
Top 5 Medicare Mistakes!
Don’t make these common Medicare enrollment mistakes! 1. Failing to Enroll in Part B at the Right Time Enroll into Parts A and B, 3
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“The greatest objections we must overcome are what our clients have heard from friends, family members, providers, captive insurance agents and carriers, etc. As brokers for each of the Medicare Advantage Plans, Supplements and Prescription Drug Plans offered in the State of Florida, we are able to give succinct, informative recommendations as to which plans may fit your lifestyle and health.”
Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. We know the challenges involved with understanding Medicare and making your first decision regarding how you should receive your Medicare benefits.
Our clients have saved the stacks of marketing materials a 64-year-old receives before becoming eligible for Medicare. Most carriers send on average four direct mail pieces. If all 14 carriers in Pinellas County advertise, you may have over 50 pieces of mail on your kitchen table. We have also heard about unsolicited phone calls and intrusive door-knocking sales tactics. This is not how we do business.
As independent health insurance brokers, we have specialized in Medicare products for over 15 years and are currently authorized to represent each carrier currently offering Medicare Supplements, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage plans in Florida.
You will appreciate the time saved by not having to meet with multiple agents. Additionally, you will benefit by receiving an objective comparison of ALL your options. Rebated low cost plans, Special Needs Plans for those who may suffer from chronic illnesses or those who cannot afford co-insurances, deductibles, copays or the Medicare Part B premium.
We offer a unique service by comparing all options in one meeting. Our free consultation includes side by side comparisons using the tools on the Medicare.gov website, as well as individual carriers websites. We help you complete the required forms and enroll. Most often it involves a simple email or phone call. There is no charge for our service; brokers are paid a standardized fee directly by the carriers. Our clients enjoy having an advocate represent their interests if/when the time comes to communicate with insurance complications.
If you think you may benefit from our service, give us a call. Already enrolled? Count on us as trusted advisors to help you confirm your choice. We offer in-home meetings, phone consultations, webinars, and community workshops. We meet many of our clients at their favorite coffee shop. Coffee is on us, and we look forward to meeting you.
During the COVID-19 crisis we are doing ALL business via phone, Email and online screenshare applications.
Learn the 3 easy ways to begin your Medicare Coverage:
Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Social Security works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare.
Some people get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) automatically and other people have to sign up for it. In most cases, it depends on whether you’re getting Social Security benefits.
If you aren’t getting benefits from Social Security (or the RRB) at least 4 months before you turn 65, you’ll need to sign up with Social Security to get Part A and Part B.
Most people should enroll in Part A when they turn 65, but certain people may choose to delay Part B. An example as to why you may choose to delay would be: You are currently covered through a union or employer health insurance plan and you wish to stay on that plan. Find out more about whether you should take Part B.
You may always call me at 727-492-2878. We can discuss what may be your best option for enrollment.
When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B.
If you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:
Notes:
Source: Medicare.gov
If you already get benefits from Social Security, you’ll get Medicare Part A and Part B automatically when you’re first eligible and don’t need to sign up. Medicare will send you a “Welcome to Medicare” packet 3 months before you turn 65. You’ll still have other important deadlines and actions to take, so read all of the materials in the packet. (If you live in Puerto Rico, you’ll only get Part A. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it.)
If you’re over 65 (or turning 65 in the next 3 months) and not already getting benefits from Social Security, you need to sign up to get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). You won’t get Medicare automatically. Sign up for Medicare online or contact Social Security. Social Security will review your records to see if you qualify for Medicare.
People get Medicare coverage in different ways. You’ll get lots of information to help you make a decision about how to get your Medicare coverage:
Original Medicare – Includes Part A and Part B. You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
If you don’t get Part D or a Medigap policy when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay more to get this coverage later. For Part D, this could mean a lifetime premium penalty.
Medicare Advantage – An “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like vision, hearing, dental, and more.
There is a multitude of different plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. Your options include Medicare supplement/Medigap, Prescription Drug Plan, Medicare Advantage Plans
HMOs, PPOs, Special Needs Plans for people with Chronic illnesses (CSNP) or people who are qualify through Medicaid or Extra Help through Social Security and Medicare. Most of these plans include Prescription Drug coverage.
If you already get benefits from Social Security, you’ll get Medicare Part A and Part B automatically when you’re first eligible and don’t need to sign up. Medicare will send you a “Welcome to Medicare” packet 3 months before you turn 65. You’ll still have other important deadlines and actions to take, so read all of the materials in the packet. (If you live in Puerto Rico, you’ll only get Part A. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it.)
If you’re over 65 (or turning 65 in the next 3 months) and not already getting benefits from Social Security, you need to sign up to get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). You won’t get Medicare automatically. Sign up for Medicare online or contact Social Security. Social Security will review your records to see if you qualify for Medicare.
People get Medicare coverage in different ways. You’ll get lots of information to help you make a decision about how to get your Medicare coverage:
Original Medicare – Includes Part A and Part B. You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
If you don’t get Part D or a Medigap policy when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay more to get this coverage later. For Part D, this could mean a lifetime premium penalty.
Medicare Advantage – An “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like vision, hearing, dental, and more.
There is a multitude of different plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. Your options include Medicare supplement/Medigap, Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
HMOs, PPOs, Special Needs Plans for people with Chronic illnesses (CSNP) or people who are qualify through Medicaid or Extra Help through Social Security and Medicare. Most of these plans include Prescription Drug coverage.
Source: Medicare.gov
I’m currently working, and I have coverage through my job.
The size of the employer determines whether you may be able to delay Part A and Part B without having to pay a penalty if you enroll later.
The employer has fewer than 20 employees.
You should sign up for Part A and Part B when you’re first eligible. In this case, Medicare pays before your other coverage. Learn more about how to get Parts A and B.
Note
If you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment penalty, and you may have a gap in coverage if you decide you want Part B later.
The employer has 20 or more employees.
Ask your benefits manager whether you have group health plan coverage (as defined by the IRS). People with group health coverage based on current employment may be able to delay Part A and Part B and won’t have to pay a lifetime late enrollment penalty if they enroll later. If you want to delay both Part A and Part B coverage, you don’t need to do anything when you turn 65.
If you’re eligible for premium-free Part A, you can enroll in Part A at any time after you’re first eligible for Medicare. Your Part A coverage will go back (retroactively) 6 months from when you sign up (but no earlier than the first month you’re eligible for Medicare).
If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A, and you don’t buy it when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a penalty.
Note
Premium-free Part A coverage:
When the employment or employer/union coverage ends
Once the employment (or your employer/union coverage) ends, 3 things happen:
I have coverage through my spouse who is currently working.
I have retiree coverage (from my former employer or my spouse’s former employer) or COBRA coverage.
I have TRICARE, and I’m a retired service member.
I have TRICARE, and I’m an active-duty service member.
I have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
I have Marketplace or other private insurance.
What if I don’t want Part B?
Make sure you review the situation above that applies to you so that you understand how dropping Part B would affect you. If you want to drop Part B, here’s how to do it:
Your Medicare hasn’t started yet
If your Medicare hasn’t started yet, there are 2 ways to drop Part B:
Your Medicare has already started
If your Medicare has started and you want to drop Part B, contact Social Security for instructions on how to submit a signed request. Your coverage will end the first day of the month after Social Security gets your request.
Source: Medicare.gov
2020 Scope of Appointment PDF
Medicare and You 2020 Handbook
Understanding Medicare Powerpoint by CMS
Links to sites:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020
http://http://www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020
http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/
Join us for our 2020 Medicare Lunch and Learn Workshops!
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