MedicareBob

The older you get, it is always a good idea to be proactive when it comes to your health. The more you know and educate yourself on, the better. March is Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Awareness Month and it is essential to know not only what preventative measures you can take to detect and prevent this disease but what questions to ask your doctor before you have any procedures or screenings done. Some key questions you want to ask your doctor are listed below:

• What screening test(s) do you recommend for me?

• How do I prepare? Do I need to change my diet or my usual medication schedule?

• What’s involved in the test? Will it be uncomfortable or painful?

• Is there any risk involved?

• When and from whom will I get results?

In our previous Wellness Wednesday post, we listed all the different Colorectal Cancer screenings and tests that Medicare covers. Preparing yourself for these tests will help alleviate any of your concerns you might have beforehand. There are many different resources

When can I buy a Medigap policy?

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period. During that time, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. This period automatically starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. If you're able to buy one, it may cost more.

During open enrollment

Medigap insurance companies are generally allowed to use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application and how much to charge you for the Medigap policy. However, even if you have health problems, during your Medigap open enrollment period you can buy any policy the company sells for the same price as people with good health.

Outside open enrollment

If you apply for Medigap coverage after your open enrollment period, there's no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy

Guaranteed issue rights (also called "Medigap protections") are rights you have in certain situations when insurance companies must offer you certain Medigap policies. In these situations, an insurance company:

• Must sell you a Medigap policy

• Must cover all your pre-existing health conditions

• Can't charge you more for a Medigap policy because of past or present health problems

In most cases, you have a guaranteed issue right when you have other health coverage that changes in some way, like when you lose the other health care coverage. In other cases, you have a "trial right" to try a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and still buy a Medigap policy if you change your mind.

You’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, and your plan is leaving Medicare or stops giving care in your area, or you move out of the plan's service area.

You have the right to buy Medigap Plan A, B, C, F, K, or L that’s sold by any insurance company in your state.

You only have this right if you switch to Original M

My name is Robert Bache, MedicareBob. My Insurance Agency, Senior Healthcare Direct helps Medicare Beneficiaries with understanding their Medicare Supplement Insurance options. The 3 most popular and comprehensive Medicare Supplement Plan are Plan F, Plan G and Plan N. Please read below or watch the video below to learn why Medicare Supplement Plan G is my recommendation for 2017.

Medicare Supplement Plan F = Full Coverage

No Copay

No Deductible

Any Doctor / Any Hospital

Medicare Supplement Plan G = Greatest Value

The Plan G will cover you exactly like the Plan F except for one difference. You will have to pay the Part B Deductible, which for 2017 is $183.00. The reason that Plan G is the greatest value is because it is usually $300 to $600 less per year then the Plan F and again the only difference is the $183.00 deductible. So why pay an insurance company $400 just to pay your $183.00 deductible. Plan G just makes more sense.

Medicare Supplement Plan N = Not Fixed

Plan N is a rea

HOW DO INSURANCE COMPANIES SET PRICES FOR MEDIGAP POLICES?

Each insurance company decides how it will set the price, or premium, for its Medigap policies. It’s important to ask how an insurance company prices its policies. The cost of Medigap policies can vary widely. There can be big differences in the premiums that different insurance companies charge for exactly the same coverage. The way they set the price affects how much you pay now and in the future. Medigap policies can be priced or “rated” in 3 ways:

Attained Age Rated

Issue Age Rated

Community Age Rated

Attained Age Rated premiums are based on your current age. This means your premium will go up as you get older. Premiums are low for younger buyers, but go up as you get older. They may be the least expensive at first, but they can eventually become the most expensive. Premiums may also go up because of inflation and other factors.

Issue Age Rated premiums are based on your age when you buy the Medigap policy. This means pr

Are you healthy enough to save money on your Medicare Supplement Plan? In this episode, I will share with you some of the medical underwriting requirements required to switch your Medicare Supplement Plan.

Medicare Supplement Plans allow you to choose your Doctor. As long your Provider accepts Medicare, then your Provider will accept your Medicare Supplement Plan.

Medicare covers Mammograms

Wellness Wednesday Heart Awareness and Cardiovascular Screenings covered by Medicare.

Medicare covers the Flu Shot