Medicare Supplement Plans, The Easy Way

So many of my clients have expressed their frustration and confusion when trying to sort through the masses of information around and about Medicare and Medicare Supplement Plans.

This article is not going to clear up all of that confusion. However you will find some very helpful information about accessing assistance in your quest for information and some hazards you will want to sidestep.

You do not have to "go it alone." There are many reputable insurance professionals that are ready and able to help you. How do you find a good one? Some questions you should ask to determine if you are dealing with one:

1)You will want to make sure that you are dealing with an independent agent or broker. This type of agent does not work for just one carrier. They are not limited to talking to you about just one company's options. The independent agent forms relationships with multiple carriers. This enables him/her to fit the solution to you rather than try to you into the limited options they have the ability to offer. There is the added worry that the agent will lose the connection with that one company and then no longer have the resources to provide service to you or your policy.

2)If your agent doesn't start out by finding out some key things about you and your lifestyle, he/she is just not doing a good job for you. Questions like: How much traveling to intend to do? How is your health? What is your budget? Are you comfortable with sharing some of the cost for your medical expenses or do you want total coverage? The answers to all of these questions are key if the agent is going to recommend the right plan for you.

3)Does the agent specialize in Medicare specifically? The world of insurance is extremely diverse. Look for an agent who specializes in Medicare. Someone who is up to date on the laws and the changes is going to be able to advise you. It is wise to avoid a "jack of all trades" when it comes to Medicare. There is a lot to know about any genre of insurance.You are better with someone focused on the segment that you are dealing with.

4)How long has the agent been in business? Each year thousands of people get into the insurance business. Each year the vast majority of those new agents leave the insurance business. Work with an agent who has established longevity in the industry and demonstrated a commitment to it. Avoid brand new agents. This will ensure that your agent will be there down the line for customer service.

5)Does the agent present the information in a way that is clear and understandable? This would seem almost too basic to mention, but it is key. A competent, caring agent should be able to clear up the confusion for you. If an agent does their job properly, you will feel confident that you understand your options and that you have made the right choice for your circumstances. Avoid agents that use "insurance speak" terms and phrases that only insurance people would know.

6)Ask yourself if it seems like the agent trying to help you or themselves. All insurance professionals are in business to make a living. It is the ethical insurance professionals who live by the fact that it is only by taking care of the customer, that you take care of yourself.

Help is available. Just take a deep breath, remember these points and you will find the right person to help you understand your Medicare and Medicare Supplement Plan options.

Let us help. Don't tackle medicare alone. For the latest information about Medicare or to compare medicare supplement plan options and rates in your area, call 888-347-5552 or visit http://www.medicarequote4u.com/.

Stephanie Coutavas is an Insurance Professional specializing in Senior Insurance Solutions and Medicare Insurance. Co-founder and Senior Broker at http://www.medicarequote4u.com/, Common Sense Insurance Solutions Group. Stephanie decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper,correct information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."

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Medicare Supplement Plans: Purchase at the Annual Enrollment

Medicare Supplement Plans are the most excellent kind of insurances for health available to adults over the age of sixty five.

People who buy these supplemental quotes can visit almost any specialist, hospital, or doctor, and often pay very less or nothing at all for these kinds of purchases. The only difficulty with Medicare Supplement Plans is the agencies that offer this kind of Medicare supplemental quotes have under-writing guidelines, which might make it difficult to qualify if you have preexisting circumstances. Using definite issue guide-lines to buy one of these plans might make a big difference in the worth of care you get and you're other expenses for physician and hospital services.

The most frequently used assured issue period is the period of preliminary enrollment, which starts on the first-day of the month where you are both registered in Medicare (Part B) and over the age of sixty five. This time extends for 6 months and you may register in any plan with any agency during this specific time without responding to any of the health queries. A lot of seniors buy Medicare (Plan F) in the initial registration period, however over the past few years a lot of people have been influenced to buy Medicare Advantage Plans that offer lower coverage.

The second most liked assured issue period happens when adults choose to work after their sixty fifth year of age. During this period they are frequently covered by company plans that offer higher coverage to normal Medicare. Though, when they finally leave when they retire their company plan, they have a sixty three day assured issue period where they might register in the insurance plan of their selection. This assured issue period in addition includes people who have left, although are still covered on their earlier companies plan.

Medicare Supplements Plans approximately always offer higher exposure to Medicare-Advantage-Plans, which is why a lot of people are opting to register in normal Medicare and buy supplemental-insurance. A lot of seniors over the years have received correspondences informing them of their coverage with the current benefit plan will be finished at the end of the current year. These insured adults have a special assured issue time frame, where they might register in any kind of plan with any agency without giving explanations to any of the health questions. People who have physical conditions and issues should utilize this period to buy a Medicare Supplemental quote.

The Author is a professional writer, presently writing for Medicare supplements and Medicare supplement insurance.

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Senior Health - What You Should Know About Hospice

Talking about hospice care is probably at the top of the list of the things you never ever want to speak about or even think about. However if you have a senior health plan called Medicare it is imperative that you understand your benefits. The same holds true if you love and care for someone who has Medicare. After all, you have been paying the health insurance premiums for years and you should know and understand the benefits. It is also important to know and understand the benefits so you and your family may make informed choices and decisions.

Hospice provides comfort and support for the terminally ill and for the families that care for their loved ones. A lot of times what happens is that an elderly person will be told that they have six months or less to live. Someone will probably suggest that the family "make arrangements". What does "make arrangements" in this case actually mean? It means that there is help available for your loved one at a very difficult time. It's called hospice and your senior health plan will cover almost all of the costs. Hospice is generally given in the home but may also be received at an inpatient hospice facility. Some large hospitals may also have special "hospice" wings.

After a person has been given over to hospice a specially trained medical team will take over providing all medical care. Services may include drugs, physical care, counseling, equipment and supplies for the terminal illness and related condition(s). Hospice care is given in two ninety day periods of care followed by an unlimited number of sixty-day periods. At the start of each period of care, the hospice medical director or doctor must re-certify that you're terminally ill.

If your health improves or you go into remission you have the right to stop hospice care at any time. You may return to the same senior health plan you had before you chose hospice, such as treatment to cure the terminal illness. If you are eligible you may go back to hospice care at any time. For more information always consult a licensed insurance agent that specializes in senior health plans.

Do you want to find quotes on a high deductible health plan, senior health plan or an individual family plan? Click here: Health Insurance PremiumsView the original article here

Senior Health - Making Sure Seniors Are Protected

Senior health is far more volatile than most of us would like to admit. Whether you are a senior citizen yourself or you have one you want to take care of, finding proper protection in old age is vitally important to the protection of life in general. The easiest way to get protection is to find a health insurance plan that will accommodate all of the senior's needs and more. The information below will show you how to go about doing that so you can make sure your health or the health of someone you love is protected at all times.

One of the first things you need to think about as a senior is what you will likely need the senior health insurance for. Some policyholders need their plans to cover doctor's visits extensively, emergencies, and others need to get good deals on prescription drugs. Assess your needs so that you may be able to find a policy that is most fitting for them. Chances are you will opt for some kind of Medicare plan. When you do, you can look into supplemental insurance plans to cover those special needs. You should be able to setup an affordable insurance plan that works for you.

When you have an idea of the kind of plan you want to get, the next thing you need to do is generate some quotes online so you can see how much money you may have to pay. Then you can get the policy right there so that you are protected as soon as possible. You can change supplement plans or even insurance companies if you find a better deal out there. Just make sure you check everything before you sign up so that you know you are getting the coverage you need.

Senior health may be a little more fragile than the health of younger generations, but that does not make it harder to insure. There are plenty of insurance providers out there that are willing to work with seniors, even those on a fixed budget. You should never assume that you are out of options for your insurance plan because there is always a new one out there to take into consideration. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find a plan that is tailor fit to your needs. You can reap the benefits of your protection after that.

Hass Mohammed is VP of Sales & Marketing at Insurance Medics. Insurance Medics is a national online insurance agency offering a vast array of insurance products from many different insurers.

To find a Health insurance broker or for more information on Health Insurance Plans, visit http://www.healthinsurancemedics.com/

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Supplemental Benefits

Health insurance can be purchased on an individual basis, or through your employer. An insurance policy is, in fact, a contract. You agree to pay a premium, and the insurance company agrees to pay for certain medical losses. The one fact that most people don't realize is, the policy, as good as it is, may not be able to keep their finances from being challenged. Your policy may not pay enough.

A good way to keep up with medical expenses is with supplemental benefits. A supplement is something that fills in the gaps, and where the major health insurance leaves off, the supplemental benefits can take over.

