Cigna- New Medicare Supplement Plan Approved in Philadelphia & Suburbs

Posted on 05/20/2013 Great news! Cigna has a new Medicare Supplement Plan being offered in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Rates are extremely competitive. How low are the rates? For a 65 year old female, the monthly premium for a Medigap Plan F is $168.50, Plan G-$126.08 and Plan N-$100.41. For a 65 year old male, the monthly premium for Plan F-$168.50, Plan G-$145.00 and Plan N-$115.47. Cigna is an A+ rated carrier, with headquarters right here in Philadelphia and the company does a great job with health insurance. If you are new to Medicare, Cigna is a carrier that you should consider. If you currently are on Medicare and looking to possibly change Supplement Plans, Cigna could very well provide you with the same coverage that you currently have, but you might be able to save hundreds on you premium. Questions? We are here to help you every step of the way. Give us a call at (215) 658-1776

Live in Philadelphia, Turning 65 & Need Help with Medicare Insurance?

Posted on 05/14/2013 Do you live in the five-county Philadelphia Pennsylvania area? Are you going onto Medicare soon? If you are, than you are probably wading through a lot of confusing material concerning Medicare and all your Medicare Insurance options. To many seniors, it is all pretty confusing. The first decision that a senior needs to make is whether to opt for a Medicare Supplement Plan (also know as Medigap) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Part C if Medicare). Medicare Advantage Plans are becoming more and more popular. These plans are have significantly lower premiums than Medigap plans, and several of these plans offer extra benefits, such as vision, dental, hearing and even a a gym membership. These plans, however, often have higher copays for such medical costs as doctor visits and hospital stays. When that senior is deciding between both plans, the lower premium and extra benefits of a Medicare Advantage Plan looks great, but there sometimes there is hesitancy due to the higher copays. What most senior don’t know is that Medicare allows seniors to “try out” a Medicare Advantage plan such as Keystone 65 or Bravo Health and have the option that if you don’t like it, you can get out without any problems. This is something that every senior should be aware of, since it is such an important component of someone’s Medicare decision. So, you are getting ready to sign up for Medicare. You are considering a Medicare Advantage Plan, possibly with Keystone 65 or Bravo Health. The low premium sounds very attractive, but you are still a bit hesitant. You are not 100% sure that’s what you want a Medicare Advantage Plan. What if something goes wrong? What if the copays add up too fast? It is important that you are aware of the Medicare Advantage Trial Period, which is a test run for new Medicare Beneficiaries who want to try out a Medicare Advantage Plan. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stipulate that Medicare beneficiaries have a 12-month period to try out a Medicare Advantage plan. If they are dissatisfied, they can disenroll from that plan anytime during the one year period, prior to the one-year anniversary of the effective date. They can rejoin Original Medicare and have a guaranteed right to purchase a Medicare Supplement policy. This guaranteed right means that the Medicare Supplement insurance company cannot deny you coverage, no matter your health status. Let’s look at a real life example of CMS’s trial period: Bob is turning 65 in September 2013 and Medicare Part A & B become effective September 1, 2013. Bob enrolls in a Medicare Advantage Plan, through Independence Blue Cross Keystone 65 Select HMO, effective September 1, 2013. His trial period lasts to August 31, 2014. If he does not like his Medicare Advantage Plan, anytime during that time period, for any reason, he can get out of his existing Medicare Advantage plan, go back into Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan, all on a guaranteed basis by CMS. So, if you are going onto Medicare soon, and thinking about a Medicare Advantage Plan, know that you can “kick the tires.” Try it out for up to one year and if you like it, you are able to make a change, no questions asked.   Are you under 65 and looking for health insurance? Click on  PA HEALTH EXCHANGE

Live in Pennsylvania? Need Health Insurance?

Posted on 05/08/2013 Great news! If you live in the Philadelphia area, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, or anywhere in between, there is a great new website that let’s you navigate and compare your health options. Simply go to PA HEALTH EXCHANGE for all your health insurance needs. Whether you are a 27 year old single or a family of four, the new website Pennsylvania Health Exchange will provide you with instant quotes and allow you to compare plans. And, when the new Healthcare law goes into full effect, the PA Health Insurance site will be fully functional for all your needs!

Independence Blue Cross Keystone 65 Select HMO

Posted 05/06/2013 I see many seniors in Philadelphia with Keystone 65 Preferred HMO plans and I can only scratch my head in disbelief. If YOU have the Keystone 65 Preferred plan through Independence Blue Cross (IBC), continue reading, and learn how you can stay with IBC, stay with Keytone 65, but save about $1,000/year. Prior to January 1, 2012, the Keystone 65 Preferred HMO was the only Keystone 65 plan offered by IBC.  However, on that date, IBC introduced the NEW Keystone 65 Select HMO.  This new, Select plan has slightly higher co-pays than the Preferred plan. For example, primary care doctor visits are an extra $10, specialist visits an extra $5, hospital stays an extra $30/day (for 7 days), and Rx an extra $180 upfront deductible. However, the premium for the new Keystone 65 Select HMO is $131 less per month than the old Preferred plan; over a year’s time that is a cost savings of over $1,500! In you factor in some higher copays with the new plan, most seniors would probably save well over $1,000 a year!  This is with the same IBC that you know and love, offers the same Silver Sneakers, dental, vision and hearing.  So…if you have Keystone 65 Preferred and want to save $, give us a call at (215)658-1776. We are here to assist you and help you get into the right plan at the lowest possible cost.   © 2012 Independence Blue Cross. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving the health insurance needs of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.