IS YOUR PLAN COSTING YOU TOO MUCH? IS YOUR PLAN STILL THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOU?

The wrong plan can cost you plenty of money even if the plan has a $0 premium. Plans change from year to year. Because of this, the government allows you to keep or change your plan so you can pick the one that is best for you. Plans change from year to year. Because of this, the government allows you to keep or change your plan so you can pick the one that is best for you.

The 2018 Annual Open Enrollment Period is from October 15th through December 7th. During this window, you have the opportunity to switch your plan if needed. Because Medicare has so many parts, and can often be confusing. The 2018 Annual Open Enrollment Period is from October 15th through December 7th. During this window, you have the opportunity to switch your plan if needed.

Because Medicare has so many parts, and can often be confusing, expert advice is helpful to make sure you have the lowest overall cost. For most, there are four parts that you can pick from. Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Original Medicare consists of: Part A – Hospital Insurance, and Part B – outpatient and physician services. Part C combines Parts A & B, usually offers more benefits, and most also have a Part D component which is prescription drug help.

Original Medicare can leave you at considerable financial risk. There are a number of ways to lessen your personal financial risk and help control some of the costs associated with health care.

One of these is through a Medicare supplement and standalone prescription drug plan(Part D). This can limit your out of pocket expenses, but there are substantial premiums associated with Medicare Supplements, sometimes called Medigap, and standalone prescription drug plans. Another solution to help control costs is Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage combines Part A and Part B and usually Part D and is administered through private health insurance companies. Some have low premiums and can sometimes even have a $0 premium. With Medicare Advantage, an individual pays copays and coinsurance for their health care needs. Part D is Prescription Drug Plan benefits. Part D plans are also administered by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage Plans are typically Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s) or Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO’s). This means that they have a network of providers that accept their insurance. If you go outside the network, you will most likely pay more.

These plans are required by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to cover all the same benefits that Original Medicare covers. However, they may also cover additional benefits that are not covered by Medicare. These benefits can include dental, vision, transportation, and wellness benefits such as a gym membership, acupuncture and more. Also, Medicare Advantage Plans usually include prescription drug benefits.

As you can see, Medicare can be very confusing. Making a correct decision concerning your Medicare plan is critical. By choosing the correct plan you can save yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. On the other hand, choosing the wrong plan may cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

When I review your individual Medicare needs, I can help you make the best choice. When we sit down together, I consider your prescription drugs, medical providers, and other needs. I show you the benefits of each plan and figure out which plan will best serve your needs. My biggest goal is to help you find the plan that will result in the lowest out-of-pocket expenses for you. The best part is my services cost you $0. I am paid by the insurance companies, so you can rest easy knowing my analysis won’t cost you anything.

My motto is “When it comes to Medicare, my name is Chuck and I care!”

Chuck Moore

801-698-3625