People who have a vitamin deficiency take supplements, so why not supplement your health insurance and make sure you are completely covered. Supplemental benefits really do help financially, not to mention, relieve stress that comes with high medical expenses.

For major medical coverage most carriers pay between 70 to 90 percent of the allowed amount of the bill. This means the policy holder is responsible for the rest. Although it is true there is usually a limit each year on how much the member has to pay out of their own pocket, it can still be a staggering amount. A supplemental policy would really be beneficial in a situation like that.

Supplemental benefits come in different types of policies. Some of them pay medical services, and some of them send cash to you. This can be used to help with whatever expenses you need. If you were in the hospital and missed work, the money could be used as back wages, or for food.

Because supplemental benefits are varied, you should speak with an insurance representative who can help you choose the right one for you. An agent can save you hours of looking for the right policy, and an agent can recommend supplemental benefits that they know are reliable. Working with someone who knows every aspect of insurance and how it can help you is a great advantage.

Don't get caught holding a bag full of medical bills. Get supplemental benefits today and rest assured that you will have help when you need it.

Scott Swartzendruber has been helping businesses for 30 years with the proper communication and health care options for employees. To learn more on how Scott can help your company and held out all the health care changes visit http://www.healthcaresite.org/

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The Finer Points of Medicare Eligibility

Medicare is a government-run health insurance program that offers assistance with payment for hospital care (part A) and medical care (part B). Prescription drug coverage is also available through part D. Eligibility for medicare is based on disability or age.

The first criteria for Medicare eligibility is that the applicant needs to be a citizen of the US, and they must have worked at least ten years for a job that paid into the Medicare system. This information should be readily available on your paycheck.

Eligibility extends to your spouse, meaning that if you are married to somebody who has worked for more than ten years, the eligibility extends to you as well. Additionally, you must be aged either 65, or you must have been diagnosed with a permanent disability or kidney failure.

Again, the two requirements for eligibility are that you paid into the Medicare system for at least ten years as a US citizen, and you are over 65 or have been diagnosed with a disability.

Medicare part A is the hospital insurance portion of medicare. Most people can receive part A coverage when they reach age 65. This benefit is offered without any monthly premiums being necessary. The general guidelines state that anybody who is eligible for social security is eligible for medicare part A. Some government jobs also provide medicare coverage.

Individuals under the age of 65 who have been receiving social security benefits for disability longer than 24 months are also eligible. Individuals who are going for dialysis are also covered.

Those who are eligible for part A are also eligible for part B. This is insurance that is used to cover the costs of doctor care, outpatient care, and other medical care that is not related to hospital care. Unlike part A, however, part B is not free. There is a monthly premium necessary. As of 2011, the premiums cost $96.40. For every year that part B is available but you choose not to enroll, your premium can be raised by 10%.

As with part B, anybody who is eligible for part A is also eligible for part D. Part D is used to help an individual pay for prescription drugs. Like part B, you will have to pay a premium to sign up for this plan, but unlike part B, you the plan is only provided by private health insurance companies. In addition to these plans, there are medicare supplemental insurance plans that offer additional coverage.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher living in Austin, Texas. He recommends you check out MedicareMall.com, a medicare supplement insurance company offering medigap insurance.

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Supplemental Benefits - Why You May Need Them

Supplemental benefits are simply extra insurance benefits you can purchase that will fill the gap where your main insurance policy falls short. It doesn't matter how great an insurance policy you have because there will still be portions of the medical expenses that you will be responsible for. It can be very frustrating to pay premiums and then still be left holding the bag for high deductibles and co-insurance expenses. And, it would certainly be wonderful if all insurance policies paid 100%, but that is probably not going to happen. Finally people are getting the message that supplemental benefits can protect them from these medical expenses.

Today there are supplemental benefits plans, that don't cost an arm and a leg in premiums, that can help you with those left over medical bills. If you, are members of your family, receive medical care on a regular basis, or have a chronic illness, then a supplemental plan is something to think about. Supplemental plans come with different benefits, just as your health insurance plan does. You may want a plan that pays the medical providers direct, or you may opt for a plan that pays the lump sum cash directly to you. Many people prefer the cash-to-you policies because the cash can be used for lost wages, food, or whatever expenses you need.

Besides regular supplemental benefits, you can buy Cancer policies and Critical Care Insurance that covers diseases other than Cancer. On some supplemental policies, such as the Cancer policy, you need to have taken out the policy before you are diagnosed with the disease.

If your family has a history of Cancer, or any other debilitating disease, then maybe you should consider talking to a license insurance agent about setting up some Critical Care insurance now. Families that experience an illness of this nature are flooded with medical bills, and on top of fighting a dreaded disease, the stress can almost be too much. With a supplemental policy in place you can know that you will help in this time of need.

Sit down and take a good look at your health policy and you will see that there may be some areas where a good supplemental benefit plan could really be beneficial. Insurance is not always a bill that people like to pay, but when illness strikes, the relief you feel because you have insurance makes it all worth while.

Scott Swartzendruber has been helping businesses for 30 years with the proper communication and health care options for employees. To learn more on how Scott can help your company and held out all the health care changes visit http://www.healthcaresite.org/

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The Benefits of Medicare Supplemental Insurance

It may appear a bit confusing when you see or hear two names mentioned, but Medicare supplemental insurance and Medigap insurance are the exact same thing. Both are actual insurance policies that help take care of the shortcomings of any co pays, deductibles or coinsurance gaps that original Medicare Plans A & B do not address. But when an annuitant of Medicare starts browsing for supplements they'll be happy to know that only those companies approved by the government can be providers. That's a good thing.

There are several key things to know about Medicare supplemental insurance before you start shopping for a policy.
#1) You must have Medicare Parts A & B.
#2) You will have to pay a monthly premium to the chosen insurance company for your policy.
#3) Your supplement or gap policy will only cover you, not your spouse. He or she will need to purchase their own.
#4) You will be required to purchase a supplement policy through a company approved in your state and on the government approval list.
#5) Typical supplement/gap policies will not cover drug benefits.
#6) You will be required to pay your Medicare Part B premium unless your state Medicaid pays it for you.

Because the insurance company approval list is a mile long, be wise in your selections and options. Various options have various costs. In other words, it is beneficial to shop around and keep an eye out for the best dollar rate for the coverage you choose. Your computer is the best way to find which company has the plan you need. You can talk to each company for valuable information or read the forms online. Additionally, you can deal directly with the chosen company and not through an agent.

On the other hand, if you are so inclined, try tossing your shopping list troubles to one agent and let him or her do the research. They may be able to find companies on the list you overlooked that could provide your medical needs for a lower cost. For additional help and to find answers to questions visit: this website. They also provide updates on 2011 policy changes.

Hannah has a background in journalism and writes about Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Medigap

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The Benefits Of Owning A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan

The annual changes in the benefit structure in some Medicare Advantage plans can wreck havoc on your health care budget. Many have found their out of pocket expenses climbing while their benefits go downhill. On the other hand. Medicare Supplement Plans assist you in meeting your health care costs. Your Supplement Plan will automatically adapt to the changes in Medicare deductible and co-insurance from year to year.

Choose Your Doctors and Hospitals

You have complete freedom of choice for your doctors and hospitals when you have original Medicare along with a Medigap Insurance Plan. You do not have to deal with provider networks or get a referral if you need to see a specialist. Your are free to go to any provider, any time.

Other health plans may have local networks. Providers can leave and join the network. This could prevent you from receiving care from the people you've grown to know and trust.

Coverage is Guaranteed Renewable

MA Plans may revise their contract with the government every year. Every year plans are discontinued totally. Displaced members now must go through the process of finding another plan. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are guaranteed renewable. The only way that you can loose your plan is if you fail to pay the premium.

Any Provider or Hospital that Accepts Medicare Will Accept Your Medicare Supplement

All providers and hospitals that accept Medicare will also accept your Medicare Supplement Plan. This is not true with MA plans. A provider may choose not to participate in an MA Plan and even participating providers may choose not to accept new patients. Make sure to consult with your providers when you are considering a health plan.

Totally Portable Coverage

Original Medicare covers you anywhere in the country. Your supplements cover you anywhere that Medicare does. In fact there are even some plans that will cover emergency medical expenses abroad. You can enjoy peace of mind while traveling and a change of venue does not require a change in insurance.

What About Guaranteed Issue?

