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  • Bob Vineyard

Medicare Adds Telehealth Consults

Bob Vineyard · December 18, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Telehealth doctor phone consults covered by Medicare. Concern over the COVID-19 “pandemic” prompted Medicare to respond by allowing doctor “visits” by telephone.

Medicare covers telehealth and telemedicine services

What is Telehealth / Telemedicine?

Medicare telemedicine services include office visits, psychotherapy and other consultations. Real time two-way communication (video and audio) allows patient and doctor to have “FaceTime”.

With telemedicine you can receive medical advice anytime, anywhere, without leaving your home.

What if your doctor is unavailable when you have a medical crisis? The ability to use telehealth services is beneficial.

Telemedicine is Not New

Doctor/patient phone consults are not new. In home visits, especially in rural areas, are virtually impossible.

Telehealth services have existed since the 1950’s with the use of landlines. As phone technology improved cellular “smartphones” and computer tablets like iPads have expanded the ability to communicate.

New technology allow the doctor and patient to talk and see each other at the same time. This “Star Trek” approach to health care allows us to go where no one has gone before.

Insurance is not necessary to access services like GoodRx Care but it is nice to know that your red, white and blue Medicare card works for you.

Is Telehealth a Viable Business Model?

Telehealth is a two edged sword.

On one hand patients have access to REAL doctors who offer “FaceTime” type consults. Patients and doctors exchange information about overall health, aches, pains and concerns.

Consuling a real doctor with a medical degree is better than asking Dr. Google about symptoms.

Beyond the question of quality of care physicians will have to ask if this is a viable business model? Will telemedicine provide sufficient revenue to allow practices to survive?

Close to half of doctors are now using telehealth to treat patients as the COVID-19 pandemic changes practice patterns and how physicians deliver care.

That’s up from 18% of physicians using telemedicine two years ago, based on The Physicians Foundation’s “2018 Survey of America’s Physicians.” – Fierce Healthcare

So the good news is, more doctors are offering remote access consults. But the bad news?

Some medical practices are seeing a 60% dropoff in patient visits and a 55% reduction in revenue. Medical support staff is being laid off or having a reduction in hours.

Telemedicine is a short term solution to health care with a long term impact that is not workable.

A substantial minority of physicians (32%) said they plan to change practice settings, leave patient care roles, temporarily shut their practices or retire in response to COVID-19, the Merritt Hawkins survey found.

My Own Telemedicine Visit

A few weeks ago my family practitioner called to let me know they have temporarily suspended in office visits. My overall health is good. No chronic conditions but my doctor prefers to have 6 month follow up visits which include routine lab work.

They wanted to know if I would be willing to have a virtual office visit in place of the customary one.

I thought about it for a moment. No need to get dressed, no mask, no hand sanitizer routine. I won’t have to strip and put on a hospital gown. Won’t have to weigh in.

What’s the downside?

Let’s go for it.

The overall visit took about 20 minutes. My doctor was more chatty than normal. Even greeted me with “Hi Bob” like we were old friends.

She had questions for me, primarily about alcohol consumption during COVID-19 “lock in”. Also asked about what I was eating and how was my weight?

Normally I only drink on weekends, having a glass of wine or two with supper. Now I find myself having wine closer to 5 nights per week vs the usual two.

Is that a bad thing?

No, not really. Just don’t let it get away from you was her response. Same with your weight.

Because I had read about doctors losing money on virtual visits I wondered about the bill.

A month later I had my answer.

Normally these visits run around $450 (gross charges) including lab. After Medicare repricing the total comes in around $150 or so.

My televisit was $210 repriced to $86.

Saves me money but how about the medical practice? How long can they survive with 40% less revenue?

I suppose time will tell.

Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare doctors that take Medicare, medicare telehealth, telemedicine, televisit, virtual medical care

Does Medicare Cover COVID Testing and Treatment in 2020?

Bob Vineyard · December 16, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Does Medicare cover COVID testing? What are COVID-19 symptoms? Is Coronavirus treatment in and out of the hospital included in Medicare? How much will I have to pay for care?

Does Medicare Cover COVID Testing and Treatment?

