The main objective of this post is to help you understand Medicare Supplement Plan and their role in your health care and also to help you select the right plan and right insurance company.  Nowadays, there are a lot of insurance companies coming in on the market. They are opening one after another, all offering Medicare Health Services. There is no difference in benefits from one medicare supplement plan offered by one insurance company from the other, the only difference is the company itself. Some new insurance companies are only after the money made through medicare.  We must look over those companies and determine if they outsource manpower outside their company. Usually, they don't last long and tend to sell their business to other companies as well. With this, you should know how unstable they are and if they suddenly stop selling new plans.  Hidden Risks: Prices increase very rapidly look at the health questions/application to check if it ha...

How do I compare the quality fo Health Care Providers? Medicare collects information about the quality and safety of medical care and services given by most health care providers (and facilities). Check Medicare.gov/quality-care-finder and get a snapshot of the quality of care they give their patients. Some feature a star rating system to help you compare quality measures that are important to you. Find out more by: Talking to your health care provider. Each health care provider should have someone you can talk to about quality. Asking your doctor or other health care provider what he or she thinks about the quality of care other providers give. You can also ask your doctor or other health care provider about the quality of care information you find on Medicare.gov . Having access to quality and cost information upfront helps you get a complete picture of your health care options. You'll be able to compare quality ratings, cost information, and other details to hel...

How can I protect myself from identity theft? Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit fraud or other crimes. Personal information includes things like your name and your Social Security, Medicare, credit card or bank account numbers, and your Medicare.gov user name and password. Guard your cards and protect your Medicare and Social Security Numbers. Keep this information safe. Only give personal information, like your Medicare Number, to doctors, insurers or plans acting on your behalf and/ or trusted people in the community who work with Medicare like your State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) . Don't share your Medicare Number or other personal information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or in person. Medicare, or someone representing Medicare, will only call you in limited situations: Medicare health or drug plan can call if you're already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you...

Your right to access your personal health information By law, you or your legal representative generally has the right to view and/or get copies of your personal health information from health care providers who treat you, or by health plans that pay for your care, including Medicare. You also have the right to have a provider or plan send copies of your information to a third party that you choose, like other providers who treat you, a family member, a researcher, or a mobile application you use to manage your personal health information. These includes: Claims and billing records Information related to your enrollment in health plans, including Medicare Medical and case management records (except psychotherapy notes) Any other records that contain information that doctors or health plans use to make decisions about you Generally, you can get your information on paper or electronically. If your providers or plans store your information electronically, they generall...

What if I need help paying my Medicare Health Care costs? People who have limited income and resources can also seek help in paying their Medicare Health Care costs. Below are the different programs they can choose depending on their qualification.  Medicare Savings Programs If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get help from your state to pay your Medicare costs if you meet certain conditions. 4 kinds of Medicare Savings Programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Programs: If you're eligible, the QMB Program helps pay for Part A and/or Part B premiums . Also, Medicare providers aren't allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments . If you get a bill for these charges, tell your provider or debt collector that you're in QMB Program and can't be charged for items and services Medicare covers. If you've already made payments on a bill for services and i...

Monthly Premium Most drug plans charge a monthly fee that varies by plan. You pay this in addition to the Part B premium. If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Cost Plan that includes Medicare prescription drug coverage, the monthly premium may include an amount for prescription drug coverage. Contact your drug plan if you want your premium deducted from your monthly Social Security or RRB payment. If you want to stop premium deductions and get billed directly, contact your drug plan. IMPORTANT! If you have a higher income, you might pay more for your Part D coverage. If your income is above a certain limit, you'll pay an extra amount in addition to your plan premium which is sometimes called Part D-IRMAA . You'll also have to pay this extra amount if you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage.  Usually, the extra amount will be deducted from your Social Security check. If you get benefits from the Railroad ...

The types of insurance listed below are all considered creditable prescription drug coverage , and in most cases, it will be your advantage to keep this coverage if you have it. Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program : This is health coverage for current and retired federal employees and covered family members. FEHB plans usually include prescription drug coverage, so you don't need to join a Medicare drug plan. However, if you decide to join a Medicare drug plan, you can keep your FEHB plan, and in most cases, Medicare will pay first.  Veterans' Benefits: This is health coverage for veterans and people who have served in the U.S. Military. You may be able to get prescription drug coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program. You may join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, but if you do, you can't use both types of coverage for the same prescription at the same time. TRICARE (military health benefits): This is a health c...

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage or also known as Medicare Part D is an optional benefit. It is offered to everyone with Medicare.  In order to get Medicare prescription drug coverage, you must first join a plan approved by Medicare and offers drug coverage.  2 ways to get Medicare prescription drug coverage: Medicare Prescription Drug Plans .  These plans, sometimes call "PDPs" add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Saving Account plans. You must have Part A and/or Part B to join this plan. Medicare Advantage Plans (other Medicare health plans that offer Medicare prescription drug coverage).  You get all your Part A, Part B, and Part D through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called "MA-PDs". You must have Part A and Part B to join this plan. In either case, you must live in the service area of the ...

Aside from Medicare Parts A and B and Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare offers other options. These plans have some of the same rules however, each type of plan has special rules and exceptions. Medicare Cost Plans These are the type of Medicare health plans available in certain, limited areas of the country. Here's what you should know about it; You can join even if you only have Part B If you have Part A and Part B and go to a non-network provider, the services  covered are  under Original Medicare. You can join anytime You can leave anytime and return to Original Medicare You can either get your Medicare prescription drug coverage from the Cost Plan or you can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. (You can add or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage only at certain times) Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) This is a Medicare and Medicaid program offered in many states that allows people who otherwise need a nursing home...

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan Can I get my health care from any doctor, other health care provider or hospital? No. You generally must get your care and services from doctors, other health care providers or hospitals in the plan's network. In some HMO plans, you'll be able to go out-of-network for certain services, usually for a higher cost . This is   HMO with a point-of-service (POS) option. Are prescription drugs covered? In most cases, yes. If you want Medicare drug coverage, you must join an HMO Plan that offers prescription drug coverage. Do I need to choose a primary care doctor?   In most cases, Yes. Do I have to get a referral to see a specialist?   In most cases, yes. Certain services, like yearly screening mammograms, don't need a referral. What else do I need to know about this type of plan? If your doctor or other health care provider leaves the plan's network, your plan will tell you. You may choose another ...