and any fees above the reasonable costs.

However, the plan has degenerated into a government price control plan, where the government dictates to doctors what they will be paid for services the doctors provide.

Medicare Eligibility

Medicare enrollment takes place only one time during the year. The time frame usually is between October and December of the year prior to its activation for an individual. To learn more of the enrollment process for Medicare, read this publication: http://www.medicare.gov/Default.asp .

Most individuals understand that to enroll one must be age 65 years or older. However, most may not know that they also must be eligible for receiving Social Security or Railroad retirement. Furthermore, the individual does not need to be receiving either one of the retirement payouts, but one must be eligible to receive them.

In short, you can receive Medicare without receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement income. You probably know someone who has decided to continue working. As such, they have delayed their receipt of government retirement payouts. However, to ensure a medical benefits plan, they have signed up for Medicare.

When you sign up for Social Security or Railroad retirement at age 65, or decide to receive payments at 65, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

If an individual under 65 is disabled, and has applied for and receives Social Security disability for two years will receive Medicare. Furthermore, if a person of any age with end-stage renal disease may also receive Medicare.

Anyone born after 1938 will not receive their full retirement benefits from Social Security until the age of 67. Due to this, most individuals may decide to continue working. As such they will not apply for Social Security at the age of 65, thus not automatically receiving Medicare Part A.

Or, if the person is under a group plan, he or she may be forced into enrollment in Medicare at the age of 65. The person will not lose their group coverage, but it will be shared with Medicare.

I Have A Group Plan

Returning to the previous situation where an individual continues to work, or not retire, and not having a group plan, he or she may not receive a reminder to sign up for Medicare Part A. Fortunately, there will not be any penalties. However, he or she will only be allowed to sign up during a specified period during the year.

As for Medicare Part B, there is a penalty. You must sign up for Medicare Part B either three months before or after your 65th birthday. Otherwise, a penalty will be assessed against the premiums. However, if a person is covered under equivalent group coverage or is on Medicaid, the penalty is waived.

Though Medicare Part A is paid via payroll deductions and there is not cost when implemented, this is not the case with Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B is a cost-sharing plan.

The premiums for Medicare Part B are $88.50 (for year 2006). However, these premiums increase every year as the cost of medical services increase. Beginning in 2007, for those individuals in high-income brackets, they will pay a higher premium as a percentage for Medicare Part B.

The increases are phased in over a five-year period. The increases are scheduled as such:

income of: $80,000 -$100,000: 65% subsidy
income of: $100,000-$150,000: 50% subsidy
income of: $150,000-$200,000: 35% subsidy
income above: $200,000: 20% subsidy
If you are married, the incomes are twice what are depicted. However, for both individuals and married couples, the income ranges increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

I’m Not Eligible for Social Security

What about those individuals who are not eligible for Social Security and their spouse is not eligible either? That person can still get Medicare but will pay a premium, which may be equivalent to the Medicare Part A premium.

Eligibility for Social Security requires at least 10 years, or 40 quarters, under the system or paying into the system.

You do not have to participate in the Medicare program. However, if a person does not participate in Part A, they are not allowed to participate in Part B. If the person, though, must pay premiums for Part A, they can elect not to, and instead purchase Part B. It also works the other way. If you do not desire to participate in Part B, you do not have to.

To sign up for Part B, it must be done so during the first three months before the month of an individual’s 65th birthday, or three months after. This equates to seven months to sign up (3 months before and after, and the individual’s birthday month).

If an individual does not sign up for Medicare Part B during the initial period, they are penalized. The penalty is 10% for each full 12-month period the individual does not sign up. A person can sign up for Part B between January 1 and March 31 if they do not sign up during their initial enrollment period – the seven months mentioned earlier.

Can I Afford Not To Have Medicare Part B?

But what of the individual who cannot afford the premiums for Medicare Part B? Most individuals who are affected in this manner may be able to receive assistance through Medicaid or a state’s Medicare Savings Program. Normally, someone must meet the state’s requirement of limited income and resources. The plan will pay for Medicare premiums and possibly Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

A situation which may help with understanding may include a person who receives Medicare Part A (which the Medicare Savings Program might pay the premium) and

He or she has resources equal to or less than $4,000; a couple would be $6,000. The resources may include monies in checking or savings account, stocks or bonds.

He or she has a monthly income of less than $1,068; a couple would be $1,426 (as of 2005; Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits).

If you are an individual that is 65 or older and still working with a group insurance plan, there are solutions to Medicare Part B. Most individuals under this scenario will continue with their group plan and use Medicare Part A as their secondary, or supplemental, insurance. However, they may not need the Part B.

But what if they do need Part B? As mentioned earlier, would they not be penalized if they signed up later? There are special rules for someone under a group insurance plan that allows them to sign up for Part B without a penalty.

If an individual is retired but has continued with a group plan under an agreement with the company, there are waivers to allow for coverage of Part B. However, the waiver only takes effect if the person loses their group coverage in the future.

If you are one of the aforementioned individuals who need to take advantage of these waivers for Medicare Part B, then you will need to apply during the Special Enrollment Period.

Study Up So You Don’t Have To Pay Up

Make sure you go to the Medicare link (http://www.medicare.gov/Default.asp) and read what you are entitled to. I don’t like that word, entitlement, but you have paid for Medicare so use it. Just don’t abuse it. Make it part of your Long Term Care Planning so you can make it through your golden years.

