As Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, continues to evolve and provide more benefits and competition among companies, 2021 is going to provide an opportunity for those with VA medical and/or prescription coverage.

Two available Advantage Plan companies will be offering HMO plans for the 2021 that are specifically designed for Veterans. These plans do not disturb existing VA access and coverage while providing an opportunity for substantial savings, additional choices of where they can access care, as well as benefits most Veterans don’t receive such as comprehensive dental, Over the Counter (OTC) allowances, and free gym memberships.

These plans also lower the cost of Veteran’s Part B premiums by $40 to $55 per month via a reimbursement from the insurance company which puts $480 to $660 per year directly back into Veteran’s pockets.

“This is a wonderful development for Veterans who have Medicare,” says Aaron Zolbrod President and Founder of The Health Insurance Store, one of the areas most experienced and tenured Medicare agencies. “It’s a win-win for Veterans. They can continue to get to all, most, or some of their care at the VA the same as they do now, and save $500 in real money on Part B premiums, gain as much as $3,000 in true comprehensive dental benefits for cleanings, X-Rays, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, even partials and dentures.

He goes on to explain that the OTC benefit offers great value and is extremely popular. It  provides close to a $400/ year allowance to purchase practically any product one can find on the shelves at drug stores, grocery stores, or big retail outlets. The member simply makes an order for what they want out of a catalog and the products are delivered to the home at no cost.

“What I also really like about these Veteran focused Advantage Plans is that it provides coverage for emergency room visits as well as emergency hospitalizations and surgeries. You can’t ask to be taken to the VA when you’re in the back of an ambulance,” says Zolbrod. “The costs in an emergency can be thousands of dollars for those who have Medicare Parts A and B only. My father and hundreds of my clients being Veterans, I realize that the VA has started to cover more services outside their own facilities. However, it can be extremely hard and time consuming dealing with the bureaucracy of and massive size of the organization to get outside providers paid.”

Lastly, enrolling in these plans not only doesn’t disrupt access to VA benefits and facilities, it also provides additional choices where one can receive care and services. One company in particular offers in network access to virtually all doctors and every medical hospital in Western PA including health care systems such as Allegheny Health Network, and Excela. Even the Cleveland Clinic is in network.

Zolbrod opines, “As good as care as the VA offers, there may be some instances where a treatment or service can’t be performed or the technology simply is not available at their facilities.

We are blessed to have great hospitals and doctors in the Pittsburgh area.

I think it’s very important to be able to have options in a life- threatening situation. I had a client in 2017 who got a rare parasite from tainted romaine lettuce. She was only 65 at the time. The only two hospitals in the country that had the technology to treat her were the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, where she ended up an inpatient over 100 days. She is still alive and well thanks to having access to that hospital. Those who choose one of these HMO’s especially created for Veterans would also be able to use the Cleveland Clinic in a similar situation. The co- pay for that same 100-day stay for a member of the plan I’m referring to would be under $300. That’s not a typo.”

The Health Insurance Store was founded in 2008 and has helped well over 10,000 Western Pennsylvanians choose Medicare plans. They have office locations in Forest Hills in Allegheny County and Connellsville in Fayette County and are appointed to provide Medicare Advantage, Supplements, and Part D prescription plans from every available competitive company on the market.

If you have questions regarding these Veteran specific Medicare Advantage Plans, you can call and speak to Mr. Zolbrod or another of their licensed agents for more information or request a no cost consultation which can be done in person, over the phone, or via Zoom internet meeting.

Learn more online at https://getyourbestplan.com

You can always email aaron@hisc-80ff94.ingress-daribow.easywp.com or call the staff of the Health Insurance Store.

Connellsville: 724-603-3403

Pittsburgh: 412-349-8818

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