Going on Medicare Age 65

July 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Going on Medicare at age 65. Can I sign up online? What if I am still working? When is the best time to enroll? How much does Medicare cost? Where can I get help?

Going on Medicare Age 65
Age 65 – Enroll in Medicare

If you are turning 65 you have a lot of going on Medicare questions. You will have a lot of people sending you information by mail, each piece claiming their plan is better. And your phone will ring off the hook. With people calling to SELL you something you don’t want, you don’t need and can’t afford.

Where do you turn?

Consider talking to a Georgia Medicare Expert.

Ready for Medicare?

When you are ready to sign up for Medicare the process is fairly easy. You can go online to sign up. Or maybe you would rather do it by phone. Another way is to visit your local Social Security office.

You can enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B online at www.SocialSecurity.gov. By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM. Or In person at your local Social Security office.

How easy is that?

Where Can I Learn About Medicare?

You can waste a lot of time searching for Medicare information online. But it seems so easy. You just Google “How to go on Medicare”. Or “Where do I sign up for Medicare”. If you know how to enroll then you ask “Who has the BEST Medicare rates“.

Turning 65 – Enroll in Medicare

Those steps will give you a lot of results. Some information is readily available.

But if you just want to know how much Medicare costs. You only want to see Medicare supplement rates WITHOUT talking to a pushy agent. That is a bit more challenging.

About to enroll in Medicare? Every time you fill in your name, email address and phone this is what happens. Almost immediately your phone rings. Someone calling to SELL you something when all you want is INFORMATION.

And your email box will be flooded with offers. Just click this link and all your questions will be answered.

By now you know this is NOT how you want to learn about going on Medicare.

You are like Charlie Brown asking “Why won’t someone just help me?“!

Why Won’t Someone Help Me?

Medicare Help? Try This

Why search the web when all your going on Medicare questions can be answered here? Medigap rates. Advantage plan information. GA Medicare Expert Bob Vineyard can help.

When you are ready to sign up for Medicare, who would you rather talk to? A stranger on the phone whose last job was asking if you want fries with your meal? Or would you rather invest 10 minutes talking with someone who has over 45 years working in health insurance and is also on Medicare themselves?

You choose.

Here is my offer.

Give me a call. Invest 10 minutes by phone. Ask any question you want about Medicare. ANY question. Then you decide if my information is valuable or not.

If you like what you are getting, we move forward at your pace. If you don’t like what you hear, move on and we part as friends. It’s not personal, it’s just business.

I call this my offer you can’t refuse.

#GAMedicareExpert #GoingOnMedicare #Turning65

Filed Under: Age 65 initial enrollment Medicare, Medicare, Medicare Supplement Plans, turning 65 Tagged With: , , , ,

New to Medicare – What Do I Need to Know?

July 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment

When you are new to Medicare you will have questions. But you probably don’t know who can help. Even if you did, what questions will you ask?

You don’t know what you don’t know.

new to medicare
New to Medicare – What Questions to Ask?

About the time you think you have it all figured out they change the rules.

Turning 65?

If you are turning 65 and new to Medicare you are about to enter the state of confusion.

Medicare may SEEM simple, but it is not. It is easy until you have a claim. Then it becomes complicated. Where will you turn then? Will you go to the friend that told you to buy the plan they have? Maybe you will call the agent that SOLD you the plan? Good luck with that. They may not even be in the business by now.

You could call the carrier where you went direct to avoid talking to agents. You call an 800 number, press 1 for English then get routed to voice mail. Someone will call you back in a few days while you are in the shower.

How well does that work for you?

Maybe your best choice is to find a GA Medicare expert.

New to Medicare?

Enrolling in Medicare

If you are approaching age 65 and new to Medicare you know the drill. For the last year your phone has been ringing. Pushy insurance agents calling to SELL you a plan you don’t want, you don’t need and can’t afford.

Your mailman hates you because of all the junk mail that arrives at your door every day.

What do you keep? What do you throw away? Where do you turn for answers to your Medicare questions? Check out Medicare plans in Georgia.

Who Can Help Me?

There is nothing wrong with buying a Medicare plan online as long as you are prepared for a LOT of phone calls from agents wanting to SELL you something you don’t need, don’t want and can’t afford.

When you are new to Medicare how do you find the RIGHT plan?

All I ask is for you to give me 10 minutes by phone. Time to answer YOUR questions. You will NEVER be pressured to buy anything. This is your opportunity to ask ANY Medicare related question, then decide if you want to work with me or not.

It’s that simple.

It’s an offer you can’t refuse.