Coronavirus testing is included in your Medicare Part B coverage. Your cost for testing should be $0 when the test is conducted by a lab, pharmacy, doctor or hospital.

Your test should be ordered by your doctor to diagnose or rule out the COVID infection.

You, as an individual, may choose to have the screening for personal reasons. This would not be considered medically necessary and would not be covered by Medicare.

What are COVID symptoms that indicate I may be infected?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Will Medicare Cover My Coronavirus Treatment in or out of the Hospital?

Seriously ill patients may need inpatient and/or outpatient services. Medicare covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays, some home health visits, and hospice care under Part A. Beneficiaries who need medical care following a hospitalization have coverage in a skilled nursing facility.

FAQ from Kaiser Foundation

You will find a wealth of information from the Washington Post. These reports are available at no charge. You do not need to register to view the articles.

Am I considered “high risk” for Contracting the Chinese Virus?

Older adults and those with compromised immune systems tend to be more susceptible to contracting the disease.

Medical conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD, and asthma can tax your immune system putting you in a higher risk category than the rest of the population.

Additional information about COVID-19 from these resources
https://www.coronavirus.gov/
https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

CORONAVIRUS Facts to Ease Your Fears

The CDC estimates the overall fatality rate is .26%.

Ninety-four percent of COVID-19 deaths involve, on average, 2.6 additional conditions or causes of death.

Those outside of nursing homes, the infection fatality rate is estimated to be just 0.13 percent.

About one-third of Covid-19 deaths occur in nursing homes, or other long-term care facilities.

For more information visit Flatten The Fear

What do I Need to Know about the Vaccine?

Coronavirus vaccines MAY prevent you from contracting the disease. As with any medication or vaccination, there may be side effects.

You may have pain or swelling where you received the shot.

You could also experience fever, chills, tiredness or headache.

Tests indicate the vaccine may be 90 to 95% effective in preventing the virus.

It is not yet known if the vaccine will prevent you from getting sick or it merely prevents you from having symptoms of the disease. “Full” protection may require a second dose.

Questions still remain about the vaccinations. Among those include:

What COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and how do they work?

Can the vaccine give you COVID-19?

Are there some people who should NOT get the vaccination?

If I have tested positive for the illness should I still get the vaccine?

Do I still need to wear a mask or practice social distancing after getting the shot?

Should I still use hand sanitizer and wash my hands after being in public?

Do I need to avoid contact with others if I have a fever or feel sick?

Medicare telehealth video

Coronavirus and Medicare Advantage plans.

Shop and compare Georgia Medicare plans and supplement rates. Bob Vineyard, GA Medicare insurance agent. Anthem Blue Cross Medigap rates available on request. Quoted on the phone and a report sent by email.

#CoronavirusAndMedicareCoverage #DoesMedicarePayForCOVID19TestingAndTreatment #GeorgiaMedicarePlans

Medicare Supplement Plans, Georgia Medicare Plans, Senior News coronavirus, covid-19, medicare, vaccine

How to Prevent Alzheimers 2020 Update

Bob Vineyard · May 20, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Is it possible to prevent Alzheimers? What is the difference in Alzheimers and dementia? Does a brain scan predict who will get dementia? What is brain shrinkage?

alzheimers brain shrinkage

Alzheimers Early Diagnosis

How soon can Alzheimers be diagnosed? Is early detection possible? Can it be prevented?

Cerebral atrophy may be seen in  an MRI up to 10 years before Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed.

Such changes in brain size might predict who could  develop demential or other cognitive impairments. Harvard Medical School published their findings in a news release.

How is Dementia Different from Alzheimers?

Alzheimers is a common form of dementia and sometimes referred to as senile dementia

Over 5 million people in the USA have Alzheimers. 

Diagnosing Alzheimers consists of a battery tests and interviews to determine cognitive impairment. Doctors may order laboratory tests, brain-imaging tests or memory testing.

Is There a Link Between High Blood Pressure and Alzheimers?

Some studies show that treating high blood pressure might reduce the risk of Alzheimers, or delay the onset.

High blood pressure has been known to cause the formation of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaque in the brain. Both of these are found in patients with senile dementia.

