Alcorn & Associates is pleased to welcome William Lyons of Wynantskill to our Eastern New York team of licensed health insurance agents.
With more than 10 years of experience helping people navigate Medicare, Will has had the opportunity to assist hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries throughout the greater Capital Region, including Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Columbia, and Greene counties, as well as communities throughout Upstate New York. His Medicare career includes sales and leadership roles with CDPHP and Fidelis Care/Wellcare. Will enjoys taking the time to explain Medicare in simple, easy-to-understand terms and helping each person find coverage that fits their individual needs.
Will has been preparing for the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period by researching, contracting and completing required certification with six Medicare Advantage / Medicare Supplement companies serving Upstate New York. We look forward to Will joining our team of agents in continuing to serve the local community and helping Medicare beneficiaries feel confident in their healthcare decisions.
You can reach Will at (838) 295-8160 or send him a quick note using our online inquiry form below:
“Ask the Experts TV” asked about the Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G. Click and watch the video from the February 17 livestream interview here:
reason 1: Lower your MAXIMUM annual out-of-pocket
The annual maximum out-of-pocket is the amount you could potentially pay in medical co-pays after which your plan covers 100%.
Most Medicare Advantage plans include an annual maximum out-of-pocket amount for medical co-pays, ranging from $6,000 to $9,250. With a Medicare Supplement High Deductible plan, your maximum out-of-pocket is $2,950.
So, you would be lowering the amount you would pay before your plan covers 100% – reducing your potential exposure by thousands of dollars.
reason 2: Lower YOUR COMBINED annual premium and deductible costs
Let’s do some math:
Traditional Plan G:
$4800 annual premium (avg. $400/month) check your county + $283 Part B deductible
$5083
High Deductible G
$900 annual premium (avg $75/month) check your county +$2950 maximum (Parts A and B deductible and 20% cost share)
$3850
Smart Tip: Set aside $250 saved in monthly premium payment for the $2950 to cover the Parts A and B deductible and 20% share. Depending on your medical claims you should have money left over on December 31.
IS this Like with other deductibles and I pay the first $2,950 in medical bills?
No. After you pay the Parts A and B deductibles, Medicare pays its share of claims (usually 80%) and you pay the 20%. Once your deductible and 20% share reaches $2,950, then your supplement plan pays 100% for the rest of the year. Think of it as a $2,950 cap on your out of pocket costs.
2026
Part A deductible per period
$1,736
+ Part B deductible
$283
+ Part B co-share
20%
= Maximum Out of Pocket
$2,950
Will hospitals and doctors will accept my High Deductible plan?
Yes, if your provider participates in Original Medicare for your primary coverage, they will accept your Medigap supplemental coverage; including plans with deductibles like Plans G, N and High Deductible. This way you have access to the nationwide network of doctors and hospitals participating in Original Medicare.
How does a High Deductible compare to Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans include a limit on out-of-pocket costs; ranging from $6,000 to $9,250 per year for in-network medical services. (Up to $13,900 for in and out of network) Compare to a Medicare Supplement High Deductible plan with the annual maximum out-of-pocket cost capped at $2,950
Medicare Advantage plans manage your Medicare benefits through contracts with in-network providers and hospitals. As mentioned above, any provider accepting Original Medicare for your primary coverage will accept your supplement coverage – eliminating the “is my doctor in-network with my plan” questions.
Most Medicare Advantage plans, including those with a low monthly premium, include Part D prescription drug coverage. With Medicare Supplement, you will need to obtain separate creditable Part D drug coverage. during an Annual Enrollment, Open Enrollment or Special Enrollment Period. VA drug benefits are considered creditable coverage.
Many Medicare Advantage plans include features like dental allowance, fitness membership, eyewear and hearing aid benefits not available with Original Medicare.
Our agents are authorized to represent the Globe Life Insurance Company and Humana Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plans. Please call us at (518) 346-2115 or send any agent a quick note with your questions:
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15th throughDecember 7th, is when Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in or change their Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to take effect January 1.
Some Important Tips to Consider if you are now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan:
You can leave your Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan offered in your county. [We offer several]
Even if you decide to stay with your current Medicare Advantage plan, make sure your doctors and preferred hospitals are still in your network, especially if your plan is a HMO.
You can leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap) policy. For New York State residents, acceptance is guaranteed and the continuous coverage transfer means no pre-existing condition limitations apply.
Some Important Tips to Consider if you HAVE ORIGINAL MEDICARE AND a Medicare SUPPLEMENT Plan:
The Annual Enrollment Period applies to your Part D drug plan only.
New York State residents can change their Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year and without medical underwriting. An example could be changing from one company to another or changing from one plan (Plan F, Plan G, Plan N or High Deductible) to another.
You can leave your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and join a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period. There is no underwriting to move to a Medicare Advantage plan. You will be automatically accepted as long as your permanent address is within the coverage area.
Unless your prescription drugs are covered through the Veterans Administration, most individuals with Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan also add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. We recommend updating your medication list and confirming – through your personal account at medicare.gov – which Part D drug plans will cover your prescriptions at the lowest annual out of pocket costs – that includes premium, deductible and prescription copay costs.
Our team of licensed, independent and certified agent advisors, from Long Island to the North Country, offer a no-obligation complimentary consultation to help you compare Medicare plans in your coverage area.
So, reach out to local agent by phone, an online note or book an appointment directly to his or her calendar and learn more about your Medicare plan options.
Medicare Supplement Plan G, also called Medigap, coverage is very similar to Plan F. It offers great value for beneficiaries who are willing to pay a small annual deductible. After that, Plan G provides full coverage for all of the gaps in Medicare. It pays for your hospital deductible, copays and coinsurance. It also covers the 20% that Part B doesn’t cover.
Plan G is an increasingly popular supplement for several reasons.
First, it has great coverage. For Medicare Part A in-patient hospital stays, it covers all of your expenses. That includes the Part A hospital deductible, which is $1,556 in 2022.
Second, Plan G covers each of the gaps in Medicare except for the $233 annual Part B deductible. We can often find a supplement Plan G that saves quite a bit in annual premiums over Plan F, substantially more than the $198 annual deductible.
Compare for Yourself! New York State Department of Financial Services publishes the Medicare Supplement monthly premiums by county. Yes, it is as simple as that. I represent several of the insurance companies listed here and can assist you with the application process, please call (518) 346-2115 or book a telephone or video appointment directly to my calendar.
Attn: New York Residents. Did You Know?
Enrollment Calendar: New York State residents enrolled in Medicare can choose or change to a Medicare Supplement / Medigap Plan at any time. That’s because New York is a “guaranteed issue” state.
Health Underwriting? New York State residents enrolling in a Medicare Supplement / Medigap Plan are not subject to health underwriting.
Pre-Existing Conditions? The six month pre-existing condition claims exclusion can be eliminated for New York State residents changing to a Medigap plan from other creditable coverage.
