Are you over age 65 and still working or your spouse is still working and have Health Insurance through an Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP)? If so, you may be able to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B. Again, I said MAY. The rules for allowing you to refuse Medicare Part B during your Initial…
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ACA – Errors People Make and a direction for help
Again this week, the Marketplace and insurance agents are receiving phone calls with people stating “I want to change my health insurance”. Many are also stating they “want health insurance, not an Obamacare (ACA) Plan”. Health insurance is not what it was 7 years ago. First error: Although it’s not uncommon for people to think…
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About to have a genetic test? Think Twice and Consider…
In recent years there have been more talk of genetic testing, but can that test affect your ability to buy insurance? The unfortunate answer is “yes”. Insurance companies, other than Health Insurance Companies - Obamacare (ACA) can use this information to charge higher premiums or decline your coverage altogether. As of today insurance companies continue…
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Medicare For All – Can it Work?
Ask people covered by Medicare to look at their Medicare Summary (claims) Notices. It’s not uncommon to see Medicare approving about 15-25% of the provider billed amount. Then Medicare most commonly pays 80% of the approved amount. So, it’s fair to say Medicare pays about 12 – 20% of many Medicare submitted expenses. Have you…
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Are You Enrolled for 2019 Medicare or ACA Plan?
Medicare Plans and Obamacare – Wrapping up another busy year. Medicare Plan Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ends on December 7th. Obamacare ends on December 15th. What does this mean to you? Medicare: If you are on Medicare and purchase your own Medicare insurance, you need to make plan selections or changes during AEP. The exceptions…
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On Medicare – Annual Enrollment Dos and Don’ts
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) began 10/15 and will continue through 12/7. The AEP is when most people can change their Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Drug Plans (Part D). So, that is the reason for the flood of commercials, mailings and perhaps phone calls you may be receiving. What do you need to know?…
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Is There More to Good Health than Good Genes?
Several years ago health insurance companies began to recognize good health is more than good genes. In fact, good health is fairly complex which is influenced by a number of factors including education, employment, housing and access to healthy food. Some social deterrents such as a person’s environment where individuals are born contribute to these…
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Bits & Pieces
Information Regarding Medicare Advantage Plans Want Your HMO Insurance Plan to Pay? Are you going to see a specialist such as an orthopedic doctor? Did you get a referral? Health insurance is changing. With the exception of original Medicare and many of the pre-Affordable Care Act plans (ACA – also called Obamacare), many plans require…
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Are your Pain Points Covered?
Medicare Advantage Plans Higher hospital co-pays! High co-insurance payments!! More out of pocket expense!!! Some people call these “pain points” as they can take a bite out of a savings account. What can a person do to control their “pain points”? The history: let’s first address Medicare Plans then health insurance for those under age…
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CMS Changes May Improve Care for Chronic Illness
Medicare Changes Doctors have complained for years that they’re not paid adequately for time-consuming work associated with managing care for chronically ill older patients: talking with families; and consulting with specialists and pharmacists. Each year Medicare policies (or regulations) are reviewed and changes may be implemented. As of 1/1/2017, under the new rules, doctors will…
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