There are circumstances that can afford you with guaranteed issue rights in regards to securing Medicare Supplement Coverage. This means that you can apply for any Medicare Supplement plan you wish and no health questions will be asked. You have this right when you are in your Open Enrollment Period, when you are first eligible for Medicare. There are other times as well,for instance, If you move out of your plan's coverage area or if the plan stops offering coverage in your area, if you are on a group retiree health plan and coverage is discontinued, and if you currently are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and it is your first time in an MA Plan and you choose to return to original Medicare. As long as you were in the MA Plan for less than a year. These are a few examples.

These are just a few of the advantages of choosing original Medicare along a Medicare Supplement Policy. Even if you have pre-existing health conditions, you may be able to qualify for a Medicare Supplement.

Get the info you need about any Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Visit our website medicarequote4u.com for your free quote and up to date information about Medicare that you'll want to know.

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Why Is One Medicare Supplement Plan More Than Another? - Part 1

With prices having the ability to vary by 100% between Medicare Supplement Companies the question is why? What factors are involved in determining the prices for standardized plans where the benefits have to by law be identical. Well here are some major factors.

In what region does a company decide to sell within?

Because every states regulations differ by so much you would imagine that it would be more expensive to sell in a certain state vs. another state. If a Company decides to sell in a state where regulations are very strict this could mean that higher rates will be passed onto consumers. In contrast if a Company decides to sell in a state where the regulations are lax than rates will dictate that.

Remember that just because a provider does not sell in a certain state does not mean that you would not have coverage in that state. You will have coverage at every provider in the country that accepts Medicare. This means that if you happen to be in a state that does not have very strict regulations you might find yourself getting a much better premium.

If a Company chooses to accept more Guaranteed Issue clients they risk having higher health claims dues to more of there clients not going through a formal underwriting process. So Supplement Companies that offer coverage to large Groups would have a detrimental effect on rates for there clients.

When a Medigap provider offers their Plans to a Retiring Group, covering all retirees, they increase their risk due to the fact that they are required to offer Guaranteed Issue status to a larger group of people. This will inevitably increase the prices for all policy owners within that Company because of the added cost of not underwriting as many customers as possible under that company's umbrella.

Learn more about Medicare Supplements. Stop by Andrew Coutavas's site where you can find out all about medigap plans and what it can do for you.

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Senior Health Plan - 50,397 Reasons You Need One

You have just turned 65 and signed up for Medicare or you already have Medicare and all your health care expenses are taken care of right? WRONG! Original Medicare has gaps in the coverage, thus the term "Medigap" which is used to refer to senior health plans. Medicare has deductibles, coinsurances and a set amount of lifetime reserve days. There are two different types of senior plans. One is a Medicare Supplement plan. These plans are standardized by the Federal Government. The other senior plan is called a Medicare Advantage Plan. In this article I will discuss the senior health plans called Arkansas Medicare Supplement Plans, Med Sups, or Medigap plans. They all refer to the same type of Medicare plans.

Just for fun let's add up all the deductibles or gaps in your Medicare policy. Part B has a deductible of $155.00. Part A for, for 2011, has a hospital deductible of $1100.00 for each 60 day hospital stay. It is possible to have almost six 60 day periods per year. There is also a skilled nursing facility deductible that must be met. Just those gaps alone come to $50,397 annually!

That figure does not reflect the 20% coinsurance for Part B that you would owe your doctor. So, you can see that without some type of senior plan your gold just got taken out of your golden years. Medicare plans also come in 11 different varieties. Not all plans are available in all areas. There is variety between the plans which enables almost every member to invest in a senior health plan, regardless of budget. So, how to figure which senior plan is the right one for you? Take a good look at your budget.

Once you figure out what would be affordable, the services of a licensed agent would probably be a great benefit in helping you to select the best senior health plan for you.

Do you want to find quotes on a high deductible health plan, senior health plan or an individual family plan? Click here: Health Insurance Premiums

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What Does Medicare Supplement Plan F Cost?

Once people turn 65 and qualify for Medicare, they begin to consider Medicare supplement insurance plans or medigap plans, and the services these plans offers, and its cost. Medigap covers and pays for a portion of the total healthcare expenses that the actual Medicare plan doesn't. Like any other insurance plans and policies, deciding on which plan best suits your needs and situation can be difficult. There are several factors which have an effect on the supplement's monthly or yearly premium. Based on Weiss ratings, a reliable and independent strength ratings provider for banks and insurance companies, the most common medigap plan for 65 year old individuals and retirees which is Plan F, approximately costs $1,813.00 per year. For North Carolina Medicare plans, rates can be as low as $1,090 per year. That breaks down to about $90 per month. But you may ask what affects the rates for Plan F?

Medigap Insurance Policies: Ratings

Medigap insurance policies are rated in three different ways, issue-age rating, community rating and attained-age rating respectively.

Issue-age rating means that the Medigap cost is dependent on the age at the start insurance. The rate won't increase as the policy holder ages but it can possibly go up depending on factors like inflation and the economy. Community rating doesn't consider age but the insurance company still holds the right to make any adjustments on the cost due to claims over a period of time. Attained-age rating the cost of the policy is based on the age and start date of the senior.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Comparing Prices
Prices may vary depending on the insurance company selling the Medigap policy. When choosing the right policy there's two important things to consider. First is the coverage included in the quote comparison. The second important factor is rating structure; this is where monthly premiums are based. The medigap policy rate is better in non-smokers compared to smokers. It is also better for females and married individuals (due to partner discounts). In some instances, allowing bank drafts can offer additional savings.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Cost sharing with High Deductible Plan F
Some companies now offer the high deductible plan F. This cost sharing option makes a significant difference in the over-all insurance premium. These plans offer lower premium in exchange for the client taking more risk in potential out of pocket costs (high deductible). With high deductible plans, deductibles reset each year.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Medicare Open Enrollment Period When applying for a Medigap insurance policy for the first time, it should be done during the open-enrollment period which is the first 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday. The open-enrollment period guarantees the enrollment regardless of medical condition and health status. During this period your premium will not be affected by any health issues.

About the Author

Still unsure if a Medicare Supplement Plan F is best for you and what type of rating works? To learn more about what type of Plan F would be best for you, Heather B Williams recommends visiting http://www.mymedigapconsultant.com/.

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Overview Of Medicare Supplemental Insurance

The health of an individual is almost like the primary source of everything that he or she has. When your body is not functioning properly and you are suffering from various debilitating conditions, chances are you will not be able to carry out your work properly which will greatly affect your daily living. Because of this, it is a big must for you to get a partner which will be able to help you secure your health conditions. And one of these is the Medicare supplemental insurance (aka Medigap insurance).

A Quick Glimpse

Medicare supplemental insurance (aka Medigap insurance) is a kind of private insurance for health which is designed as a supplement for Original Medicare. It is the one which is responsible for the payment of the costs of healthcare which is not being covered by Medicare such as the deductibles and copayments. Medigap plans are also going to cover some of the services which are not being covered by the Original Medicare insurance. In case that you have decided to enroll in Medicare while having the Medigap policy, Medicare will still be paying its share of the amount that they have approved for the costs of the healthcare that they cover. For the meantime, your policy is in Medigap will also be paying its share.

Every Medicare supplement insurance plan (aka Medigap insurance) is also expected to adhere to both Federal and State laws that are designed to protect the holders like you and it should be evidently identified as the "Medicare Supplement Insurance." Insurance companies are only allowed to sell a plan that is standardized and identified with letters A to N. Every standardized and regulated policy must offer similar basic benefits, regardless of the insurance company selling it. Service and cost is the sole difference between the policies being sold by various insurance companies.

Buying Medicare Supplemental Insurance (aka Medigap Insurance)

As a whole, whenever you buy your Medigap policy, there is a minimum of two components in the policy, Medicare Part A, which is Hospital Insurance and the Medicare Part B, which is the Medical Insurance. If you decide to buy a medigap plan, you have to directly pay Medicare Part B's monthly premium to Medicare. Also, you have to pay another insurance premium to the corresponding company of private insurance which provides the Medicare supplemental insurance (aka Medigap insurance).

To clear some issues, Medigap policy does not have anything to do with the coverage that you can claim from your employer for this is not Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage Plan and is not way connected to Medicaid. What is primarily does is to help you in closing the gaps with your deductibles in Medicare. There are also policies that are providing extra benefits not being within the bounds of Medicare like at home recovery, prescription drugs and routine checkups.

Getting your own Medicare supplemental insurance (aka Medigap insurance) is a good way of assuring that you will be able to properly look into your health for you to be assured that you will have no difficulties in the near future.

Learn more about medigap insurance and to find out how to get the lowest rates for the plan best suited for you take a look at http://www.mostmedicare.com/ and know your options. Check out mostmedicare's extended guide and obtain the plan befitting to your needs.

