Making the Most of Your Medicare Plan: Know Your Benefits and Save Money
Whether you’re on a limited income, or just trying to justify how much you’re paying for your Medicare Advantage plan, we all want to get the most out of our health care plan. Every plan comes with a lot of information and explanation about its benefits, and it can be overwhelming to drill down into these documents to find useful savings, discounts, and benefits. In this article, we’re covering some of the resources and features […]
A Preview of 2022: Medicare Part A and B Costs
It’s that time of year again, and Medicare has released the Medicare Part A & B Costs for 2022. Below are the key details that may affect your premiums going forward in the new year. Part A Costs If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A. People who buy Part A will pay a premium of either $274 or $499 each month in 2022 depending on how long they or […]
Is your Medicare plan still the best fit for you?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is your chance to review your plan’s cost and coverage and compare it to the new plans for the coming year. “…but if my plan worked for me this last year and nothing changed with my health, should I still bother to review my plan?” You absolutely should! Even if nothing changed for you since last year, a lot can change about your plan. Each year around September you’ll receive […]
A Preview of 2022: 7 Changes to Medicare Part D Defined Standard Benefits
Around this time every year Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) releases the benefit parameters for Part D’s “Defined Standard Benefit” plan, as well as the parameters for the Low-Income Subsidy benefits. All Medicare Part D plans use this as a base to determine drug plan coverage for the following year. With this in mind, let’s dive into the Defined Standard Benefits and use these parameters to help you get a possible preview of […]
What is Medicare Part B?
When you first enroll in Medicare and at certain times of the year, you can choose from one of two main ways to get your Medicare coverage – through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or through a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C). The second part of Original Medicare, Part B, is often referred to as “Medical Insurance.” Part B helps to cover costs related to medically necessary and preventative services from doctors […]
What is Medicare Part A?
When you first enroll in Medicare and at certain times of the year, you can choose from one of two main ways to get your Medicare coverage – through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or through a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C). The first part of Original Medicare, Medicare Part A, is often referred to as “Hospital Insurance.” Part A helps to cover costs related to hospital stays, hospice care and some […]
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
You know you have to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 in the United States. What you might not know is how much Medicare health insurance costs. There are premiums, standard coinsurance amounts and deductibles for most parts of Medicare. Read on to learn more about how much Medicare costs. Is Medicare Free? Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older in the U.S., and for some people with certain […]
When Do I Need to Enroll in Medicare?
Enrolling in Medicare is an important milestone. You typically enroll in Medicare for the first time when you turn 65, or if you are diagnosed with certain medical conditions. There are different ways to enroll in Medicare, and some key times during which you can enroll. Here is a quick breakdown of how and when you need to enroll in Medicare. Do I Enroll in Medicare When I Turn 65? The first time you enroll […]
How To Appeal a Denial of Coverage from a Medicare Advantage Plan
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and were denied coverage for a health service or item, you may choose to appeal the decision with your plan’s provider. The appeal process requires documentation for why the service or item should be covered under your plan, and it can take some time to go through the the levels of approval. Here is a quick breakdown of how the process works to file an appeal for a […]
What is the Medicare Part D Donut Hole?
Not all donut holes are sweet. In Original Medicare Part D, there is a coverage gap known as the “Part D Donut Hole.” This coverage gap for pharmaceutical medications can result in higher drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, as they get stuck between spending limits on Rx costs and their total out-of-pocket cost limits for a given year. How Does the Part D Donut Hole Work? For beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D, there is […]