Georgia Medicare Supplement Plans Archives

Do I Need an Insurance Agent?

Bob Vineyard · March 10, 2020 ·

Do I need an insurance agent to buy a Medicare supplement plan? How much extra will I pay to buy through a broker? Do insurance agents offer the same plans that I can get direct from a carrier? Don’t most insurance agents push the plans that pay them the highest commission?

It doesn’t matter if you are turning 65 and going on Medicare for the first time or you have been in the Medicare system for a few years. Most people still don’t really understand how Medicare works and how it applies to them.

You have questions. We have answers.

Shopping for Medicare coverage? With more than 230 different Medicare supplement plans in Georgia, how do you find the one that is right for you? Click and compare rates and plans from GA Medigap rates

Have you ever seen a Medigap rate report like this?

Everyone I talk to will get a report that is customized to reflect the plan or plans where they have an interest.

If the agent that is trying to SELL you on buying from him or her isn’t offering information like this, what else are they keeping from you?

Should I use an insurance agent when buying a Medicare supplement plan?

This question comes up from time to time but I suspect it is often considered but rarely asked. When it happens to me it usually comes in the form of “How much do you charge for your advice?”.

Perhaps I should consider it an affront, but I don’t. I do wonder if they ask their home and auto insurance agent same question. Similarly, when people go online do they ask them how much more they have to pay for buying a plan from an 800 number agent?

My response is always the same.

Medicare supplement plans you buy through me are the exact same plan at the same rate as those you would buy direct from the carrier. The only difference is, when you buy from me you get the advantage of my 40 years of experience at no additional charge. When you have a question you can call or email.

When you call you get me or my voice mail. You will never hear “Press 1 for English”. You won’t be routed through a bunch of prompts. I return calls within 2 business days and often the same day. If I can’t answer your question I will tell you so and will get back to you within 24 hours with the answer you need.

Call a carrier and you talk to whoever answers the phone that day, if you get a live person. More often than not you get voice mail. You have no idea who will call you back or when. You don’t know if they have worked for the carrier for years or just started last week.

Did I mention you pay the same premium for the same plan when you buy from an insurance agent?

Where can I see all the Medigap plans?

You can’t.

Some of is because most agents don’t have a quote engine on their site where you can see Medicare rates instantly. Something like this.

Even if you find a quote engine you will probably only see a few plans. That’s the way it is on my site. The people who designed and maintain the quote engine only have permission from a few carriers to illustrate their rates.

If you found a site with 230+ Medigap plans and up to 50 different carriers it would probably overwhelm you.

Insurance agents act as filters, showing you the good and bad and providing insight into not only current rates but carrier history.

Bill and Brenda went Medicare shopping

Last year Brenda visited my site a few times, reviewed available plans and rates, but was not available when I called. I left a message but never heard back.

I only call once. If I get voice mail, I leave a message. That’s it. I don’t bug people to death. I don’t chase them down.

Meanwhile Bill and Brenda received several automated emails from me. Each one had information about Medicare in general as well as specific information on Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Part D.

After a few weeks had gone by Bill emailed me. They were both turning 65 and going on Medicare in a few months and they wanted me to come to their home one evening to discuss options.

Only one problem.

I don’t make house calls and I rarely conduct business after normal office hours, but I did agree to call them at a designated time and day.

How Much Can You Really Save?

We talked for perhaps 40 minutes or so. I walked them through the Medicare process and answered all their questions. I agreed to send them information by email so they could study their options in their time frame.

Brenda had already discussed Medicare with her friends and was convinced they needed to buy plan F from AARP/United Healthcare. If they needed plan F they could save $500 per year with a different carrier but the real savings would come by switching to plan G and save over $1000 per year.

The savings didn’t stop there.

Brenda was taking a “prescription” dose of Niacin as part of her cholesterol medication regiment. When I ran their drug report it turns out she was prescribed an OTC version. Her pharmacist was pulling the medication off the shelf, slapping a label on it and charging over $100 per fill for a 30 day supply. She was paying over $1200 per year on her high deductible plan.

I looked on Amazon for the same strength, slow release Niacin.

$17 for 175 tablets.

