Humana is a name that is well known to seniors on Medicare. It so well known because is it one of the main providers of Medicare Advantage plans throughout the country. That has come about through making sure that in the states where it offers its plans, people really, really know their name.

That has worked so well for them that over two-thirds of their policies are Medicare Advantage and prescription plans. That adds up to about 3.8 million policies.
continue reading "Humana’s Lack of Humanity"

November 15th through December 31st marks the Medicare annual open enrollment cycle for all current beneficiaries and takes place the end of each year. Any changes to plans that are made during this particular time period goes into effect on January 10th of the new year.

All Medicare beneficiaries can choose the traditional Medicare plan only, a Medicare supplement insurance plan, or even sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan during this open time period.

Once the beneficiary makes a decision, they will have until March 31st of the following year to make the switch in plans. If no change is made to their plan before the March date, the current plan stays in place until the next year’s open enrollment.

All users have the option of keeping their existing Medicare Advantage plans just by doing nothing. If they choose to make changes, they can just enroll by phoning 1-800-MEDICARE or go online to Medicare.gov.

Do you know what to do before you make a decision?
continue reading "Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Prescription Drug Plans Runs November 15th through December 31st"

Both Boomers and seniors have look to AARP for years to get what they have felt is reliable information regarding insurance. Most recently, seniors look to the organization for fair information regarding Medigap and Medicare Advantage coverage.

The problem is that during the recent past it has been discovered that AARP has not been exactly unbiased or up front when it comes to insurance, especially Medicare Supplements. It seems that AARP is on the payroll, so to speak.
For example, in addition to other perks, the president of AARP received over $1million in compensation from a particular insurance company.

Most of the time I have seen AARP advertise and push United American insurance policies and products and instead of offering choices of several companies to choose from, they simply push the company they are receiving money and perks from.
continue reading "AARP Medicare Plans: Take a Closer Look"

Most seniors are Medicare recipients. They depend on Medicare to keep them connected to the medical care they need. Without Medicare millions of individuals would go without medical care and would be subject to fend for themselves.

Over the years it has become increasingly important for individuals who are Medicare recipients to get Medicare Supplemental plans. These plans fill in gaps in Medicare coverage. That is why supplements are often called “Medigap” policies – because they fill those gaps.

Medigap policies and other supplements including Medicare Advantage are sold by independent insurance companies. As a result, there have been many issues surrounding the sale of these policies.

There are various Medicare plans and supplements from A through L. Each supplement covers different things and individuals on Medicare can choose the supplement that fits their situation the best.
continue reading "More Scrutiny Regarding Medicare Supplements"

Buying a Medicare supplement is an important decision and timing is an important factor when purchasing this coverage.

Experts say that the most important time to purchase a Medicare supplement is during the first six months after you have enrolled in Part B of Medicare. The reason that this is extremely important is that during those first six months insurers must accept you even if you have preexisting heath issues. No matter what the condition, during those six months, insurance companies must cover you. However, if you wait longer, they can exclude the preexisting conditions or turn you down for coverage.

As far as premiums for Medicare Supplement plans, it is important to know that there are various plans and each covers specific – and different – issues. You need to determine which one is right for you within that six month period and compare the rates that different companies offer.

Once you find what you feel is the best plan for you at the right price, that is the policy to enroll in. Make sure you enroll within the six month period mentioned above.
continue reading "When Should You Purchase a Medicare Supplement?"

Many people are still confused about Medicare Supplemental Insurance, even though since 2006 there have been 12 plans that are standardized. This is where the confusion comes in. Plans from Plan A through Plan L are also called Medigap plans. Each plan covers different things and has different benefits at different costs from very inexpensive to more expensive because of the coverage they provide.

The lower the cost, the fewer the benefits and individuals who need Medicare Supplements must look at each supplement and determine which one has the coverage they need at the cost they can afford.

The real confusion is that all of the supplements are not available in every state. Then there are other states that offer all of the supplements but they are offered under different names.

