Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Archive for the ‘Medicare’ Category

Here is the Press Release from AARP.

AARP has approximately 29% of the Medigap Market in terms of # of insureds.  There has been some debate on whether this endorsement has a financial incentive for AARP because of the possibility of an increase in Medicare Supplement sales.  AARP receives referal fees from United Healthcare who administers the AARP Medicare Supplement and Part D programs.

Article -> here

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.

Curious what your drug expenses will be next year?

Visit our resource page for a link to Medicare’s Prescription Plan finder and find the best plan for you.  Once you find that plan, let us know so we can get you set up for 2010.  Need help with the plan finder, we are more than happy to help!  Just give us a call 816-254-6100 or toll free 1-888-535-0999.

Visit our resource page -> here

From what we are seeing, it looks like the average premium will be around $40 per month again, however your actual total drug costs for the year may make a HUGE difference.  Make sure you look at the total cost not just the monthly when you are trying to find the Perfect plan.

Also look to use the mail order to help lower costs as well.

Call us for help 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