Senior couple enjoying their Medicare Supplement Plan

Medicare Supplements

Medicare Supplements Insurance, also known as Medigap, will allow you to save significantly on your health care coverage if you decide to purchase it when you enroll in Medicare. Medigap pays out-of-pocket costs for health care services, like co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

When you have Part A and Part B Medicare coverage, you often are still required to make payments to the hospital for certain services. With the right supplement package, you can cut out some of these unnecessary costs. There are some big differences in each plan, so you will need to plan accordingly.

Types of Medicare Supplement Insurance

There are effectively ten different Medicare Supplement Insurance plans on the market, though two of them are not currently available to new Medicare enrollees. The plans are designated as A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

Plans G and F are the most comprehensive plans, while others offer different mixes of costs and benefits.

Medigap Benefits

Medigap benefits are mostly the same across Medigap plans, except there are a few variances.
Here are some Medigap benefits you may find in your policy.

  • Part A Coinsurance 
  • Hospital Costs
  • Part B Coinsurance
  • Blood
  • Hospice care
  • Skilled nursing facility care
  • Part A deductible
  • Part B deductible
  • Foreign Travel Emergency
Choosing a Medicare Supplement Plan - Video Transcript >

Choosing a Medicare Supplement Plan

So, you're interested in a Medicare supplement but you don't know which plan is best for you?

Hi, I'm Jessica Manion at My Healthcare Direct, and today I'm going to be giving you some basic information, so that you can make an educated decision on which supplement best fits your needs.

When it comes to Original Medicare, there will be gaps in the coverage that Part A and Part B offer. Things such as deductibles and coinsurance can lead to high medical expenses. And this is why we suggest you pair it with a Medicare supplement or a Medigap plan. 

Medicare Supplement Plan Options

When it comes to Medicare Supplement plans, the options range from Plan A to Plan N. For those of you who are turning 65 on or after January 1st of 2020, you will no longer be eligible to purchase the Plan C, Plan F, or Plan HDF, also known as “High Deductible F.” But for those of you who turn 65 before January 1st of 2020, you are still eligible to purchase those plans.

Now, there's a reason why I bring this up, and that reason is because the most popular supplement plan that most people have heard of is the Plan F. That is the best possible supplement plan you could get. I call it the “rolls-royce of supplement plans” because as long as you pay your monthly premium, your supplement will help cover your Part A and Part B costs at a hundred percent from day one. So if you're turning 65 after January 1st 2020, there are two other really popular plans that a lot of Medicare beneficiaries are signing up.

  1. Plan G
    Plan G is very similar to the Plan F. However, there is one major difference: Unlike the Plan F that covers all of your A and B costs at a hundred percent for day one, the plan G has a Part B deductible that you're responsible for paying first before you're covering a hundred percent, and in 2020 that Part B deductible is a 198 USD. So, once you've spent 198 UDS for your Part B. you will be covered for your Part A and Part B at 100% with the rest of that calendar year, and then the deductible will reset at the beginning of the next year.
  2. Plan N
    The other option, or option 2, is a Plan N. The plan N is very similar to the plan G, in which you still have that Part B deductible of 198 USD that you're responsible for. However, once you meet that 198 USD, unlike the G where you're covered 100%, with the plan N, there are still some co-pays that you may have to pay. So if you end up going to a doctor's office for a visit, you could face up to a 20 USD copay, or if you go into the emergency room you can reach up to a 50 USD copay - which I have to tell you: I wish I had a 50 USD copay to go to the emergency room. That's pretty rare to experience! So, the co-pays are pretty manageable.

The second difference - and this is a difference that not many people experienced, and I personally have never heard anyone experiencing this - you might face what they call “excess charges.”

Now, like I said, this is a very rare occurrence and there's an easy way to avoid it - and that

way is just by contacting, whether it's the hospital or a doctor, and asking them if they accept Medicare. If they accept Medicare assignment, then you will not see an excess chart. You want to make sure that the doctor accepts Medicare before you make an appointment to avoid

those excess charges.

Rate Increases

“What about rate increases? Is that something I should consider when selecting a plan?”  Well, the short answer is “yes, it is!” The main reason, being that when most people go on a supplement plan, they tend to stick on that plan for many, many years. So if you plan on being on, this plan for several years, you want to make sure that those rate increases are not going to just skyrocket over time.

“So, which medicare supplement company should I go with?”

Well that's a really great question, since Medicare supplements are federally regulated all the companies have to provide the same benefits. So, what it comes down to for a lot of people is how much Company A is charging versus Company B for the same benefits. 

So there are two things you want to consider when you're picking a carrier: price and company history. So those are some things you want to look out for before considering which carrier you want to sign up with and which plan you want to go.