A recent study of 1288 people, age 65 and older (over half were women), indicated a connection to high blood pressure and Alzheimers.

Participants were required to authorize a brain autopsy that looked for aging signs including tangles and plaque.

While the study does not PROVE that high blood pressure causes dementia the parallels are enough to encourage treatment of high blood pressure.

These studies show that elevated blood pressure increase the risk of vascular dementia.

Measuring Cerebral Atrophy

Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans to measure specific areas of the brain that are known to be involved in senile dementia in two groups of people with no memory issues or signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Separate studies indicate about one in four people with shrunken brains develop dementia.

Marc L. Gordon, MD, a neurologist and Alzheimer’s disease researcher at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, N.Y., says that those who went on to develop to Alzheimer’s dementia already had thinning of the cerebral cortex in areas of the brain involved in early Alzheimer’s disease at the beginning of the study, compared with those who didn’t develop Alzheimer’s.

“Relatively small, but reproducible differences in cortical atrophy (brain shrinkage) may be identified in asymptomatic individuals nearly a decade before the onset of dementia, and this may be a useful early imaging biomarker for predicting risk of subsequent dementia,” he says in a news release. – WebMD

#Alzheimers #Dementia

Medicare Supplement Plans alzheimers, brain scan, brain shrinkage, cerebral atrophy, dementia, high blood pressure

Medicare Supplement Plan G 2020

Bob Vineyard · May 7, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Medicare supplement plan G delivers great value. Seniors in Georgia on a fixed income will save money when they choose Medigap plan G. Medigap plan G has all the benefits of Medicare supplement plan F except for one thing. 

Medicare supplement plan G

When you choose Medigap plan G  you pay your Medicare Part B deductible, $198 for 2020. After your Part B deductible is satisfied, plan G is identical to the much pricier plan F.  Almost always the premium savings when you choose Medigap plan G is enough to more than offset self insuring the deductible.

Medicare Supplement Plan G 2020

Here is what Medicare supplement plan G covers.

  •  Part A hospital co-insurance costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
  • Pays for your first 3 pints of blood if you need a transfusion
  • Hospice care, Medicare Part A coinsurance
  • Part B co-payment or co-insurance coverage
  • First three pints of blood used in an approved medical procedure
  • Part A hospice care co-insurance or co-payment
  • Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care co-insurance
  • Medigap plan G pays your Medicare Part A deductible
  • Medigap plan G does not pay your Medicare Part B deductible
  • Medicare supplement plan G pays your Medicare Part B ‘excess charges’
  • Foreign travel emergency coverage (up to plan limits)
  • Medicare supplement plan G pays your Medicare preventive care Part B co-insurance

Plan G Offers Comprehensive Coverage and Value

The comprehensive nature of Medicare supplement plan G means you may never have any out of pocket costs for hospital or doctors office expenses, other than your Medicare Part B deductible.

Instant online Medigap quotes from Georgia Medicare Plans. Compare Medicare supplement plan rates from BCBSGA, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, Gerber, AARP and more.

Best rates for Medicare supplement plan G available with a personalized quote, showing lowest rates from major carriers that do not allow us to illustrate their premiums online.

Shop and compare GA Medigap quotes now.

Most Georgia Seniors Trust the G Plan

Almost 90% of our clients are pleased with our recommendation for Medicare supplement plan G.

So what is wrong with Medicare supplement plan F? Nothing, if you don’t mind paying to much. Ask us for a personalized quote on Medigap plan G.

Medigap policies are standardized

Every Medigap policy must follow federal and state laws designed to protect you, and it must be clearly identified as “Medicare Supplement Insurance.” Insurance companies can sell you only a “standardized” policy identified in most states by letters.

All policies offer the same basic benefits but some offer additional benefits, so you can choose which one meets your needs.

In Georgia there are currently 3 insurance carriers that include a Silver Sneakers gym membership at no additional charge.

Medigap Plan F Not Offered

As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to new people with Medicare aren’t allowed to cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F are not available to people new to Medicare starting on January 1, 2020. If you already have either of these 2 plans (or the high deductible version of Plan F) or are covered by one of these plans before January 1, 2020, you’ll be able to keep your plan.

