Recent content by gregl

Want to know about how hospitals set prices? Read excellent study by Steven Brill Why Medicare Bills are Killing Us . By the way, author claims the Medicare prices (i.e. what government pays for Medicare) are probably the fairest one ...

It seems to be steep. Mutual of Omaha had very negative experience with Plan N (Read Lessons Learned from Medicare Supplement Plan N ) which they ultimately discontinued. I know that premiums for their OTHER plans grew up dramatically as a result of that ...

As long as we talk about statistics, here is the latest review (Dec. 2012) on Medicare Supplement coverage and Enrollment. Trends in Medigap coverage and Enrollment

Johtootie, I assume you have in mind Medicare Advantage when you use HMO. Medicare Advantage are offered by private insurance companies and cover all services that Original Medicare covers (i.e., Part A and Part B) but they some variations in coverage. Typically, they are constrained by...

The new MAPD plan, Keystone-65 Select from Independence Blue Cross, is very hot during this AEP in Philadelphia area. Priced at very low (for Blue Cross) premium of $42.10 ($52.10 with Optional Supplement) it has a network and formulary only slightly worse than much more expensive Keystone-65...

Plan F is the most comprehensive and popular plan. Of the almost 10 million people that enrolled into Medigap in 2010, 43% have Plan F. Should you also select Plan F? Not necessarily. Consider the following price/benefit analysis: 1) Because the only difference between Plans F and G...

Please read 6 Questions about Medicare Advantage

Here are your AEP options: - Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan - Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. Once in Original Medicare you may consider enrolling in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. - Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan...

You just found a dishonest agent. It's completely stupid on agent's part to suggest to client anything but the least expensive policy , as well as to argue with client's choice of Medigap plan (as long as he/she has a strong opinion about it). Otherwise, the other agent will have an easy time...

There are for stages in PDP. The PDP stages parameters have been changed in 2012. The description below uses the updated numbers. For your convenience, the 2011 numbers are also provided. 1. Yearly Deductible You pay the first $320 of drug costs before plan starts to pay ($310 in...

In 2012, CMS has added a new Special Enrollmet period allowing Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a 5 star Medicare Advantage plan at any time during the year. You are eligible if you are: - having a 5 start plan in your County, and - eligible for Medicare Advantage (i.e...

You can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage Plan: 1) At Initial Enrollment Period - a 7-month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65, or 3 months before your 25th month of disability. The period includes the 3 months before, the month of, and the 3 months after the...

From CMS letter: • Between September 15‐30: 2012 "Medicare & You" handbook will be mailed to Medicare beneficiaries. • By September 30: All plans must mail their current members the ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) and EOC (Evidence of Coverage). These notices tell members about any changes...

What if I didn’t sign up for Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period? If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period (7-month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65), you may sign up during the next General Enrollment Period. This period...

I am still working. Do I need a Medicare? Even if you continue to work after 65, you should sign up for the Part A – it may help you to cover some costs not covered by the employer group plan. It is free for most of the people. However, the Part B is optional and a monthly premium is...