Questions?
Iif you have any more questions on which plans that might be best for you in your area, feel free to give us a call. Our information is a hundred percent free to you. Our number is 888-949-1028.

Medigap Costs

The cost of Medigap coverage varies depending on numerous factors. Here are four common pricing metrics for Medigap coverage:

  • Community rated: With this type of policy, you will be charged the same rates as any other plan member. 
  • Issue-age rated: Some policies determine your policy rates using your age as a factor. Issue-age rated policies do not use your age to decide future premium increases. 
  • Attained-age rated: This Medigap plan is also age-related, but it can rise as you get older.

Find Medigap Plans

My Healthcare Direct can quickly connect you with a Medigap plan that fits your needs. Contact us now for more information to get started finding your policy.

How do Medicare supplements work? 

If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you can use a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy to better support the costs of Medicare. These Medicare Supplements exist to make Medicare coverage a little more affordable for people who frequently rely on their benefits. If you are curious, here is how Medicare Supplement Insurance works.

Medicare Supplement Insurance: What Is It?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, will pay certain hospital bills associated with a Medicare-approved stay. The types of plans available to you will depend on your specific area, although there are ten standard plans for you to choose from. Each plan offers somewhat different benefits, though there are only a select number of benefits to choose from.

The level at which your Medigap plan will cover those expenses varies as well. Some plans cover 0% of a particular category of coverage, while others cover the entire amount. For instance, Plan B covers Part A deductibles entirely, while Plan A doesn’t offer any coverage of the Part A deductible. Needing a benefit and not having it can be a real pain, so make sure you learn which benefits you need and strive to find them.

Different Medigap Plans

Here is a breakdown of what each Medigap plan has to offer:

  • Plan A: The most basic plan, which covers the 20% of costs that Medicare doesn’t pay for outpatient health services. It’s got other minor benefits, but they aren’t too important. 
  • Plan B: This plan has similar benefits to Plan A, in that it covers the same 20%, but Plan B will also take on your hospital deductible. 
  • Plan C: Arguably one of the most comprehensive Medigap plan, Plan C covers all out-of-pocket medical costs exceeding the Medicare-approved amount.
  • Plan D: Most benefits are offered by Plan D, except this plan also excludes Part B deductibles.
  • Plan F: This plan has been the best-selling option for a long time, as it covers every single cost outside of the Medicare-approved amount. This includes excess charges.
  • Plan G: This plan is nearly parallel to Plan F, except Plan G is more competitive than F in many markets. 
  • Plans K, L, and M: These are partial benefits packages that offer 50-75% of most items on the policy. Though, each of these plans are rarely sought even by people who can find them. 
  • Plan N: This plan lowers premiums in exchange for you agreeing to pay copays when you visit a doctor and go to an emergency room. Though, excess charges won’t be covered which is a detriment to many customers. 
Medicare Supplement Insurance Carriers - Video Transcript >

Medicare Supplement Insurance Carriers

Medicare insurance plans - what are they, is it something that would benefit you? Let's go ahead and take a look!

Sean Brady here with My Healthcare Direct. My team and I are on a mission to help as many seniors as possible, educate them on Medicare - what it is, what it is not - and just try to help them as best we can to explain their situation and how we can help them.

What are Medicare supplements?

Medicare supplements are private insurance that covers what original Medicare does not. Original Medicare, that covers 80 of your costs and with a Medicare supplement, depending on which one, you can subsidize  that cost and in some cases pay for all of the costs. And so that's what a Medicare supplement does. It takes over the cost and the burden for what original Medicare does not.

Some things to consider and understand:

They are private insurance that helps and works alongside your original Medicare

With original Medicare included, you can still go to all the doctors and hospitals that accept original Medicare. That's one of the strong benefits of having a Medicare supplement.

The other thing to understand is their standardized plans. Let's say you go with XYZ carrier for Plan G versus ABC carrier for Plan G - well, the benefits are going to be exactly the same, 100 percent identical. The only difference is going to be the cost. It's also going to be which company you're working with: 

  • How is their customer service? 
  • How is their efficiency? 
  • Are they on the ball? 

 

That kind of stuff. Those are the things that you're going to want to consider. And we're going to go over a little bit of that today.

What insurance carriers offer Medicare supplements?

Well, there's quite a few, and we've only listed some of the major ones that you may have heard of. There's a lot more that are maybe smaller, and we work with many of those as well. But just here some of the major ones:

  1. Aetna
  2. United American
  3. Humana
  4. United Healthcare
  5. AARP
  6. Cigna
  7. Mutual of Omaha

 

These are all carriers that we work with and have a good relationship with. Now,  we're not biased to any one carrier or the other, just so we're clear, we're independent insurance agents. That means we‘re not “captive.” We don't work for just one carrier and have to sell their products. That's not what we do. We partner with all of them as a broker, as an independent insurance agent, so that we can offer all the plans to you. And so, whatever the best plan would be for your situation, that's what we want to be in the position to offer you, and that's what we do.


