HIPAA guaranteed health insurance for California residents …
If you have had health insurance for the last 18 months without a gap of more than 63 days, you may have the right to buy a California HIPAA individual health insurance policy.  However, you must first use up Federal COBRA/Cal-COBRA if you qualified for that coverage.
So in other words, for those who are exhausting their COBRA benefits or are losing group health coverage with no employer contribution offering, HIPAA regulations allow you to purchase guaranteed-issue health coverage under the following rules:

COBRA or …

If you are under age 65 and disabled or have ESRD, you may be able to buy the Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy you want.  Medicare Supplement policies are purchased when an individual becomes eligible for Medicare Parts A and B.  Once you have Medicare Part B you will have an open enrollment period (six months from the time your Part B coverage goes into effect) where you are guaranteed coverage regardless of your current or previous health status.  You can purchase any Medicare Supplement policy from any company offering under …

The popular Blue Cross Medicare Supplement insurance plans which are available in most states are some of the most popular Medigap plan nationally.  The Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans work closely with Original Medicare to cover most if not all of the; Part A, Part B and the 20% part B coinsurance original Medicare does not cover.
The Medicare program provides healthcare coverage for seniors over the age of 65 and disabled individuals.  Since the program was implemented in 1966, the number of Medicare beneficiaries (members) has increased from 19 million …

What is new and important with Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans in 2010?
New laws have brought many changes to Medicare Supplement insurance policies.  these changes give you choices in health care coverage to fill gaps in services that original Medicare doesn’t cover.

Basic Benefits - Starting with policies effective on or after June 1, 2010, Hospice Part A coinsurance (outpatient prescription drug and inpatient respite care coinsurance) will be covered as a basic benefit.  Plan K will cover 50%, and Plan L will cover 75% of these costs.
Part B Coinsurance …

There are dozens of California Medicare Supplement companies providing the different Medigap plans A through N.  All companies set their own rates and handle their customer service and administrative departments their own way.  California is one of the only states which offers the “Birthday Rule,” which allows a California Medicare Supplement member to change companies yearly on the month of their birthday … guaranteed.  Out of all of a Seniors options regarding California companies, plans, rates, customer service, one of my favorite companies is and always has been Anthem Blue Cross.

 Monthly Rates

Anthem Application

Anthem …

Approaching age 65 or coming off of your group plan?  Retirement can be a confusing time.  Not for the fact you are retiring or are now age 65, but simply because Medicare is now part of your life.  And with Medicare, comes the massive stack of mail, and fliers you are flooded with from just about every insurance company in your state.  Most will either pile it up in the corner, or throw the junk out.  So what type of Medicare plan are you looking for.  That’s a tough question to …

If you currently have a Medicare Supplement plan with Anthem Blue Cross or any other company, and wish to complete a new Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Supplement application, because you are changing to Anthem, or simply updating to the new Modernized Medicare Supplement policies which became effective 6/1/2010, you can access your states Anthem applications below.  I have also included the monthly premiums for each state for your convenience.
Anthem is an easy company to apply to; simply print your appropriate state application and fax it to me along with a copy …

Anthem Medicare Supplement plans are always a good choice if you are in a hurry to process your application.  Anthem seems to be one of the most efficient companies providing Medicare Supplement plans.  And their rates can be very competitive depending on the county of residence. 
Most of us have heard of the negative press over the past year regarding the massive rate increases Anthem was planning.  These rate adjustments were for their under-age 65 plans, individual and family, along with some of their group plans.  What you never heard on …

Gerber Life is a fabulous company with very competitive rates, but if you are in a hurry to receive your Medicare Supplement approval and ID card, you may have to wait a little longer than some other top Med Supp carriers.  Currently Gerber, by their own account, is taking 4 to 6 weeks to process a Medicare Supplement application.  The reason, seem to be the unexpected increase in application volume, most likely because of their competitive monthly premiums.  Large volumes of applications entering processing departments will increase approval times regardless of the company.  We usually …

Blue Shield of California now offers the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program to subscribers of the Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans throughout California.  The current Medigap subscribers can join the Silver Sneakers program at no additional cost and enjoy fitness, fun and friends with the award-winning program.  Designed exclusively for older adults and taught by certified instructors, offers an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle direction and social opportunities to Medicare-eligible individuals.  Studies have found individuals who participate in Silver Sneakers have a significantly lower risk of depression and require …

