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.