Other things to take a look at with insurance carriers

Number one, it's going to be the premium, that's what you're going to want to look for. How much is the cost? You could have a XYZ small no-name insurance Medicare supplement carrier who's offering a very low affordable premium price for their Medicare supplement. But if you've never heard of them and they have a very small following in their risk pool, it may not be the best fit for you. And that's something that you probably wouldn't know normally. But with our rating tools we're able to look up and specifically see: 

  • Are there any history of rate increases?
  • What is the stability of this plan with this company?
  • What is their financial rating?
  • Are they AAA rated?

 

These are all things that we dive into and at the very least make you aware, so that you fully understand, which plan and which carrier you're getting yourself into and what their history and what they've done in the past, to give you an idea of what to expect if you enroll with them.

So that's a little bit of Medicare Supplement in a nutshell.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. We'll be glad to answer any questions you have, and we look forward to talking with you  soon.

Shop Medigap Plans

You can definitely find Medigap coverage in your area, but wouldn’t it be easier with some help? Give us a call to learn more about your options.

Who needs Medicare Supplements

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) can be very helpful for some individuals, but not so much for others. If you are planning to get started with a Medigap policy, make sure it is the right choice for you. Here are the types of Medicare members or future members who may need Medicare Supplements.

Why Use Medicare Supplements?

People use Medicare Supplements because they need to save on the cost of their insurance since Medicare only covers a certain percentage of costs from Medicare approved expenses. In some cases, people may opt for a Medicare Supplement plan because they cannot otherwise afford cost-sharing expenses, which in most cases are 20%.

People Who Prefer Medicare Original Over Advantage

If you don’t like what Medicare Advantage plans have to offer, it may make sense to supplement your Original Medicare costs with Medigap. Advantage plans are not inherently more expensive than Original Medicare, but the Advantage plan may come with additional features that are worth having under certain circumstances.

Those features could be something like dental, vision, or hearing coverage, which may be ultimately more valuable than some of the supplemental benefits featured in a Medigap plan. When picking between Medigap and Advantage to supplement your Original Medicare benefits, be sure to assess your overall level of need first. Choosing the wrong set of benefits could cost you significantly in the future.

If You Take Frequent Hospital Visits

If you are likely to visit the hospital multiple times a year, Medicare Supplement Insurance just makes sense. With it, you can have as much as all of your costs outside of the Medicare-approved amount paid in full. Plan F, in fact, is a comprehensive plan that covers all of the out-of-pocket costs associated with treatment received from a Medicare-approved lender.

Variety Of Plans

Even if the basic package, Medigap Plan A, doesn’t suit your needs, there are plenty of other options you can use in order to get those Medicare bills lower. Plan F will take away all costs, while Plan G only requires you to pay any outpatient deductible when applicable.

Enrolling in Medicare Supplements

You should enroll in your preferred Medigap policy as soon as you are eligible to do so, as this period is known as the open enrollment period. During this period, you can get better prices on health insurance, but if you wait too long, you may not be able to take advantage of the opportunity. Furthermore, you may also be required to pay late fees if you are too far after your initial enrollment time.

Medigap coverage is waiting for you. And you’ll need it to start getting the coverage that you need soon.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) allows Original Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for additional benefits that can be used to pay off the cost that remains after Medicare has paid their portion for health care services. Most people sign up for Medicare Supplement plans because they feel they use their Original Medicare enough to make the investment worthwhile. Though, others may hold on to the policy just in case. You can use Medigap benefits with any provider that is approved by Medicare, so you won’t have to worry about finding ways to use it.

How To Enroll In Medicare Supplement Insurance

If you need Medigap insurance and you are approaching age 65, you will have a 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this period, you can buy a Medigap policy regardless of your health condition, as there will be little or no underwriting. You could also enroll during an open enrollment period, which occurs annually. 

Who Needs Medigap Insurance

Medigap is best for individuals who struggle to pay their out-of-pocket health care costs after using Medicare to pay the approved amount. Typically, Medicare plans will handle all but 20% of the cost of approved health care services because there is coinsurance attached to most benefits payouts. Thanks to the wide variety of coverage options currently available, a Medigap plan can allow for significant long-term savings.

Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison

Looking for a Medicare supplement plan comparison?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, often referred to as “Medigap” insurance, is designed to cover the difference between what you are billed by a medical provider and what Medicare actually covers.

