Posts Tagged ‘medicare supplement’

Tips For Understanding Your Medicare Coverage And Needs

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Understanding your Medicare coverage is an important health care issue. This is not only for those over the age of 65. If you are on a disability pension, you may also have this coverage. Here are the four major parts to learn about.

Part A

Part A will pay for your hospital stays. It also pays for nursing care facilities. It will cover home health care and hospice, too. Most people will not pay extra money for part A. They will receive it at age 65. You may not have paid in enough over the years, to qualify. If your spouse has paid in, this will cover you. If not, you may be able to purchase part A.

You may need to sign up for part A. There is an enrollment period for this. It starts three months before you turn 65. It ends four months after your birthday.

Part B benefits

Part B covers doctor visits. It also pays for a number of outpatient procedures. It will pay for certain preventative services. This allows you to get flu shots for no charge. Part B usually requires a monthly premium payment. It can be automatically deducted from your Social Security check. There is a standard premium amount. If you make very little money, you may receive help with your premium payments.

Part C benefits

Part C is about Advantage Plans. You have the option to join a plan such as an HMO or PPO. This is an option to parts A and B. You may receive a great deal more benefits this way. However, you will be limited on your choice of doctors and health care facilities. You may have prescription coverage this way. It may also carry much lower deductible amounts.

In some cases, there may not be any additional premium payments. You will still need to pay for parts A and B. However, some packages may have an additional fee. They usually carry additional benefits with them.

Drugs and part D

Part D is all about prescription drug coverage. This is important to the older population. They tend to need more types of drugs and prescriptions. This program is aimed at lowering the cost of many medications. Many elderly people may be forced to choose between drugs and food. This may help them avoid such a scenario.

Final thoughts

Understanding your Medicare coverage is vital to your health and finances. There are four major parts. Part A is about hospital stays and other facilities. Part B will pay for doctor visits and flu shots. Part C offers alternatives like HMO and PPO plans. Part D will help you pay for prescription medications.

Finding it difficult to comprehend your Medicare Coverage ? Get the ultimate low down on Medicare Supplement now in our complete Medicare Benefits overview.

Forethought Medicare Supplement Just Released In Eleven States

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

This fall eleven states, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia will see a new Medicare supplement product from Forethought Financial Group. The release will come at a very good time when millions of baby boomers are now turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare and related products, such as the Forethought Medicare Supplement (Medigap). These newly minted seniors will be seeking Medicare supplement products with competitive premiums, an excellent financial strength rating, and highly regarded customer service from companies such as Forethought. The Forethought Medigap offers all of the aforementioned and more.

Precision Senior Marketing (PSM), a full-service, national insurance marketing organization, is currently offering direct contracts to independent senior insurance agents who wish to add the Forethought Medigap product to their portfolios. PSM is proud to be an exclusive distributor of the Forethought Medicare supplement. PSM experienced remarkable success last year with the release of several new Medicare supplement products. Fast growing demand for these Medigap products exceeded the expectations of the new carriers in the market. This excessive demand required these companies to hire additional staff. PSM expects the Forethought Medicare supplement to generate the same level of demand and success upon its release.

Forethought is also offering a new final expense product in addition to offering a new Medicare supplement product. Agents can sign up consumers for both products in one application known as a “combo-app.” Independent senior insurance agents will notice this combo-app will simplify and speed-up the application process. The new Forethought final expense product offers superior features compared to competing final expense products - even Forethought’s older final expense product. Agents are encouraged to contact Precision Senior Marketing at 1-800-998-7715 or at info@psmbrokerage.com for more information about either product.

Forethought Financial Group has serviced more than 2 million policyholders since its humble beginnings in 1985. Forethought’s financial strength stems from the fact that it has over $4 billion in assets, more than $5.6 billion of life insurance and annuity business in force, and nearly $1 billion in annual revenue.

Despite these rough economic times, Forethought continues to grow and prosper unlike many of its competitors who are shrinking or stagnant. Forethought expects to expand its offering to other states, as the company is licensed to sell in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Agents can check http://www.psmbrokerage.com for the latest Forethought Medicare supplement release information.