She could get a years supply for around $35 vs. $1200 from her druggist.

I suggested she ask her doc about the OTC version from Amazon. She did and he blessed the change.

She changed drug stores shortly after that. Probably should have changed docs too but that was up to her.

The point of this is, a few phone calls and emails with an insurance agent (that would be me) resulted in a savings of over $2,000 per year by using an agent. Had she followed the advice of her friends that decision would have cost her a lot of money over the next few years.

Do you need an insurance agent?

Not really.

Anyone can do this but very few insurance agents take the time to educate their clients the way I do.

In September of this year I will be going on Medicare and I am pretty sure I will take my own advice. The same advice I give others.

You need adequate coverage to protect you against the cost of health CARE.

You don’t need to spend all your money on insurance.

You don’t need as much coverage as you think you do and can certainly do better than buying what your friends have. Unless they bought it through Georgia Medicare Plans.

Shop and compare now.

Your information is NEVER sold.

#MedicareSupplementInsurance #InsuranceAgent #GAMedigapRates

Medicare Supplement or Advantage Age 65

Bob Vineyard · February 12, 2020 ·

You turn 65 and have to make a decision. Which is better? Medicare supplement or Advantage plans? Your initial enrollment in Medicare at age 65 can be frustrating and overwhelming. Did you get your FREE Medicare supplement quote yet?

Medicare supplement or Advantage? Which one costs less?
Are $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans a good deal?
Since I want to keep my own doctors, is Medicare supplement plan F right for me?
I am healthy and don’t see a doctor very often. It seems the $0 premium plans are good for me.
My spouse is always in the doctors office. Will they have to make a copay for every visit?

Can we talk? How will you pick the right plan that meets YOUR needs and YOUR budget for age 65 and beyond? Give me a call anytime.

Medicare Supplement or Advantage. Which plan costs less?

As long as you are healthy, the $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan is great. But you might want to set aside an extra $300 per month or more in a “rainy day” fund. When your health changes the Medicare Advantage plans are like a leaky bathtub that loses water faster than it comes in.

Medicare supplement or Advantage - Which is better?

What if you are not be able to come up with enough money to pay all your bills because you were sold an Advantage plan? Is this really what you want in your golden years?

Advantage plans are great for healthy people who never go to the doctor or hospital.

If you are living on a fixed income and need to budget your monthly expenses, a Medigap plan is usually the better choice. Your Medicare supplement plan F means you will never have to worry about paying for hospital or doctor bills.

$0 Premium Advantage Plan Seems Like a Good Deal

Yes it does seem like a good deal, and that is often the way it is sold by agents looking for an “easy” sale. When choosing Medicare supplement or Advantage, most agents will push the Advantage plans, especially the ones with $0 premium.

Do you know why?

An agent will earn 2x as much when you buy an Advantage plan vs. what they are paid to offer a Medigap plan.

And that $0 premium is so easy to pitch to someone on a fixed income . . .

What is better than free?

Medicare supplement or Advantage? Which is better for you and which is better for the agents bank account?

If you are struggling to pay your bills now what will happen when you need to see a doctor or have some tests and the Advantage plan requires you to come up with $500 or more to get the care you need?

A Medicare supplement plan makes it easy to stick to your budget without worrying about surprises.

Do You Like Your Doctors? Who Doesn’t?

If so, you probably want a Medicare supplement plan F or even G.

Almost every doctor, hospital, lab and clinic in the U.S. accepts Medicare patients. When you have a Medicare Advantage plan the insurance carrier tells you which doctors you can see.

Less than half the doctors in Georgia participate in ANY Medicare Advantage plan and the ones that do won’t participate in all plans. Your chances of finding a doctor that participates in your Advantage plan could be very slim.

Even if your doctors currently are “in network” for your Advantage plan they may drop out at any time. When that happens you find a new doctor.

If you don’t want to continually hunt for new doctors, then the answer to Medicare supplement or Advantage becomes an easy one.

Advantage Plans are Great if You Never Get Sick

But when your health changes, you will wish you had a Medicare supplement plan and by then it is probably too late to switch.