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Medigap Plan G - The Better Choice

When a person first looks at the Medicare Supplement plans available they immediately zero in on plan F. This plan is the plan with all the boxes checked meaning it has the most complete coverage. Plan F is also the most popular plan available, but most popular does not always equate to the best deal.

If you take a look at the next plan down from F, plan G, you will see that it has almost the exact same coverage with the exception that G does not pay the Medicare part B deductible. The Medicare part B deductible for the year 2011 was $162. This is how much you will pay one time per year for out-of-pocket doctor's office charges.

So let's do some math. Once you have your Medigap quotes you will see that plan G's monthly premium is less expensive than plan F's. So subtract plan G's monthly premium from plan F's. Now multiply the answer that you get by twelve (the number of months you pay your premium per year). The answer that you get is how much more plan F costs to have than plan G per year. Now subtract the Medicare Part B yearly deductible from how much more it will cost to have plan F. This is how much you will save by having plan G.

For 2011, if the premium difference between plans F and G is greater than $13.50 per month, then Medigap plan G makes the most sense. Many people can save $100 - $300 per year even after having to pay out that $162 per year Medicare Part B deductible! Now if the savings is not that much and you simply don't want to fool with having to pay the part B deductible, then maybe Medigap plan G is not the best choice for you. But it is defiantly worth taking a look at.

Often insurance agents are reluctant to point out the possible savings available by purchasing a Medicare supplement plan G in lieu of plan F. This is because insurance agents make a little more when a person purchases plan F. A trustworthy independent insurance agent is always a huge asset when it comes to getting the best deal with Medicare Supplement Insurance. An independent agent does not work for a single company. An independent agent licensed by your state and can sell you insurance from any insurance company in that state. This gives you the best opportunity to save.

Joel Moyer is an owner and independent agent for Centaur Medicare Solutions. Prior to being licensed as an insurance agent, Joel served in the US Army for over twenty years. His service included many places around the United States and countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Korea.

To learn more about Medicare, Medigap, Term life, or to purchase insurance please visit us at http://centaurmedicaresolutions.com/
To request Medigap quotes please visit http://centaurmedicaresolutions.com/get-quotes/medicare_supplement_quotes/

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Medigap Supplemental Insurance

Are you starting medicare, as you can imagine there are many choices for you when it comes to coverage. With the large influx of people starting Medicare everyday, most are looking for a way to cover the gaps that are in Medicare like deductibles and co-insurance. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the choices that are in the market, we have found that Medicare Supplemental Ins plans have allowed people to cover these gaps in a cost effective way.

Medicare Part A- This is the portion of Medicare that you automatically receive from working 10 years or more at a job in the United States. Medicare Part A covers the hospital portion of any medically necessary situation. Medicare Part A has some large gaps in it however, as of 2011 there is a $1132 deductible associated with Medicare Part A, this deductible is a per benefit period deductible meaning that it needs to be paid for every separate accident or illness that may occur. If you have an accident or illness that you are going back into the hospital for within 60 day of the first occurrence of the accident or illness you will not have to pay the deductible twice, only if you are going outside of that 60 day window. I know that this may sound confusing but think of it like this the great majority of the time that you go into the hospital you will be responsible for a $1132 (2011) deductible. You will also be responsible for co-insurance or co-pays to the hospital that Medicare does not cover. This is one of the main reasons why we see so many people that are starting Medicare choose to have a Medigap type of plan. There is also another large gap in Medicare, this is Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part B- This is portion of Medicare has a cost associated with it, this cost has many factors, however we find the average cost is around $115.00 per month, having a Medigap plans will not pay this amount. Part B of Medicare is for your doctors and preventative care services. Medicare Part B has a $162 (2011) deductible. Unlike Part A of Medicare this is an annual deductible meaning that once the $162 deductible is paid all that you are responsible for is the 20% of expenses that are not covered by Part B of Medicare. Many people that are currently on medicare have chosen to have a Medicare plan to cover the above gaps.

Now its time to talk about these Supplements to Medicare. Things you need to remember about Medicare Supplement Plans are simple. They cover gaps that Medicare does not. However remember that there are many different plans, all of these plans cover different portions of the gaps in Medicare. Even the most affordable Medicare Supplement Plans will cover the Part A & B coverage gaps. If you spend a little bit more you will be able to cover the Part A deductible of $1132 per benefit period, and the Part B deductible of $162 annually. Covering these gaps can make a huge difference in out of pocket costs for Medical expenses. One of the most popular choices for a Medigap plan would be a Plan F. Having a Plan F will increase your coverage amounts to paying for additional nursing care, foreign travel and excess Part B charges. Having a Medicare Plan will drastically reduce your out of pocket expenses for medical care, also budgeting can be easier because you know that the amount of your monthly premium will typically be the limit of your costs.

I would imagine you see the benefit of having a Medicare Supplement Plan. It has certainly helped people maintain a budget and low out of pocket expenses. We definitely recommend them.

Want to find out more about, medicare supplement plans MedicareQuote4U.com for the knowledge you need about medicare and how to pay less for what you need.

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Supplement Insurance for Medicare

In the American health care system, Medicare is a social insurance program that provides health insurance coverage to people over 65, and others who have a congenital physical disability. However, Medicare does not pay for all the costs associated with getting health services and supplies - there are copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance costs that are required to be paid by the patient or the insurance taker. Supplement insurance for Medicare is the type of insurance policy that pays for just such costs, the ones that are not covered by Medicare. Because they fill in the gaps between the cost of health care, and the total amount reimbursed by Medicare, supplemental health insurance is also called Medigap.

Benefits of Medicare Supplemental Insurance

There are many associated costs to using Medicare, including copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance costs. Medicare will also not cover many different types of costs associated with a visit to a hospital - these include travel, lodging, counseling, home recovery, and outpatient services, among others. Supplemental insurance plans will pay for these costs and more. It should be noted that supplement insurance is just that - a supplement to your Medicare insurance policy. It cannot be taken just by itself. However, it is a very useful policy to have because the extra costs associated with Medicare itself can come to thousands of dollars.

More specifically, Medigap insurance complements the coverage provided by Medicare Parts A and B. This includes hospitalization costs and payment of co-insurance. Medigap plans also provide insurance coverage for foreign travel, something that is not part of Medicare. It also covers the deductibles for both Plan A and B Medicare. For reference, Medicare Plan A covers in-patient hospital services, and Medicare Plan B covers medical expenses, outpatient services, and laboratory services.

Types of Medicare Supplement Insurance

Though Medigap is provided by private insurers, Medigap plans have been standardized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is a federal body. There are 10 plans named from A to N, with plans E, H, I, and J having been discontinued after May 31, 2010.

Aside from Medigap, there are other supplemental insurance policies that add benefits for other illnesses and diseases, which may not be covered by a regular plan. For example, if your normal insurance plan does not cover for critical insurance, you can take supplement insurance that cover for it. Other such plans include plans that cover, hospital indemnity or hospital confinement insurance and accidental death policies.

Selecting the right Medigap insurance plan will be one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your money and health, so you are advised to do the right research before you make your decision.

To know more about Medicare supplement insurance, and how to get the best quotes, visit nationalmedicaresupplements.com The site also has a toll free number to help you with any queries regarding Medicare supplemental insurance.

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Thing To Remember If You Are Purchasing A Medicare Supplement Or Turning 65

After years of hard work you are finally eligible for Medicare. There is no shortage of information out there for you to decipher through. Make sure to review these points however.

Calls, emails, flyers. There is no shortage of information for you to look at or listen to but how do you make the best decision? Especially California Medicare plans can be a real maze with all of the plans to choose from like Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D, and Medicare Supplement.

Remember that Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements can vary in price. They also can differ in benefits. It does remind you of the adage "Pay me now or pay me later". Medicare Supplements are more money per month but less money usually in the long run.

You probably have some friends that are in the same age bracket as you. Sometimes you might think to yourself that if a plan works for them it will work for you. This is not the case. Advice on these very important financial matters should come from someone that understands all the factors involved.

Talk to a professional, a Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent that has the ability to offer all of the companies in your state can provide great information that can aid you in a educated decision. There are some factors that your Financial Advisor and/or Insurance Agent should be asking you about. They are the following:

Are you going to be living in the same area for a prolonged period of time?

Do you travel in the U.S. on a yearly basis?

Do you travel outside of U.S. on a yearly basis?

What is the monthly premium amount that works for you?

Does freedom of choice when it comes to providers matter to you?

With all of this information your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent will be able to lead you in the right direction.

Want to find out more about Medicare Supplement, then visit Andrew Coutavas's site on how to choose the best Medicare Plan for your needs.