Because Medicare has a cost-sharing of 80/20, Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for 20% of a Medicare-covered claim under Part B (medical insurance portion) of Medicare.  This means that if you are covered under Medicare and it is your only source of insurance, having the proper Medicare Supplement plan is a critical component.

Comprehensive Coverage

If you are needing more than just a basic form of coverage, then Plans C, F, and G provide the most comprehensive coverage. However, because Plans C and F are the only plans to cover the Part B deductible, they are no longer available to new Medicare enrollees. This makes Plan G the most comprehensive plan.

Selecting from the wide variety is an important decision that is best made with the assistance of a professional. If you’re wondering what plan is best for you, call and make an appointment to speak with one of our insurance agents. We can be reached at (888) 959-1028.

Basic Coverage

If you are comfortable with paying out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare, but would like to have an extra form of basic coverage, then Plans A and B may be right for you. While these plans do not cover all out-of-pocket expenses, they do cover copayments, coinsurance, and the first three pints of blood needed for a transfusion. Plan B also covers the Part A deductible.

Cost of Medicare Supplements

The cost of Medicare Supplements are based on a few factors, including the amount of coverage you purchase, who you purchase it from, and the way the plan is rated.

The Plan You Purchase

One of the biggest factors that affect the cost of your supplement plan is the amount of coverage included in it. The more coverage you purchase, the more it will cost.

There are 10 different supplements to choose from—A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Of these 10 options, plans A, B, K, and L cost the least, plans C, F, and G offer the most coverage at the highest cost, and plans D, M, and N fall somewhere in the middle.

Who You Purchase it From

Because supplements are offered privately, their costs will also vary based on the provider you purchase it from. Common companies include:

  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield

The types of plans you can choose from also depend on the company—most companies only offer 3-7 plans.

How the Plan is Rated

When you purchase a Medigap plan, your company will have a specific way in which they determine your monthly premium:

  • Community-Rated (No-Age Rated): Everyone in the plan receives the same premium regardless of age or health. It may be higher overall due to the “assumed risk” of older applicants, but it will still be reasonable and fair. This will also be greatly affected by the plan you purchase itself.
  • Issue-Age Rated (Entry-Age Rated): Your premium is set by the age you apply and does not change as you age. So, if you enroll when first eligible at age 65, your premium will be lower than if you enrolled 10 years later at age 75.
  • Attained-Age Rated: Your premium is set by your current age, meaning that it increases as you age. Say, for instance, you enroll at age 65. The company will establish the amount it will increase over time. Your premium then will increase by a few dollars each year. This is not necessarily the greatest rating system if you are a younger applicant, but it can be helpful if you are slightly older.

Other Factors

There are a few other factors that can also affect the cost of your supplement:

  • Whether or not the company offers discounts: Most companies have some appealing discount that works for certain individuals. For example, many companies offer discounts for multiple people enrolling in a household at once (if you and your spouse both enroll, for example), for non-smokers, and more.
  • If you enroll outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (which takes place during the 6 months following your 65th birthday), your costs will likely be higher.
  • Some providers offer a high-deductible option for Plans F and G. If you purchase one of these plans over the typical plan, you will pay a significantly higher yearly fee, but a much lower monthly premium.

Well-Priced Supplements Through Well-Meaning People—Call My Healthcare Direct

The cost of your supplement plan can be very confusing, especially as someone new or unfamiliar with it. My Healthcare Direct, however, can teach you and get you the affordable coverage you need—call today at (888) 959-1028.

Compare Options

There are many options of Medicare plans to compare and choose from, including various combinations of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare supplements.

Original Medicare

When you sign up for Medicare, you have to make sure you enroll in Medicare Part A, then Part B (or, oftentimes, both at once). Before you can choose any of the other plans on this list, you must at least have both of them.

You do not, however, have to choose either of them if you do not want to. So why choose Part A? Well, compared to most private insurance plans, Part A has some of the lowest costs and most essential benefits. It covers:

  • Hospital Inpatient Care (Up to 60 Days)
  • Nursing Facility Care (Up to 60 Days)
  • Nursing Home Care (Upon Approval)
  • Hospice Care (Upon Approval)
  • Home Health Services (Upon Approval)

Every year, you must pay a deductible before you can receive benefits. As of 2021, this payment is $1,484. If you are required to pay it, you will also have a monthly premium up to $471. However, almost all beneficiaries qualify for premium-free Part A, making it one of the least expensive options out there. So, there’s really no reason not to choose Part A.

Part B covers a huge variety of “medically necessary” costs and services. This is also an incredibly low-cost plan, with a $148.50 (2021) required monthly premium and $203 deductible. Once again, this is a virtually unbeatable option for seniors or others who qualify.