Discover the Forethought Medicare Supplement, and Forethought Medigap at Alex Stone’s website.

The Real Truths & Myths About Medicare Supplement Insurance

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Medicare supplements are very important to many people. Everyone who reaches age 65 or is disabled becomes eligible for Medicare, which is government sponsored health coverage. The coverage is the same for everyone, which means that some people might be missing out on some critical parts of their healthcare because they cannot afford the expense and insurance doesn’t cover it. Enter the Medicare supplements. These plans were designed specifically to fill in the gaps where Medicare falls short, allowing people to get the coverage that they need for just about anything, at an affordable cost. There are many myths involved with Medicare, and Medicare Supplements Including:

Myth: Parts D and C are Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans Truth: Medicare Parts D and C are in fact NOT supplemental insurance plans, they are replacements. Part C is offered by a private insurance company that requires you to forfeit some of your other benefits. Part D is very complicated and requires you to meet other stipulations in order to qualify. The only real reason Part D is slightly beneficial to you is because it covers drugs not covered by Part A & B. All Medicare Supplement plans are known by Plans A-L, 12 in total, or 14 if you count plans that require a higher deductible like F and J.

Myth: Parts D and C are Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans Truth: Medicare Parts D and C are in fact NOT supplemental insurance plans, they are replacements. Part C is offered by a private insurance company that requires you to forfeit some of your other benefits. Part D is very complicated and requires you to meet other stipulations in order to qualify. The only real reason Part D is slightly beneficial to you is because it covers drugs not covered by Part A & B. All Medicare Supplement plans are known by Plans A-L, 12 in total, or 14 if you count plans that require a higher deductible like F and J.

Myth: Medicare can cover all expenses. Truth: Thruth is, Medicare can cover MOST expenses, but it’s NOT meant to cover ALL expenses you inquire. You will have co-payments and excess charges, which is why Medicare supplements were created. In the end, if you’re on Medicare, you still may have out of pocket expenses. That’s where Medicare Supplements come into play, they make up for the out of pocket expense you would technically had to of paid if you were only enrolled in medicare without a medicare supplement plan.

You can even find calculators that will take your personal information and determine the best plan for your needs, no matter what it may be. Remember that GoMedigap (www.gomedigap.com) is here by your side to help you chose the best plan for you, at the cheapest rate, with the most financially stable company. Call us today at; (866) 894 - 3258, or visit our website at http://www.gomedigap.com

Before you consider enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, you should consider allowing GoMedigap to get you the cheapest rate with the best financially stable Medicare Supplement Insurance company. Get a Medicare Supplement Quote online now, or call; (866) 894 - 3258 to speak with one of our licensed agents.

Medicare Supplement Plans - Are You Paying Too Much?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

There are many different Medicare supplement plans that you will have to choose from when it comes to getting the extra coverage that you need for your medical care. Understanding each plan and what it has to offer you will be critical to your successful selection of the right coverage. One thing that many people don’t consider is that many of these plans either don’t include travel coverage or specifically exclude it from their policies.

Take the time to check out all 12 of the Medicare supplement plans and find the one that suits your needs best.

You can find basic information about what each supplemental Medicare plan offers but you won’t get a list of complete details without providing some of your own personal information about your location first. You need to understand this so that you don’t think you’ll only be paying X amount because some guy from Texas posted an article saying that was the going rate, when that’s only the rate in Texas.

For those who don’t travel or who have specific travel insurance policies in place, this is not an issue. However, for those who do travel, even if only on occasion, having the coverage in your Medicare supplement plans can often prove to be more comforting than you might think. You can never tell what will happen when you travel, and being protected just in case is always better than taking a chance and spending your retirement on your medical care because you didn’t have insurance coverage.

There are many different things to think about when it comes to choosing the best Medicare supplement plans, and this is only one element of the whole picture. You need to make sure that you check out each plan that is available, which shouldn’t be too complicated since there are only 12 and they are all very similar. Then, when you have chosen a plan for your needs, you can start searching for private insurance companies to see who has the best rates for your insurance plan. Even though the plans are the same, many companies charge different premiums, so shop around and find the one that you like best.