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Medicare Supplemental Insurance - How to Choose an Advisor?

There are 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every single day. If you are also turning 65 soon, you might feel a bit anxious. Not because you are turning 65 (after all, age 65 is the new 55). You are feeling overwhelmed due to the fact that your health insurance is probably changing and it's time to switch to a Medicare Plan. As the wise consumer that you are, you have started to do your research. Medicare and Medicare Supplemental options can be quite confusing. Then add all the mail that you've been receiving-those thick packets, the scary postcards and all those letters-you are even more confused, feel overwhelmed and you are now experiencing information overload. You have come to the realization that you want professional guidance concerning your options. But where to turn? If you follow these simple steps in seeking out an advisor, you will probably have a great experience with your Medicare Supplemental needs.

1. Stay Local. Do you really want to trust your Medicare Health Insurance with some calling center "agent," somewhere across the country or in another country altogether? If you stay local, that advisor should be willing to meet with you and review all your needs in person. Also, that advisor is well aware which plans work well in your area.

2. Expertise. There are many, many agents and brokers that sell insurance. Most of them are a jack of all trades, masters of none. Medicare and Medicare options are quite unique. Work with someone who specializes in Medicare Supplemental and Medicare Advantage plans and knows this field inside and out.

3. Professional. When you seek legal help, you talk to a person with JD on his/her business card. When you need tax help, you work with a CPA. Insurance advice should be no different. Work with a professional, who earned the designations Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).

4. Broker. Never, ever work with an agent that only represents one company. That agent is working for that particular insurance company, not for you. You want an unbiased Medicare broker who handles many companies. Your advisor should work for you!

The internet is an amazing tool. Use it! When you are on the internet, you need to decide whether you simply want a quote, or whether you want a professional advisor assisting you. Either way, the premium you pay for the Medicare Supplement Insurance is exactly the same. Why not take advantage of the guidance of a local Medicare professional? The service, advice, and processing is going to make a world of difference. Follow the above steps when deciding on an Medicare advisor, and you will be in great shape!

Allen Heffler, CLU, ChFC is a licensed Insurance Agent located in Philadelphia, PA. He specializes in Philadelphia Medicare Supplement Insurance and can be reached via telephone- (215) 658-1555, email- heff@comcast.net or website http://www.mymedicareadvisor.com/

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Medicare Supplement Plans In Nevada, Colorado, and Utah

When you compare these 3 states and the Medicare Supplement Plans they have to other states in the country you see a major trend. For the most part they are much less expensive when compared to other states that have large cities in them. As we know Colorado has Denver, Nevada has Reno and Las Vegas, and Utah has Salt Lake and some other medium size cities within. So why is there a big price difference between these states and others. We will talk about 2 reasons.

Typically the healthier the state the lower the rates. All of these states boast a very good health rating. When a Medicare Supplement Company has lower health claims they also have lower costs which they usually pass along to the consumer as lower rates for there plans. Actually these companies are able to look in years past to try to determine there future costs for claims, when they see that in years past claims costs have been comparably lower than other states they are able to keep prices lower because of that. These rocky mountain area states thus are benefiting from a healthy life style, All of these states have lots of outdoor activities which aide in preserving a great health rating.

Competition is also a large factor in rates, as you look across the country at rates you will notice an important trend. In states where there is only 1 or 2 companies that sell Medicare Supplement Plans we find that the rates are very high. In states like Nevada, Utah, and Colorado we find at least 5 companies that offer these types of plans. With that being said every company is vying for a position in the market. When you are dealing with a standardized plan having a position in the market has every thing to do with prices.

Standardized plans is of tremendous importance as to why competition is so important, think about it like this. If you went to a car dealership to purchase an automobile you would not pay $5000 more for the exact same car with the same options, that will get you to the same place. It just does not make sense. It is the same with Medicare Supplement Plans. Educated consumers know that these plans are essentially identical company to company which means that there is not much more to talk about than price.

Whether you are looking at Utah Medicare Supplement Plans, Nevada Medicare Supplement Plans or Colorado Medicare Supplement Plans, you are in a good position. Living where you live could save you thousands of dollars in your Medicare Career.

Looking to find the best deal on A MEDICARE PLAN, then visit http://www.medicarequote4u.com/ to find the best advice on a Medicare Plan for you.

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Your Medicare Supplement Plan - Have You Shopped Around Lately?

It's funny. Think about how often we "shop around" when we are about to buy a product. Whether it's buying groceries, electronics, stuff for the home, staples - you name it - we always want to pay as little as possible. We want to make sure we're getting the lowest price, so we "shop around." If you are that kind of person (most of us are), you have to ask yourself this question - have you "shopped around" your Medicare Supplement Plan recently? Are you getting the best bang for the buck on your Medicare insurance? If you shop around correctly, you potentially could save a lot of money on your Medigap plan

It is important to understand psychologically why you might not have "shopped around" your Medicare Supplement Plan. First, Medigap plans for many seniors tend to be quite confusing, and people might not want to wade into those waters again. Second, we might be lazy. Your current plan is working well, so why bother? Third, Medicare Supplement shopping around is not as fun as going shopping for clothes or that big screen TV. Fourth, many people are under the wrong assumption that you can only change Medicare Supplement Plans during "Open Enrollment." Not true! You may be able to switch from one Medicare Supplement Plan to another at any time during the year. There is no Enrollment Period that you have to wait for. It is important to understand and then overcome these objections to shopping your Medicare Insurance, since you might be losing hundreds of dollars a year with an expensive plan.

How might you save all that money on your Medicare Supplement Insurance? It is significantly easier than you think! The important fact is that that Medicare plans are standardized. For your chosen plan, there is no difference in coverage between company to company! For example, if you have Medicare Supplement Plan F from one company, all other company's Plan F is identical to your current Plan F. No difference whatsoever in the benefits. If a doctor/medical provider/hospital accepts Medicare, they will accept all Medicare Supplement carriers.

The only difference is the price each Medicare insurance company charges you. The price difference can be substantial. I recently did a telephone review of a husband and wife's Medicare Plan. After a ten minute analysis, we were able to save this couple over $1,000 year on their premium, while keeping the same exact coverage! Thus, keep your Medicare insurance company "honest." Have a professional shop around for you to get the lowest cost plan available. You too, might be able to save hundreds of dollars a year, while maintaining the identical high quality Medicare coverage.

Allen Heffler, CLU, ChFC is a licensed Insurance Agent located in Philadelphia, PA. He specializes in Medicare Plans and can be reached via telephone- (215) 658-1555, email- heff@comcast.net or website http://www.mymedicareadvisor.com/

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What You Don't Know About Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plans Can Cost You

As an Independent Broker who specializes in Senior Insurance and Medigap - Medicare Supplement Insurance, I see on a daily basis how important accurate information is. Making a sound decision is wholly dependent on acquiring knowledge about and understanding your options.

Many of my clients have told me that their search for information resulted in an avalanche of calls and emails from dozens of insurance agents leaving them frustrated and even more confused. This can become so overwhelming that they just give up, missing the opportunity to learn about an option that might better their situation and save them money.

Fact 1: There are marketing companies that will sell your information.

When you seek information online or fill in a form to win a prize you may be entering your personal information into a lead service. They will sell your information to numerous agents who contact with them to provide them with the names and contact information of people seeking information about Medigap- Medicare Supplement Plans. This is what starts the avalanche!

You can avoid this by always making sure that you are on a legitimate, licensed broker's website.There should be a toll free number for you to call and an email address for you contact them.

If you are required to give all of your personal information in order to receive a quote you may be in the wrong place.

Fact 2: Although the cost of your Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plan may vary from company to company, the benefits are exactly the same.

There are currently 10 standardized Medicare Supplement Plans. PLAN A, PLAN B, PLAN C, PLAN D, PLAN F, PLAN G, PLAN K, PLAN L, PLAN M and PLAN N. The benefits in each of these plans are approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). All insurance companies who offer Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans must comply with the approved benefits for the supplement plans that they offer.

Even though the benefits in each of the different plans are the same no matter which company is offering the plan, there are big differences in the prices of the plans from company to company.

Knowing this fact and taking the time to compare prices may save you 30% or more on your Medicare Supplement. A few minutes really can save you money.

Fact 3: You are NOT locked into your Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plan until Open Enrollment.

Medicare Supplement Plans are not subject to any annual enrollment periods. You are free to change plans any time of the year.

Knowing this fact frees you to compare your plan options and switch to a different plan or company at any time. If you find that you can get the same plan for a better price from a different company, you can switch and start saving immediately.

Fact 4: You ARE locked into your Part D Prescription Plan until open enrollment.

