It looks like premiums will be lower for all Medicare supplements sold after June 2010. I went to a meeting yesterday at the UnitedHealth office here in Tucson to learn about changes coming to Medicare supplements later this year. »

People enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans have one more chance to change plans in early 2010. Between January 1 and March 31st, the Open Enrollment Period allows Medicare beneficiaries to make one change in their Medicare coverage. Here are the allowed changes: »

You need to be a well-informed consumer if you are considering Medicare Advantage  - or if you’re already enrolled.   And don’t forget to consider Medicare Supplements for your Medicare coverage. I am an independent insurance agent and I read and write about changes in Medicare that have local and... »

How do you compare Medicare Advantage plans? You can go to Medicare.gov and compare plans side-by-side. Be sure to look closely at: MOOP (annual Maximum-Out-Of-Pocket); hospital co-pays; premiums. You must also find out if your doctors are in the plan network, if your... »

Big changes are coming to Health Net Medicare Advantage plans in southern Arizona for 2010. Health Net will merge its Ruby 2 plan into Ruby 1, and this plan will have a $36 monthly premium. Ruby 1, which previously had no annual maximum-out-of... »

Secure Horizons will cancel its Private-fee-for-service Medicare Direct Plan 56 in 2010. This plan includes drug coverage. People enrolled in this plan will receive a letter by the end of October informing them that their plan will no longer be offered. Medicare... »

In 2006 a new type of private Medicare plan was introduced called "private-fee-for-service" (PFFS). Medicare has directed that PFFS plans must be discontinued in 2011 in counties that have at least two Medicare Advantage plans with an HMO or PPO network. PFFS plans... »

Your medicare choices can be very confusing. Should you stick with Medicare and add a Medicare Supplement? Or are you thinking a Medicare Advantage plan might work best for you? There are so many choices that it is helpful to talk to... »

Humana is making a big push for its Medicare HMO and PPO plans for 2010. The local office now has ten captive agents working in Tucson and the company is advertising heavily on television to promote its plans. Humana’s enrollment numbers for its Medicare Advantage... »

A study conducted in March 2009 found that 88% of seniors are satisfied with their Medicare Supplement plan - with 62% of those surveyed responding that they were very satisfied. 87% of the respondents said they would recommend a Medicare Supplement to a friend. »

There’s a new Medicare Advantage company in Tucson with a different way of managing chronic illnesses and patients under its care. CareMore Health Plan Inc, is setting up shop in Tucson with Medicare Advantage plans for people with diabetes and chronic pulmonary illnesses such as... »

In a 1996 New York Times article, Tucson, AZ Medicare HMO plans were touted as a model for saving Medicare dollars, and 42 percent of seniors in Pima County were enrolled in such plans. »

Help with Medicare the Part B premium and prescription costs is available for individuals with less than $1,200 per month in income or couples with less than $1,600 per month. »

Part D prescription drug plans are offered by insurance companies approved by Medicare. In Arizona there are dozens of companies offering plans, each with its own formulary (covered drugs), premium, and co-pays. »

Medicare Supplements are also know as "medigap" plans. A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare Plan coverage. »

When seniors enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan they move out of traditional Medicare and are covered by a private insurance company. »