What is the initial Medicare (IEP) enrollment period?
The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window that begins three months before you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and extends three months after. During this period, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled […]
Why is Medicare Advantage cheaper than regular Medicare?
The first thing to understand is that a Medicare Advantage plan completely replaces your Original Medicare benefits; it does not work alongside Original Medicare as a Medicare Supplement plan does. There are two main parts to how an insurance company gets paid for a Medicare Advantage beneficiary. The first and smallest part is the premium […]
Is it necessary to work with a Medicare insurance agent, or can I enroll on my own?
While it’s possible to enroll independently, there are several advantages to partnering with a knowledgeable agent. Medicare can be complex and confusing, with numerous plans and options available. A Medicare agent can help clients navigate the enrollment process, explain the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, and assist in understanding coverage options. They […]
How do Medicare insurance agents get paid?
Medicare insurance agents are typically paid a commission by the insurance companies they represent. When an agent helps a client enroll in a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Part D plan, the insurance company compensates the agent with a percentage of the plan’s premium. The exact commission rate varies by insurer and plan type. […]
Medicare Part B – Second opinion before surgery
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for a second opinion before surgery. When your doctor says you have a health problem that needs surgery, you have the right to: • Know and understand your treatment choices • Have another doctor look at those choices with you (second opinion) • Participate in treatment decisions by […]
Who’s eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit
If you have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) AND meet all of these conditions, you can get hospice care: – Your hospice doctor and your regular doctor (if you have one) certify that you’re terminally ill (you’re expected to live 6 months or less). – You accept comfort care (palliative care) instead of care to […]
Medicare Billing – Review your Medicare claims for errors
When you get Medicare related health care services, it may be helpful to record the dates on a calendar and save the receipts and statements you get from providers to check for mistakes. Compare this information with the claims Medicare processed to make sure you or Medicare weren’t billed for any tests, items, or services […]
Medicare covers these preventive services
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening • Alcohol misuse screening and counseling • Blood-based biomarker test • Bone mass measurement • Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy) • Cardiovascular screening • Colorectal cancer screening – Fecal occult blood test – Flexible sigmoidoscopy – Colonoscopy – Barium enema – Multi-target stool DNA test (like CologuardTM ) • Depression screening […]
Medicare Provides Hospice Care – At no cost
Under Medicare Part A, hospice benefits are outlined in the Medicare & You handbook. A doctor ordering hospice must certify that the patient has six months or less to live. A hospice patient agrees to comfort care (palliative care) instead of treatment to cure their illness, and they must sign a statement indicating that hospice […]
Medicare and Bankruptcy
If you have filed a bankruptcy petition or are involved in a bankruptcy proceeding, notify your servicing Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) immediately so that we can properly resolve Medicare financial obligations. Even if there are no outstanding payments at the time of the bankruptcy filing, this notification ensures that we handle your situation properly. Notify […]