Part D Medicare Prescription Plans (PDP) are Medicare Approved plans offered by private insurance companies.

They vary in terms of monthly premium, deductible, and co-pays. Each plan has a unique formulary. A formulary is a list of drugs that the plan covers and where the specific drug fall on the plans co-pay tiers.

We did a comparison of 27 different plans available in Florida. We used a sample drug list which contained 5 drugs, 4 generic and 1 named brand. The estimated annual drug cost ranged from $734 for the least out-of-pocket plan, to $2623 for the highest.

Being in the wrong PDP can really impact your bottom line.

Write a reminder on your calendar for October next year and take the time to make sure that you are in the right plan for your specific drugs during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This is the only time of the year that you can change your PDP.

I hope that these 4 important facts about Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plans will help you keep more of your money in your pocket.

Stephanie Coutavas is an Insurance Professional specializing in Senior Insurance Solutions and Medicare Insurance. Co- founder and Senior Broker at MedicareQuote4U.com-Common Sense Insurance Solutions Group. Stephanie decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper,correct information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."

Whether you are receiving Medicare Benefits before age 65, helping a parent or loved one or just not sure if there might be a better value for your health care $$$, we can help. Call us at 1-888-347-5552 to speak with a licensed Medicare Supplement Specialist or visit us at
http://www.medicarequote4u.com/. We are your Medicare Supplement experts and we are standing by to help.

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Medigap - Benefits of Using an Independent Agency

As the Baby-Boomers turn 65 and start utilizing their Medicare benefits, many will have both the desire and the financial means to purchase some sort of additional insurance to fill in the gaps that Medicare leaves for the consumer to pay. This is where an independent agency is an extremely useful resource.

When people think about buying Medicare supplement insurance often the first thing that comes to mind are the big names: Anthem Medicare Preferred, Aetna, Blue Cross, Gerber, Mutual of Omaha, Sterling, etc. Some will spend hours calling or combing the internet trying to ring out the best deal for themselves. While this self-reliance and can-do attitude is noble, what if there is a very simple and easy way to ensure you get the lowest priced Medigap plan? This is where an independent agent comes in!

There are two types of insurance agents that you will meet when you wander through the woods of insurance shopping. The first and most prevalent is the captive agent. A captive agent is an agent that works for a particular insurance company and only sells insurance for that company. The reason they are so prevalent is because when an insurance agent starts off selling insurance they make very little money. Most agents cannot afford the cost of starting a small business, then going without a paycheck for many months. This means they have to sign with a big company that will sponsor them. The other type of insurance agent is an independent agent. This is an agent that is licensed in any particular state to sell insurance and can sell insurance from any company with which they have a contract. Most are contracted with several companies.

The benefit of using an independent agent is that they can compare the costs of all the insurance companies in your area and find you the lowest price. Also, your Medigap policy will not cost you any more if you use an independent agent. Many agents will even pay the mailing costs to process your application. Then in the future when your premiums rise, the independent agent can compare prices again to see if there is a better priced supplement plan for you.

Word of caution! Many seniors will go on the internet and start making quote requests on various web sites. This leads to them being bombarded with agents emailing them and calling them at all times of the day. It doesn't even matter if you are on a do not call list because you are granting permission to be called when you fill out the form. The reason for this happening is many of the internet sites that come up are there simply to collect people's information and then sell it to multiple agents and insurance companies. All Medicare Supplement plans are federally and state regulated, so there is no need to go through this hassle. The ABC plan of one company has the same exact coverage as the ABC plan of another. Also you cannot buy the plan of one company cheaper from one agent than you can another agent. The playing field is level.

So, save yourself a lot of hassle and time and find an independent agent from which to request your insurance quotes. To learn more about more about Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance from a licensed independent agency, visit us today at http://centaurmedicaresolutions.com/

Joel Moyer is an owner and independent agent for Centaur Medicare Solutions. Prior to being licensed as an insurance agent, Joel served in the US Army for over twenty years. His service included many places around the United States and countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Korea. A more extensive bio is available by clicking his picture on our website.

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Part D Enrollment Period - Big Changes For 2012 Plans

Almost everyone with Medicare or soon to be eligible for Medicare understands the value of joining a Medicare Part D Plan. The best time to join a Part D Plan is when you first become eligible for Medicare. By joining when you are first eligible you gain valuable coverage and avoid the Late Enrollment Penalty should you decide to enroll at a later date. But what if you want to join, switch or drop a Part D Plan? The Part D enrollment period, known as the Annual Enrollment Period gives you the opportunity.

When Medicare Part D Plans first became available in 2006 there were two distinct times to enroll or make changes. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which originally ran from November 15 through December 31 and the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) which ran from January 1 through March 31.

During the AEP you could make changes with very little restriction. You could enroll in a stand-alone Part D Plan or for example if you live in California join a Medicare Advantage Plan which included Part D coverage (MAPD). You could drop a plan or switch plans as you saw fit. You could even submit multiple applications with the last one received being the plan that you would ultimately join.

The OEP was little more restrictive. You could only make like-to-like plan changes with Part D being the determining factor. You were able to switch to another Part D Plan if you were currently enrolled in one. But were unable to enroll in a Medicare Rx Plan if you neglected to do so in the AEP. This enrollment period gave you the opportunity to make changes to your Part D coverage within the guidelines if you felt it was in your best interest.

People with Medicare liked the freedom afforded by these enrollment opportunities and insurance agents certainly liked being able to help a client who may have joined a plan that was less than beneficial for their circumstances. But the powers that be within the government felt that the Part D enrollment period needed fixing!

January 2011 saw the elimination of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period and the beginning of less choice for people with Medicare. Instead of the OEP a new dis-enrollment period was put in place. This period was only for people who enrolled in an Advantage Plan during the AEP who would like to drop that plan.

During the Annual Dis-enrollment Period which begins January 1 and ends February 14 you are able to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare. You can also purchase a different stand-alone Part D drug plan. If you choose, you can also purchase a Medicare supplement but may be subject to the insurance company's underwriting requirements. This does not allow you to switch a stand-alone Part D Plan. You are locked in.

Big changes are in store for Part D Plans with a January 2012 effective date. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period has been changed. The Annual Enrollment Period for Part D and Medicare Advantage will now begin October 15 and end December 7. The extra week is nice but you better mark your calendar other wise you will be out of luck!

Plan sponsors should be releasing details of their Part D Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans earlier than in years past and information should also be posted on the Medicare website sooner as well. It is your responsibility to be proactive and research any plans you may be interested in prior to the Part D enrollment period end date of December 7.

Don't be one of the tens of thousands that will not get the word about these date changes. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to enroll in the Medicare Part D Plan of your choice.

David Forbes is President of Alliance Marketing Associates, Inc. David enables older adults to make informed decisions to protect their health and wealth. He also offers helpful advice on topics related to insurance for seniors, including information related to Medicare Part D Formularies

Sign up for your Free Mini-Course on Medicare Plans at http://affordablemedicareplan.com/humana-walmart-preferred-rx-plan-lowest-part-d-premium/.

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Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage - Demystified

If you are like many folks, you have struggled to understand your Medicare benefits. Parts, plans, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, Medicare supplement, PPO, HMO, POS, MAPD, language that seems to go in circles. You don't have to be a Medicare expert to understand your benefits and choices. The first step is to gain a clear understanding of some Medicare basics.

The Four Parts of Medicare.

Medicare consists of four parts. Each part is designated by a letter. A - D

Medicare Part A covers room and board and some other expenses in an inpatient situation. This can include a hospital, skilled nursing facility and hospice care. Medicare Part A has a deductible and co-insurances that you will be responsible for. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A.

Medicare Part B is the outpatient side of Medicare. This includes doctor visits, surgical services, physical therapy, speech therapy, durable medical equipment, home health care, outpatient testing and some drugs. Part B covers 80% of approved amounts for these expenses after you have met your annual deductible. Part B requires a monthly premium. Enrollment is optional. In most cases there is a late enrollment penalty that will be added to your premium if you delay enrollment in Part B unless you have other creditable coverage. There are limited enrollment periods every year when you are able to enroll in Part B.

Parts A & B are what is known as original Medicare. It was created in the 1965 with the first benefits paid in 1966 to help seniors with medical expenses. It is a government health plan. It covers most of your medical expenses. There are gaps in the coverage and most seniors cover all or some of the gaps with a Medicare Supplement insurance plan. Thus creating a situation where they can control and predict their medical expenses from month to month and year to year.

If you choose to stay with original Medicare you can use any doctor or hospital anywhere in the country as long as they accept Medicare.