Now for the most confusing part of all. Each supplement offers the same benefits no matter which company is offering them. Unfortunately, many of the people selling these supplements add to the confusion of many seniors by making them think that this is not the case. In addition some salespeople try to sell individuals coverage they don’t need and is too expensive – but pays the salesperson a higher commission.
continue reading "Choosing Medicare Supplements – What’s the Difference?"

Healthcare changes are being discussed at large in Washington by lawmakers and throughout the country by citizens. One of the huge issues is Medicare, Medicare premiums, prescription drugs and the like.

One of the ideas on Medicare which is being bounced around is that Medicare beneficiaries should pay higher premiums for prescription drug coverage, and many seniors – especially those on very low, fixed incomes – are worried. Somehow, the budget office seems to think that for many seniors, their total drug spending would decline. The Congressional Budget Office recently said in a report that as a result of these changes seniors’ overall spending on drugs would be lower. Many seniors are quite leery of this statement, as they have only seen the opposite in recent years.

continue reading "Health Bill Might Reduce Drug Costs for Seniors on Medicare"

In the days before all the financial issues we have today, complete with budget cuts and worse, Medicare was a pretty solid program that actually pretty much took care of a person’s medical needs, even without a bunch of supplements. Over the years, however, especially during this past decade, programs are being trimmed or cut left and right and Medicare is no exception.

Services that were once included in basic Medicare are now services that have to be paid for out of pocket because of the cuts that have had to be made so that the program can stay solvent.

Medicare has been based on taxpayers’ money since the beginning. The idea has been that some taxes go toward funding Medicare.
continue reading "Do Medicare Supplements Really Help?"

It’s no secret that there are budget problems not only in this country but around the world. As a result of the massive amount of debt that the U.S. has, however, it is wreaking havoc on many essential programs. Lawmakers are burning the candle at both ends trying to find solutions. Unfortunately, the solution to a lot of the financial problems – three trillion dollars is a lot – is to cut back on programs that are costing the government money, even though they are supposed to be funded with taxpayer’s money.

The fact that many of these programs exist has to do with the taxpayers’ money still helping to support them. Unfortunately, the three trillion dollars is being supported by the same taxpayers. As a result, there are choices to be made – both by the federal, state and local governments and by individuals.

Medicare – even with the cuts it has received -is still a good and essential program that helps a lot of people. The cuts have happened and are happening because of financial situations that have been going awry for years, except that nobody really knew or if they did, they didn’t let the American people in on the little (or big) secret. As a result, by the time the cat was out of the bag, the debt was so huge, it has affected most people’s whole way of life.
continue reading "Now, More than Ever, Check Out Supplements"

There are many misconceptions about Medicaid, the most common being that Medicaid was designed to provide health care to only the poor. While income is a factor when a caseworker determines Medicaid eligibility, it is not the sole qualification. Applicants must also meet other eligibility requirements, including falling into specific groups, citizenship, assets and resources.

Income is usually the first thing to be considered when you apply for Medicaid. Income limits vary by state, but generally are at or near poverty level. In some states, individuals who have income over the limit, but are otherwise eligible for Medicaid may still be able to receive benefits. However, these individuals may be required to reach a deductible before Medicaid benefits begin or pay a co-payment when visiting the doctor.

In order to be eligible for Medicaid, individuals must fall into specific eligible groups. These groups include low-income families with children in the home; aged, blind or disabled individuals or those receiving SSI benefits; children under the age of six; pregnant women and infants born to Medicaid-eligible mothers; recipients of adoption or foster care assistance; some Medicare recipients; and special protected groups.
continue reading "Medicaid Eligibility: How to Find Out if You Are Eligible for Medicaid"

There has been a lot of confusion regarding Medicare deductibles and we hope the following information will help. A woman on Medicare went to the hospital on January 2, 2009 and for that visit, her Part A deductible was charger, in the amount of $1,068 for 2009. She thought she was finished for the year. She was put back in the hospital in late May, 2009, and was again charged the $1,068 deductible. She was extremely confused because she had already paid in January. The explanation below from the Capital Gazette in Maryland is an excellent and clear explanation of how this could happen and how Medicare deductibles on Part A and B work.

Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B have deductibles. In 2009, the Part B deductible is $135. Your Part B deductible is billed only once per calendar year.

Part A, your inpatient hospital insurance, has a deductible of $1,068 for 2009. But the Part A deductible is not set on a calendar year basis; the Medicare Part A deductible is for a benefit period.

Your “Medicare and You” handbook states a benefit period begins on “the day you go to a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
continue reading "Understanding Medicare Deductibles"

Senate Democrats are struggling to come up with a health-care reform bill that expands coverage to millions of uninsured, restrains costs over the long term, and doesn’t bankrupt the country in the short term.

There is an easy and obvious solution to quickly achieve universal coverage, and that is to lower the age to qualify for Medicare from 65 to zero. Then worry about lowering the costs through real reform, like ending the fee for service racket.

Medicare for all is such a simple idea that it’s too bad there isn’t anybody in a position of influence within the government to advocate it. Even supporters of a single-payer plan, which is really Medicare expanded and extended, aren’t pushing it. The political obstacles are just too great.

The insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry are the big players, and lawmakers are crafting a plan that is as much about protecting these favored few as it is about serving the public. Various interests with a stake in health-care reform are collectively spending $1.4 million a day in lobbying fees to make sure the plan that emerges leaves their profits intact.
continue reading "It Could Be So Much Simpler"

The answer to the question above is yes – and no – because Medicare has changed over the years and so have the supplements. Medicare Advantage is available, as well, though the jury is out on both sides as to whether it works well or not. Ask one person who has it and they will tell you it’s great. Ask another and they will tell you they are not happy with it.

The issue, though, is whether a senior should have a supplement. That depends on the senior. There are several factors involved in making this decision. For instance, if you are a senior but you don’t have any chronic illness, go to the doctor for your annual checkup and still play golf once or twice a week, you probably don’t need a supplement. On the other hand if you do have a chronic illness, have regular doctor visits, treatments and medications that you must have to stay healthy you probably do need a supplement.

The reason for that is that your doctor visits, treatments and medication might have an actual cost of $500 per month, but the supplement might only cost $95 per month. Getting the right supplement could save you over $400 per month in this case. That is a lot of money for anyone. In this situation, a person really can’t afford not to have a supplement.
continue reading "Can Seniors Afford Not to Have A Medicare Supplement?"

Medicare always seems to have its controversies and has for decades had both supporters and detractors. These days, the situation is even more tense then ever because of huge budget issues and constraints, in-fighting by lawmakers and the high cost of medical care that seems to keep going further and further out of control.

Since Medicare does not pay all of a senior’s medical expenses, there are Medicare Supplements available. Medicare Supplements come in numerous packages designed to meet people’s most urgent needs. Some cover certain co-pays and others cover other co-pays and procedures.

Medicare Supplements are defined by letters of the alphabet and each letter covers different medical issues from prescriptions to outpatient procedures. The issue has become that several companies sell all of these Medicare Supplements. The Supplements offer the same coverage for each company. For instance, if you choose supplement G and H their coverage is the same regardless of what company you buy from.
continue reading "Medicare Supplement Costs: Can Seniors Afford Medicare Supplements?"

Medicare, Medicare Supplements, and Healthcare are still overwhelming lawmakers, newsmakers and the rest of us. I know – it’s not an easy process, but I heard and read something the other day that infuriated me.

It was a comment on a newspaper blog – I read everything I can get my hands on. This particular woman saw nothing wrong with families not having insurance, medicaid or anything to fall back on in case of an accident, serious injury or serious ilness.

She felt that if someone could pay for a car or SUV and actually afford cable, they should be able to pay for insurance. This was her deduction. She didn’t give consideration to the fact that these individuals might not have the same budget now as they had before they bought their car.
continue reading "The Big Debate Continues"