New to Medicare or Shopping for a new Plan?  First you must have both Medicare Parts A and B before you can enroll into any Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D Rx plan.  Then you must decide which type of Medicare plan (Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage) plan will fit your needs best. 

What to Consider …

Access, do you have access to most physicians and hospitals or are you limited to a specific network of providers?  What is the monthly premium, is it within your budget?  Company financial strength, A rated companies are the best, B carriers are still fine in my opinion.  A “B” rated company typically doesn’t have enough Life insurance premium on their books to be considered an A rated company.  That is what you will usually find as being the difference between an A rating or B rating.  Customer service needs to be strong, and of course a great source of information is your friends and neighbors.  I will also be happy to provide a little more information regarding these plans to help with your decision.

Guarantee-Issue & Open Enrollment …

Please be aware that “Guarantee-Issue” opportunities are different for Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Advantage plans.  The end-of-year open enrollment periods which you most likely hear about on TV and radio are for the Medicare Advantage (HMO & PPO) plans and Medicare Part D Rx plans.  This is a time you may change companies and plans for the coming year (October 15 through December 7th).  Medicare Supplement plans also have “guarantee-issue” times and situations.  You can review them here.

Quick Links …

• Medicare Supplement Rates
• Guaranteed Issue Guidelines
• Under-Age 65 Medicare Supplement
• Medicare Part D Rx info
• Medicare “Excess Charges”

One of the biggest decisions when choosing between a Medicare Supplement Plan or a Medicare Advantage plan like Freedom Blue comes down to premium.  If premiums were equal the Medicare Supplement plan is considered far superior, because of the greater access to physicians and hospitals nationwide.  Also the coverage is virtually 100% for “Plan F.”  Although with a low or no premium plan like the Anthem Freedom Blue plan which includes the Part D Rx plan, the decision may become more difficult.  Remember a Medicare Supplement plan offers freedom of choice with Medicare-Approved physicians, specialists and hospitals, along with the fact that you will not have deductibles, copays or coinsurance with a Plan F.  You will have to purchase a Medicare Part D Rx plan in addition to the Medicare Supplement.

 

 

The Freedom Blue plan is a Medicare Advantage PPO plan, meaning you can see any physician, specialist or hospital within the PPO network to receive the maximum benefits.  If you see a provider “outside” the PPO network, then you will have to pay higher copays and deductibles.  Although your out-of-pocket maximum ($3,300) will remain the same whether you see a provider in or out of the network.  The out-of-pocket maximum is the total amount of medical copays, coinsurance and deductibles you pay throughout the year.  When this amount reaches $3,300 Anthem Blue Cross is responsible to pay 100% of the approved medical costs for the balance of the calender year.

• 2011 – Anthem Blue Cross – Freedom Blue (PPO)
• Print – Freedom Blue – Application
• Medicare Part D Rx

With a Medicare Supplement plan you can see any physician, specialist and hospital in the United States who accepts Medicare.  That is a fantastic benefit when you desire to see a particular provider when you have a certain condition.  Also when traveling, if you become ill or have an accident, there are no referrals necessary, you simply go to a local doctor or hospital, and Medicare and the Medicare Supplement pays as as if you are in your local area.

 

 

• Freedom Blue Application

When looking for a Medicare Supplement plan you can use this basic chart above to lead you in the right direction when deciding on a particular plan.

Also be sure to click the different company links above to view the monthly rates.

Applying is easy; simply print the company application and mail or fax it to the address below.  Most companies will need the first months dues which will have to be mailed before the policy is approved.

Please feel free to call anytime with questions.

Need help or have questions?

John Conner
Health & Medicare
www.JohnConner.com
john@johnconner.com
800-700-1246 – phone
800-995-9913 – fax

 

Medicare Supplement,  Health Insurance,  Dental,  Freedom Blue PPO