The Bottom Line

When comparing these primary Medicare options, nothing is more important than your needs and what’s available to you. All of these are excellent options, and you will not be disappointed in any of them, which makes for both an easier and more difficult decision.

Medicare Advantage

Once you’re eligible for Medicare, you will then have to decide if you would rather have Original Medicare on its own, a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, or a supplement plan to go along with your Part A and Part B coverage.

Medicare Advantage works to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for regular doctoral care by setting you within a network of healthcare providers. In this network, you will pay next to nothing out-of-pocket, with little-to-no premium fees either.

As far as choosing your Medicare plan, you’ll want to consider Part C if you want an inexpensive “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare.

Original Medicare and Supplements

While you cannot have Medicare Advantage and a supplement plan (Medigap), you can literally “supplement” your Original Medicare coverage with Medigap. Rather than coordinating your care to reduce costs, a supplement provides extra benefits to cover existing Medicare costs such as your Part A and Part B deductibles, Part B excess charges, and much more.

While Advantage essentially provides the same coverage as Original Medicare and includes some extra benefits, supplements add to Original Medicare and provide a lot of helpful coverage for out-of-pocket costs.

Friendly Advice, No Strings Attached—Call My Healthcare Direct

An insurance agency is one of the best ways to compare your Medicare options. You simply tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll compare plans in your area that best suit your needs. Or, if you still don’t know what you want, we can help you make that decision, too. Don’t waste any more time, and call (888) 959-1028.

Choosing a Medicare Plan

Choosing a Medicare plan requires you to know your options, your eligibility, your personal coverage needs, what’s available in your area, and the quality of the provider.

Elderly Couples Dancing together

Your Plan Options

There are 5 different types of Medicare to choose from:

  • Part A
  • Part B (Parts A and B together are called Original Medicare)
  • Part C (Medicare Advantage)
  • Part D
  • Medicare Supplements (Medigap)

Medicare Part A covers short-term hospital inpatient and emergency care. Part B covers general medical costs, almost anything that is considered “medically necessary” by a doctor.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) can replace Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by combining all of their benefits and providing healthcare coordination. This means that your out-of-pocket costs for regular care will be reduced when you see in-network doctors. It also provides some additional benefits. There are 4 different plan structures with their own costs and networks for you to choose from.

Part D provides prescription drug coverage—it can be added to Original Medicare, or Medicare Advantage if it is not already included. The cost of plans varies based on the prescriptions it offers, and you will pay an established coinsurance or copayment for each drug you receive.

Medicare supplements are added to (not a replacement for) Original Medicare. There are 10 different plans, each with its own benefits, for you to choose from. The more coverage you buy, the more it will cost. They cover costs such as your Part A and Part B deductible, nursing facility care, outpatient services, and more (depending on the plan).

Your Eligibility

When choosing a Medicare plan, you first have to know what you’re eligible for. You must at the very least be eligible for Original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you are not, you cannot choose a plan in the first place.

Your Personal Coverage Needs

Medicare’s website lists these 7 factors to consider when choosing a Medicare plan:

  • Costs: The more you’re able/willing to pay, the more coverage you can purchase. Higher-cost, higher-coverage plans include PPO Advantage plans, or supplement plans C, F, and G. For lower-cost coverage, you may want to choose either Original Medicare alone, an Advantage HMO plan, or supplements A, B, K, or L.
  • Coverage: See the previous point. If you have special coverage needs, you may be eligible for C-SNP or D-SNP coverage.
  • Your other coverage: You cannot have a supplement plan and Part D coverage, or Medicare Advantage. So, if you want either of those plans, you should not choose a supplement, and vice versa.
  • Prescription drugs: Once again, you cannot have Part D and a supplement plan. So, if you need prescription drugs, you may choose an Advantage or Part D plan instead.
  • Doctor and hospital choice: Not all plans cover your preferred healthcare providers. Make sure that the plan you choose includes providers you like and need.
  • Quality of care: This not only applies to the healthcare providers but the insurance company themselves. When choosing a plan, make sure there is a company in your area that offers it.
  • Travel: If you travel frequently and want care while doing it, you will likely want to choose a supplement that covers 80% of foreign travel emergency care.

100% Dependable, Trustworthy, Smart, and Here for You—Call My Healthcare Direct

With My Healthcare Direct, you can make an informed decision on your Medicare coverage. Call us today at (888) 959-1028 to find a plan that works best for you.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies

Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies

Medicare supplements are offered through private insurance companies, some better than others. Here is an explanation of this and some of your best Medicare supplement insurance companies and options.