If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled, you may be able to buy plan C or F.

However, the Medicare supplement plan G is still a better value.

High Deductible G Plan

Some folks are willing to trade premium savings for taking on a little more risk.

If you are willing to come out of pocket $2340 in 2020 PLUS the $198 Part B deductible your premium savings could be $60 per month or even more.

Ask us for competitive quotes on Medigap plans based on your age, gender and zip code.

#MedicareSupplementPlanG #MedigapPlanG

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Medicare Supplement Plan F 2020

Bob Vineyard · May 4, 2020 · Leave a Comment

What does Medicare supplement plan F cover? Medicare supplement plan F rates

Does Medigap plan F cover catastrophic illness?

How much does it cost?

Is Medicare supplement plan F the best?

Signing up for Medicare can be intimidating. Kind of like your first date.

groucho with young woman

You talk with friends. Maybe you have been through the process with a parent or other relative.

Too much information can overwhelm you. Not enough will leave you wondering if you made the right choice.The first time I went through the Medicare information I was totally confused. The terminology was all new, the explanations in the Medicare and You  Handbook helped, some, but not enough.

Fortunately I had a mentor. A (slightly) older gentleman who was very patient. He took the time to listen to my questions, then offer answers in ways anyone can understand.

Allow me to explain how my training will help you.

Ed’s Story

Ed called me in a panic. It was early in January and he had just come home from a doctor visit.

Ed knew me because I had helped his wife a few years earlier when she was trying to make a decision about health insurance. Which plan was better for her needs?

medicare supplement plan f

This was one of those “thank you ” jobs like my grandfather did all the time. A well known mechanic in a small town, he probably fixed as many cars in exchange for a thank you as he did charging for his time.

Ed had been on Medicare for a few years, but in an attempt to save money (or so he thought) he enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

The first time he visited his regular doctor he was told that they did not accept that plan so Ed would have to find another doctor for his next visit. Ed’s doctor agreed to see him that time and didn’t bill him, but now Ed was in a fix.

Ed had COPD and emphysema. He had several doctors but his primary doc was not in the network for the Advantage plan.

Ed needed to make a change to a plan that allowed him to see any doctor.

Fortunately for Ed, I knew of a provision in the Medicare laws that would allow him to return to original Medicare AND purchase a Medicare supplement plan F and there would be no medical underwriting. Ed would have full coverage, less out of pocket for medical expenses and would be able to see any doctor he wanted anywhere in the United States.

I took his application by phone and it was processed in a few days. In a little over a week Ed was back in the original Medicare system and with his new Medicare supplement plan F he was free to see his regular doctor.

He also saved a lot of money because his plan F paid 100% of all Medicare approved charges. Other than his monthly premium, Ed never paid a dime for medical care including several hospital stays over the next two years.

Ed passed away earlier this year. Before leaving this earth he told his wife to let me know when he passed and to call me if she ever had any questions.

So, how much does Medicare supplement plan F 2020 cost?

Click the image below to shop and compare rates.

GA Medigap Quotes

Medicare supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive of all the Medigap plans.

It is also the most expensive . . . and one favored by most agents, especially the lazy and greedy ones.

What Does Plan F Cover?

happy old woman blue eyes

Medicare supplement plan F is very easy to explain, which is one reason it is often the only plan pitched by lazy agents.  

Quite simply, plan F covers 100% of all approved Medicare Part A and Part B expenses, including any excess charges.

Medigap plan F covers 100% of deductibles, copay’s and coinsurance for Medicare approved charges.

Pretty simple, huh?

The lazy agent sale.

Not much to explain. You don’t need pie charts or fancy brochures. Medicare supplement plan F can be explained in 60 seconds or less.

Anything approved and paid by Medicare is covered by your Medicare supplement plan F with no out of pocket expenses to you.

Do you want to check prices on Medigap plans?

Click the image below to view up to 40 plans in 60 seconds or less.

GA Medigap Quotes

Does Medigap Plan F Cover Catastrophic Illness?