T. Sydney Shinn Home Health Care Solutions [http://www.home-health-care-solutions.com]

A developer of technical health care solutions, a Crown Ministries budget counselor, and a family man, Mr. Shinn understands the challenges of today's families. After taking care of his own father for five years, he created Home Health Care Solutions to to provide the material that families need to make informed decisions on home care options.

Wonder if a loved one will be able to continue to live in their home as they mature? Discover information for families and seniors about in home care giving, in home care services, mental and hospice care, legal and financial planning to ensure that the elder family member is able to live in their home forever. The site provides guidance in preparing the retiree, family, caregiver and senior family member.

The New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Pitfalls

Coverage for the New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan begins on January 1, 2006. Many seniors are feeling confused and concerned about this plan. Here are some of the pitfalls associated with this plan that Medicare eligible individuals will want to be aware of.

1. To join the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D) you must choose one Prescription Drug Plan from dozens of plans that are available (there are up to 50 plans in some states). Once you have chosen a plan you are "locked-in" until the enrollment period the following year.

2. Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) providers can change the particulars of their plans at any time with a short warning period for plan enrollees. These changes can include changes to which drugs are covered under the plan, which pharmacies are in the plans network, the charges associated with being a part of the plan and any other detail of the plan. These changes are at the discretion of the plan administrator and can be implemented at any time.

3. For 2006, once you have used $2250 worth of medications, you are 100% responsible for paying for the full amount of the drug until you reach the $5100 Catastrophic coverage limit. This range between $2250 and $5100 where you have to pay for 100% of your drug expenditures is known as the "donut hole".

4. At its greatest level of savings Medicare provides a 49% savings. This is only 7% better than the average savings experienced with a licensed Canadian pharmacy. This greatest savings occurs when people spend exactly $2250 on medication in one year (if you spend more or less than that the savings go down). That means that the greatest savings anyone on Medicare can experience above a Canadian pharmacy's average savings is $157.50 annually (7% of $2250) or $13.13 a month. Is $13 a month worth the risk of being "locked-in" to paying monthly premiums for a plan that can be switched on you at any time. (Note: Some people can save more than 49% if they spend well over $7100 per year. This is in the catastrophic coverage range).

5. If you do not sign up with at Medicare Prescription Drug Plan before May 15th, 2006 then you will be penalized with a cumulative 1% increase to your premiums for every month that you do not enroll in a plan after that date. This penalty is the governments way of forcing people, who do not really need a drug plan, into joining a plan and thus "subsidizing" the Medicare program. 1% of the average plan is 32 cents. So for every month after March 15th, 2006 that people are not in a plan, 32 cents will be added to your monthly premium or basically $1 for every 3 months you do not join. This penalty is however applied to your premium for all future monthly premiums. What many seniors groups are advocating is for people to wait until the May 15th, 2006 deadline and then join the cheapest possible plan (approx. $10 monthly premium) and still order medicines from a licensed Canadian pharmacy like Universal Drugstore.

6. Average monthly premiums, the annual deductible and the Out-Of-Pocket expenditure limits are expected to increase substantially every year. This means you will be required to spend more and more money every year that you are part of the Medicare prescription plan.

7. Unless you are spending more than $800 on medications in 2006 there is no real savings with the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. This required minimum amount of expenditure to experience savings will increase every year as the annual deductible, the monthly premiums and the Out-Of-Pocket expenditure limits are also increased every year.

8. It will be extremely time consuming and difficult to decipher myriad plans available in each state (all providing different coverage) and to try and figure out which plan is best for you personally. This will be twice as hard for a couple as the prescription drugs used by each person in the couple will be different and therefore they may require different plans. Even once a plan is chosen, there is still the risk of having the plan changed once you have made your decision and you are "locked-in".

9. Drug companies stand to make a ton of money off of the Medicare program. That is why they spent millions of dollars lobbying to get the legislation passed to make Medicare Part D a reality. It is also why Senator Bill Tauzin, a major advocate and motivating force behind getting the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan passed, is now a $2 million a year executive in Big Pharma's trade organization. On Sept. 5, 2003, Sen. John R. McCain (R-Ariz.) told the New York Times, "There's no doubt in my mind that the drug industry got everything it wanted and more," he said. "It perhaps should be called the 'Leave-No-Lobbyist-Behind Bill.' "

10. Plan providers have the ability to negotiate better drug pricing with the drug companies but they do not have to pass the savings on to the consumer or the government.

11. If you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) at any time after Dec 31, 2005 your coverage is not available to you until the first day of the following month.

12. Action is required to enroll in Medicare Part D (the Prescription Drug Plan part) unlike Medicare parts A and B which are automatic. You are not simply enrolled in the best plan for you. You have to wade through piles of information to decide what is best for you.

13. It is very difficult for persons who qualify for Medicare Part D to be sure if their drugs will be covered under their plans formulary (which can change at any time anyways.) A formulary is a list of drugs covered under particular drug plan.

14. You may not qualify for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits if your annual income is too high or if you own too many assets.

15. Different plans will have different monthly premiums. The plan you need may have a really high monthly premium. $32.20 is simply the "predicted" average monthly premium.

16. Will your plan cover temporary-use medications (such as antibiotics or heartburn medications) or only chronic medications (such as drugs used for diabetes or heart conditions)?

