If you're looking for clear answers to your Medicare questions with no pressure and no spin, you've come to the right place! We'll help you understand your options, the short term and long term considerations, and help you enroll in the plan(s) best suited for you. Feel free to browse and learn, or call us for more information. Our services are free and we're here to help! Call today! (405) 409-7884
Choosing the right product to complement your Medicare coverage can be confusing, even with the many resources available to help you in making the best decision. A licensed, state certified agent is not only able to help you understand the plans they represent, but can explain and demystify the Medicare program for qualified beneficiaries.
If you are a tech-savvy senior, you can get instant access and answers to most of your questions at the CMS website: www.Medicare.gov.
You don't have to go it alone. If you're searching for Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, or Medicare prescription drug coverage in the state of Oklahoma, give us a call today to schedule a complementary, no-obligation, office or in-home appointment. We'll explain your options and show you how to compare plans to find the one that fits best with your personal needs and budget.
Original Medicare A (Hospitalization) and B (Medical) are a senior's lifeline to affordable medical care, but, they don't cover everything. Each part has deductible(s) and there is a co-insurance you will be responsible to pay after Medicare has paid its' 80%. For that reason, many individuals choose additional coverage in the form of a Medicare supplement, to cover some or all of the eligible costs that original Medicare doesn't cover.
Supplements are insurance products that are offered by private insurance companies. They are secondary payers (original Medicare pays first, then the supplement pays), therefore you must have both part A and B of Medicare before you can purchase a supplement.
They are most affordable when you first turn 65, during which time you are also guaranteed coverage with no medical questions. The coverage offered by each type of plan (currently A through N) is regulated in 48 states in the US, which means the coverage provided in each plan is exactly the same regardless which company offers it. The differences are the extras that may be offered as part of the coverage, the premiums for the plans, and the pricing methods used that will govern future price increases.
Types of pricing methods:
Click on the CMS link for more information on pricing methods: Medicare Supplement Pricing Methods.
Before you choose a prescription drug plan, make sure you know how the plan works by understanding all the following components of the plan:
A great place to initially compare plans available in your area is the CMS website: www.Medicare.gov. If you need or want help navigating the site or comparing your options, we're here to help!
Medicare Advantage plans are also known as Part "C". Coverage includes all the original benefits of Medicare Part A (Hospitalization) and Part B (Medical), and many plans also include Medicare Part D (Prescription Drugs). They are not the same as Medicare supplements. If you have a supplement you do not need and cannot legally have an Advantage plan at the same time. Advantage plans only have one medical qualifying condition that would exclude coverage (ESRD - End Stage Renal Disease - Kidney Failure/Dialysis). To qualify for an Advantage plan you must live in the area it's offered, and you must have Medicare Parts A and B.
All Medicare Advantage plans are regulated by Medicare and transfer the claims paying responsibility from Medicare to the private insurance company offering the Advantage plan. Advantage plans are required to offer the same benefits as original Medicare as a minimum. The plans can offer more benefits, such as covering the deductibles and co-insurance requirements not paid by original Medicare, as well as additional "extra" services and benefits, but they cannot legally offer less coverage than original Medicare.
In many cases, Advantage plans offer significantly lower monthly premiums (in some cases, zero premiums) than Medicare Supplements, and lower maximum-out-of-pocket costs than original Medicare, and some Medicare supplements. They can include benefits for services not covered by Medicare such as dental, vision, health & wellness, and fitness programs.
They are available in specific counties in each state, and are categorized by the type of plan they represent:
Learn more about the different Medicare Advantage Plans or Part C here: Medicare Advantage Part C.
You can learn more about Medicare and your options by contacting us and scheduling a no-cost, no-obligation appointment in our office, or the comfort of your own home, or by contacting Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Oklahoma Insurance Department, SHIP Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program: Medicare Advantage (1-800-763-2828).
Schedule a complementary, no-obligation, in-home or office appointment at your convenience. Call (405) 409-7884 or (888) 810-6678 (Toll Free).
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