If you are a Medicare recipient, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will begin October 15, 2016 and end on December 7, 2016. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) allows beneficiaries to enroll a plan, with coverage effective January 1st, 2017.  During Medicare AEP, Medicare beneficiaries may make any change to their Medicare benefits, including dropping, adding or changing Part D Prescription Drug plans. This period allows you to switch from one plan to another based on your current medical needs or because of changes to your current health plan that may require you to enroll in something new. The Annual Enrollment Period is important because if you miss it, you may not be able to make changes again until fall of 2017.

Keep in mind that although you are not allowed to submit an application prior to October 15th, now is the time to begin researching your NC Medicare options. Reevaluate your health care needs and see if your current plan is offering sufficient coverage benefits.  Your current Medicare plan may also make changes, such as an increase in monthly premium or availability in your area.  Make sure you are aware of any changes that might affect you so you are prepared on October 15th to make any necessary adjustments. (more…)

Enrolling in Medicare means you have new choices in terms of health coverage, but not every Medicare plan is the same.  At NC Health Plans we know how important it is for you to fully understand what transitioning into Medicare may mean for you in terms of your health care. In fact, we are committed to helping you understand your Medicare options and determine which Medicare plan offers you the coverage and benefits you need.

Don’t wait!  About six months prior to your 65th birthday you should begin your Medicare research.  Make it a priority to understand what your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers and what it doesn’t cover.  Look closely at obtaining a Medicare Supplement, which can help fill in the gaps not covered by Medicare.  Although Original Medicare is offered by the federal government, in most cases a Medicare supplement plan is needed to offset health costs.

Talk with a licensed agent.  Medicare is complicated and it is of utmost importance that you understand enrollment periods and how those periods will affect your ability to obtain supplemental coverage.  Missing important enrollment periods can make your enrollment process much more complicated.  As licensed agents, we will help you through the transition and make sure you are notified of important dates and deadlines that affect your Medicare coverage.

For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Transitioning into Medicare can be an overwhelming prospect.  With Original Medicare Parts A and B, Part D Prescription coverage, NC Medicare Supplements, and various other Medicare options, it can be tough to figure out which plan is best for you.  While understanding Medicare and what it covers may seem daunting, at NC Health Plans we want to make enrollment as easy as possible.  We make it our job to understand Medicare and are here to assist you through the process from beginning to end.  Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin researching your Medicare options.

Not Everyone is Eligible for Medicare:

• You must be age 65 or older OR you must be eligible due to a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
• You or your spouse must have been employed for at least 10 years.
• You must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident.

If you do not meet these requirements, you can contact the Medicare office (1-800- MEDICARE) to find out if you are eligible to apply under other special circumstances.

There are specific Enrollment periods for Medicare:

You cannot enroll in Medicare whenever you choose.  The federal government has established specific enrollment periods and if you do not enroll during these times, you could pay a penalty in addition to your premium.  Understanding these enrollment periods is very important. (more…)

 During many conversations with prospective and current senior clients, I am often asked a question about the differences between a Medicare Supplement Policy and Medicare Advantage.  To answer that question, you first need to understand what Medicare is and how it works.  Generally speaking, Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older or under age 65 with certain disabilities.  It can also be elected by an individual at any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).  It helps cover some of the medical services and supplies during inpatient and outpatient hospital procedures, doctor’s visits, and other health care settings.  Original Medicare has two parts:  Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance and Medicare Part B Medical Insurance. 

 Medicare Part A is normally a premium-free benefit if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed.  If you paid this tax, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A.  It helps cover inpatient hosptial care, inpatient stays in skilled nursing facilities, hospice services, and home health care services.  Medicare Part B helps cover medical services such as doctor’s visits, preventive care, outpatient surgeries, and other medical services.  Unlike Medicare Part A, there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which happens to be $96.40 for 2009.   A Medicare Supplement policy, also referred to as a “Medigap” policy, is private health insurance that can be purchased by eligible individuals on Original Medicare (Part A and B) to help cover some of the gaps that the Original Medicare plan does not cover, such as coinsurance and deductibles.  Without a supplement, costs for the portions that Medicare does not pay can be in the thousands of dollars!  Both Original Medicare and the supplement policy will pay their share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, thus cutting the insured member’s out-of-pocket costs.  Supplement policies are sold by private health insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.  To purchase a supplement policy, an individual must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.  A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get Medicare benefits.  It is also known as Medicare Part C.  These are plans approved by Medicare, but administrated by private health insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.  Unlike a supplement policy, an individual does not purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan to supplement their Original Medicare.  In contrast, the individual enrolls in a Medicare Advantage Plan which takes the place of their Original Medicare Plan.  Benefits under these plans are often “richer” than Original Medicare as well.  They usually include prescription drug benefits built right into the plan.  Some plans are premium-free depending on their benefits, but individuals can also purchase extra benefits as well.  Regardless if they are premium-free, an individual will always continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium.  Plans include, but are not limited to, Medicare PPO’s, HMO’s, and Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS).  So, in summary, a supplement plan does just what the name implies – it “supplements” what the Original Medicare Plan does not cover.  A Medicare Advantage Plan takes the place of Original Medicare, often with richer coverage.  For more information on these policies, please call  toll free at 877-359-9250 or CLICK HERE.