Forty-Seventh of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

 before Age 65

You may drop a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare January 1st to February 14th each year.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

 

Forty-Sixth of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

before Age 65

You may change Medicare Advantage plans each year during Annual Enrollment which is October 15 to December 7 (2012). Some enrollment period exceptions apply based on residence, income and health conditions. Health underwriting is not required to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan; however, there are Special Needs plans for certain health conditions.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

 

Forty-Fifth of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

before Age 65

You may cancel a Medicare Advantage Plan for any reason within your first 12 months of enrollment (a “FREE LOOK” period) in that Medicare Advantage Plan. Canceling in this case also allows you guarantee issue in a Medicare Supplement plan for up to 2 months after leaving the Advantage plan. This only applies to your FIRST enrollment and any subsequent enrollment plan changes are not allowed the 12 month “FREE LOOK” period or guarantee enrollment in a Medicare Supplement.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

 

Forty-Fourth of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

before Age 65

You may enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan 3 months prior to and up to 3 months after your 65^th birthday month.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

 

Forty-Third of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

before Age 65

Medicare Advantage plans have networks of hospitals, facilities and doctors which you must use in order to realize the full benefits of the Medicare Advantage plan. Going outside the Advantage plan network, except in emergencies, can result in you being responsible for the entire cost of your treatment.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

 

Forty-Second of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

before Age 65

Medicare Advantage plans are also called Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage plans are not part of the Federal Government (like original Medicare Parts A and B are).  Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance companies that take assignment of and manage the benefits of your original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage plans TAKE THE PLACE of original Medicare.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

 

Thirty-First of 65 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare before Age 65

65 Things Everyone Needs to

Know About Medicare

before Age 65

Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans ARE NOT the same thing.



For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

Medicare Annual Disenrollment Period 2012

Question:  Is the Medicare Annual Disenrollment Period (January 1 through February 14, 2012) the only time one can drop the Advantage plan? I mean, jobs run out or situations change meaning less money during the year. What if you can’t afford it any longer in the middle of the year?? Thanks.

Answer:  During the period of Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, an existing Medicare Advantage member can dis-enroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare and a standalone part D plan if they do not have other creditable coverage (meaning Rx coverage at least as good as the standard Part D plan offered by Medicare). Medicare Annual Enrollment (October 15 through December 7) is also a time you may make changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

The situation you refer to of change in finances could fall under a Special Election Period (SEP) that would offer extra help to pay premiums and would allow the member to make changes. Special Election Periods are available for people who qualify for extra help; who move to or are in a nursing home; who move out of a service area or who lose other coverage. 

It’s a good idea to confirm and never assume your situation qualifies for an SEP. The more you know the more options you have.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or for a quote on a Medicare Supplement or Part D plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com

Medicare, What to Do, When to Do It?

What to Do About Medicare and When to Do It!

Question:  I turn 65 soon. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do about Medicare or when I’m supposed to do it!

Answer: First, you automatically get Medicare Part A when you turn 65 so long as you or a spouse has earned enough work credits. Part A is the part of Medicare that pays for hospitalization. Next you have to decide if you need Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B pays for doctor visits and outpatient procedures. Basically it comes down to whether you have other qualifying insurance. For instance, if you have insurance from an employer you may not need Medicare Part B. In these situations you will not be penalized for failing to enroll in Medicare Part B when you reach age 65. Otherwise, you have 3 months before you turn 65 and 3 months after you turn 65 to enroll in Medicare Part B. You will receive a penalty for enrolling late once outside your initial enrollment. If you are receiving Social Security payments you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part B at age 65. If you have postponed receiving Social Security, you must contact the Social Security office (1-800-772-1213) to enroll in Medicare Part B or let them know you are delaying or declining enrollment.

Once you get Medicare Part A and B taken care of you have to decide how you will get your prescription coverage and if you need a supplement. You may have discovered that you get your prescription coverage through an employer group plan or through military service-related coverage. If not, you have the option of a stand-alone drug plan or some Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription coverage as part of their plan (you have the same 3 months before/3 months after your 65th birthday time frame to make this decision). Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans do not cover 100% of all services. A Medicare Supplement picks up what original Medicare does not pay. You have several options when choosing prescription coverage and coverage for the GAPS left by Medicare A and B.

Here are two videos. One explains what Medicare is, the other explains details about Medicare Part D. Hope you find them helpful.

How to Leave a Medicare Advantage Plan

When and How You May Leave a Medicare Advantage Plan

Question:  I didn’t realize my choice of hospitals and doctors would be so limited when I enrolled in my Medicare Advantage plan. I don’t like this plan. How do I change plans?

Answer: There is a special enrollment period for people who have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time after becoming eligible (age 65 for most people). It is known as the 12 month “free look” and during the first 12 months of having enrolled in your first Medicare Advantage plan you may leave the plan and return to original Medicare at any time during those first 12 months. Leaving the Medicare Advantage plan under these circumstances also puts you in a guarantee issue period for Medicare Supplements and a special enrollment for a Part D prescription plan.

In general you may only make changes in your Medicare Advantage Plan at certain designated times throughout the calendar year. October 15 to December 7 is the annual open enrollment period for 2011. You also have a chance to leave a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare between January 1 and February 14 each year. There are other special enrollment periods for certain situations. All of this is handled through Medicare directly. Medicare has created a tip sheet for understanding Medicare enrollment periods. Click “Ask a Question” and request “Medicare enrollment periods”- I will e-mail you the tip sheet.