Advantage plans are “pay me later” plans. You pay little or nothing on a monthly basis but when you need to use your plan you pay and pay and pay. Oh sure, they have an out of pocket limit that in some cases is capped at $6700 (in 2018), but that is only for IN NETWORK expenses.

When you go out of network, and that is very easy to do, the out of pocket limit becomes meaningless.

Medicare supplement plans don’t have any networks so you pay the same regardless of the doctor, clinic or hospital you use. No penalties for seeing the wrong doctor or being admitted to the wrong hospital.

Medigap plans are great when you are on a shoestring budget.

So which is best for you? Medicare supplement or Advantage?

At Georgia Medicare Plans we explain all your options, including Medicare supplement or Advantage plans, and let you decide which one is best for your needs and your budget. We encourage you to get a free Medigap quote and review up to 40 different plans from a number of carriers. Click the banner above to shop and compare Medicare supplement plan costs.

#MedicareSupplementOrMedicareAdvantageAge65

Medicare Supplement – Just Bought – Now What?

Bob Vineyard · December 3, 2019 ·

Let’s say you turned 65, enrolled in Medicare and just bought a Medicare supplement plan. Did you make the right decision? What are some of the traps and mistakes?

Please take 3 minutes to read this then decide if you need to reconsider your decision. It might just save you a lot of time, money and grief.

You are turning 65 and about to go on Medicare. Here are some things you need to know about your journey.

About That Medicare Supplement Plan You Just Bought

You are not alone.

Roughly 80% of retirees about to turn 65 have never bought health insurance before.

My 40 years in the health insurance business was not enough to prepare me for understanding the Medicare system. It took me about a month of research and talking to Medicare specialists before the light bulb turned on.

If it was that difficult for me I can imagine how confusing it is for you and everyone else.

Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage?

Your Friends May Offer the Worst Advice

Your friends that are on Medicare are probably still confused about what they have and how it works. I know this because I talk to people every day that were told something about Medicare that is 100% wrong and will prove very costly down the road.

They are probably very good at many things, but Medicare experts they are not.

Ask your friends who THEY talked to in making their decision. If they were pleased, ask for a recommendation. Then you talk with that person and decide if they are giving solid advice or simply pushing a product.

Sadly, most agents talk too much and never listen to your needs.

If they bought a $0 premium Advantage plan (along with a bunch of junk to fill the gaps), or Medigap plan F they will learn to regret that choice later down the road.

Things You Probably Don’t Know

When you turn 65 you have ONLY ONE Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). During that time you can purchase ANY PLAN from ANY CARRIER without answering health questions. Your initial enrollment for Medigap begins the month when you turn 65 AND go on Medicare Part B. It ends 6 months later.

During your IEP you can freely change Medigap plans within the same carrier or move from one carrier to another without penalty. Most people we talk to will end up paying a lot more for their coverage than was necessary. It is not too late to change. Don’t let pride stop you from making a better financial decision. (More on this later)

When Can I Enroll or Change Plans?

You have 60 days from the time you turned 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B to pick a Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan. If you wait, your next opportunity will be during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and you will pay a LIFETIME late enrollment penalty.

If you bought an Advantage plan and then learned that was the wrong decision you can still purchase a suitable Medigap during your IEP. This happens with some frequency so no need to feel embarrassed.

Many of the newer Advantage plans are “front end loaded” so you pay most of the costs of your care without the benefit of a copay. The networks are also more restrictive than you may have been accustomed to with traditional health insurance.

Get instant GA Medigap quotes, then request our FREE Medicare Supplement rate report that shows ALL the Medicare supplement rates.

Discovering What You Bought

Medigap “gotcha’s”

Medigap is simple, but not as simple as some might think. Sure, the plans are standardized. All plans with the same letter (plan F for example) are identical in every way except the price you pay.

But the simplicity stops there.

Financial ratings don’t matter. “A” rated carriers like AFLAC and Omaha have sucker punched retirees in the past. Offer a low going in rate then substantial increases in later years. Sometimes they stop writing new business with that carrier name.

Then what happens?