Filed Under: Age 65 initial enrollment Medicare, Medicare, Medicare Supplement Plans, turning 65 Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Why Are Medicare Advantage Plans Popular?

May 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Medicare Advantage plans seem to be popular. But why? What is the appeal? What is so attractive about these managed care plans? Are they really free? GA Medicare expert Bob Vineyard explains.

medicare advantage popular
Why are Medicare Advantage plans popular?

Why are GA Medicare Advantage Plans Popular

Are you turning 65 and confused about the Medicare process? Why is it so difficult? Why do my friends, and many agents as well, want to push me in the direction of an Advantage plan? Low premiums are attractive. So is “free”. Is there really such a thing as a free lunch?

Medicare Advantage plans are like the Hotel California. You can check in but you may never leave.

Some people turn to Advantage plans when they first go on Medicare at age 65. Low premiums, many are $0. Extra benefits like dental, vision and some have gym memberships. Drug plans are often included in the plan. “One stop shopping”.

What’s not to love?

Why do sick people leave Medicare Advantage plans?

Georgia Advantage Plan Traps

Have you ever bought something and later realized you had no idea how it works? Maybe the sales person forgot to mention key details that might have changed your decision.

If something is too good to be true it probably is.

There is nothing inherently wrong with GA Medicare Advantage plans. You just need to understand what you have signed on for. Here are a few questions you need to ask.

Preferably BEFORE you enroll.

  • Is the plan a PPO or HMO?
  • Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
  • Will my doctor take my Medicare Advantage plan?
  • Are there any out of network penalties?
  • Can I change plans at any time?
  • Can I return to original Medicare and a supplement plan if I want?
  • Does the out of pocket limit include prescription medication?
  • What will my health care really cost if I use an out-of-network doctor?
  • Will my claims be paid if I use a non-par provider?

If you ask the right questions and are satisfied with the responses, the Medicare Advantage plan could be just what you need.

When you enroll in a managed care Advantage plan, the insurance carrier, not Medicare, provides your benefits then reviews, adjudicates and pays your claims.

“No premium” plans are not free. You still have to pay for health care and prescription drugs.

There is no free lunch.

Health care is not free. SOMEBODY pays the bill. Either you or the insurance carrier.

But you knew that all along, didn’t you?

This Doesn’t Look Like Kansas Anymore

Managed care plans often have small provider networks. Fewer doctors. Fewer hospitals. The question is, how much smaller?

A Kaiser Foundation survey found that on average “Medicare Advantage plan networks included 46% of all physicians in a county.” Some plans had fewer than 5 thoracic surgeons, fewer than 5 neurosurgeons and fewer than 5 radiation oncologists.

This isn’t JUST about dollars. It is also about access to health CARE.

Each calendar year brings a new list of approved providers. Will your doctors be included or will they disappear into a dark hole?

Are you willing to change doctors to save money or pay more to keep your doctor?

Are claims submitted by non-par providers covered by your plan?

A recent government report says seniors are more likely to LEAVE managed care plans when they get sicker.

Managed care is great when you enjoy good health. But how much will your plan cost when your health changes dramatically? Can you really afford to be sick?

Medicare Advantage Final Exam

Many who enroll in a managed care plan never really understood how the plans work . . . until they had large claims. Don’t be one of them!

Do you like your current doctor(s)? Would you like to keep him or her?

Can my doctor refuse to treat me if I have a Medicare Advantage plan?

Do you want to direct your own health care, pick your own doctors and hospitals, or would you rather let an insurance carrier do that for you?

Is it easier for you to budget $120 per month to cover almost all of your health care costs or are you OK paying for your health care only as needed?

Could you budget $6,000 per year or more for your health care (not including drugs) if you had to?

How long could you afford to pay that much? One year? Two years? Longer?

Would you trade places with Marsha’s husband?

You can change your Advantage plan every year. Same is true for your drug plan. You can also enroll in original Medicare any time you want without answering health questions.

But if you want to change to a Medicare supplement plan you may need to prove you are healthy. Your best shot at getting a Medicare supplement plan is when you first enroll in Medicare Part B. If you wait until you NEED a Medigap plan you may not be able to get one. That is Catch-22.

Many will only have one chance to enroll in a Medigap plan. Will you be one of them?

Shop GA Medicare rates.

Medicare.

You have questions.

We have answers.

$GAMedicareExpert #MedicareAdvantagePlans #FreeMedicarePlans  #MedicareHMO  #MedicarePPO

Filed Under: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Plans, turning 65 Tagged With: , , , ,

Georgia Medicare Gives Thanks

December 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Georgia Medicare Looks at 2018

As Dickens said, “This is the best of times and the worst of times.” Like all years, there are times when things are good and times when things are not so good. From a business perspective I would give this year a 9 on a scale of 10. Georgia Medicare expert reflects on 2018.