17. Plans with lower monthly premiums may have higher deductibles and co-pays.

18. Payments for drugs which are not on your plans formulary are not counted towards your Out-Of-Pocket expenditure limit.

19. Payments made by insurance plans do not count towards your Out-Of-Pocket expenditure limit

20. Is your regular pharmacy included in your plans network of pharmacies? Like many people you have most likely come to rely on a pharmacist that knows you and your medical conditions well. However, you may be forced to go to another pharmacy if your pharmacy is not included in your plans network of pharmacies.

21. How many days of medicine can you get at one time? Do you need to keep going back to the pharmacy every month or can you get 90 days?

22. Will your drug be covered by your plan the next time you go into your pharmacy?

23. Does your plan require step-up therapy or prior authorization? Step-up therapy means using drugs in a series of stages or steps in order to treat your condition. For example if you have GERD your plan may not cover Nexium unless you have previously tried ranitidine (Zantac) and/or omeprazole (Prilosec) first. Prior Authorization means that for certain drugs, your plan will not cover the drug without first reviewing your medical and drug history to determine if your treatment steps have been appropriate.

24. The Prescription Drug Plan providers stand to make a ton of money from the Medicare program (drug companies stand to make the biggest windfall).

25. Net cost to the government for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits is estimated to go from $37.4 Billion in 2006 to $109.2 Billion in 2015 (estimate by Health and Human Services department). However, much higher estimates of the costs of Medicare Part D can also be found from non-government resources. Two years ago Congress reluctantly approved for the plan at a cost of no more than $395 billion dollars over 10 years. A few months later the cost ballooned to $534 billion and earlier this year it shot to $795 billion. Big Pharma is the biggest recipients of the increased dollars added to the costs of this program.

26. Plan may force you to use generics when you are used brand name medications and may not be able to tolerate generic versions.

27. The appeals process for some plans is very confusing and convoluted. (You can appeal to your plan if your drug is not covered.)

28. Many of the big pharmaceutical companies are now making anyone eligible for Medicare Part D, ineligible for their assistance programs. These companies are effectively forcing seniors into a "voluntary" program that may not be right for them. The AstraZeneca Foundation was the first to take such steps.

29. Many people are finding it difficult to obtain accurate, updated lists of what medications each plan will cover.

30. Medicare's own hotline can only answer general questions. For more specific questions you must contact each individual insurance provider.

31. Many people have waited 30 minutes or more when calling the Medicare hotline to get information that they need.

32. Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) in a 60 Minutes segment televised March 14, 2004 said, "Seniors, when they find out what's in that bill, are going to be very angry. The problem is, they're not going to find out about it until after this next election."

Jeremy Cockerill is a licensed Canadian pharmacist who owns and operates htttp://www.UniversalDrugstore.com/ , one of the top Canadian mail-order pharmacies. Mr. Cockerill graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba with Honors in 1998. Mr. Cockerill recently won the 2005 Manager of the Year award from the Manitoba Customer Contact Association. Mr. Cockerill has been studying the new Medicare Prescription Drug plan since early 2005.

Supplement For Medicare

Health care reform has sparked heavy debate regarding the appropriate supplement for Medicare. It is widely known that seniors ages 65 and above are eligible for government medical aid (Medicare) to assist in healthcare cost. Medicare covers a portion of senior's medical cost. Although government assistance is available, many seniors still lack ample funds to cover the holes in Medicare. Thus, seniors are left to decide whether to adopt a Medicare advantage plan or to simply adopt a supplement for Medicare.

Though this segment is dedicated to the appropriate supplement for Medicare it is prudent to explain differences in what Medicare advantage plans would provide as well. As stated above traditional Medicare covers certain medical needs for seniors. The government covers (by paying doctors and hospitals) certain senior medical needs based on a fee for service schedule. There are options for seniors to be covered by an advantage plan with 0 out of pocket monthly. It goes without saying that where one medical plan may be ideal for an individual; the same medical plan may fall short of covering another individual's needs. Advantage plans are plans in which the government pays insurers a specific amount monthly for every Medicare member that they enroll (the plans cover hospitals and doctors as well). Individuals covered under advantage plans are able to choose HMO plans which require advantage recipients to choose from a network of health care providers as well as PPO plans which allow for in network providers as well as out of network providers. It should be noted that individuals going outside of the network would likely have to pay additional fees. All advantage plans offer the same benefits (regardless of the insurer). However, the benefit to the Medicare Advantage plans is that they cover things such as hearing, vision and dental care whereas traditional Medicare plans do not. Medicare Advantage has become increasingly popular due to the advantages provided over and above traditional Medicare. However, that is precisely the issue that critics raise. Advantage plans are said to "pay out" more than traditional Medicare plans. The congressional budget office has estimated that over 150 billion additional dollars has been spent in the last 10 years on advantage plans (that would not have been spent with standard Medicare). Ultimately, the additional expenditures mean more money spent by taxpayers. Which is why Medicare Advantage plans have been targeted by government and health care reform.

