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medicare advantage

Go from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement

North Carolina Medicare Plans

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Seniors in North Carolina are facing more challenges with regard to Medicare Advantage plans.

Many are finding that Medicare Supplement (Medigap) is a far better way to go than the ever-shifting sands of Medicare Advantage, as shown in a recent story by the Charlotte Observer, which showed that over 57,000 North Carolina seniors are losing their Medicare Advantage plans in 2015.

Seniors on Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed renewable, with the same benefits they signed for, for life. The benefits on Medigap plans cannot be changed, and this means stability.

Seniors who are 75, 80, 85 years old should not have to compare nuances of changing co-payments, doctor networks, and new requirements that are constantly changing on Medicare Advantage plans each time the one-year contract expire.

Seniors looking for a second opinion on their Medicare plans should call the Senior Savings Network at 1-800-729-9590.

Here is the article from the Charlotte Observer:
Turmoil in Medicare Advantage hits NC seniors hard.

What does Medicare cover on Cancer?

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What does Medicare cover on cancer?

What does Medicare Advantage cover on cancer?

What do Medicare Supplements cover on cancer?

This video seeks to answer the question, based on a letter written in on someone with cancer that wants to go to MD Anderson Cancer center, yet had a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Medicare Advantage can limit your cancer coverage.
Be sure to check the Medicare Advantage coverage on chemotherapy. Often, it is only 80{57afd372ef552335ba870edf523b8e4a4ddf98dad7cf21c72091c800f1bfac05} of the cost. That’s no better than just being on Medicare, because Medicare Part B already covers just 80{57afd372ef552335ba870edf523b8e4a4ddf98dad7cf21c72091c800f1bfac05} of the cost of chemo.

A Medicare SUPPLEMENT, however, is different than Medicare Advantage. The Medicare Supplement fully covers cancer and cancer treatments.

All of the Medicare Supplement plans are standardized. There are no hidden tricks or small print. They’re accepted by every doctor that accepts Medicare.

See also:

SeniorSavingsNetwork.org helps seniors find the best Medicare Supplement plan by shopping the entire market.

We shop the market for the best Medicare Supplement rates in the market. We know the companies, the plans, and the best way to get the best rates.

Call us at 1-800-729-9590

Let us go to work for you. Our Medicare Supplement quoting service and help is free.

Mount Pleasant Medicare Insurance | Medicare Insurance in Mt. Pleasant, SC

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Are you looking for Medicare Insurance in Mount Pleasant, SC?

Then you have come to the right place. We specialize in the Mt. Pleasant marketplace for Medicare benefits.

SeniorSavingsNetwork.org is your one stop shop for medicare insurance quotes and agents. Whether you live in Mt. Pleasant, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Sun City, Summerville, Ladson, Ridgeville, North Charleston or elsewhere in South Carolina our agents can help you find and purchase that perfect insurance policy.

We are completely independent and can give you honest advice on the entire market, not just one company. We often save clients up to $100 per month on the same Medicare benefits, just by shopping the market for our clients.

Contact us at 1-800-729-9590 for a free, independent quote on your Medicare Supplement plan.

Mount Pleasant Medicare Insurance

How will Obamacare Impact Medicare Advantage?

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Obamacare will have a significant impact on Medicare Advantage, starting in the 2014 plan year.

Seniors should be cautious when considering staying on their existing Medicare Advantage plan, as many of the plans now have a different (higher) maximum out-of-pocket costs. Many plans have gone from $3,400 maximum out-of-pocket per year up to the max: $6,700 out-of-pocket.

This means if you have a catastrophic health event that requires multiple hospitalizations, doctor visits, physical therapy treatments, etc. these costs can quickly add up to the maximum, $6,700 before you are done with the cost sharing on the Medicare Advantage plans.

If this health event happens late in the year, you can see the reset of the $6,700 limit on January 1, meaning that you are on your own to hit that limit again, fully, before the health plan takes over all costs.

See these videos on the impact of Obamacare on Medicare Advantage:

These are specific ways that Obamacare will impact seniors on Medicare:

Seniors seeking to drop Medicare Advantage should first check on Medicare Supplement quotes before returning to original medicare.

This is easily done by visiting the Senior Savings Network, a free service to seniors that compares all available Medicare Supplement plans to find the best deal in the market.

What is Medicare Advantage?

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A Medicare Advantage Plan, in general, is similar to an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). Most of these plans require you to use the providers in their network, except emergency care, out-of-area urgent care, or out-of-area dialysis).

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. You will get your Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan and not original Medicare.

These plans must cover all of the services that original Medicare covers except hospice care. In the case of hospice care, original Medicare covers it even if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan. These plans are NOT supplemental coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage that original Medicare does not cover, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). In addition to your Part B premium, you usually pay a monthly premium for the Plan, but not always.

You want to be sure and understand all the different aspects of each plan you are considering before making a final decision, as there are many variations in these plans. You may want to view the Medicare Plan Finder to find plans in your area. Remember the benefits are the same when comparing plan to plan. For instance, Plan G with one company is the same as Plan G with another company, even though the premiums differ.

If you are in a Medicare plan, review the EOC (Evidence of Coverage) and ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) your plan sends you each fall. The EOC gives details about what the plan covers, how much you pay, etc. The ANOC includes any changes in coverage, costs, or service area that will be effective in January. If you don’t get these important documents, contact your plan, because any changes must be made from October 15 to December 7, unless there are special circumstances such as moving out of the plan’s service area, obtaining Medicaid, moving to an institution (like a nursing home).

Medicare Advantage Plan Options

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Choosing between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage

Considering a Medicare Advantage Plan to save money?

Consider this…

The clients we help are usually on a FIXED INCOME.

This means that our senior clients do not like SURPRISES with their health plan.

As you can see, with a Medicare Supplement policy, you have consistent monthly premiums.

With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you could have a BIG surprise when you need hospital services.

Avoid the red line that’s possible with Medicare Advantage.

Example includes Part B premium, four day hospital stay, outpatient procedure and doctor visits.

 

Compare Medicare Supplements to Medicare Advantage Plans:

Concerns of Seniors: Medicare
Supplement		 Medicare
Advantage
Restrictive Network of doctors and hospitals NO YES
Co-Payments to Providers NO YES
Up to $3,000 yearly
Out of Pocket Costs		 NO YES
Health Plan Decides What Test and Procedures Are Approved For You NO YES
Can Your Plan
Be Cancelled?		 NO

Cannot be cancelled as long as premiums are paid		 YESPlans are approved yearly and can be dropped.
Ability to Travel the Country and Use Any Doctor or Hospital YES NO
Is Pre-Certification Required for some Treatments? NO YES

Penalties apply if pre-cert not done.

MD Anderson Cancer

Treatment Center Included?

MAYO Clinic Included?

 YES 

YES

 NO 

NO

 

Watch These Short Videos.
Things your agent won’t tell you:

 

Good Morning America on Medicare Advantage.

Click on the video to start playback:

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A Doctor Discusses Medicare Advantage.

Click the video to start playback:

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President Obama’s Changes to Medicare Advantage:
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    Please let us help you find the best plan for your situation.

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