New to Medicare

𝐐: 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨? 𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞-𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫? 𝐃𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫?

How are prescriptions covered for those on Medicare? What is the Doughnut Hole? Is it true that no one on Medicare will have to pay more than $2,000 out of pocket per year for medications?

Those going on Medicare Part B for the first time need to make sure they understand the differences between both Supplements and Advantage Plans as well as the pros and cons of each, which I have discussed during the series

What are the most important considerations when choosing a Supplement as well as a Part D prescription plan, and what plans and companies are the best?

Remember, what works best for someone else may not be best for you. Never make a decision based on what plan or company a friend or family member has or advice they give!

Welcome to the continuation of Part 4 of the “New to Medicare Series” designed to educate those who will be going on Medicare soon. I want to remind readers that this series and all columns are not meant as a substitution for a one-on-one consolation with me or one of our licensed agents, nor are they written to sway your decision in enrolling in an Advantage Plan versus a Supplement or as an endorsement of any particular Advantage Plan or company.

This week will be dedicated to Supplements and Part 4 will continue next week when we will do the same with Advantage Plans.

Supplements, also known as Medigap policies, are highly Federally regulated to protect the consumer and have been around almost as long as Medicare itself. They’re designed to pick up the portion of the bill not fully covered by Medicare, namely the Part A hospital deductible of $1,676 and the 20% Part B doesn’t pay.

What do Medicare Parts A and B cost and cover? What are the choices in Medicare Plans? Do they differ as far as coverage, premiums and out of pocket expenses, access to doctors and hospitals, and how claims are approved and paid?

Do I have to enroll in Medicare when I turn 65 if I’m still working? Are there penalties for not doing so? Who should and shouldn’t enroll in Medicare Part B?

Since my husband is already receiving Social Security, will he automatically be enrolled in Medicare? If so, when will he receive his Medicare card/information?