With Medicare Advantage plans being heavily scrutinized and funding likely to be cut at least to some extent, supplements are becoming more appealing. Where advantage plans offer 0 out of pocket, a supplement for Medicare would require some payment by the senior. Where advantage plans replace traditional Medicare, a supplement for Medicare is literally that...a supplement that covers certain holes left by traditional Medicare. Therefore, Medicare is considered the primary plan and a supplement for Medicare is considered secondary to the plan. Medigap plans are also offered through private insurers at specific cost. Medicare supplement plans are also considered medigap plans as they fill the gaps left by Medicare. Gaps such as Deductibles, Coinsurance and Co-pays can be filled with an appropriate supplement for Medicare. Any doctor that accepts Medicare should accept a supplement for Medicare. Medicare participants must be enrolled in Medicare part b in order to be eligible to buy a Medigap plan. Medicare part b covers things like doctor services, outpatient care, home health services as well as some preventative services. There are several Medigap plans available and participants typically need not go through underwriting if they will attain the age of 65 within the next 6 months(and two months following their 65th birthday). Open enrollment occurs from November 15th through December 31st and this is the time that changes may be made by existing supplement users. Medigap options vary and are labeled A through L. Each plan offers different options to fill the holes left by traditional Medicare plans. Core benefits include hospital coverage for specific periods during Medicare benefit period, approved hospital cost for co-payments during specific periods, skilled nursing coinsurance, doctor deductibles, foreign travel emergency coverage, at home recovery, drug benefit as well as preventative care. Benefits vary from plan to plan and may be viewed in the Medicare handbook. You may also view supplement for Medicare options by searching Medicare resources at the Texas low cost health insurance site.

http://www.texaslowcosthealthinsurance.com, Medicare resources

What is a Medicare Supplement?

A Medicare Supplement (also called "Medigap Insurance") policy is private health insurance specifically designed to supplement the Original Medicare Plan. This means it helps pay some of the health care costs ("gaps") that the Original Medicare Plan doesn't cover (like coinsurance and deductibles). Medicare Supplement policies may also cover certain things that Medicare doesn't cover. If you are in the Original Medicare Plan and you buy a supplement policy, then both plans will pay their share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Medicare Supplement policies are sold by private insurance companies.

A supplement policy is not a "Medicare Advantage" (like an HMO or PPO) because it's not a way to get Medicare benefits. Insurance companies can sell you only a "standardized" Medicare Supplement policy. Standardized supplement policies are identified by letters (A through L). In some states, like Texas or Louisiana, you may be able to buy another type of Medicare Supplement policy called Medicare SELECT. Each type of supplement policy offers the same basic benefits, no matter which insurance company sells it. Usually the only difference between policies sold by different insurance companies is the cost. Medicare Supplement policies must follow Federal and state laws. These laws are designed to protect you.

What Medigap Policies Do Not Cover

Medicare Supplement policies do not cover long-term care (like care in a nursing home), vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and private-duty nursing. Any new supplement policy is guaranteed renewable. This means the insurance company cannot cancel your policy as long as you pay the premium. Although some policies sold in the past covered prescription drugs, no new Medicare Supplement policies are allowed to include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you may want to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

When is the Best Time to buy a Medicare Supplement?

The best time to buy a supplement policy is during your open enrollment period. This period lasts for 6 months and begins on the first day of the month in which you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, an insurance company can't use medical underwriting. This means it can't refuse to sell you any supplement policy it sells, make you wait for coverage to start, or charge you more for a policy because of your health problems. If you buy a supplement policy when you have a guaranteed issue right, the insurance company can't use a pre-existing condition waiting period at all.

Note: You can send in your application for a Supplement policy before your open enrollment period starts. This may be important if you currently have coverage that will end when you turn age 65. This will allow you to have continuous coverage. It is very important to understand your open enrollment period. During this period you can buy any supplement policy the company sells. If you apply for coverage outside of your open enrollment period, there is no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a policy. After your open enrollment period ends, insurance companies are allowed to use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application and how much to charge you for the policy.

Comparing Medicare Supplement costs

The cost of supplement policies can vary widely. There can be big differences in the premiums that different insurance companies charge for exactly the same coverage. As you shop for a policy, be sure you are comparing the same type of Supplement policy.

What is Medicare SELECT?

There is another type of supplement policy called Medicare SELECT that is sold in some states, including Texas and Louisiana. Medicare SELECT can be any of the standardized Supplement Plans A through L, however, you must use specific hospitals and, in some cases, specific doctors to get your full insurance benefits (except in an emergency). Medicare SELECT policies generally cost less than other Medicare Supplement policies, however, if you don't use a Medicare SELECT hospital or doctor for non-emergency services, you will have to pay some or all of what Medicare doesn't pay. Medicare will pay its share of approved charges no matter which hospital or doctor you choose.

What is The Best Way to Find the Correct Medicare Supplement? The best way to find the best policy for your particular situation is to consult a professional who specializes in Medicare Supplements.

David Hecker is a Licensed Insurance Agent based in Longview TX. He specializes in Medicare Products. He is licensed in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. He can be reached at (903) 918-9091. E-mail: dhecker@cablelynx.com or on the web at: http://www.tx-medicaresupplement.com To receive your "Free" e-mail newsletter about Medicare Supplements, send an e-mail request to: dhecker@cablelynx.com

Top Carriers Dropping Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service Plans

Top health insurance carriers are dropping their Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, according to recent announcements by some health insurance providers, including Coventry and WellCare. A PFFS is a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan that is available through a state licensed, risk-bearing entity, or a PFFS Medicare Advantage Organization (MAO).

As a result of PFFS coverage drops by Coventry and WellCare alone, more than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries will have to find new coverage.