How to Compare Supplement Plans and Companies

When choosing a supplement plan, you have to know the coverage you need and how much you are willing to pay for it. The more benefits included in a plan, the more, of course, it will cost. For example, supplement plan F provides the most coverage but also costs the most.

Once you have an idea of the plan you’re looking for, you can begin searching for a company that offers said plan at a competitive price. Not all providers have every supplement plan, so that will be one of the earliest determining factors in your decision.

The next factor, then, is the quality of the company itself. There are many great options out there, but most companies have one thing that they do really well. It is this “star-factor” that will be one of the final determinations.

Here are some of the biggest supplement insurance companies out there and their “star-factors.”

Flexible Options: Aetna

Aetna is one of the longest-standing companies out there. When you purchase a supplement with them, you’re buying years of industry expertise, experience, and stability.

In terms of available plans, Aetna has some of the most, including plans A, B, C, D, F, G, and N. While it can be difficult to get a price estimate on their website, they clearly describe all of the benefits and plan availability.

User-Friendly: Cigna

Cigna has some of the best customer service on the market, with a 24/7 health information line staffed by trained nurses. It also offers a very positive mobile app and overall online experience.

This company offers plans A, F, a high-deductible F, G, and N. They offer training videos, easy comparison charts, and more to make your experience as smooth as possible.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Carriers Video Transcript

Medicare Supplement Insurance Carriers

Medicare Insurance Plans - what are they? Is it something that would benefit you?

Let's go ahead and take a look!

Sean Brady here with My Healthcare Direct. My team and I are on a mission to help as many seniors as possible… educate them on Medicare… what it is, what it is not… and just try to help them as best that we can to explain their situation and how we can help them.

What are Medicare Supplements?

Medicare Supplements are a private insurance that covers what original Medicare does not. Original Medicare that covers 80% of your costs, and with a Medicare Supplement depending on which one you can subsidize those costs and in some cases pay for all of the costs, and so that's what a Medicare Supplement does.

It takes over the cost and the burden for what original Medicare does not.

Some Things to consider and understand

One, they are a private insurance that helps and works alongside your original Medicare now with original Medicare included you can still go to all the doctors and hospitals that accept

original Medicare. So that's one of the strong benefits of having a Medicare Supplement. Now, the other thing to understand is their standardized plans, meaning, let's say you go with XYZ carrier for Plan G versus ABC carrier for Plan G. Well, the benefits are going to be exactly the same, 100% identical. The only difference is going to be the cost. It's also going to be, you know, which company you're working with.

  • How is their customer service?
  • How is their efficiency?
  • Are they on the ball? 

That kind of stuff, those are the things that you're going to want to consider. And we're going to go over a little bit of that today.

Which Insurance Carriers offer Medicare Supplements?

Well, there's quite a few, and we've only listed some of the major ones that you may have heard of. There's a lot more that are maybe smaller, and we work with many of those as well. But here, just some of the major ones:

  • Aetna
  • United American
  • Humana
  • United Healthcare 
  • AARP
  • Cigna 
  • Mutual of Omaha 

These are all carriers that we work with, and we have a good relationship with. We're not biased to any one carrier or the other. Just so we're clear, we're independent insurance agents. That means we're not “captive,” we don't work for just one carrier and we have to sell their products.

That's not what we do. We partner with all of them as a broker, as an independent insurance

agent, so that we can offer all the plans to you.

So whatever the best plan would be for your situation, that's what we want to be in the position to offer you, and that's what we do.

Other Things to Take a Look at with Insurance Carriers

Number one, it's going to be the premium, that's what you're going to want to look

for: How much is the cost?

You could have an XYZ small no-name insurance Medicare Supplement carrier who's offering a very low affordable premium price for their Medicare Supplement. But if you've never heard of them and they have a very small, you know, following in their risk pool, it may not be the best fit for you. And that's something that you probably wouldn't know normally.

But with our rating tools, we're able to look up and specifically see:

  • Is there any history of rate increases?
  • What is the stability of this plan with this company?
  • What is their financial rating?
  • Are they AAA-rated?

These are all things that we dive into and, at the very least, make you aware, so that you fully understand, which plan and which carrier you're getting yourself into and what their history and what they've done in the past, to give you an idea of what to expect if you enroll with them.

So, that's a little bit of Medicare insurance, Medicare Supplement in a nutshell. So, when you get a chance, if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. We'll be glad to answer any questions you have, and we look forward to talking with you soon.

Wide Availability: Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha has dealt with Medicare since the beginning, so they know the system inside-and-out. They provide an excellent, easy-to-navigate website. As far as prices, they are ranked by AM Best at A+ for financial health.

