Comments for Arizona Medicare News

Comment on New Medicare Supplement Plan N: No Questions Asked by Kathleen Grant

Kathleen Grant — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:31:26 +0000

Please send me any more information on this company including the name.

Thank you,

Kathy Grant

Comment on New Medicare Supplement Plan N: No Questions Asked by Deborah Martin

Deborah Martin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:19:45 +0000

Please let me know what company is offering N I am entirely new to medicare.
Thank you
Deborah

Comment on Help for People with Limited Income by yvonne

yvonne — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:43:26 +0000

I have a disabled 19 year old daughter you will receive Medicare benefits 9/1/10. She is currently on medicaid and I am trying to to get premiums paid for my daughter.

Comment on Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan.-March): Gone in 2011 by Editor

Editor — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:13:10 +0000

If Advantage plans change a lot this year, it will be chaos between Nov 15 and Dec. 31. I’m not so sure there will be huge changes this year, but next year…. With 25% of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage- and 45% in Phoenix and Tucson – and 40%+ in many areas of the country….if a lot of these seniors complain, they might have to open up the enrollment period again.

The new AEP (in 2011 the dates will be October 7 -December 15th) is like the annual enrollment period for federal government employees. They only get one chance to change plans each year- as is the case with many employer health plans. If seniors end up in plans that don’t work for them, there will be a big outcry to revert to the old system. We’ll have to wait and see how that goes.

Comment on Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan.-March): Gone in 2011 by Harrell

Harrell — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:47:09 +0000

You would think since we are dealing with seniors that they could give them more time to realize if a plan will work for them or not. as an agent it is hard enough to keep up with the ever changes crap that goes on with medicare rules and changes. You mean to tell me they have one month to decide if this MAPD will work for them or not, what if they don’t go to a doctor in this time. The goverment is making this verydifficult for us all. Lets just reexamine this. We call this reform? Why not just open it up, Just like any medical plan, those of us that aren’t on medicare don’t have a window, and can change when we feel the need. This is so frustrating to everyone specially to seniors. I could go on and on but I know I’m just wasting my time writing this, it just feels good to vent. wake up america!

Comment on Medicare Advantage: Compare benefits and costs in 2010 plans by 2011 Medicare Advantage Plans: More Scrutiny from Medicare - Medicare and More

2011 Medicare Advantage Plans: More Scrutiny from Medicare - Medicare and More — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:27:44 +0000

[...] INFORMATION ON COMPARING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS BE FOUND ON MY WEBSITE. TNI_blog_id = 65; TNI_post_id = 154; :Arizona Medicare, arizona medicare advantage, change [...]

Comment on What are Medicare Supplements? by Editor

Editor — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:58:07 +0000

When you turn 65, or you are first using your Medicare, you don’t have to answer any medical questions when you apply for a Medicare Supplement. This is called your “guaranteed issue” period. If you’ve had Medicare for a while and now you want a Medicare Supplement, you will have to answer the medical questions on the application for a Medicare Supplement.

There are a number of scenarios where you can get a Medicare Supplement even if you have pre-existing conditions, but it would be best to talk to you to determine what your options are.

There is a new Medicare Supplement, Plan N, which is being offered by a number of companies. As far as I know, only United of Omaha (a Mutual of Omaha company) is taking applications for this plan and not requiring medical questions to be answered. This will be a good option for people who are in Medicare Advantage plans and want to go back to Medicare and get a Supplement. Of course, people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan cannot get out of their plan until the end of the year – except for certain circumstances.

If you’ve had Medicare for a while, but are not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can apply for a Medicare Supplement at any time.

Comment on What are Medicare Supplements? by Loretta Hall

Loretta Hall — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:22:03 +0000

When buying a Medicare Supplement plan, do insurance companies consider if you have a pre-existing condition and whether they will/will not insure you?

Comment on Video: Part D Donut Hole by Turning 65: Your Medicare Choices - Medicare and More

Turning 65: Your Medicare Choices - Medicare and More — Sat, 29 May 2010 20:30:44 +0000

[...] FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR MEDICARE CHOICES, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO, “AN INTRODUCTION TO YOUR MEDICARE CHOICES”. [...]

Comment on What are Medicare Supplements? by Editor

Editor — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:23:27 +0000

PPO refers to a network plan (preferred provider organization). Medicare supplements work with Medicare and do not require networks. But I just remembered that some supplements called “select” plans do offer lower premiums if you go to hospitals in their network. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona offers such a plan. If you don’t travel, you might consider a “select” Medicare Supplement. Or you might consider a Medicare Advantage plan with a PPO network. Most Medicare Advantage plans are HMO’s but there are two PPO plans in Pima county. These plans allow you to use doctors and hospitals that are not in their network – but you will pay a higher co-pay than if you stay in the network.