Currently, Medicare Advantage plans receive government subsidies so that they can offer beneficiaries more benefits than simple Medicare plans. Medicare Advantage plans are offered to Medicare-eligible individuals by private health insurers. However, analysts are expecting the reimbursement rates for these PFFS programs to fall by approximately five percent, making them less profitable for insurance carriers.

How PFFS Currently Work

PFFS are popular amongst consumers because they allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose their own healthcare providers, rather than having to select their providers from a limited number of in-network of Medicare-approved providers. Beneficiaries can see any provider, as long as the provider agrees to charge based on the PFFS fee schedule. This fee schedule is the same as the Medicare schedule.

PFFS MAOs have yearly contracts with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare benefits as well as additional benefits that a company opts to provide. Essentially, the PFFS provider pays for healthcare instead of Medicare when a beneficiary has such a plan.

The main benefit (which makes PFFS so popular) is that individuals who join PFFS MAOs are not required to use providers within a network and can, therefore, see any provider as long as the provider is able to receive payment from Medicare and the PFFS MAO.

More Changes to PFFS Plans

In addition to the decreased government reimbursement amount for PFFS plans, PFFS plans will be required to develop healthcare provider networks beginning in 2011. The change will force PFFS beneficiaries to select their healthcare providers from within the plan network, limiting their freedom to see providers that they prefer.

Experts predict that more healthcare insurance providers will follow Coventry and WellCare by dropping their PFFS plans in coming months. Individuals should contact their healthcare insurance providers if they are currently enrolled in a PFFS or are considering enrolling in a PFFS to get more information about how their provider will respond to the upcoming PFFS changes.

More Information About Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans are specific types of Medicare plans that are in place to cover the cost of healthcare related expenses for Medicare participants. These plans are similar to traditional Medicare plans in that they provide financial support for individuals seeking medical or health-related services. However, the Advantage plans generally have more benefits and lower copayments than many other types of Medicare plans. In order to have a Advantage plan, Medicare participants need to have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B plans.

One major difference between Medicare Advantage plans and other types of Medicare plans is that Medicare Advantage participants may need to see only doctors that are members of the Medicare Advantage provider plan. However, plans may allow participants to use a wide variety of services, including Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service providers, and Medicare Special Needs providers.

Medicare participants should also be aware that Medigap policies do not provide gap coverage for individuals that participate in the Medicare Advantage program.

By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medigap coverage. Our professional medigap advisors will help you choose the best plan.

What Medicare Does and Does Not Pay in 2010

A summary of seniors medicare benefits for 2010:

Considering the fact that most seniors live on a very tight budget, what medicare will and will not pay for medical cost is a major concern for most seniors. Unfortunately, the government is on a yearly basis increasing the medicare premiums and reducing the benefits medicare will pay. This brief article will outline in general the present state of medicare and what medicare will and will not pay in 2010. The article will also discuss briefly the various alternatives available to seniors to fill in the gaps on what medicare does not pay and expects the senior to pay out of pocket.

Medicare Abc's: 2010

Medicare has four areas of coverage: ABCD

Medicare Part A: Hospital Expenses.. If a senior is in the hospital for 24 hours medicare will pay for all hospital cost for the first 60 days after a $1100 deductible. ( note, this deductible is reinstated every 60 days for subsequent admissions or possibly six times a year).

61-90 days- The senior has to pay $275 per day

91-150 days- The senior pays $550 per day

After 150 days- The senior pays 100%

Medicare Part B: Doctor's cost( visits-surgery), including lab test, xrays,etc.

If already enrolled in Part B, the monthly cost for Part B is $96.40, usually deducted from your social security check. If a new enrollee in 2010 the cost is $110 per month..And increases if your income exceeds $82,000

Under part B medicare will pay only 80% of the cost and the senior pays the additional 20%.

Part C: Under Part C the senior can enroll with one of many carriers that will help fill in the gaps where medicare does not pay. It is called Medicare C Advantage Plan. The premiums are relatively low or nothing. However, under a Med C you can expect deductibles, co-pays, waiting periods,etc. Also Med C plans are run like group health plans where the carrier dictates the doctors, the place, the time etc of your medical care much like PPO's and HMO'S.

Part D: Prescription coverage. Briefly, the premium for Part D coverage is relatively inexpensive. However, unless you are taking some very expensive drugs, many national drugs stores offer very inexpensive drug programs to seniors.

Supplemental Coverage: A number of private carriers offer Medicare supplemental coverage. Supplemental meaning coverage that fills in the gaps that Medicare does not pay under Part A and Part B above. In others words, supplemental payments for the co-pays and deductibles previously discussed regarding Part A and Part B that the senior has to pay out of pocket.

Supplemental Coverage VS Part C coverage. As previously stated, Part C coverage by a private carrier is administered much like group health with co-pays, deductibles and a selection of their doctors. Supplemental plans vary in coverage and the yearly supplement premium is based on the degree of coverage.Ther are supplemental plans that pay all of the cost medicare does not pay under Part A and B to plans that may have a $2000 yearly deductible. The advantage of the supplemental plans is that you have control over which doctors you go to,anytime and anywhere. Of course the less you have to pay for coverage of the un-paid medicare cost the more your supplemental premiums will cost. Keep in mind that regardless of the cost for supplemental coverage, the premiums are far less than traditional non-medicare major medical coverage, and with better benefits.

