April 7, 2016
If you're nearing your 65th birthday, it’s safe to assume that you're likely paying more attention to all of the Medicare ads on television. Making the transition from traditional health insurance to Medicare can be a bit overwhelming, and this is especially relevant for those who've recently retired, as well as those who always had coverage under their spouse or employer's health plan. Regardless of where you stand in the process, the need to be prepared in time for the Medicare Open Enrollment remains universally important.
For those who are just now starting the research, here is a very basic Medicare overview to help you better understand the various coverage options; and which ones are most appropriate for your evolving health needs.
Original Medicare Parts A and B
At the most basic level, both Parts A and B are provided by the government. Part A is provided to you at no cost, though it does not cover every type of medical expense. Medicare Part B can be purchased through the government to help with the costs of services not covered under Part A. With regards to coverage, Part A covers things like doctor visits, hospital stays and preventative care, as well as a wide range of other common treatments. It does not, however, cover surgical procedures, prescription medications, specialized procedures and others covered under Part B.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Making the decision to go with a Medicare Advantage Plan is increasingly popular, as it covers a wide spectrum of health services and keeps things easily-managed under one account. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare Parts A and B, and eliminates the need to purchase Part D prescription drug coverage. Keep in mind that if you do enroll in Medicare Advantage, you will not be able to purchase additional Medicare supplements. Still, many find this to be one of the most convenient options, based on the broad range of coverage it offers.
Medicare Supplements
For those enrolled in Medicare Part A (or A and B), you have the option of purchasing Medigap supplements which provide even greater coverage. There are a total of 10 unique Medicare supplements available in Illinois, though the most popular include Medicare Plans G and F, as well as High-deductible Plan F. Equally popular is Medicare Part D, which covers the cost of prescription medications. If you would like more information on the various Medicare supplements and what they cover, our agents will be happy to go over them in detail
Free Medicare Enrollment Assistance in the Chicago Area
If you're turning 65 this year and looking for free, professional help signing up for Medicare, Premier Financial Insurance would love to help. We staff a team of licensed Illinois health insurance agents, each with ample experience in all aspects of Medicare. There is never any pressure to buy coverage from us, rather, we strive to make the process easy and stress-free, while eliminating the chance of oversights or common application mistakes.
Call Premier in Lisle today at 800-369-0287 to learn more or get started with your Medicare preparation checklist. You can also e-mail us in confidence through our website's secure contact page.