California Medicare Supplement | Anthem Medicare Supplement

Anthem Medicare Supplement – International Health Insurance

California Medicare Supplement – Only Available in California

22 February 2010 No Comment

If you are a California resident and have a California Medicare Supplement plan, you have a valuable option available to you which is unique to the state of California. Each year on the month of your birthday, you are allowed to change Medicare Supplement companies which is guaranteed. This option is called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), and offers the California Medigap policy holder the ability to switch companies every year, regardless of your current or previous health status. your rate will not be increased, and you will not have any waiting periods. So if a company raises rates more than their competition, an insured is able to choose a lower priced company, guaranteed!

The Standard option when changing companies which all other states offer is, the beneficiary may request to change at anytime of the year. Although, in this case the new company will review the applicants current health status and the new company is not obligated to issue the policy to the applicant.

Medicare Supplement Rates
Anthem Blue Cross	Gerber Life	Blue Shield
Mutual of Omaha	Family Life	Freedom Blue PPO
Aetna	Health Net	Dental

Birthday Rule …

With the guaranteed annual enrollment period, which is called the “Birthday Rule,” the person can switch to a new company plan with the same or less benefits. Meaning you cannot increase the benefits from what you currently have. In other words, if you have a California Medigap Plan C with Company A, you are allowed to apply to another California Medigap Plan C, or to a plan with less benefits and stay within the California guaranteed issue guidelines.

In other states a Medicare Supplement beneficiary may become locked into a plan, regardless of the monthly premium, simply because of their current health status. Not able to switch to a more reasonable priced plan. The California annual open enrollment period gives the insured more power and control with their Medicare Supplement insurance program. The power to switch companies every year, without being penalized, is available to every California Medicare Supplement policy holder. If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, and enroll into a Medicare Supplement Plan in the State of California, you have these rights. A terrific and valuable law for our California residents which places more control into the hands of our seniors.

Increasing premiums is not always the reason for an insured to switch companies. Customer service issues can often drive a person away from a company. Easy access to customer service representatives, billing accuracy, and claims issues all weigh heavily on our seniors minds when deciding whether to keep a company plan or quickly and easily switch to a new company. With a California Medicare Supplement plan you have the power, not the insurance company.

Please call anytime with questions.