Blog By Allen Heffler - Medicare & insurance broker By Allen Heffler Willow Grove

Independence Blue Cross Keystone 65 Select HMO

Posted on 06/11/2013 Introducing Independence Blue Cross Keystone 65 Select HMO– a new Medicare Advantage Plan available to residents of Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding four counties. This is quite exciting for numerous reasons. First, it is through a great Medicare Advantage company, Independence Blue Cross. Many people in the Philadelphia area have had their health coverage through IBC in the past, and it it a local carrier that they know and trust. Second, it provides comprehensive coverage that you can count on. Solid coverage, with low co-pays. Lastly, the premiums are extremely affordable! The Keystone 65 Select HMO is available four different ways 1. Medical Only- $0 Premium 2. Medical with Rx coverage- $31.50 Premium (Philadelphia & Bucks counties) $46.50 (Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties) 3. Medical with Choice Program- $10.00 Premium (Philadelphia & Bucks counties) $10.00 (Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties) 4. Medical with Rx and Choice Program- $41.50 Premium (Philadelphia & Bucks counties) $56.50 (Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties) The Choice Program offers Preventive Dental, Vision care and a Hearing benefit. All of the above plans provide the Silver Sneakers benefit- a free fitness program that many area gyms participate in. So, if you are looking for a great Medicare Advantage plan through a local company that you trust, with comprehensive coverage at at affordable monthly premium, Keystone 65 Select HMO could be the right plan for you. Just give us a call at (215) 658-1776

On Medicare? Live in Philadelphia? Stay in Shape!

Posted on 06/07/2013 Being a bit older doesn’t mean you have to give up on your favorite summer activities. On the contrary, there has never been a better time to enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family. As we age, it is vital to get outside and enjoy nature, since that can assist in healing, both mentally and physically. If you are a senior, here are a few suggestions to for some great summer activities. Water Aerobics- Great way to relieve stress and also relieve some aches and pains. A senior would get a lot of health benefits, both mentally and physically from water aerobics. This possibly could assist a bit with such ailments as arthritis and inflammation of the joints Gardening- A great way to relieve some stress and anxiety, while making the outside of your house beautiful. Gardening can be as simple as planting a few new flowers in your yard or you can do a vegetable garden. You will get some great workout and it could keep you active all summer long. Fishing- A great activity to do alone or with friends and family. You can go to a lake or a pond, pack your favorite snack or sandwich, and enjoy the experience of catching a nice fish. It’s great for a senior, since it does not require too much physical labor and is a great way to relax and enjoy nature. Bird Watching- A great summer activity which requires little physical work. All that is needed is to have a decent pair of binoculars, which might cost about $20. You can sit on your porch or your front lawn, or you can go to a park and bird watch. Might be great for a senior who has limited mobility or can not handle the summer heat or too much of a work out. Walk- Taking a daily walk is a great summer activity that will physically and help you clear your mind as well. It is a great, low impact activity that will help you stay in shape. You can walk alone, walk with friends and family, or take your dog out for a walk. Exercising is important as we age, since our body tends to slow down. Enjoy the summer, stay in shape, and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Allen Heffler Pres. MyMedicareAdvisor.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Philadelphia, PA

Posted on 05/31/2013 Medicare Supplement Plans are also called Medigap plans, since these plans fill in the gaps in coverage of Original Medicare Part A & Part B. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans (Part C of Medicare), which serve as alternative to traditional Medicare, Medigap plans supplement Medicare. With Medigap plans, Medicare is the primary insurance. Items such as deductibles and co-pays that Medicare does not pay, your Medigap plan picks up. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, which have deductibles and co-pays, most Medigap plans have no deductibles, co-pays, or network restrictions. Medigap plans are standardized by Medicare. There are ten different Medigap plans that are available, such as Plan F, Plan G & Plan N. Because these plans are standardized, there is no difference whatsoever between one insurance company’s Plan vs another company’s. Well, two differences- the logo on the card and the price they charge. Medicare Supplement Plan F is the richest Medigap Plan available. With this plan, when you see a Medicare provider or facility, you will never have to pay a single dollar for any treatment. So if you see a doctor, get diagnostic work, or if you are in a hospital, whether your bill is $100 or $100,000, you will not pay a penny for the Medicare approved charges. Medicare Supplement Plan F: No deductibles No co-pays No referrals No network restrictions As always, we are here to assist you. Any questions, call us at (215) 658-1776.

Leaving Employer Health Insurance and Need Medicare Insurance?

Posted on 05/28/2013 If you are leaving an employer sponsored health insurance plan and need Medicare information, guidance, or Medicare Insurance, we can help. MyMedicareAdvisor stand ready to assist you for this transition into the wonder world of Medicare. Many people start to do their Medicare research several months prior to retirement. They realize that Medicare is the “new normal” for their health insurance so they roll up their sleeves and go to work. It can all seem pretty confusing, but it really doesn’t and shouldn’t be that way. We are here to help! There are Four Parts of Medicare Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance. There is no cost to Medicare Part A for most of us. Medicare Part A covers most of your Hospital stay, while you are required to pay a deductible and possibly a per-day co-pay. Medicare Part B– Medical Insurance. For most of us, the premium that Medicare charges is $104.90/month. Part B covers such items as doctor visits, diagnostic testing, outpatient surgery and so on. There is a deductible that you are responsible for, and after that is met, Medicare pays 80% of the charges and you are responsible for 20% of all the charges. Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans. These are insurance policies run by insurance companies that manage your Medicare covered services. Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage. This is the prescription drug component of Medicare. It is offered only through private insurance carriers. Many seniors will get additional coverage over an beyond Medicare Part A and Part B, because there are significant gaps in coverage, such as deductible, co-insurance, and lack of prescription coverage. To put it another way, if you only have Medicare Part A and Part B, you could be responsible for significant outlays for you medical care. For this reason, seniors will decide on either a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a Medicare Supplement Plan and a Part D prescription Plan. Let us help you decipher which way is best! Just call us at (215) 658-1776.