Medicare Part C is Medicare Advantage. Since 1997 seniors have had the option to enroll in private Medicare Insurance. The Plan Provider is paid with your Part B premium and an additional amount from Medicare for each enrollee. These plans are required to cover at least what Part A & Part B cover. Some Medicare Advantage Plans include benefits not found in original Medicare like dental coverage, eye glasses and gym memberships. Some of the plans include prescription coverage. There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans; HMO, PPO, PFFS, and POS. It is very important to remember that the coverage in a Medicare Advantage Plan is the same coverage as Medicare Part A and Part B. It is not the same as Part A and Part B with a supplement. All Advantage Plans will have out-of-pocket expenses in the form of co-pays for office visits, daily co-insurance for hospital stays etc. You are not permitted to add a supplement policy to your Advantage Plan to cover these costs. Regardless of the type of Advantage Plan that you choose, be aware that you will have to choose from providers who accept your specific plan or be ready to pay increased out-of-pocket expenses.

Medicare Part D is Medicare's prescription coverage. These plans are made available by private companies. Medicare mandates and approves the plans that are offered. You will have a monthly premium for the Part D plan that you choose. You may choose to not enroll in a Part D plan but keep in mind that you will pay a late enrollment penalty when you do enroll. The fine will be based on the number of months from when you were eligible for Part D and the month you enrolled. Enrollment opportunities are limited to Medicare Enrollment Periods each year.

By taking a moment to understand what each Part of Medicare covers and knowing where you are exposed within the coverage of each you have provided yourself a solid position from which to plan a solution that works for your unique situation.

Stephanie Coutavas decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."

Whether you are receiving Medicare Benefits before age 65, helping a parent or loved one or just not sure if there might be a better value for your health care $$$, we can help. Call us at 1-888-347-5552 to speak with a licensed Medicare Supplement Specialist or visit us at http://www.medicarequote4u.com/. We are your Medicare Supplement Experts.

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The twelve different types of Medicare Supplement policies

There are certain Medicare supplement policies, commonly referred to as Medigap, which are sold to Medicare beneficiaries who are already enrolled in Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans. These Medicare supplement plans help cover the "gap" or pay for expenses that Medicare does not include. Medicare supplement policies are private insurance plans that help pay expenses, such as deductibles, co-payments, or prescription drug costs.

Medicare beneficiaries can purchase Medigap, or Medicare supplement policies, on the open health insurance market. At this time, many seniors do not purchase Medicare supplement plans and only rely on Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans. The premium costs for Medicare supplement policies vary based on geography, type of plan, age and health condition. Therefore, purchasing Medicare supplement plan right when you turn 65 is probably a good idea, because th at is when you are the healthiest and youngest and eligible for Medigap coverage. If you purchase a Medicare supplement policy later on, you may have to pay a really high premium.

There are standardized Medicare supplement policies, which are government-regulated to include specific benefits so that individuals can compare the policies easily. However, each health insurance provider can set their own prices for their Medicare supplement policies. That is why it is important to do some comparison shopping between insurance providers.
At this time, there are twelve different standardized Medigap or Medicare supplement policies. They are identified by the letters A through L. The federal and state government both regulates these Medicare supplement policies, in order to protect seniors. The first mandate is that all Medigap policies be clearly identified as "Medicare Supplement Insurance". The twelve different types of Medicare Supplement policies have a different set of basic benefits, plus possibly more additional benefits. In the next year or two, some additional Medicare supplement policies will be added. These will also be identified by letters.

In order to buy a Medicare supplement policy, you must already have Medicare Part A and Part B. You will continue to pay your premium for Part B, and then an additional premium for the Medicare supplement policy. Part A, as you are probably aware of, does not require an additional premium, as long as you paid into Medicare ta xes throughout your career life. Unlike traditional health insurance, each spouse must purchase their own Medicare supplement policy. One Medigap plan will not cover married spouses.

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, rather than the traditional Medicare, you are not eligible to also buy a Medigap policy. This is because the Medicare Advantage plans already have additional benefits, in addition to standard Medicare, and therefore a Medicare supplement insurance policy would be considered double benefits. You can get a lot of information about Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement insurance plans on the government's web site at Medicare.gov.

Remember that you can purchase Medigap or Medicare supplement insurance plans from the private health insurance market, and through a licensed insurance broker. A broker can help you find the right Medicare supplement insurance, and explain to you the difference between the twelve different Medigap policies available.

Medicare Many Advantage Plans have additional extra benefits

You have known for a while that once you turn 65, you will be eligible for Medicare. As the time gets closer, you start paying more attention when people talk about Medicare options. You keep hearing about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare supplement policies, and now you are confused as to which one you need, and which one you are eligible for, and which one you get for free. These are all good questions.

Traditional Medicare has been around since the 60s. It is a federal government insurance program. American workers who have paid FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) or self-employed taxes have been contributing to the Medicare program already. These persons, once they reach the age of 65 and become Medicare eligible, will be permitted to enroll in what is referred to as traditional Medicare Part A, which are hospital benefits. Part A typically covers 80% of major medical hospital charges, after the deductible has been met. Members will no t have to pay premiums for Medicare Part A. However, members will have to meet their deductible, and then be responsible for 20% of the medical hospital charges.

That is when Medicare supplement policies come in. A Medicare supplement policy is designed to fill in the gap in traditional Medicare coverage. There are many different types of Medicare supplement policies. At this time they are identified by the letters A through L, although M through P will be introduced in the coming years. Each of these Medicare supplement policy has a different combination of benefits, included services, premiums, deductibles, etc. Therefore, it is important that consumers shop around carefully to find which Medicare supplement policy will best meet their needs. Many of these Medicare supplement policies will also help cover prescription costs, which is Part D of traditional Medicare.

Different from a Medicare Supplement policy is a Medicare Advantage Plan. A Medicare Advantage Plan is a policy that serves just like traditional Medicare Parts A and B, but is purchased from a private health insurance provider, not directly from Medicare. It does not merely cover the gap, like a Medicare supplement policy, but serves the same purpose as a traditional Medicare policy. However, Medicare Advantage Plans will have additional extra benefits to members. Their costs are somewhat higher, between $40 and $75 more per month, which is why they offer additional benefits.

Those individuals who purchase Medicare Advantage Plans are not permitted to also purchase a Medicare supplement policy. This is because the Medicare Advantage Plan already includes extra benefits, and will already be helping members pay things that traditional Medicare does not cover. Therefore, only those older adults who are enrolled in traditional Medicare Parts A and B will need to purchase a Medicare supplement policy to help them pay their medical expenses.

It is recommended that if you have a serious health problem, travel a lot, or split time between two homes, you are better off with traditional Medicare and a Medicare supplement policy. This is because there are no network restrictions with traditional Medicare, and the Medicare Supplement policy will help you pay off the deductible and coinsurance. Medicare Advantage Plans do require members to see in-network physicians.

Making health insurance more affordable for more American seniors

There is a lot of debate regarding Medicare, Medicare supplement policies, and their funding. The Medicare program has been around since the 1960s, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law. At that time, only about one quarter of the American elderly population was covered by insurance. Currently, the elderly are the only age group that basically has universal coverage. Medicare supplement policies came about more recently than that. However, there is a lot of concern that the Medicare funds are running out, that Medicare supplement policies are not doing enough to help the elderly, and that there is not enough incoming money to continue to meet the program's financial needs.

Many people do benefit from Medicare, even though it does not cover 100% of all medical costs. Many people purchase Medicare supplement policies to help offset the costs that are not covered by traditional Medicare. These premiums will also go towards funding Medicare. To offset these gaps in coverage, many American older adults will also purchase Medicare supplement policies that will help them pay some additional costs. Other people get their Medicare benefits from Medicare Advantage Plans through a private health insurance company. This is another way the Medicare program is trying to share costs and risks, by allowing private health insurance companies to also offer Medicare benefits. The insurance carriers get paid from Medicare to offer benefits to older Medicare-eligible adults. A member who buys a Medicare Advantage Plan cannot also purchase a Medicare supplement policy because that would be considered being eligible to have double benefits for the same things. Medicare Advantage Plans include many of the benefits of a Medicare supplement policy.
Medicare supplement policies are regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and are identified at this time by the letters A through L. In the near future, new Medicare supplement policies M through P will be introduced. Some older Medicare Supplement policies will be discontinued soon. The availability of the different Medicare supplement policies is based on geographic location. You will need to submit your zip code and county in order to find out which Medicare supplement policies are available for you to purchase in your area.

The current crisis with Medicare funding is because the baby boomer generation is close to reaching the age of 65. All of these baby boomers have been working and paying taxes into FICA and Medicare and funding the Medicare program. When the baby boomers all hit the age of 65, there will be more people using the Medicare program than there will be people paying and funding the Medicare prog ram. This is where the crisis lies.

