Medicare is a type of Health Insurance that you are eligible for after turning 65. Understanding the benefits and supplementation plans of Medicare Insurance is critical to navigating this difficult and often overwhelming process. Given that most insurance agencies do not offer Health or Medicare Insurance, it’s important to find somewhere that values you as a customer. ABM Insurance & Benefit Services offers plentiful resources to help guide you down the right path. Here are some tips about attaining Medicare that will help make the process easier, and some advantages provided by choosing ABM. You can download our MEDICARE STARTER GUIDE by CLICKING HERE
Typical Downfalls That People Run Into with Medicare
There’s a vast array of Medicare health insurance options for retirement and disability. Because of the numerous factors that affect your plan, you may end up paying more than others for coverage that is less extensive and effective. A common issue people run into with Medicare is penalization for applying at the wrong time. The offerings and performance of Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) typically change from year to year. It’s important to understand the protections and limitations of continuing healthcare insurance provided by an employer.
Aside from applying at the wrong time, you may also run into mistakes such as missing the special enrollment period, not understanding Part B and Part D late enrollment penalties, not understanding your out-of-pocket costs, choosing a Medicare Advantage plan that does not include your healthcare provider, and assuming you can’t afford Medicare.
What to Know About a Medical Supplement Plan
The best supplement plan, known as Medigap, can help you pay some of the remaining costs of health care such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap is sold by private companies and helps pay what the original Medicare plan does not. Some Medigap policies cover services that Medicare does not cover, such as health care when traveling outside of the U.S. There are a few things you should know about Medigap policies:
- To have Medigap, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B.
- Medigap supplements your Medicare plan; it does not act as a way to get Medicare benefits.
- You must pay your private insurance company a monthly premium for your Medigap policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person.
- You can purchase Medigap policies from any insurance company in your state that is licensed to sell them.
- Standardized Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable.
- Medigap policies sold after January of 2006 are not allowed to include coverage for prescription drugs. For prescription drug coverage, you can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
- It is illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan.
If Medigap isn’t right for you, there are other insurance plans that may be better to supplement your payments. Some of these plans include Medicare Advantage Plus (HMO, PPO, or Private Fee-for-Service Plan), Part D, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans’ benefits, long-term care insurance policies, Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health Plans, and employer or union plans.
If you decide to drop your Medigap policy, it is important to make sure the timing is right. You can pay a late enrollment penalty if dropping your policy is not done correctly. Penalties are filed if you drop your entire policy and the coverage wasn’t creditable prescription drug coverage or if you go 63 days in a row before your new Medicare drug coverage begins.
How ABM Can Help
With 32 years of experience, ABM provides a variety of resources that can help you navigate the path to Medicare Insurance. ABM believes that education and knowledge are key to figuring out a health care plan that is right for you, and provides a customized Medicare Guide to help consumers who may be confused with the process. They offer various resources and extensive reference material to help customers navigate Medicare. For additional information, visit our Medicare page at https://go.getagreatquote.com/medicare or CLICK HERE
During certain times of the year, licensed ABM representatives can be found speaking at a Senior Education Center, a local library, a church, or an assisted living facility among other places. Educational seminars and events are offered for those interested, and one-on-one consults are available in person, over the phone, or over Zoom. ABM appreciates and values relationships with their clients, and is always available to help you with anything you have questions about. ABM is a trusted advisor for several major medical practices and facilities in the Houston and surrounding area, including one of the number one hospitals in the United States.
ABM has valuable resources that will make the health care process easier for you and those affected by your plan. For more information, visit ABM’s website at www.getagreatquote.com or call them at 800-362-2809. Don’t feel like you have to go through the Medicare process alone–ABM is here to help.