Archive for the ‘Medicare Advantage’ Category

By now, if you are on a PFFS Medicare Advantage plan (private fee for service) depending on what company you have your plan with, you might have gotten a letter saying that your plan will not be offered for the 2010 year.  With some of the changes Medicare made this year, there now must be a network associated with the plans.  Those companies offering PFFS plans that don’t have a network in your area, have sent out a letter to those members affected letting them know they need to find a different plan for 2010.

You can obviously select another advantage plan in your area, but you also now have a guarantee issue period to select a Medicare supplement plan if you would like to move back to original Medicare.

If you live in Missouri, Kansas or Iowa and need assistance with finding a new plan, please give us a call 816-254-6100 or toll free 1-888-535-0999.

If you have Medicare Part B, you can get your flu shot each year.  You can visit the link to the right for the medicare website with information on the flu shot benefit or you can visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services official flu informational site -> here.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services official flu informational site -> here also includes information on the N1H1 as well.

All day yesterday I sat in on a certification class to be able to offer the local Humana HMO Medicare Advantage plan.  I was one of about 20 people in the class and I must say that  I need to RE-STRESS what I said in an earlier post a few months back.  Before I re-stress my point, I have to say that this in no way reflects anything on the Humana products, this post is entirely about the agents “selling” you products.  Humana’s products are just as good as all the others, if used in the right situation.

While in class I found myself surrounded by a bunch of people, which only 2 of the 20, would I consider half way ready to advise you on a solution for your situation.  Most only sold the Humana products, several only did this as a part time job because it is “Medicare Season” (sounds like they are hunting you like deer or something),  Several were independent agents but did not even offer supplements or said they did offer supplements and advantage programs but mostly talked people out of the supplements.

I must say I am concerned with the knowledge, or motivation of alot of agents selling medicare products that I have run into the past couple of years

Most of the halfway smart agents know there is a huge selling opportunity in the Medicare market, but that does not qualify them to assist you with picking a plan

So going back to my point with this post, you need to make sure you pick an agent that has all the options available and can walk you through the pros and cons of each plan so you can choose the one that is right for you.  Here is a link to my earlier post on how to pick an agent -> Here

Of course you can always call us for a second opinion- 816-254-6100 or toll free 1-888-262-0003

Happy Halloween!

Travis

Learn What You Need to Know about Medicare, and How to Pick the Perfect Supplement Plan!

Independence, MO – One of the biggest fears that many people have today is the fear of turning 65 and having to figure out their own benefits with no knowledge of how the Medicare system works or who to contact.  Most people end up just trusting what their sales agent tells them they need and find themselves with hundreds if not thousands of dollars in medical bills left for them.  Most of the public does not know what plans are available to them and get their information from a green sales agent or commercials on TV.  Did you know Medicare Benefits during the year 2010 have the most changes since 2006, which could affect anyone on Medicare!  A community informational workshop presented by Travis Gensler, local advisor who specalizes in Medicare Plans.

At this workshop, you will learn:

• How to sign up for your Medicare benefits and the eligibility requirements
• How to find out what is and is not covered by Medicare Part A & B
• What is a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan
• What is the Medicare Advantage program
• What is Part D and why do I need it
• The 5 questions you need to ask to pick the perfect advisor to work with
• The 10 questions you need to ask to pick the perfect plan
• How the current changes and healthcare debate will affect the future of Medicare

Workshops 10am – 12pm on the following dates:

Nov 10^th        Nov 17^th        Nov 24^th        Dec 1^st           Dec 8^th

Attendance for this workshop is free, but seating is limited. 

 You can reserve your spot by calling 816-228-8000. 

These classes will fill up quickly, so call right away!

Class Location: 201 W. Lexington Ave, Suite 301 (3^rd floor), Independence, MO 64050

Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. For educational purposes only, no company or plan specific information will be available.

As an agent for Humana, I received a notice that all of my clients who were insured through Humana would be receiving a letter from them regarding the future of the health care in this country and their Medicare benefits.

Now CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicade Services) has told Humana to stop their mailings of the letter that suggested their Medicare Advantage beneficiaries would loose their benefits through the national healthcare reform.  CMS says these letters are misleading among other things.

Here is a link to the entire story : CMS to Humana: Stop Mailings