Although there is a lot of concern about Medicare funding, it has not been a top priority for the government. The current emphasis on health care reform has certainly touched on the Medicare funding problem. Attempts at making health insurance more affordable for more American citizens are supposed to help relieve some of the burden on Medicare. However, at this time, it is difficult to predict how that will all work out. Many conservative leaders predict some huge financial obstacles that Medicare must overcome in order to stay a viable program.

Medicare Supplement policies are purchased from a private health insurance company, but they are heavily regulated by the CMS to work with traditional Medicare Parts A and B policies.

Medicare only pays for 80 percent of a standardized amount for procedures

Many of those over 65 who saved for retirement have retained greater economic flexibility than those hit by layoffs while still trying to amass savings. That makes seniors a very desirable market for several industries. In fact, senior marketing is the fastest growing marketing segment today.

In sharp contrast, one of the biggest marketing failures that can have seriously harmful complications for those over 65 surrounds Medicare. With multiple parts, two deductibles, partial coverage (only 80 percent) for doctors' services, no coverage at times (such as when you travel outside of the U.S.) and no reconciliation when doctors charge above what Medicare will pay, Medicare is a maze of contradictions. How do seniors calculate and plan for their health care costs?

In truth, both people under and over age 65 find Medicare often to be obscure and some simply give up in confusion. It's a sad comment on the "information age" that we haven't explained Medicare's coverage in a way that allows many seniors to estimate their expected health care costs and plan accordingly.

Medicare Supplement Plans Help to Translate Medicare's Coverage

Private insurers marketing Medigap insurance must explain Medicare, at least in part, to show the need for their plans to protect seniors from all the health care charges that Medicare won't cover. For many, private insurance companies discuss Medicare in ways that are more direct and more comprehensible to give seniors a better overall understanding of where the holes in Medicare's coverage put them at risk. The risk is real because hefty doctor and hospital bills far too often devour retirement savings forcing seniors to reduce their standard of living. Health care costs may be the single biggest concern for many seniors because their need for health care grows as they age and because health care prices are spiraling out of control.

A Medicare Supplement Can Cut Seniors' Medical Bills down to Size

With existing Medicare benefits in jeopardy (Medicare was extended beyond it's predicted bust in just eight years), baby boomers and seniors are exploring alternatives, such as Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans.

In the face of the new health care laws, Advantage plans are beginning to lose their subsidies. It's expected that these plans will become increasingly expensive with the decline of government subsidies. Medigap insurance, often called Medicare supplement insurance, is a viable alternative. With 10 different plans, each one fills the gaps in Medicare in a slightly different way so seniors are free to choose only the benefits they need without paying for any extras. Medigap plans cover Medicare's Part A and Part B deductibles to make seeing the doctor and going to the hospital when you need more affordable. These plans can also cover Medicare's co-pays and co-insurance charges, and certain plans expand Medicare's coverage to services beyond Original Medicare, such as emergency medical care when you're out of the country.

Confusion over Medicare Has Left Seniors Unprepared for Health Care Debt

Although millions are now enrolled in Medicare in order to pay for their health care needs, many remain unprotected simply due to a lack of understanding about the intricacies of the Medicare system. One of the biggest misunderstandings involves the Medicare "pre-approved" amount. Medicare only pays for 80 percent of a standardized amount for procedures. That doesn't stop doctors from charging more; it just shifts the burden of payment onto the patient. Doctors can continue to charge their regular fee, Medicare can continue to pay its standard payment and it's up to you to make those ends meet. Getting the right information is crucial to getting the most out of Medicare, and Medicare supplement insurance is one key to bridging the gaps in Medicare coverage.

Will Medicare Advantage premiums be lower next year?

A recent announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated that, on average, Medicare Advantage premiums will be 1 percent lower next year. Plus the CMS expects that enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans will increase by 5 percent.

"These predictions are just further proof that many Americans find that the Medicare Advantage plan options are the right choice for them," suggests Alan Weinstock, insurance broker, at www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com. "But whether Medicare beneficiaries choose a Medicare Advantage plan or go with original Medicare and add a Medicare supplement plan, it's important that they take time to compare the benefits of each based on their own personal needs."

Medicare Benefits for 2011

The good news is that the CMS said that the majority of Medicare beneficiaries will see little or no change in their 2011 benefits. In addition, there will be more drug plans offering coverage during the donut hole, that period in prescription drug coverage when there is a gap in coverage. And, consistent with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), beneficiaries in most Medicare Advantage plans and original Medicare will gain access to preventive benefits with no out of pocket costs.

The CMS further indicated that nearly the same percentage of Medicare beneficiaries with current access to Medicare Advantage plans will continue to have access in 2011. That number is 99.7 percent. And all Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have many prescription drug plans to choose from.

Medicare Resources for Seniors

It's important that all Medicare beneficiaries, especially those who are new to the program, get the information they need to make the right decisions about the type of coverage they want: Medicare Advantage or original Medicare with a Medigap plan.

One way to do this is to read the Welcome to Medicare brochure put out by the CMS. This booklet explains which health care services and supplies Medicare covers and how to get those benefits through regular Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). In addition, Medicare and You 2011, the official Medicare handbook from the CMS, is due out in mid-October.

Seniors may also want to reach out to service organizations for assistance. Medicare beneficiaries who have questions about Medicare Advantage, original Medicare or how changes from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) might affect them, should consider contacting their state Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), a free statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

And for Medicare beneficiaries who are considering Medigap insurance to help supplement their Medicare coverage, speaking to a reliable insurance broker like the brokers at http://www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com can be very helpful.

Wherever you turn for information, be sure to be proactive and investigate your options before you turn 65.

Open enrollment period for 2011 Medicare Advantage plans

The open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans is from November 15 to December 7. You can find hundreds of different plans across the country, with different co-insurance, deductibles and premiums so procrastinators will be doing themselves a favor by shopping early.

Approximately 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries were already enrolled in Medicare Advantage coverage plans as of September 30. That amounts to almost a quarter of all the people enrolled in Medicare.

How Do Medicare Advantage Plans Work?

These plans are from private insurance companies that provide insurance for seniors and certain people with disabilities. These plans are subsidized by the government and the plans typic ally compete with extras not available in Original Medicare, such as dental, hearing or vision coverage. With the subsidies, their premiums were lower than standard Part B Medicare premiums, but subsidies have come under scrutiny. The federal government has frozen subsidies during performance evaluations. Some plans may earn bonuses, but under-performing plans face a loss of subsidies and that may result in higher premiums.

Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage that is comparable to Medicare Part D. Advantage plans are also typically managed care plans, such as a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. You typically have to choose a primary care physician and see that doctor for a referral before you can see a specialist.

Your access to doctors, hospitals or other medical providers may be restricted to the plan's provider network, too. A few insurers do have what are known as Private Fee-for-Service plans, which may let you to see any doctor or use any Medicare-approved hospital. Such plans may have co-pay charges for doctor visits, but you wouldn't be required to select a primary care physician or get a referral in order to see a specialist.

All Medicare Advantage plans provide all of your Part A and Part B Medicare coverage, including emergency and urgent care coverage. The plans don't cover hospice care because Original Medicare will provide that coverage even after you enroll in one of the Medicare Advantage plans.

How Do I Join One Of The Medicare Advantage Plans?

Generally, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan if you have Medicare Part A and Part B and you live in an area where there is an Advantage plan that accepts new members.

If you are switching to a dif ferent Advantage plan, all you have to do is join the new plan and you will automatically be disenrolled from your old plan. You will not have any lapse in your coverage.

As long as you are enrolled in any of the Medicare Advantage plans, you do not need to buy Medicare Supplement insurance. In fact, it is illegal for anyone to sell you any of the ten Medigap policies if you are in an Advantage plan. The benefits offered by Medigap policies are covered by Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplemental insurance will not pay for your Advantage coverage plan co-insurance, co-pays or deductibles.

What Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?

These plans have been inexpensive or even free in certain cases. With the freeze on government subsidies, you may see higher premiums, co-insurance or co-pay charges or reduced benefits. Medicare Advantage coverage plans must continue to provide all of the benefits that are available through Original Medicare, though.

Medicare sets certain rules that all Medicare Advantage plans must follow, but these plans may include co-insurance charges on durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, add co-pay charges to see doctors, set an annual deductible you must meet before your prescriptions are covered or raise your premiums.

The only way to be sure you have the best Medicare supplement and are getting the most out of Medicare is to take a serious look at all of the Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans available in your area.