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

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.

What Does Medicare Insurance Cover?

Posted on 05/02/2013 What Does Medicare Health Insurance Cover? When a person becomes Medicare eligible, Medicare becomes their health insurance. It is not required to purchase any additional coverage. When that Medicare beneficiary seeks medical care, such as a doctor visit, lab work, or a hospital stay, she shows her red white and blue Medicare card, and that is it. Medicare will pay for the majority of these bills, and the patient is responsible for a portion of those costs as well. Some of the items that the Medicare Beneficiary is responsible for:

Hospital Stay-Per Admission deductible of $1,184
Hospital Stay 61-90 Days- Per Day copay $296
Hospital Stay 91-150 Days- Per Day copay $592
Medical (Part B) Annual Deductible of $147
Medical (Part B) Co-Insurance of 20% for all Medical Part B expenses, such as dr visits, outpatient surgery, diagnostic, lab, physical therapy, etc.
Prescriptions are not covered by original Medicare

As you can see, there are many “gaps” in Medicare, where the Medicare beneficiary is responsible for potentially large outlays. For this reason, the great majority of seniors purchase some type of additional Medicare Insurance to supplement Medicare. Medicare remains the person’s primary insurance, and the Medicare Supplement plan (also known as Medigap) merely pays for all or most of the above mentioned costs that the beneficiary would otherwise have to pay. The Three Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans- Plan F, Plan G & Plan N When a Medicare beneficiary purchases a Medicare Supplement Plan, Medicare remains his primary insurance, and the Medicare Supplement Plan will pay for most or all of the deductibles, copays and co-insurance that he would normally have to pay. Medicare Supplement Plan F is the richest plan. With Plan F, the senior is not responsible for any out of pocket costs- the Medicare Supplement plan pays for everything. For example, for a hospital stay, dr. visits, and lab work, the patient pays nothing. This can all be confusing. we are here to help! Just call (215) 658-1776 and we will assist you any way possible.

New Medicare Supplement Plan in Philadelphia – Cigna

Posted on April 29, 2013

Great news for Pennsylvania residents looking for Medicare Supplement Plans. Cigna has a new Medicare Supplement plan with extremely competitive rates. A Cigna Medicare Plan offers you the following: 1. Local company, right here in Philadelphia, PA 2. A huge insurance carrier, specializing in health insurance and Medicare 3. Very competitive rates So, if you live in Philadelphia, or anywhere in Pennsylvania, give us a call at (215) 658-1776. If you are new to Medicare, Cigna offers you a great coverage at a great price. If you currently have a Medicare Supplement plan and want to lower your rates, call us- there is a very good chance you can get the identical coverage, at a significant premium savings.

Warminster Library Senior Spaces-Medicare Workshop

4/24/2013 Allen Heffler will be presenting a workshop on Medicare and Medicare Insurance on Thursday April 25 10AM. Warminster Library is located at 1076 Emma Lane, Warminster, PA. Turning 65 in the next year? This will be a great educational seminar to attend.