Georgia Medicare expert
Turning 65 Medicare Options

The Good News

Georgia Medicare supplement clients continue to bless me with referrals. My business grows mostly by word of mouth. When my advice is useful clients remember and pass my name along to their friends.

Like that old shampoo commercial where Heather Locklear told two friends about Faberge, and they told two friends, and so on.

Good new spreads like wildfire, and it is appreciated. With more than 500 GA Medicare clients, new referrals come in almost every month.

Thank you for being generous and sharing my name with your friends.

Georgia Medicare YouTube Channel

After years of planning and hoping it would happen, I finally implemented my Georgia Medicare YouTube channel in early summer. With the help of Christy Sanchez this labor of love is now a reality.

The videos are not fancy or technically complicated. It’s just me talking to the camera the same way I speak to you on the phone. Feel free to like, share and comment on any of the videos.

Of course you can also ask questions.

Say Hello to New Medigap Carriers

I currently count almost 60 insurance carriers offering Medicare supplement plans in Georgia. Many are brand new to the Medigap business. Others are new to Georgia.

At least 6 carriers are new to the Georgia Medicare market. Each one has cut rates to the bone in an attempt to gain market share.

It’s a race to see who can offer the lowest Medigap rate.

For at least a year.

New carriers include Lumico, Western United (late 2017), Everest (late 2016), American Continental, Prosperity (gotta love that name), Mass Mutual, Unified and Pan American. I might have missed a few but that’s a mouthful.

I generally don’t recommend a carrier until they have been here at least 3 years. In the past carriers (like AFLAC) have either disappeared from the market or blew up their rates on renewal in the first 3 years.

I don’t need that kind of drama in my life and neither do you.

Say Hello to a New Name for an Old Friend

One shining star is Anthem Blue Cross. BCBSGA has been co-branded with parent Anthem for a few years now. As of July 2018 the Anthem name is on all new Medicare plans in Georgia.

Of course you can call them direct or use an agent like myself. When you go direct you are a “house account”. You will never know who will answer the phone or anything about them. 

Last week they could have been asking if you wanted fries with your meal.

When you call me you will never hear “Press 1 for English”. You get me or voice mail. Leave a message and I will call you back.

No extra charge for my 40+ years experience.

You can enroll in an Anthem Medigap plan using my link . . . if you have an hour or so to kill. 

https://brokerportal.anthem.com/ac/BobVineyardAnthemGA

Or call me direct. I can take your information in about 10 minutes.

You choose.

The Bad News

A few carriers like Equitable, Manhattan and Aetna Health and Life stopped writing new Medigap business in Georgia. If you have a plan with them you can keep it as long as you pay your premiums.

I hope to move as many as possible away from these carriers in hopes of seeing fewer and smaller rate increases at renewal.

Thank You!

Thank you for all your support, for passing my name along and especially the kind words for my Georgia Medicare YouTube Channel.

I look foward to helping as many people as possible to navigate the Georgia  Medicare maze.

Filed Under: Georgia Medicare Supplement Plans, Georgia Medigap Rates, Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare supplement rates Georgia, Medigap rates Georgia, Turning age 65 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Medicare Open Enrollment 2019

September 20, 2017 by
Medicare 2019 Open Enrollment starts on October 15th and ends on December the 7th. Who is affected? How do you decide what to keep and what to change? Where can you get answers to your questions?Medicare Open Enrollment 2018

Don’t get distracted by the hype.

During this open enrollment many will want to offer advice but how do you know their opinions are useful? Can you really get solid, unbiased advice or are you at the mercy of scoundrels?

Let’s set the record straight and give you some guidelines about what you need to know and how to sort out good advice from bad.

Five Medicare Open Enrollment Tips You MUST Know

Medicare Open Enrollment 2019 – A Journey with a Purpose

Let’s start with the basics of Medicare 2019 open enrollment. One area that creates more confusion than anything else is changing Medicare supplement plans.

You can change your Medigap plan any time of the year. The annual enrollment period does not include Medicare supplement plans. Only Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans are included in open enrollment.

There is generally only one time when you can buy a Medigap plan without answering health questions. For most folks that is when they turn 65 and enroll in Medicare for the first time. Once you have been enrolled in Medicare Part B for 6 months you can change plans as long as you pass through underwriting.

If you have questions about your ability to change plans, give us a call. In less than 5 minutes you can learn if you are healthy enough to be approved or not. We will also be glad to quote Medicare supplement rates over the phone and email you a Medigap rate report like this one.