Compared to other companies, Mutual of Omaha is one of the most widely available. This is because they have subsidiaries across the U.S.—don’t worry, however, these subsidiaries are just as strong as the main parent company.

Popularity: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Similar to Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers 7 plans—A, F, high-deductible plan F, G, K, L, N, K, and L. And, once enrolled, members have access to 24/7 policy information.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans are covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, making it one of the most common, most popular companies on the market.

Easily Compare Insurance Companies with My Healthcare Direct

These are only a few of the many insurance companies in the insurance market. When you are choosing a supplement plan and provider, you want to make sure you are choosing the best one for you, and can effectively get through the enrollment process.

My Healthcare Direct can help. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today at (888) 959-1028.

Medicare Advantage vs. Supplements

Medicare advantage vs supplements and what does that mean?

Medicare Advantage provides certain additional benefits and cost reductions, while supplements provide a variety of benefits and is added to Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage vs Supplements

How Medicare Advantage Works

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare that coordinates your regular healthcare to lower out-of-pocket costs and provide some extra benefits.

Advantage plans rely on a network of healthcare providers. The plan will implement your coverage with various doctor’s offices and services, with lowered costs when you receive care from them.

There are 4 different categories of Advantage plans. Because plans are offered privately, not all providers have all 4, and they will look different across the board. These plans are:

  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS)
  • Special Needs Plans (SNPs, including Dual-Eligible Special Needs and Chronic Special Needs Plans)

How Medicare Supplements Work

While Medicare Advantage replaces your Original Medicare plan and restructures the way in which you receive care, Medicare supplements (Medigap) adds additional coverage to your Original Medicare plan. 

There are 10 different types of supplement plans—A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Each of these options provides different amounts of coverage at different price points. For example, the highest coverage plan F covers:

  • Part A Coinsurance & Hospital Costs
  • Part B Coinsurance or Copayment
  • First 3 Pints of Blood for Transfusions
  • Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance/Copayment
  • Part A Deductible
  • Part B Deductible
  • Skilled Nursing Care Facility Coinsurance
  • Part B Excess Charges
  • 80% of Foreign Travel Emergency Care

On the other hand, one of the lower-coverage options, plan A, includes:

  • Part A Coinsurance & Hospital Costs
  • Part B Coinsurance or Copayment
  • First 3 Pints of Blood for Transfusions
  • Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment

The Bottom Line

Both Medicare Advantage and supplements are excellent options for Medicare beneficiaries. No matter what, with either plan, your costs will be greatly reduced. More often than not, then, your decision is based on your personal choice, but also eligibility.

You may not be eligible for a supplement plan if you did not enroll during the 6 months following your 65th birthday. You can, however, enroll in an Advantage plan during the annual General Enrollment Period (GEP).

Which Plan is Better?

As you can see, these plans are structured and function very differently. The best way to understand the differences between them, then, is to look at the out-of-pocket costs they reduce.

Medicare Advantage lowers the cost of care you receive through Original Medicare. Say, for example, you go to the doctor for a regular checkup. If you go to a healthcare provider within your plan’s network, it will cover those out-of-pocket costs you would otherwise pay with Original Medicare alone.

Most Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage, and you can add a Part D plan if not. With a supplement plan, however, you cannot have a Part D plan, making it unrealistic for many Medicare beneficiaries.

However, supplements provide a lot of beneficial coverage. You will likely have significantly less overall costs than you would with an Advantage plan.

Say that you are going to the doctor’s again, but this time with a plan A supplement. Rather than reducing the cost based on whether or not it’s in-network, your coinsurance/copayment is covered. In other words, it simply covers some or all of the cost rather than reducing or eliminating it beforehand.

Find the Coverage That Works Best For You—Call My Healthcare Direct

Your coverage matters, to you and to us. With our excellent selection of providers, we can be sure to get you the coverage you need, whether that is an Advantage or supplement plan. Want to learn more? Call My Healthcare Direct at (888) 959-1028.

Medicare vs. MEDICAID

Want to compare Medicare vs. Medicaid? Medicare is a government healthcare program for those with disabilities or based on age. Medicaid is also a government program that instead offers financial support.

What is Medicare?

Simply put, Medicare is a federal health insurance option for those eligible. Compared to other fully-privatized options, Medicare has lower prices for better coverage, though you do not have to enroll even if you’re eligible.

There are 5 main categories of Medicare—Parts A, B, C (Advantage), D, and supplements. Each of these plans functions differently, with various benefits and price points. The most basic coverage that you must have before any of the other options, however, are Parts A and B.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) only charge a set monthly premium, yearly deductible, and certain out-of-pocket copayment and coinsurance fees. Most people even qualify for premium-free Part A.