Want to find out more about Medicare Supplement Insurance, then visit our site on how to choose the best Medicare Supplement Insurance for your needs.

Medicare Supplements - Comparing And Choosing Plans

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Medicare supplements were designed to coincide with existing Medicare coverage so that people could get the medical care that they need with fewer expenses and without having to worry about how they’re going to pay their bills. The plans are affordable, and were standardized by the government so that there are no surprises and no one is caught off guard by a surprise deductible, stipulation, or other issue. Medicare supplement plans are very well known for putting all the cards on the table at all times. There are 12 plans and 14 if you count the high deductible options for plans F and J, and they are all pretty much the same. They have a few differences here and there, but good luck spotting them.

Medicare supplements are the same way. You don’t need to overfill your plate, but you do need to have a well-rounded plan on your hands. You are probably living on a fixed income if you are eligible for Medicare, which means that you need to make every penny count. Medicare was never designed to be an all-inclusive plan, which is why supplement plans were developed as the healthcare world changed and Medicare coverage stayed the same. You can find these ’side dishes’ at just about any private insurance company, depending on where you live and what you’re eligible for.

It’s not really a surprise that Medicare supplements have different prices. Most people just don’t take the time to shop around because it is tedious and they hate talking to pushy insurance companies one after another trying to get the best deal. However, even if you only get three or four insurance quotes for your supplements, you could still save some money. If you don’t think this is a serious issue, check out the Choosing a Medigap Policy manual, which clearly states that premiums can be charged at whatever rate companies want, depending on their own regulations and guidelines for setting rates. While some people might call this taking advantage, many will see it as just a plain rip off.

When it comes to shopping for Medicare supplements, think of it like a buffet. Find the best side dish to go with the main course that you already have, and you’ll have a well-rounded insurance policy in no time at all. Focus on finding what works for YOU, rather than asking other people what you need. Try not to work with specific insurance companies until you have chosen a plan, either, because some of them are sales-minded and will talk you into whatever they can just to make you a customer. There is plenty of objective information about Medicare supplements out there for you to find, as long as you are willing to invest the time and effort.

If you have or are eligible for Medicare coverage, you need to check out supplemental plans as well. These additional benefits can prove to be priceless to those who need medical care and can’t afford to pay too much for health insurance.

Want to find out more about Medicare Supplement Insurance, then visit Richard Cantu’s site on how to choose the best Medicare Supplement Insurance for your needs.

The Variety Of Policies Offered By The Mutual Of Omaha Insurance Company

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Purchasing insurance is one of the ways that we can protect ourselves from future problems. There are companies that have existed for years providing many different types of insurance to you. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company provides these services for the majority of your insurance needs.

This is a large company with great products for your needs. They have the usual group insurances and also the health, life, medicare supplement, critical illness, disability and a fine retirement plan. Whatever your age retirement is rapidly approaching. Look into your retirement plan as soon as possible.

Your plan on your retirement is to replace the income you were earning when employed. To be able to assure you will have this income at retirement decide on a strategy now. Look forward now into a retirement package that offers you benefits and services that a savings account cannot.

The retirement plan at Mutual of Omaha provides numerous services and is employer sponsored. When you join this plan you are assigned a relationship manager. This person assists you in managing your account and reaching your retirement goals.

Your account information is accessible to you either online or telephone. Numerous calculators are available to estimate how much to save, if you now have saved enough, the amount of time savings are apt to last, any risk involved and how much you are to receive when you retire. The manager can advise you and provide assistant when moving from your present position to another.

You are also able to buy insurance in case of contracting cancer or if you have cancer. In some instances you may even be eligible for this insurance if you previously suffered from cancer. This coverage is available for the whole family as there is no age restriction.