Yes, and catastrophic accidents as well.

You don’t need a supplement to Medicare supplement plan F. If a lazy agent tries to sell you a hospital plan or a cancer plan in addition to plan F they are really looking out for their wallet and not yours.

There are some situations where you may WANT a cancer plan, especially if your family has a history of cancer.

Between Medicare and your Medicare supplement plan F 100% of your approved Medicare Part A and Part B charges are covered.

How much does Medicare Supplement Plan F Cost?

Plan F has the highest premium of any of the 11 approved Medigap plans.

If you want Medigap plan F be prepared to pay a higher than is necessary premium, especially if you buy from Blue Cross, Humana, Mutual of Omaha or United (AARP). All of those carriers charge more because of name recognition. Blue and Mutual are among the highest at almost any age.

All Medicare supplement plan F policies are identical in every way.

Every way except price.

When you pay more you don’t get more, you simply paid too much.

Did you check plan F rates using the link above?

If not, do so right now.

I will wait.

Is Medigap Plan F the Best Plan for Me?

Only you can answer that.

My job is to explain the way Medicare works, including how your Medigap plan coordinates with Medicare to limit your out of pocket costs while allowing you to use any doctor, lab or hospital anywhere in the U.S.

No claim forms.

No provider networks.

Easy peasy.

The best Medigap plan for you is one that meets your needs and budget. If that describes plan F, then that is the best plan for you.

Finding the Right Medicare Supplement Plan

Almost everyone I talk to NEEDS advice in picking a plan that is right, but too many don’t want advice. They remind me of the Anacin commercial from years ago.

“Mother please! I would rather do it myself.”

She didn’t have just a headache. She had an Anacin headache complete with the lightning and hammer.

happy old woman with glasses

Georgia Medicare Plans has over 200 clients and everyone of them saved money, some as much as $1700 per year. Most of them do not buy plan F because we take the time to educate them on the value that is found in other options.

So did you get your Medicare supplement plan F quote?

Did you provide a valid email address and phone number? If not you are missing the best part.

Most carriers do not allow their rates to be published online. The best online rate can usually be beat by $30 per month or more, and if you only look at plan F you will pay more than is needed.

When you pay more you don’t get more, you simply paid too much.

There is never a reason to pay too much.

You will never know how much you can save until you shop and compare.

Do it now.

Compare Medicare supplement insurance rates

OUR GUARANTEE TO YOU

  • We will show you several ways to LOWER YOUR COST on Medicare supplement insurance
  • We will provide you with a personalized spreadsheet for the plan of your choice
  • Your spreadsheet will show the best rates for available plans in your area

What we need from you.

  • Valid contact information including phone and email
  • Just 5 minutes by phone to verify your information and make sure we understand your needs
  • That’s it. No pressure. No in home visit.

Looking for more information? Visit our main site.

A little about Bob Vineyard and Georgia Medicare Plans Bob Vineyard grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and his insurance career has taken him to Chattanooga, Birmingham and Atlanta. He married his college sweetheart in 1975. They have lived in the Sandy Springs area of Atlanta since 1978.

Bob Vineyard - Georgia Medicare Plans

Bob and Rachel have two children, Robert who is an I.T. security consultant with Emory University and Christine who is currently teaching art in Washington, DC

Rachel works in the school system taking care of the special education needs of foster children who have been abused. Most of these children would no doubt have a much more difficult time in life if not for the care and concern given by Rachel and others who have a gift for dealing with these special cases.

Bob started with an employee benefits consulting firm in 1975 and followed that by opening and growing sales offices for several carriers over the next 29 years. He has worked with very large corporate clients, several professional associations and acted as an independent intermediary and consultant for self funded medical plans.

In 2004 he decided to focus on educating and assisting individuals and small businesses in ways to maximize their total health care dollars. By incorporating techniques learned in dealing with employer groups he can show most clients how to cut premiums 30 – 50% without sacrificing benefits. His bare bones health insurance approach to risk management has gained him notoriety.

Are you ready to talk?

I am listening.

Medicare Supplement Plans medicare supplement plan f, medicare supplement plan f high deductible, medigap plan f

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