The other plans (C, D, and supplements) will vary based on the insurance provider you purchase from. While they are all regulated by the government (meaning that prices are kept at a reasonable level and enough benefits are provided), particular factors may vary. You can choose one or more of these plans to either complement or replace your Original Medicare plan.

What is Medicaid?

Similarly, Medicaid is also a federal program—instead of medical insurance benefits, however, it provides financial help. Individual states will establish the exact benefits offered through the program, but these are some of the most common plans, services, etc.:

  • Alternative Benefit Plans
  • Autism Services
  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Dental Care
  • Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment
  • Hospice Benefits
  • Mandatory & Optional Medicaid Benefits
  • Prevention
  • Telemedicine

Medicare and Medicaid Together

Medicare Eligibility

Not everyone who qualifies for Medicare will also qualify for Medicaid—eligibility, then, is one of the biggest, most important differences between the two.

More often than not, people qualify for Medicare based on their age. At 65 years old, everyone regardless of health and financial status is eligible for Medicare. And, if you have worked at least 10 years while paying Social Security taxes, you will be automatically enrolled, and be eligible for premium-free Part A.

You can also get Medicare under age 65 if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). And, if you have received Social Security Disability benefits for at least 24 months, you can also enroll.

Medicaid Eligibility

You can also be eligible for Medicaid if you are enrolled in Medicare, regardless of age. Medicaid eligibility is based on your Modified Adjusted Growth Income (MAGI). While eligibility varies across states, the government has some mandatory groups that must be considered eligible in all states. Here are three:

  • Low-income families
  • Qualified pregnant women and children
  • Individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

You can have Medicare and Medicaid together. If you are eligible for both, you can enroll in what is referred to as a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). Medicaid beneficiaries are likely familiar with these terms—you are eligible for a D-SNP if:

  • You receive Full Medicaid benefits
  • You are a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) without other Medicaid (QMB Only)
  • You receive QMB Plus
  • You are a Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) without other Medicaid (SLMB Only)
  • You receive SLMB Plus
  • You are a Qualifying Individual (QI)
  • You are a Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI)

Your Financial and Healthcare Concerns Taken Care Of—Call My Healthcare Direct

Finding and enrolling in the right healthcare program takes dedication. My Healthcare Direct will carefully walk you through the entire process. Call us today at (888) 959-1028.

COST OF FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE

What’s the cost of final expense insurance? 

Final Expense insurance varies based on a few factors, including provider, location, and type of plan (guaranteed or simplified issue).

Your Provider

Because Final Expense plans are offered privately, prices will vary from provider to provider. The overall cost of any final expense plan will, then, depend greatly on this factor.

It is very important, then, for you to search for providers that meet your specific needs, goals, and price points. Most providers do one thing very well, and the best providers do that and have a balance of other good benefits as well.

The best way to find a good price for the coverage you’re looking for, then, is to first identify your main needs—say, for instance, you want a company that has excellent, continued customer service and a variety of plans to choose from.

Keep those factors in mind as you do your research. One of the best ways to find providers that meet your goals (with the coverage you need as well) is through an agency. They know the business and can give you advice and access to top-notch plans and prices.

Your Age

Final Expense plans are one of the very few life insurance policies that accept older individuals, typically up to age 65. This is great news, but it does mean that companies will raise their rates based on age.

The company is essentially making up for an assumed risk (i.e. because you are older, they anticipate you may not be able to make as many payments, thus the payments you do make are higher). Not much can be done to avoid this unless of course you are a bit younger and are interested in a plan. But don’t fret—you may pay more in a shorter amount of time, but you are paying for a lesser amount of time.

The Type of Plan (Simplified Issue)

Of course, the amount of coverage you purchase plays a big part in the cost as well. The more you include in your payout (anywhere from $5,000 up to $75,000), the more you’ll pay on a monthly basis.

The good news is, unlike other types of life insurance, final expense does not consider your health for eligibility.

There are 2 main final expense plan structures that also greatly influence the cost of your plan. When you enroll under Simplified Issue, you will answer a few questions regarding your health. This is rarely used to reject you for coverage, but rather to determine your costs—because there is less assumed risk, your rates will be lower.

The Type of Plan (Guaranteed Issue)

Guaranteed Issue, on the other hand, does not even consider your health when setting your rates. This is perfect for those who have otherwise disqualifying conditions, as they can still receive great coverage. It does mean, however, that your rates will be a bit higher, but not unreasonable.

We Know About All Kinds of Insurance, Including Final Expense

We specialize in Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance—including final expense. With our expertise in the insurance world, we know what we’re talking about. Don’t settle for expensive, questionable final expense coverage. Call My Healthcare Direct at (888) 959-1028.