In this case the benefits you receive will not be dependent on whether you are in hospital or seen on an outpatient basis. There is also coverage for anesthetics, blood plasma and surgery among other procedures. The choice of doctor and the hospital is totally your choice. There is only one way to cancel this insurance and that is not to pay the premium.

Retirement is on the horizon for everyone. We hope that cancer is not on this horizon. The precautions one takes today, whether for retirement or illness, is the present we give ourselves for our future.

Health insurance is a major deal - Have you looked at mutual of Omaha? If you haven’t, then you could try Mutual of Omaha Medicare. For many, this is the best one to choose.

Medicare Supplement Plans - Three Reasons You Need Them

Friday, July 30th, 2010

There are a vast amount of technicaliteis on why insurance is a part of life. If you are disabled, living on a fixed annual income, or are 65 years of age or older, Medicare is there to take care of you. There is 12 plans in total to help you with all your coverage needs. Many people do not see the need for this insurance, and make the critical mistake of not getting themselves insured. Here are some helpful tips to getting you on the right track to choosing the right Medicare Supplement Plan for you and or your spouse:

-Medicare Supplemental plans cover what Medicare doesn’t cover. There are varying types of plans and coverages that it doesn’t matter what things you’re covered for, because most plans cover everything. For those people who live on a fixed annual income, and need medical care, Medicare Supplemental can become very critical.

-All Medicare Supplement plans are very affordable. They almost always have lower premiums and coverage expenses since they are regulated by the federal government. Coverages from AARP, United of Omaha, etc… are all the same.You can find coverage of all types and sizes, no matter how big or small your budget might be. What the government doesn’t cover is what those companies can charge you for the same coverage. This is where GoMedigap comes in. We find the lowest rate for you, from the best company.

-GoMedigap takes the guesswork out of getting Medicare Supplemental coverage. Instead of going out and researching on your own, we do all the work for you, we do all the research, rate each company, and find you the lowest rate with the highest rated company out there, at no charge to you.

By taking a look at our website at www.gomedigap.com you can quickly see how critical it is to get a Medicare Supplement plan if you are 65 and older and are on a fixed income. Some of the plans we offer even have extra benefites such as preventative care, and foreign travel emergency coverage, these coverages are critical if you want to live a stress free lifestyle and not need to hassle with typical health insurance.

If you already have Medicare coverage, we suggest you check out some Medicare Supplemental coverage plans. Additional benefits like the ones in Medicare Supplement plans are proven to be essential to those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance.

Want to find out more about Medicare Supplement Plans? Then visit Richard Cantu’s site on how to choose the best Medicare Supplement Plans for your needs.

Protect Your Senior Market Clients From New Medicare Scams

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Most Americans still know little about the new PP&AC Act laws that have taken effect and of those that will over the next couple of years. Senior citizens are the most confused and concerned segment of the population, as the changes will greatly impact the health care system they depend on for their well-being. This confusion and concern creates opportunities for devious individuals who will do their best to take advantage of senior citizens through the country.

Immediately after the PP&AC Act was signed into law by President Obama, many new scams started to appear. According to several news sources, there are people going around posing as door-to-door salespeople selling “Obamacare” insurance policies to seniors. Additionally, a cable television advertisement aired recently that stated viewers could call an 800 number to take advantage of a limited enrollment period to get “special” coverage. What the advertisement doesn’t state is that this “special” coverage offers coverage that is now entitled to citizens under the PP&AC Act.

Scam artists looking to take advantage of vulnerable citizens see great opportunity for their trade these days, as the combination of the worst economy in decades along with great fear and confusion about a big change in our nation’s law fosters an environment that makes what they do so easy. Senior insurance agents are the first and last line of defense for senior citizens against such attacks, so we encourage agents to keep informed of such scams and tricks and educate their clients to not accept any offers regarding their health care without consulting a trusted professional. Agents should look out for the following areas of the PP&AC Act that have a high likelihood of being exploited:

The creation of Plan B - federal and state governments have 90 days to create this program, but scammers may likely start selling policies for this Plan B though it won’t exist for quite awhile.