Picking the Right Medigap Carrier

Look for LONG TERM STABILITY in the Medicare supplement market. If a carrier doesn’t have at least 5 years in the Medigap market operating under the SAME NAME, you probably want to cross them off your list.

The carrier names are interchangeable and every 3 – 4 years an old carrier will be swapped for a newer one that has rates 20 – 30% below the “old” carrier. The new, lower rates are only for NEW APPLICANTS.

Some carriers have “hot” rates in Georgia right now. But none of them have more than 2 years in the Medigap business an at least one has already had a 9% rate increase.

Which Carrier Did I Pick for My Own Coverage?

My choice

You don’t have to do what I do but consider this. I have more experience in the health insurance business than anyone you have talked to so far. There are some paths I won’t take because I know the pitfalls. Maybe you should do the same.

I enrolled in Medicare in September 2015. How many agents have you talked to so far that are also on Medicare?

My guess is none.

I didn’t buy a plan from any carrier with less than 5 years in the Medigap business.

I didn’t buy Medicare supplement plan F.

I didn’t buy a Medicare Advantage plan. Even if I did, I certainly would NOT buy a hospital indemnity plan, a cancer plan, a heart attack plan, etc to fill the gaps. An agent that pushes those policies is all about making as much money as possible off you.

It’s Your Plan and Your Money

Choose wisely.

Ultimately, whatever choice you make should fit your needs and budget. I don’t expect everyone to make the same decisions I make, nor would I pressure anyone to buy something just because I am doing it. But I do believe my clients deserve to know the choices I will make and why I am making them.

There are more than 250 different Medigap plans and rates in Georgia. You probably looked at half a dozen or less. What did you miss by not seeing ALL the rates?

There are only TWO or THREE Medicare supplement carriers with competitive rates that have 5 or more years in the Medigap business. If you didn’t buy from them you probably are, or will eventually be, paying too much.

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

Let me know how I can help. Call (404) 252-5859 to speak with Bob Vineyard.

#GeorgiaMedicareSupplementRates #GAMedicareExpert #GAMedicareAgent

Why Do I Need a Medicare Supplement?

Bob Vineyard · June 5, 2019 · Leave a Comment

Do I really need a Medicare supplement plan? You and 25 million others ask the same question. The answer is, you don’t NEED a Medigap plan but you will probably want one.

GA Medicare expert Bob Vineyard explains.

Original Medicare – Good and Bad

Original Medicare Part A, the hospital inpatient portion, does not charge a premium to most people. Other than the per admission deductible ($1364 in 2019) you will not have out of pocket expenses for most hospital stays. This applies if your hospital admission does not exceed 60 days and Medicare approves all hospital billed charges.

Welcome to Medicare – What’s Covered?

Charges by a surgeon or other non-staff member usually fall under Medicare Part B. The same is true for ER charges and expenses incurred when admitted for observation.

Medicare Part B is for outpatient health care charges. You are not required to enroll in Part B but you probably want to. Large claims exceeding $40,000 often have over half the total incurred on an outpatient basis.

Hospital Admission – In or Out?

Medicare Part B requires a premium payment. In 2019 the premium for most people is $135 per month. Part B has a yearly deductible ($185 in 2019). Above the deductible Medicare pays 80% of approved charges, you are responsible for the 20% balance.

There is no cap on your out of pocket expenses for Parts A or B.

A Medicare supplement plan will greatly reduce your out of pocket expenses for Parts A and B charges. Most buy a supplement plan for two reasons.

First, they are able to keep their doctor. No, this is not a campaign pledge. You really CAN keep your doctor(s). Also you are free to use any doctor or hospital in the U.S., penalty free.

Second, a Medigap plan allows you to budget future health care expenses. No worrying about unexpected large medical bills.

Why Do I Need a Medicare Supplement? 1 — Do We Need a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Late Enrollment Penalties

The best time to enroll in Medicare is when you are first eligible. Medicare does grant a “free pass” in SOME situations when you enroll late. Make sure you understand the rules.

If you don’t qualify for no premium Part A you will incur late penalties if you fail to enroll on a timely basis.

Likewise, Medicare Part B has late penalties which can be waived in some situations. If you are charged a Part B late penalty you will pay it for life.

