When a hospital or medical claim is submitted to Original Medicare, Medicare first determines whether the claim is approved or not and then assigns an “allowed amount.” However, Medicare may not pay that allowed amount in full. Beneficiaries are responsible for the Part A deductible, Part A co-pays, the Part B deductible and Part B […]
“The ANOCs are in the mail.” Each year, by September 30, individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan receive by mail a document called Annual Notice of Change (ANOC.) The ANOC document spells out upcoming changes to the plan you are currently enrolled in and compares those […]
With the “Dog Days of Summer” behind us, our team of licensed agents is preparing for the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. How so? Each of us is required to successfully complete the Medicare training course with America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Following that, each agent is required to successfully complete product knowledge, code of […]
If you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and have limited income you may be able to get assistance with your health care costs through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) If eligible, you will receive help paying the Medicare Part B premium, (currently $164.90) and automatically get Extra Help, the federal program that […]
Medicare’s 2023 Open Enrollment Period, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period, concluded on December 7. Since there are three other Enrollment Periods (Initial, General and Special) it is no surprise that when we hear about a fifth Enrollment Period – this one begins on January 1 and ends March 31 – we shake our […]
Well, just as we are finishing up the annual federal and carrier Medicare Advantage and Part D certifications for 2023, the US House and Senate passed a bill (H.R. 5376 titled Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) which includes some important changes to the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some of these changes take effect […]
During the first quarter of the new year I often receive this question: “Dan, I went to refill my prescription and was quoted almost double what I paid in December.” Here’s why. Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans reset each year on January 1 and benefit levels start again at the first of four phases. […]
I have received several inquiries these past few days as New York State followed the updated CDC guidelines and announced that anyone over the age of 65 is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (This was one day after announcing that those over 75 were eligible, and that the 65-74 age group was probably […]
This year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) was a busy time and we are grateful for the scores of individuals and couples who permitted our team of agent advisors to help with their 2021 Part C Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription drug plan selection. (The December 7 deadline did not […]
Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future? Have you been enrolled in Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers? Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues? If you answered yes, then “Medicare 101” is for you. This no sales-pitch educational webinar, led […]