| The following information will be pertinent: 1. If you are new to Medicare through Attaining Age 65, or 2. On Medicare through a qualifying Disability at any age. 3. Already on Medicare and considering a change in plan or coverage. |
| A Medicare Supplement is available to EVERYONE who is qualified for Medicare for 3 MONTHS BEFORE, AND 3 MONTHS AFTER YOUR 65TH BIRTHDAY, OR DISABILITY ELIGIBILITY. AFTER THAT 6 MONTH PERIOD, A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT IS NO LONGER "GUARANTEED ISSUE", BUT MAY BE DECLINED DUE TO MEDICAL HISTORY. Medicare Supplements are just that, "Supplements" to Original Medicare. Plans available are Plans A through L, and there is a PREMIUM for a Medicare Supplement. We DO market Medicare Supplements. Some of our Seniors are on limited and/or fixed incomes, and do not feel that they can afford a Supplement. However, In general, a STANDARD Medicare Supplement would cover the 20% of Medicare benefits covered only at 80% by Medicare, and the Part A Medicare Hospital Deductible of close to $1000 per Admission to the Hospital. Medicare Supplements pay AFTER Medicare pays it's share, and it pays any Physician or Hospital who accepts Medicare and is credentialed as a Medicare Provider, across the USA. Likewise, a MEDICARE SELECT PLAN is less expensive because it pays any Physician who accepts Medicare and is credentialed as a Medicare provider, but a Medicare Select Plan requires use of only LISTED HOSPITALS. The Premiums for a Medicare Supplement can fluctuate between $1,440 and over $2,440 per year depending upon which plan you choose, and in which county you reside. Also, consider that you will need a separate Prescription Plan when you purchase a Medicare Supplement. Prescription Drugs are considered Medicare Part D coverage, and if you do not buy one when you are first eligible, you will pay a penalty for every month you didn't have drug coverage when you finally buy a drug plan. Part D Prescription Drug Plans are fairly inexpensive. However, when combined with the cost of your Medicare Supplement, it drives your total premium up. Many of you already have a Medicare Supplement and are finding that your premium is rising. Many of you are struggling with the cost. REMEMBER, A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT MUST BE PAIRED UP WITH A PART D PRESCRIPTION PLAN IN MOST SITUATIONS, NOT ALL. We write A A R P Medicare Supplements |
CAUTION !!! CAUTION !!! CAUTION !!! (SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD THE FOLLOWING) Let's look at the rules for switching from a Medicare Supplement to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Yes, you can change to a Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drugs included, for -0- Premium or a very low Premium. There is NO MEDICAL UNDERWRITING OR DECLINES, UNLESS YOU HAVE "END STAGE RENAL DISEASE". Changing your mind to get back your Medicare Supplement may be more complicated. Generally, if you want to go back to your Medicare Supplement, you must do so within 12 months of trying out a Medicare Advantage Plan. And, you must return to exactly the same Medicare Supplement, same Insurer, and same plan, and current premium rate. Some of you will be able to switch back to your Medicare Supplement even after the 12 month period, IF your health is good, and you have no major medical disorders. Major disorders would include: Heart, Cancer, Kidney, Altzheimers, and a variety of other disorders. In other words, you may be able to buy a Medicare Supplement after the 12 months if you can pass the Insurers Medical Underwriting. Some of you simply are no longer able to afford a Medicare Supplement, and a separate Part D Drug Plan. For you, the decision between paying $3,000 per year versus -0- Premium is a no-brainer. The right Medicare Advantage Plan is SAFE, and 1000's of Americans are switching everyday. GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT ABOUT SWITCHING, AND TALK TO AN AGENT WHO IS TRUSTWORTHY. SWITCHING CAN BE DONE. JUST BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE RULES. |
