Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans are Still Possible
The Annual Enrollment Period is over…But the Open Enrollment Period is now! Wait, what? Confusing, I know. But these enrollment periods provide you with unique options. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) just ended on December 7th. AEP is the time Medicare beneficiaries have the option to consult with an independent representative and decide if their…
3 Ways to Avoid Scams for Medicare During Open Enrollment
As you are well aware, during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you tend to get bombarded with Medicare ads, news, flyers, calls, and more. It’s not always easy to know what is a scam, who you can trust, or even what is legal when it comes to selling Medicare policies. As you’re trying to determine…
Medicare.gov Physician Compare Tool: What is it?
Finding physicians and clinicians to give you the proper care can be really difficult. Are they covered by your Medicare plan? Are they close enough to your house that you don’t have to worry about a long commute? Are they specialized in a particular area of care you need? Lucky for you, you can use…
HMO’s and PPOs: Which is best for My Medicare Plan?
What’s the deal with all these healthcare acronyms nowadays? HMO? PPO? HSA? PFFS? Why isn’t there just one type of insurance provider? What does all this mean to you? Well, we’re here to tell you what HMO’s and PPO’s are, what the difference is between them, and what you might gain from choosing either as…
Medigap Plans and Illegal Practices
If you’re new to Medicare and just getting started, we want to remind you to know your rights as a Medicare beneficiary. Unfortunately, fraud or illegal practices are not unheard of in this industry and Medigap plans can be confusing. What are they, exactly? A Medigap plan, also called a Supplement Plan, can help pay…
Your Doctor is Leaving Your Health Plan? This is What You Should Do
So, you just got word that your doctor is leaving your health plan. What the heck are you supposed to do? Does this mean you have to find a whole new doctor? How is your coverage going to be affected by this? Are you going to need to build trust with ANOTHER new doctor? Well,…
Home Health Care and Medicare: How To Avoid Breaking the Bank
Who genuinely likes being told what to do? It’s one thing when you’re a kid; it’s another when it’s your health dictating what you can or cannot do. Across the country, hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries struggle with chronic illnesses or new afflictions on a daily basis. Sometimes these conditions mean leaving the house…
Medicare AEP vs OEP: What’s the Difference?
As if Medicare weren’t confusing enough, everywhere you look there are confusing acronyms! These two are particularly important to not confuse because they affect when you can change your plans based on your current enrollment. So, let’s jump right in. AEP is the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs every year from October 15th to December…
How to Find a Doctor Who Accepts Medicare
Are you worried about finding a doctor who accepts Medicare? Good news! According to a Kaiser Survey in 2015, most primary care doctors still participate in the Medicare program and are accepting new Medicare patients. So, it’s quite likely your current doctor will continue to accept you as a patient when you start on Medicare….
What You Need to Know About your Annual Notice of Change Letter
It’s that time of year again! The 2020 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will run from October 15, 2019, to December 7, 2019. During (AEP) you can make changes to various aspects of your coverage. For those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D Plan, you should receive your “Annual Notice of Change”…