There are no late enrollment penalties for failure to enroll in a Medigap plan but there can be consequences. If you miss your initial enrollment or special enrollment period you will have to qualify medically for coverage. The decision is pass/fail. Either you qualify or you don’t.

How Much Does Medicare Cost?

Unless you have enjoyed “free” insurance up until now, you will probably find that original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan are real bargains.

No provider networks. Never any non-par penalties or hidden provider charges.

You have questions. We have answers. Never any charge.

All I ask is that you allow me 10 minutes on the phone to answer your questions. If you like what you hear and believe I can help, then great.

If not, you walk away and we part as friends.

I call it an offer you can’t refuse.

#GAMedicareExpert #GAMedigapRates #GeorgiaMedicareSupplementPlans

Turning 65 Medicare Options

Bob Vineyard · July 6, 2017 ·

Are you turning 65? Do you know ALL your Medicare options? When and how should I enroll in Medicare? Do I need Medicare if I am still covered by an employers group health insurance plan? Is there a penalty if I don’t sign up for Medicare? Can I get Medicare if I don’t enroll in Social Security? Can I change my plan at any time? When can I sign up for Part D? What are the most common complaints about Medicare? What are the best Medicare supplement plans in Georgia? Which carriers usually have the highest rate increases?

How much easier would it be if you could see ALL Georgia Medicare rates in one report? Know your Medicare options before buying a plan.

Turning 65 – What are my Medicare options?

About 8,000 of us turn age 65 every day. Every one will face decisions about Medicare options. Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare? Do I need to sign up? How do I enroll in Medicare A and B? Do I need both parts? Is there a penalty for delaying my Medicare enrollment?

Most of your answers can be found in the Medicare and You booklet. Other answers will come from Choosing a Medigap Policy. You can also go online to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except federal holidays).

But who wants to spend hours reading government documents, searching a massive website or waiting on hold for the next representative?

Good news! We know you have better things to do than learn about your Medicare options. Don’t waste time doing the research. We have done that for you.

At Georgia Medicare Plans you can find answers, get GA Medigap quotes, view rates and benefits, compare plans side by side and much more.

You can also talk to us by phone or email. Straight forward answers from someone who not only has more than 40 years in the health insurance business, but like you, is also enrolled in Medicare.

How Can I Sign Up For Medicare?

Enrolling in Medicare is simple and easy. There are several ways to start your Medicare journey.

Sign up online
Enroll in Medicare at a Social Security office
Call Social Security @ 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM
If you worked for a railroad, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772

Many will find the online application to be simple and painless. If you are reading this then you probably have a computer. It took me about 15 minutes to enroll in Medicare when I turned 65.

You can apply by mail but I would advise against that approach. Too many potential problems. If you already have Part A and are applying for Medicare Part B, the only way it can be done is with paper applications. If at all possible, visit a local SS office and apply in person.

Pick the one that works for you.

When Do I Enroll in Medicare?

You should sign up for Medicare three months before reaching age 65. Enroll in Medicare even if you are not ready to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits. You can opt out of receiving Social Security once you are in the online application. Then you can apply online for retirement benefits later.

Medicare Part A is offered to most people at no charge. You or your spouse paid into Medicare by way of payroll taxes so now they tell you there is no premium.

Isn’t that special?

You may qualify for premium-free Part A if you meet one of the following.

You paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters
Received SSDI for 24 months
You have ESRD
Qualify as an eligible spouse if they meet the criteria

Even though you paid Medicare taxes for several years Part B is not premium-free. In 2017 your standard Part B premium is $134 per month. Higher income people may pay more under IRMAA tax rules.

You should enroll in Medicare Part A even if you are not ready to enroll in Part B. Coverage can start as early as the first day of the month you turn 65.

What is Medicare Part B and Why Do I Need It?

The short answer is, you may not need to enroll in Part B when you sign up for Part A. But be careful. Delaying Part B without following the Medicare rules could result in a late enrollment penalty. If you may also be forced to enroll in B during the General Enrollment Period.