The Anthem Medicare Supplement plan G is one of the favorite Medigap plans available today.  Plan G covers all of the gaps in original Medicare except for the one benefit separating this plan from Medicare Supplement plan F, the $155 Part B annual deductible.   Plan G is usually very affordable in most states, and typically costs $20 per month or so less the plan F.  Be sure to compare the Anthem Plan G with the Plan F.  If G is at least $13 less than Plan F per month, you may …

Western Health Advantage is a Sacramento area local health plan, which offers unique advantages, which other plans can’t.  They are here to bring you easier access to care, not obstacles to treatment.  And you don’t have to take my word for it.  The state office of the Patient Advocate recently ranked Western Health Advantage with four stars - the highest possible rating - WHA led five of the 12 member satisfaction categories in which it was measured, more than any other health plan in the state.

#1 in Answering Phone calls within …

The Gerber Medicare Supplement plan G or any other company plan G is the same plan as a Medicare Supplement plan F, without the Part B annual deductible of $155.00 being paid for.  So with a Plan G you are typically receiving a very comprehensive policy at a lower monthly premium to the popular Plan F.  You can view the chart, and compare the different plans here.  If you are concerned about “Part B Excess” charges, you should read this.  When choosing the right plan, consider the monthly premium and …

The Gerber Medicare Supplement application at first look may seem like quite a task to complete.  Actually the application is designed to be completed rather quickly.  It is a one or two person application, so if yourself and a spouse are applying at the same time, one application is used.

Part 1:  Is for the typical personal information such as; name, address, phone, date of birth, Medicare number, email address, male or female, height and weight.
Part 2:  Asks a few general yes/no questions; have you used tobacco in the last twelve months, do you …

Anthem Dental Blue dental PPO plans give you the power to choose …
Anthem now has made choosing a dental plan easier.  They have two Dental Blue PPO individual and family plans and a HMO plan for you to choose from, we are confident you will find the one that is right for you.  Plan benefits, premiums and coinsurance amounts vary, however, all offer:

One of the largest networks, with more than 20,000 participating dentists in California to choose from.
Large choice of dental specialists.
Deductibles are waived for covered in network cleanings, exams and …

Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans are competitively priced, they offer most of the new Modernized Medicare Supplement plans and are extremely easy to deal with regarding customer service.  So why is Anthem Blue Cross one of the most popular Medigap plans nationwide?  Simple, their great premiums, excellent customer service and easy access to their billing and claims departments.
Anthem Medicare Supplement plans are available in 14 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.  The fact they are in many states may not …

Family Life Medicare Supplement plans …
Family Life is quickly becoming a medigap company who everyone is noticing.  Very low premiums, excellent customer service and very easy to contact.  Family Life is a name some of us have not heard of … yet.  Currently offering Medicare Supplement plans in 35 states, Family Life consistently has some of the lowest rates in the U.S. including California, Colorado, Nevada and Arizona.  They are able to offer these plans at low prices because they spend less money on marketing.  As a result, they are able to pass …

A Gerber Medicare Supplement plan F will cover virtually all of your Medicare eligible medical costs.  Except your Part D prescriptions which are a separate insurance policy all together.  Plan F pays for your Medicare Part A hospital deductible of $1,100 per benefit period (up to six deductibles per year).  Also your Medicare Supplement plan F will pay your Medicare Part B annual deductible of $155 for all of your outpatient services.  The Skilled Nursing Facility Care coinsurance is also covered with a Plan F, along with Emergency Foreign Travel.
Compare Gerber Rates …

Medicare Supplement plans in California offer a fantastic benefit called the “Birthday Rule.”  This rule allows you to switch companies each year on the month of your birthday, without having to answer any medical questions.  This move is guaranteed as long the move is to a plan with equal or less benefits.  All Medicare Supplement companies in California must follow this birthday rule.

Compare Medicare Supplement plans in California
All other States

You need to know the difference between the different Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.  Medigap plans are insurance policies sold by private …

Medicare Supplement plans, for the most part, pay for the Medicare deductibles and 20 percent coinsurance (depending on your plan) which you are responsible for when you see a doctor or hospital.  So let’s talk about some of the common terms you need to be aware of with Medicare and a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan:
Common Terms:

Birthday Rule - (Unique in only a few States) allows a current Medicare Supplement insured to switch to another company each year on the month of their birthday to a plan will equal or less benefits.  …