Also, regardless of your pre-existing medical conditions most people have the opportunity to qualify for medicare supplements, so if you are turning 65 be sure to discuss the various supplemental medicare plans available and enroll when the pre-existing conditions are not a factor.

Obviously, this has been a very general overview of Medicare 2010, but hopefully outlines the medicare coverage and supplemental coverages available. And keep in mind that medical coverage is so critical to any senior that it is imperative to consult with an insurance professional in your state to know what alternatives are best for you.

If you have any questions about this issue please contact me at my website and I will direct you to an insurance professional in your area. Hopefuly this brief summary has been helpful and beneficial.

David Burlison, JD and licensed insurance producer in the state of Tennessee
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Travelaskthelocals is a unique website where locals at your destination answer pertinent questions about your travel plans and offers excellent travel links to plan any travel adventure. Just go to this web site.

http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

Coverage Options For Medicare Eligible Individuals

People with Medicare can obtain their medical care through original Medicare or the Medicare Advantage Program (Part C). Medicare Advantage Plans consist of HMO, PPO, Private Fee for Service Plans and Special Needs Plans. Of the more than 10 million individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans, the majority are enrolled in HMO's (Health Maintenance Organizations) which have been available since the 1980's.

To help your parents (or you) make an informed decision, they need to understand how these plans work, and then decide which plan is right for them. The following is a brief description of each of the plan types.

Original Medicare

If an individual elects to go with traditional fee for service Medicare, they can generally use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare assignment anywhere within the United States. However, Medicare does have deductibles, copays and cost sharing requirements that can play havoc with budgets. To help pay these additional out of pocket expenses, many individuals purchase Medigap or Medicare supplement policies.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

If you opt to go with a Medicare Advantage Plan, you actually trade your traditional Medicare benefits for these plans. Many of the Medicare Advantage Plans are offered to eligible individuals at little or no cost other than continued payment of their Part B monthly premiums.

Medicare HMO's (Health Maintenance Organizations)

These plans cover the same physician and hospital costs as traditional Medicare, but usually with lower out of pocket costs. HMO's are attractive to Medicare eligible individuals because they often provide extra benefits like eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dental benefits which are not covered by traditional Medicare.

Individuals considering a Medicare HMO should be aware that they can only receive medical services from providers who are part of the HMO's network of contracted providers. The HMO usually requires that an individual joining their plan select a primary care physician from those who participate in their network. This primary care physician would then be responsible for all medical care including referrals to a specialist and admittance to a hospital. The HMO will not pay for unauthorized visits to specialists nor non-emergency care received outside the HMO's service area or visits to non-network physicians.

Medicare PPO's (Preferred Provider Organizations)

These plans are private healthcare plans like HMO's. However, PPO's and HMO's do differ into two very important areas. First, Medicare PPO's do cover eligible medical care services obtained from doctors and hospitals outside the PPO network. And, second, Medicare PPO's do not usually require that you obtain an authorization before seeking care from a specialist.

Regional PPO's are available in many areas of the country. These plans serve large geographic areas and must offer the same premium costs and plan benefits to all individuals residing in these areas. Medicare PPO's cover the same types of medical expenses that traditional Medicare does. In addition, Medicare PPO's commonly include a prescription drug benefit. Unlike traditional Medicare, Medicare PPO's have an annual out of pocket limit for benefits covered under Parts A and B of Medicare. The out of pocket limit caps the amount an individual can spend on covered medical expenses in a calendar year. As with any PPO program, when an individual uses a non-contracted provider for covered services, they will pay more out of their pocket.

Private Fee for Service (PFFS) plans

These plans are available to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for their traditional Medicare Benefits. PFFS don't have a formal network of doctors and hospitals to choose from and not all doctors or hospitals are willing to provide medical services to participants in these types of plans. If an individual is considering enrollment, it is wise to check with their doctor and local hospitals to make sure that they will accept the plan's payment for services before enrolling. Also, the enrollee should thoroughly understand the benefits of a fee for service plan because the fee for service plans decide how much they will pay for Medicare covered services and may charge a higher cost sharing percentage than traditional Medicare. Private fee for service plans may include a prescription drug benefit. If they do not, the enrollee is free to join a Medicare stand alone prescription drug plan.

Special Needs Plans (SNP)

These plans are private plans that provide benefits to Medicare beneficiaries, including prescription drug coverage, who need additional help paying for their medical benefits. These would include individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (MediCal in California), those residing in long term care facilities, and those with chronic or disabling medical conditions.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)

Prescription drug plans are available to all Medicare eligible persons regardless of medical history or income levels. When a person first qualifies for Medicare, their initial enrollment period begins three months before their 65th birthday, includes their birth month, and ends three months after their birth month. Otherwise, the annual open enrollment period for prescription drug plans runs from November 15th thru December 31st, with the coverage commencing on the following January 1st.

Medicare drug plans are designed to reduce drug costs for enrollees and protect against catastrophic drug costs. However, there is a monthly cost for these plans. In addition to a monthly premium, the covered individual is required to pay a percentage of the cost of the medications (or a copay) and Medicare pays part of the cost. Costs for a plan will vary depending on the medications taken and the type of plan selected. At a minimum, the plans available must provide a "standard" level of coverage.

