HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Medicare costs have certainly gone up over the years. When Medicare was first rolled out, Plan A beneficiaries were responsible for a $40/year deductible, and those who enrolled in Plan B paid a premium of $3/month.

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Did you know that Medicare has no income requirement and is available to anyone 65 or older? This national health insurance program was created in 1965. Medicare provides coverage to about 45 million Americans and represents about 15 percent of the total federal budget.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Today, the Medicare insurance program covers roughly 54 million Americans. Of those covered, the majority are seniors aged 65 or older, but close to 8.6 million (16%) are non-seniors with some type of disability.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Medicare insurance provides coverage for medically necessary treatments, examinations, tests, and care. In broad terms, the insurance covers essential lab tests, surgeries, and doctor visits, along with essential equipment or supplies like walkers and wheelchairs.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Medicare Advantage more closely resembles insurance plans available to those who aren’t retired and who are covered by more extensive health care programs. For example, many offer fee for service plans that offer the maximum flexibility in choosing doctors and care facilities.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

How do I enroll in Medicare? Your Medicare expert can offer help, but in general, if you want to be part of Medicare, you must enroll in a seven-month window around your 65th birthday. It’s possible to enroll online or by calling a Medicare enrollment hotline.

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If you’re confused and overwhelmed by all the Medicare insurance options, you have lots of company. One consistent finding year after year is the majority of seniors are so perplexed by the system, most choose programs without understanding the financial consequences.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Medicare coverage is not restricted to those 65 and older; individuals with certain disabilities, illnesses, or diseases may also qualify. If you think you may be eligible, make an appointment with us.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Did you know that the administrative costs for Medicare are significantly lower than private insurers? Experts say Medicare spends 2 percent to 3 percent on administration, while private insurers average 17 percent or more.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

I just signed up for Medicare Part A and Part B. When do the benefits start? Check with your Medicare expert to be certain, but, in most cases, as long as you have signed up a few months before your birthday as suggested, Medicare will begin on the first day of the month of...

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

The prescription drug coverage gap is referred to as the donut hole. Why? It’s the difference between what you have to pay for and what Medicare will cover even after you reach basic deductible amounts.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

If you travel frequently outside the United States and have Medicare coverage, it's a good idea to discuss this with a Medicare specialist. Original Medicare plans generally don't cover foreign health care, but there are other plans that can pick up some or all of the tab if...

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Many people think that they will need to switch doctors if they enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, but you can actually continue to see your own doctor. Medicare Supplement plans are convenient and flexible, giving you freedom of choice.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Medicare consists of multiple parts, which can make things confusing. The basic plan consists of Parts A and B, which provide hospital insurance for inpatient care and medical coverage for outpatient care.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

We can review your current Medicare insurance plan with you and show you gaps in coverage that could be a pitfall down the road. Why leave yourself exposed to the vagaries of fortune when you can receive the protection you need.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

According to some experts, the reduced payment structure implemented under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is encouraging a growing number of doctors, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies to decline to serve those covered by...

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If you have insurance under an employer’s healthcare program for retirees, you may not need Part D Prescription Drug coverage. It may also be unnecessary if you have a Medicare Advantage plan that incorporates prescription drug coverage.

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Don't wait to get a notice in the mail to enroll in Medicare. In most cases, you won't get any notification from the government when you're eligible to enroll, so it's up to you to stay on top of things and make sure you sign up on time.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

Even if you are a healthy person, supplemental Medicare insurance is always a good idea. This way, in the event that something major happens, or you run into issues with your health, you will know that you are covered.

[HealthMarkets Insurance Agency @HealthMarketsI2]

When the government created Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965, private sources still paid 75% of all of the health care costs. By 1995, individuals and companies only paid for about half of the health care with the government responsible for the other half.