The creation of Plan B - federal and state governments have 90 days to create this program, but scammers may likely start selling policies for this Plan B though it won’t exist for quite awhile.

The $250 prescription drug rebate for Part D - scammers may offer expedited payment for a price.

As the government continues to release new information regarding health care reform laws, more exploits may appears, so agents should keep abreast of the latest news. To verify the legitimacy of any offers received by your clients regarding their health insurance, call your state department of insurance and check to see if the organization that made the offer is licensed to do business in your state. If you happen to identify a scam, inform local authorities and your state’s department of insurance. Also be sure to spread the word to the insurance community so they can be made aware of the scam as soon as possible. Stay vigilant my friends.

Want to find out more about medicare supplements? Then visit Alex Stone’s site on how to choose the best medicare supplement for your needs.

Medicare Supplements: What You Should Know.

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Medicare supplements are designed to bridge the gap between the fee a provider charges and the portion Medicare covers. While Medicare covers the majority of your healthcare expense, it does not take care of the entire bill.

A Medicare supplement plan can aid in covering the complete amount that is owed. It may even cover all of your medical expense (depending on which Medicare supplement Plan is chosen,)leaving you with virtually no out of pocket expenses (at least for your medical needs.)

Medigap Plans are regulated by the government and thus standardized. Each individual plan is required to contain the same coverage. However, the Plans’ prices are not regulated in the same manner. Medicare supplements are provided by privately owned insurance companies who set their prices based upon their own guidelines.

One great trait of Medicare supplements (also known as Medigap) is that they do not have networks of health practitioners. Here’s the deal: as long as the practitioner accepts Medicare, he or she will accept a Medicare supplement. The claim will go through Medicare first then go to the supplement to pick up the specified remainder (according to the Medigap Plan chosen.)

One of the most popular Medicare supplement Plans is the Plan F simply because it does pick up the entire remainder of what Medicare does not cover. No muss no fuss! However, due to Plan F’s all encompassing nature it is a bit more expensive than its also popular brethren the Plans G and N.

Please be sure to do your research before you decide which Medicare supplement to apply for, and make sure to start researching your options a good few months before you will need that extra coverage. You want choose a Plan that will be a good fit for you. If you choose wisely the first time, you may never need to go through the hassle of finding a new Plan and making a new application again.

Want to find out more about Medicare supplement insurance, then visit Richard Cantu’s site on how to choose the best Plan for your needs.

Significant Commission Increase Announced for the Sentinel Life Medicare supplement

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Precision Senior Marketing (PSM), an industry leading Medicare supplement FMO, announced today that one of its leading carriers, Sentinel Life, is now offering a significant commission increase to independent insurance agents where the Sentinel Life Medicare supplement product is available.

“As an exclusive distributor of Sentinel Life’s new Medicare supplement product, we are committed to extolling the benefits of the product, such as its high paying commission level and competitive premiums for seniors. I’m confident this combination will greatly appeal to senior market insurance agents throughout the country,” says PSM President Lucas Vandenberg.

16 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming have approved the sale of Sentinel Life Medigap 2010 modernized plans. Since 1954 the Sentinel Life Insurance Company has provided world class service and stable insurance protection according to its website.

Sentinel Life has announced that its Sentinel Plans Medicare Supplement insurance product line will provide standard plans A,B,C,D & F and Select plans C, D, & F.

Annabelle Castillo, a PSM agent, had this to say about the increase, “With 40+ million seniors today and 8,000+ baby boomers joining every day, it’s no wonder why Sentinel Life is aggressively adapting its business strategy to attract more agents.”

With its exclusive distribution contract with Sentinel Life, PSM is now offering top-level, direct contracts for the Sentinel Life Med Supp. Interested insurance agents can contract to sell this product in as little as five minutes with PSM’s electronic licensing system.

Precision Senior Marketing, LLC, located in Austin, Texas, is a full-service, national insurance marketing organization dedicated to supporting, recruiting, and servicing, the best senior market insurance agents in the United States.

Looking for the best medicare supplement contracts, then visit Alex Stone’s medigap contracts site for details.