For 2010, a standard prescription drug plan will have the following costs:

A monthly premium which varies from approximately $24 per month to in excess of $100 depending upon the plan selected and medications taken.

An annual deductible equal to the first $310 worth of prescription drugs.

After the annual deductible has been satisfied, the insured will pay the following amounts for the remainder of 2010:

25% of the cost for covered medications from $310 up to $2830 in charges, (the plan pays the other 75% of these costs); then

100% of the next $3842.50 in total drug charges (often called the donut hole or coverage gap); then

After exceeding the annual of pocket limit of $4550, 5% of your drug costs or a copay of $2.50 or $6.30, whichever is greater for the rest of the current calendar year.

This describes a "Standard Plan." Many of the prescription drug vendors do offer better benefit plans which forego the plan deductible and substitute copays instead of the 25% coinsurance. Generic medications are available for substantially less than brand names with these plans.

There is a penalty of 1% per month, using the average national premium, for non-enrollment/late enrollment, which is assessed for as long as they remain enrolled in the plan.

This has been just a brief overview of the benefits available to Medicare eligible individuals. For more detailed information, please consult the Medicare handbook, Medicare & You. The handbook is available by contacting Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting the Medicare website at http://www.medicare.gov.

In addition, a copy is available at our website- http://www.waldenbrokers.com. Should you or your parents need assistance in selecting a Medicare plan, please feel free to contact us at 818-597-2890.

Edward Walden, CLU, RHU, REBC

New Medicare Reporting Requirements and How it Affects Plaintiffs Attorneys

New Medicare Law and how it affects the Plaintiffs Bar

If you primarily practice personal injury law then you need to be aware of the new Medicare reporting law otherwise you and your client will not see the money from your recent settlements.

The Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) has now gone into effect as of January 1, 2010 and has brought with it new issues for Plaintiffs and their attorneys. It is important to be aware of these changes as they can now seriously delay your settlements.

The amendments, codified at 42 U.S.C. ? 1395 y(b)(8), now require liability insurers (which are defined to include self-insured entities) to report payments related to bodily injuries incurred by Medicare beneficiaries. It also requires that the Medicare beneficiary or "other party," defined by the regulations as including the entity making the payment, must reimburse Medicare within 60 days of the payment or be subjected to a $1,000 a day fine along with interest. The regulations further provide that if Medicare is not reimbursed within 60 days the primary payer must reimburse Medicare even though it has already reimbursed the beneficiary or other party.

This means that an insurance company settling a claim may be liable for paying the Medicare lien, even after paying the plaintiff, if the Plaintiff does not reimburse Medicare within 60 days of the date of payment. So now more than ever insurance company adjusters and their attorneys are making sure that Plaintiff's attorneys are resolving Medicare liens before they will issue payment of any settlement check.

If you have dealt with Medicare in the past you know the problems inherent in notifying them of your claim and trying to resolve your client's lien. If you have not dealt with Medicare before you need to seriously consider co-counseling with an attorney experienced in the area.

Whenever Medicare provides a lien they simply provide a search from the date of the accident through the date of the request. This means that the lien will include charges that are not related to your client's accident that you will have to dispute. Unfortunately, Medicare will not provide your final lien amount until 10 days after they are notified that the case has settled. Further problems arise because it takes Medicare in excess of 45 days to evaluate and remove unrelated charges from their lien so even if a plaintiff's attorney puts Medicare on notice at the inception of a claim and provides the information necessary for Medicare's contractors to evaluate the claim, the contractor will not issue a final demand letter setting forth Medicare's entitlement until notified of the settlement. This means that your client's lien amount can change at any time and you will have to pay Medicare whatever they are claiming or your client will be responsible for late fees and fines. Medicare's position is that it should receive its full demand entitlement pending resolution of such issues.

This is now causing insurance companies to be directly involved in the Plaintiff's negotiations with Medicare. Insurance companies and their attorneys will now want to include Medicare on any settlement checks as an essential element of any proposed settlement despite the fact that there is nothing in the current statute or implementing regulations requiring that payment be directed to Medicare or CMS.

So how do we avoid this?

Make sure to put Medicare on notice at the inception of a claim and negotiate their lien before settling your case. This is the only way to avoid significant delays at the end of the case when the Plaintiff is waiting on their money. If you do not know how to handle a Medicare lien then be sure to review my pamphlet "How to handle a Medicare lien" available on my website.

Then try to have the insurance company agree to a hold harmless and release providing indemnification from any claims by Medicare including fines and/or interest.

If they will not agree then as a last resort negotiate with the adjuster or attorney to enter into an enforceable Settlement Agreement, which would be reported to Medicare, but deferring the actual payment of the settlement funds until such time as you have obtained a final demand letter from Medicare setting forth Medicare's entitlement. Separate checks can then be issued to Medicare on the one hand, and the plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney on the other.

Christopher Wigand is a trial attorney and partner with Winston & Clark, P.A. in Plantation, Florida. The majority of his practice involves handling cases for other attorneys who do not litigate. Mr. Wigand has devoted his career to helping injured individuals and families. He is always available to discuss a co-counsel arrangement or for direct client referrals. For more information on contacting Mr. Wigand please see his website at http://www.christopherwigandlaw.com.

Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans Are Not the Same Thing

Medicare Advantage Plans, are health plans from insurance companies that have a contract with CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid). Individuals who have Medicare Part A and B are eligible to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. Specialized plans exist for people with certain health conditions, but beyond that the general plans are not allowed to decline based on health except for very specific reasons.