Those covered by an employer group health insurance plan you may not need to sign up for Medicare Part B. You may be able to keep your group plan until you or your spouse retire. Special forms and rules apply if you delay Part B past your 65th birthday. Opting for COBRA after 65 can create a delay in the start of Part B. You could also be subject to a late enrollment penalty. Watch out for the COBRA trap.

Your Medicare Part B deductible for calendar year 2017 is $183. When the deductible is satisfied, Medicare covers 80% of approved charges. You are responsible for the remaining 20% balance.

Unlike other health insurance you have had in the past, there is no out of pocket cap for your Part B expenses. You pay until you are well, you die or when you run out of money.

Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) pay some or all of your Medicare Part B charges.

You may be concerned about large hospital inpatient bills but over half of all medical bills are charged as an outpatient. Items like doctor visits, labs, X-ray’s, MRI, CT scan, ambulance, ER and more fall under Part B.

Chemotherapy often runs $2500 or more per treatment. Renal dialysis is $3,000 per session. Insulin for an infusion pump is $500 per bottle. Unless you have a Medigap policy you could pay hundreds of dollars each time you incur these charges.

You may never need expensive cancer treatment, kidney dialysis or insulin. But if you do, how will you pay for it?

Learn your Medicare options BEFORE making a final decision.

Medicare Options Part D

The most confusing choices for most people is how to pick a Part D drug plan. In some parts of Georgia there may be more than 30 plans available.

Which one is right for you?

Prescription drug plans (PDP) have formulary’s, preferred pharmacy’s, copay’s, doughnut holes, catastrophic coverage and more. More often than not seniors will pick a plan with the lowest premium. Don’t ever buy on premium alone unless you are not taking any medication.

Often the plan with the lowest monthly premium has the highest drug costs. Pick the wrong plan and you can’t change until the next open enrollment period.

At Georgia Medicare Plans you will be able to learn all of your Medicare options, ask questions and get detailed answers. We take the confusion out of Part D.

Georgia Medicare Supplement Choices

Bob Vineyard is not just an independent broker for Medicare supplement plans, he is also enrolled in Medicare. Which plan and carrier did I pick?

This is not about me, it’s about you. For many people, the most important decision they will make is choosing the right Medigap plan that fits their needs and budget.

Best GA Medigap Plans with Lowest Rates

If you are turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare, you want the same thing everyone else does. The best Medicare supplement plan with the lowest price.

Medigap plans are designed by Medicare to be identical in every way. Except price. All F plans are exactly the same. This is true for G, N and the other 7 letters. Every carrier pays their portion of Medicare approved claims, usually in 3 to 5 business days.

Any doctor that participates in Medicare will also accept your supplement plan, regardless of the issuing carrier.

If you are looking for the lowest Medicare supplement rates, that is easy too. As long as you know where to look. Most people don’t.

Seniors who are online shoppers will typically visit half a dozen sites or more. They will fill out a request form and immediately their phone rings off the hook. Once burned they will still complete forms but enter bogus contact information.

At best they may see 15 or 20 plans and rates. That’s not enough. After seeing the same carriers on multiple sites they give up, believing they have seen it all.

Truth is there are over 170 different Medicare supplement plans available in Georgia. There is only one way to gain that information. Ask us for a detailed report like this one. We are happy to share. No sales pitch. No obligation to buy.

Don’t want plan F? No problem. Tell me which plan or plans you want and you can have those reports too. I also run these reports for my clients on each renewal.

But there is a catch.

This is only for clients. Everyone else will have to shop every year and only see the same 15 to 20 plans.

Clients of Georgia Medicare Plans can call or email any time they have questions. Any time. And they always know if their renewal is fair or not.

So far this year 28 clients have been relocated to another Medigap plan and are saving anywhere from $18 to $53 per month vs. their renewal.

You won’t get that when you buy direct from AARP, Blue Cross or through any other agent. If you have talked with other agents, not a single one has offered you a Medigap report like the one linked to above.

You can buy your plan anywhere, but you can only get your Medicare options report here.

Take care.

Bob Vineyard, CLU

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaMedicarePlans/

#GeorgiaMedicarePlans #GAMedigapRates #MedicareSupplementRates #Turning65 #MedicarePartD #EnrollMedicare