| Alternatives to a Medicare Supplement Are Called Medicare Advantage Plans Many of these Plans have -0- Premium or Very Low Monthly Premiums They Also Offer Benefits Not Covered by Original Medicare SUCH AS GYM MEMBERSHIPS, DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING |
| TYPES OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS 1. PPO PLANS GIVE YOU A LIST OF ALL PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS THESE PPO PLANS ALSO PAY BENEFITS OUT OF NETWORK, ALTHOUGH AT A LOWER REIMBURSEMENT, AS THE PROVIDER DOES NOT ACCEPT THE PLAN PAYMENT SCHEDULE. WE BELIEVE THAT PPO'S ARE MUCH SAFER WHEN A GOOD ONE EXISTS IN YOUR COUNTY. 2. HMO PLANS (YES, THEY CAN BE GREAT) THESE PLANS REQUIRE THAT YOU CHOOSE A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. SOME REQUIRE THAT YOU GET A REFERRAL FROM YOUR PCP TO SEE SPECIALISTS AND OTHER PROVIDERS. SOME OF THE HMO'S ARE "OPEN ACCESS", MEANING THAT REFERRALS ARE NOT REQUIRED. USUALLY YOU WILL RECEIVE NO BENEFITS FOR ANY OUT OF NETWORK SERVICES. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS IF YOU SELECT AN HMO WITH A "POINT OF SERVICE" OPTION, WHICH MEANS AN "OUT OF NETWORK OPTION". AGAIN, HMO'S ARE FINE WHEN A GOOD ONE EXISTS IN YOUR COUNTY. 3. PFFS PLANS OR "FEE FOR SERVICE". THESE PLANS ARE FAIRLY EASY TO UNDERSTAND. THERE IS NO PPO, HMO, OR POS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELECTING A PHYSICIAN, SPECIALIST, LAB, HOSPITAL, OR OTHER PROVIDER WHO AGREES TO THE PAYMENT TERMS OF YOUR PLAN. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THESE "NO NETWORK" PLANS UNLESS ALL OF YOUR "MUST HAVE" PHYSICIANS, SPECIALISTS, AND A LOCAL HOSPITAL AGREE TO ACCEPT THE PLAN AND PAYMENT TERMS. REMEMBER, A PHYSICIAN MAY DECIDE TO NO LONGER ACCEPT YOUR PLAN, LEAVING YOU WITH NO PHYSICIAN OR HOSPITAL UNTIL THE NEXT ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT. BE SURE BEFORE CHOOSING A FEE FOR SERVICE PLAN (NO NETWORK OR CONTRACTED PROVIDERS) THAT YOU CAN DEAL WITH PHYSICIANS DECIDING NOT TO ACCEPT A PARTICULAR PLAN. MOST LIKELY, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN UNTIL JANUARY 1 OF THE NEXT YEAR. WE WILL WRITE A PFFS PLAN FOR YOU AT YOUR REQUEST. |
| GET HELP |
| DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE DO WITH JUST MEDICARE. WITHOUT OTHER COVERAGE YOU WILL PAY 20% OF ALL OUT PATIENT CLAIMS AND A BIG DEDUCTIBLE FOR EACH HOSPITAL STAY. If you don't get help from us, GET HELP SOMEWHERE FROM A REPUTABLE AGENT. Choosing between a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a variety of Medicare Advantage Plans is SERIOUS BUSINESS for our Senior's. Be careful what you choose, and be sure you understand that some choices MAY be permanent, depending upon your Health History. LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT FOR SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU DECIDE OR CALL US AT 1-800-239-1515 |
| THE MALONE AGENCY 1-800-239-7553 |
| ALL INFORMATION FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY |
| WHICH PLANS ADVANTAGE PLANS DO WE LIKE? A A R P MEDICARE CHOICE EVERCARE CHRONIC ILLNESS UNIVERSAL HMO PLUS MD MEDICARE CHOICE PHYSICIANS UNITED (PUP) HUMANA AETNA Remember, every plan is not available in every Florida County |
| THERE IS LOTS OF EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION BELOW. IF YOU ARE ALREADY WELL VERSED ABOUT MEDICARE AND YOUR CHOICES AND THE RULES, YOU MAY WISH TO SKIP DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM, FILL OUT A SHORT FORM TO EMAIL TO US, OR SIMPLY CALL US AT 1-800-239-7553 WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR MAY NOT BE AT ALL RIGHT FOR YOU. CALL US. |
| PLEASE SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW. WE WILL CALL YOU OR EMAIL YOU IMMEDIATELY WITH MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION. |