When an individual is enrolled in the plan they do not lose their Medicare. They are entitled to cancel their Medicare Advantage plan, and the next month, they can go back to original Medicare. While enrolled in Medicare Advantage, they will have to use the insurance card provided by the Medicare Advantage plan instead of their Medicare card.

These plans may cost the participants nothing, or very little, though many still require the Part B participation amount. A Medicare Advantage plan is not free however. The plans receive a contribution from CMS every month, instead of having that tax money go to original Medicare. That is how the bulk of the plan is paid for, from tax money.

Traditionally, Medicare Advantage Plans were thought of as HMO plans were an insured person had to use the plan hospitals, doctors, and other medical providers to be covered. Many Medicare Advantage Plans are HMO plans. However, PPO Medicare Advantage plans also exist. Fee for Service Medicare Advantage Plans, or plans that will cover any medical providers who accept the insurance, are being marketed aggressively these days.

Your own medical needs and preferences will determine which plan will work out well for you. If your current medical providers contract with the plan's HMO, then you may be very satisfied with comprehensive coverage with very little extra payments. If you like more choice, and area doctors will accept a Free For Service plan then you might consider an "Any Doctor" plan. Be aware that not all doctors work with the Fee For Service plans, even though the insurance company claims it will work with any doctor! A great compromise is provided by PPO plans. You get the greatest coverage at the lowest price inside the network, but will still be covered by other medical providers.

Most, but not all, Medicare Advantage plans also contain Part D, or prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may have very low, or no, premium for the insured people beyond their normal Part B premium. Some plans even refund the Part B premium. Also, Medicare Advantage Plans are not allowed to do a lot of risk selection based upon health, so they may be a good choice for less healthy applicants.

A traditional Medicare Supplement is very different from Medicare Advantage. With Medicare Supplements you still use your original Medicare Card, and add your Medicare Supplement health card. These plans are also provided by insurance companies, but they simply supplement the coverage gaps and deductibles not provided by original Medicare Part A and Part B.

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, your Medicare supplement plan will pay the portion of your medical bill that Medicare will not pay. Of course, Medicare supplement plans differ, and so you need to be aware of exactly which portions a Medicare Supplement plan will pay before you sign up. For instance, Medicare may be 80% of your hospital bill, and your supplement will pick up the other 20%.

Medicare supplements come with premiums, and also may exclude unhealthy individuals. However, they generally provide the broadest access to health care.

Choosing a Medicare health plan can be one of the most important decisions a Medicare beneficiary will make. Let us help you find the right plan to fit your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

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Medicare Part What?

Are you confused by Medicare? If you are, you are not alone. When you first begin to learn about Medicare, you are confronted with a whole new set of information. There is Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D.

If that were not confusing enough, you can add Medicare Supplement insurance to your new knowledge base, and you have a whole new set of Parts (or at least plans). Medigap Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, all the way through Plan L. Now, in 2010, that whole structure is changing yet again.

An then, to add insult to injury, even if you learned how to decipher all of these Medicare Part something or others, you still need to have a basic knowledge of health insurance terms. Deductibles, co-insurnace, co-pays, etc. ad nauseam.

The truth is, if you are like most people newly qualifying for Medicare, you don't care about becoming an expert in Medicare, but you would like to know at least a little about the system that will cover you, perhaps for the rest of your life.

Following is a very simple primer, in which I give you everything you need to know and probably care to know.

Medicare Part A

Part A is the Medicare Part that pays for in-patient hospital expenses. The way I like to remember it is that it pays your expenses (A)fter you get (A)dmitted.

Medicare Part B

Part B is the Part of Medicare that pays for most out-patient expenses like visits to your doctor. The way I like to remember it is that it pays for your expenses (B)efore you get admitted to a hospital.

Medicare Part C

Part C is that Part of Medicare that insurance companies to manage your health care (instead of Original Medicare). You probably know someone who accesses their Medicare benefits via an HMO, or network. That person is most likely participating in a Medicare Advantage Plan (which is another word for Part C).

Medicare Part D

Part D is the Part of Medicare that provides insurance plans for your prescription medicines. This one is easy to remember also. Part D stands for (D)rugs.

I should note that you can't access Parts C & D directly from Medicare. As of this writing, you have to participate in these parts through a privately contracted insurance company.

For example, both Company ABC and Company XYZ offer Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C). You have to enroll with those companies to participate. Every company that offers these plans, is highly regulated and works closely with Medicare.

The same goes for Part D. Both Company ABC and Company XYZ offer Prescription Drug Plans. You have to get your drug coverage through a company that sells one of the plans.

Speaking of plans, what about all of those Medigap Plans? A,B,C,D,E, Etc.?

A Medicare Supplement Plan is also known as a Medigap Plan, because it "fills in the gaps" left by Original Medicare. Remember all of those insurance terms? Deductibles, Co-insurance, etc. These plans (also available only through private insurance companies) pay for some or all of your share of the cost. The plan letter, like "A" or "F" simply have to do with the level of coverage you desire.

So that is all for this primer. I have a 4 year old, and if he walks in any time soon, I am sure I will be tempted to sing that tune... "Now I said my ABC's, won't you sing along with me?"

Get help now with the Medicare Part that is confusing to you. Go now to: MedicareNational.com

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