How Medicare works. (click this link to view a short video)

 

Understanding Medicare Changes

Medicare is changing its supplemental policies: 

How will this affect you?

Important changes to Medicare supplemental policies – also known as Medigap plans – took effect in June 2010.  Millions of older American purchase these plans each year to help pay medical bills. 

Q.   What are Medigap plans and how do they work?
A.   Medigap plans work in tandem with traditional Medicare.  The plans cover expenses that seniors might face under Medicare, including co-payments, premiums and deductibles.  For instance, this year Medicare charges a $1,100 deductible for hospital care and a $96.40 monthly premium for physicians’ services.  (Wealthier seniors pay a higher premium.)  Medigap kicks in only when a service is authorized by Medicare.  These plans don’t cover expenses associated with Medicare drug plans or HMO-style Medicare Advantage plans.  About 17 percent of Medicare’s 46 million members have Medigap plans, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Q.  What Changes to Medigap plans are now being implemented?
A.  As of June 1, 2010, four standard plans (H, I, J and E) have been eliminated.  The plans provided benefits now available under Medicare’s prescription drug program or became outdated because of other changes.
Meanwhile, two new standard plans – M and N – are now available.  Both require seniors to pay more when they seek medical care but offer lower premiums.
Plan M covers 50 percent of Medicare’s deductible for hospital care:  Plan N covers 100 percent.  Under Plan N, members will pay up to $20 each time they see a doctor and to $50 for every visit to the emergency room.  Neither plan covers deductibles associated with physicians’ services.
 
Do you really understand Medicare?  Do you want to know more?  We can help you with this question and many more. 

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If you are currently enrolled in Medicare Parts A or B, you qualify for the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Part D.  It’s a government-sponsored insurance program designed to help seniors manage the high cost of prescription drugs that could reduce your current prescription drug costs and insure you against high prescription drug costs in the future.  Medicare is paying approximately 75% of the total monthly premium.

Call 1-800-243-2625 right now and we can tell you how much you could save.  Have what you are currently paying in hand and see for yourself just how much you may be able to save.

With Prescription Solutions from PacifiCare you don’t have to pay an annual deductible before you can start saving money.

Facts to Consider

• You must apply for this coverage through a private plan
• Not all Medicare-approved drug plans are the same
• Coverage is not automatic
• Enrollment period is limited