If you can change your supplement plan at any time of the year, what do I need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment 2018?

Medicare open enrollment allows you to change your Part D prescription drug plan, or your Medicare Advantage plan. Neither require medical underwriting with one exception. If you are currently in renal failure you cannot change Advantage plans.

At Georgia Medicare Plans our focus is strictly on finding the best Medigap coverage that fits your needs and budget. We also offer detailed advice on Part D and will guide you through the enrollment process.

We do not offer Medicare Advantage plans but we will refer you to an associate if you are convinced Advantage plans are right for you.

 

Medicare Drug Plans are Confusing

The most difficult part of my work is helping clients find the right drug plan that delivers the best value. Let’s look at how I handled a review for a new client.

Bill currently takes two different medications to control his cholesterol, Ezetimibe and Xarelto. While was covered under a group health insurance plan his Xarelto copay was $0. That goes away once he is covered by Part D.

Bill likes to take charge of things and his own review of drug plans led him to believe his best option was a plan with a monthly premium of $55.

I felt he could do better.

Both of these drugs are expensive. Ezetimibe has a retail price of $300 for a 30 day supply; Xarelto is $400.

2019 update – Ezetimibe is currently $12 with a GoodRx discount. 

 

Avoiding the Donut Hole

My analisys indicates he will enter the donut hole by the 4th month and his out of pocket drug costs will exceed $350 per month.

My suggestion was to drop Ezetimibe from his drug plan evaluation and purchase outside of Part D using GoodRx. His copay would be about the same as his drug plan but by removing the drug from the formulary calculation he is able to delay entering the donut hole to month 7 vs. the 4th month.

Can he avoid the donut hole completely?

As it turns out he can.

He can buy Ezetimibe through Blue Sky and lower his costs even more than using GoodRx. Before he enters the donut hole his Xarelto copay is $46. Once in the donut hole his copay more than triples. Copay’s for all drugs, not just the expensive ones, increases while in the donut hole. He can avoid the donut hole completely by purchasing his meds (except Ezetimibe) through the drug plan and then buying Xarelto from Blue Sky right before entering the donut hole.

Combining these suggestions he can choose a drug plan with a $22 monthly premium vs the $55 plan he would have picked on his own. Bill saves over $500 in prescription drug costs.

 

Medicare Drug Plans – Who is Advising You?

Where can you go for help and advice for drug plans during Medicare open enrollment 2018? Let’s run down the list.

  • You can do it on your own
  • You can call 1-800-MEDICARE
  • Ask a friend what they have
  • Choose the same plan you spouse has
  • Talk to a volunteer at Georgia Cares
  • Search online
  • Ask an insurance agent
  • Talk with your hair stylist

Obviously there are many choices but whatever route you take during Medicare open enrollment 2018 make sure you consider all of the following.

  • Start with the Medicare plan finder even if you are going to ask for advice
  • Next, record your Drug List ID number and Password Date for future reference
  • Be sure to consider lower cost generics where possible
  • Make sure you are including the lowest cost participating pharmacy’s*
  • Check generic pricing using GoodRx
  • Also check pricing at a Canadian pharmacy such as Blue Sky
  • Include star ratings in your evaluation
  • Don’t just assume the plan that worked well this year is your best choice for 2018
  • If you use an agent, make sure they are looking at ALL available plans, not just the one that compensates them
  • If you use 1-800-MEDICARE ask if they have suggestions on ways to save by purchasing drugs outside of Part D
  • Sometimes free advice is worth what you paid for it

*In 2017 Walgreen’s often has the lowest prices for medications. If your evaluations for this year did not include Walgeen’s as an option you probably never saw the lowest priced drug plans. Low price pharmacy’s change every year. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake for 2018.

 

Look for Medicare Supplement Premium Savings

At Georgia Medicare Plans we do things other agents fail to do. If an agent fails to offer you a free Medigap rate report are they showing you the best options for you or only the plans that pay them the most money?

Every prospective client receives this report for the plan(s) they are considering. Just ask. It’s that simple. We email your report  for review. Take time to study the report and form your questions. We are happy to help.

You have entered the “No Selling Zone”. Most of all, there is no pressure to buy but we do hope to earn your business. Call or email with questions, when you turn 65 or during the Medicare Open Enrollment 2019 dates.

 

#MedicareOpenEnrollment #MedicarePartD #GeorgiaMedicareSupplementRates #Turning65

Filed Under: Medicare, Open Enrollment Tagged With: , , ,

Privacy Policy