
Senior Savvy: How to Choose the Perfect Doctor for Your Medicare Needs
As a senior in Medicare, choosing the right doctor is crucial to ensure quality medical care. With so many doctors to choose from, it can
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Inpatient care in a hospital • Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care) • Hospice care • Home health care • Inpatient care in a religious non-medical institution.
Medically necessary doctor's services, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, mental health services, and other medical needs. Part B. Services and tests also cover many preventive services that Medicare may cover when necessary to diagnose or treat a condition.
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). You join a Medicare drug plan in addition to Original Medicare, or you get it by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These "bundled" plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. In most cases, you can only use doctors in the plan's network. You may need to get approval from your project before it covers certain drugs or services. Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare, offering some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover—like vision, hearing, and dental services.
There are three times you can sign up for Medicare:
If you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. This is a 7-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65.
Once your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you may have a chance to sign up for Part A (if you have to buy it) and Part B during a Special Enrollment Period, but only if you meet specific requirements. If you’re covered under a group health plan based on current employment, you have a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B at any time as long as you or your spouse (or family member if you’re disabled) is working, and a group health plan covers you through the employer or union based on that work.
If you don’t sign up for Part A (if you have to buy it) and/or Part B when you’re first eligible, and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may have to wait until the Medicare General Enrollment Period (from January–March 31) to enroll. You may have to pay a higher Part A and/or Part B premium for late enrollment. When you sign up during this period, your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up.
Original Medicare covers many healthcare services and supplies, but not all. The Medicare Supplement Insurance policies sold by private companies can cover some of the health care costs not covered by Original Medicare, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap policies are also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance policies. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S.
If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy; Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then, your Medigap policy pays its share. Medigap policies have premiums. Medigap policies differ from Medicare Advantage plans. A Medicare Advantage Plan is a way to obtain your Medicare benefits, whereas a Medigap policy supplements your Original Medicare coverage. Medigap policies can’t be sold to anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you have Medigap and switch to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time, you have the right to change your mind. You have special rights under federal law to purchase a Medigap policy if you return to Original Medicare after 12 months of enrolling in the Medicare Advantage Plan.
When you turn 65, you’ll automatically receive Part A and Part B if you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. Parts A and B start on the first day of the prior month if your birthday falls on the first day of the month. After you receive disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months, if you are under 65 and disabled, you will automatically receive Parts A and B. Remember, if you live in Puerto Rico, you don’t automatically get Part B.
If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy; Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then, your Medigap policy pays its share. Medigap policies have premiums. Medigap policies differ from Medicare Advantage plans. A Medicare Advantage Plan is a way to obtain your Medicare benefits, whereas a Medigap policy supplements your Original Medicare coverage. Medigap policies can’t be sold to anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you have Medigap and switch to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time, you have the right to change your mind. You have special rights under federal law to purchase a Medigap policy if you return to Original Medicare after 12 months of enrolling in the Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Supplement Insurance is a private health insurance plan designed to cover the “gaps” left by essential Medicare Parts A & B.
When you turn 65 (or become eligible for disability benefits under age 65), you will obtain Medicare.
Basic Medicare is broken down into two parts: “Part” A” “and “Part” B.” Part A of Medicare is known as your basic hospital coverage, and part B of Medicare is known as your primary medical coverage. Both parts of Medicare only pay a portion of your healthcare expenses. That is why it is essential to purchase additional Medicare Supplement Insurance to cover what Medicare does not.
If you are covered under the original Medicare Parts A & B” you are “eligible” to purchase Medicare Supplemental Insurance. However, you may be subject to answering health questions. If you are within six months of initially getting your Medicare Part B coverage or turning age 65, you will be guaranteed acceptance. Also, if you are losing group health insurance or a comparable situation, you may be guaranteed approval into a Medicare Supplement Plan. In other cases, you may be required to answer health questions. We suggest you call us to determine what you are eligible for, and we can explain your options.
The quickest way to compare plans & prices and sign up is to fill out our online quote form and get started today!
A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan are two vastly diverse types of insurance that many confuse as the same. It is essential to understand what each plan is and is not.
A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is a secondary insurance plan sold by private insurance companies. This plan type is designed to fill in the “gaps” left by original Medicare A & B. Again, Medicare does not cover 100% of everything, so it is essential to purchase a Medicare Supplement to fill those gaps.
On the other hand, a Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans provide all your Part A and Part B benefits. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, most Medicare services are”covered through the plan. Original Medicare does not pay for Medicare services. Most Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage.
Many people are under the misperception that you can only sign up for a Medicare Supplemental Insurance plan at certain times throughout the year–this is not true. You can sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan at any time throughout the year. However, there are some timeframes to be aware of. 1) There is the “Initial Enrollment Period,” which is a one-time-only opportunity lasting six months from when you initially get Medicare Part B. During these six months, you can purchase any Medicare Supplement Plan through any company with guaranteed acceptance–regardless of your health. 2) If you are losing insurance coverage through an employer or in a comparable situation, you may be eligible for “a “Guaranteed Issue” period lasting 63 days, in which you can purchase Medicare” Supplement Insurance–again with no health questions asked. 3) The final way to purchase a Medicare Supplement Policy is to answer the health questions and undergo medical underwriting.
Individuals from all occupations can find Medicare Supplement Insurance a significant benefit. Whether you are on a meager “income “or “moderate fixed income (like most older adults) or are wealthy, Medicare Supplement Insurance can be an excellent choice. One of the main reasons you’re in doesn’t matter as much is because Medicare’s coverage is standard–regardless of your financial status. Whether you are a low-income or a multi-millionaire, you still need to protect yourself from the significant gaps left over by Medicare. If Medicare Part B only covers 80% of your medical expenses, insurance will always be essential to cover the remaining 20%.
How you can save money! Check for savings by comparing plans.
The right thing to do if you want to learn more about Medicare (Medigap Policies) Plans; is to start your online quote comparison today. With your free rate quote and plan comparison (No obligation to enroll), you can easily see the differences in coverage and monthly price between the varying plans offered in your area. Our website will provide access and information to get off to the right start in your Medicare plan research.
As a senior in Medicare, choosing the right doctor is crucial to ensure quality medical care. With so many doctors to choose from, it can
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