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

Live in Philadelphia and Turning 65- What Do I do about Medicare Insurance?

4/10/2013 So, what’s your story? When we receive a call from someone who lives in Philadelphia and is turning 65, we can almost hear it in their voice- I don’t understand all this medicare stuff, I am getting tons of mail from AARP, Blue Cross, Keystone 65 and many other companies-just tell me what is the best/right Medicare Insurance for me and I’ll get it. Unfortunately, it is not that easy. There are many variables that will determine the “right” plan for a particular individual. How is your health? Are you OK with co-pays? Is a low premium the #1 priority? Are you on many prescriptions? Are those prescription brands? Are you OK with an HMO? Are your doctors and hospitals in the network? Are you a snowbird? These are some of the questions that might help us determine the “right” Medicare insurance. As you can guess, we are thorough. We share the same goal that you have- to get you into the “right” medicare plan at the lowest possible Cost. Perhaps best of all, there is no cost for our services-you don’t pay us a penny. Give us a call-we’d love to speak to you- (215) 658-1776.

I live in Philadelphia, turning 65 and have questions about Medicare

04/07/2013 Every day, I receive 5-10 phone calls with the caller telling me a minor variation of the following: I am turning 65 soon, going onto Medicare, and I don’t understand how any of this Medicare/Medicare insurance works. I know I have to get something else, but I am very confused. I need really good coverage, but want to spend as little as possible. Does this sound like you? If so, I can help! I am a local expert, helping seniors (and people on Medicare) with their Medicare decisions. I am very big on education, and I make house calls! Perhaps best of all, there is no cost for my services, expertise or advise. Whatever plan you decide to proceed with, whether AARP or Blue Cross or whatever plan, THEY pay me, not you. Lastly, I guarantee the lowest prices. I am completely unbiased, and share the same goal as you, to get in the right Medicare plan at the lowest cost. Live in Philadelphia or suburbs? Need help with it your medicare decisions. Call (215) 658-1776.

Medicare in Philadelphia- Don’t Make These Four Mistakes

Turning 65 soon? already 65 but have coverage through employer/prior employer? These are four common mistakes that you will want to avoid.

1. Do not miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) You must sign up for Medicare when you are 65. If you are working you’ll still need to sign up for Part A. The IEP is a 7 month period (3 months before, your birthday month, and three months after your 65^th birthday). Miss it and you face penalties when you do finally sign up. However, there are some special circumstances that you do not need to do this. One of those is if you are currently working and have credible coverage through that employer. 2. Don’t Stay on COBRA Too Long If you stop work and go onto COBRA, you have a limited time period to sign up for Medicare. If delay, you will then have to wait for the General Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 – March 31) to enroll. Then, Part B of Medicare will go into effect July 1. 3. Don’t Think Medicare is Free For most people, there is no cost to you for Medicare Part A (hospital coverage). However, most seniors will have to pay a premium of $104.90/month for Medicare Part B (doctor visits/outpatient care, etc.. Medicare Part B only pays about 80% of your costs. You will have to pay the other 20%- if you do not have other coverage. Other coverage, such as a Medicare Advantage Plan though Keystone 65, or a Medicare Supplement Plan through AARP also have a cost. 4. Make sure you shop around and get the right plan at the lowest cost Coverage, costs, benefits vary among insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage and Medicare Drug plans. Medicare supplement plans are standardized (all companies must offer the same benefits) but the prices can vary by hundreds of dollars between companies. Shop around to get onto the right plan at the lowest cost. Avoiding these mistakes are critical. It’s all pretty confusing. Let us help-we will make sure you fully understand all your options and will walk you though every step of the way. Best of all, there is no cost for our services! Just call us at 215-658-1776

Medicare Advantage Plans All Year Around

04/02/2013 The “normal” annual enrollment period (AEP) last between October 15 and December 7. This is the time Medicare beneficiaries can get into a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAPD) or change their Medicare Advantage Plan (MAPD). That being said, some Medicare recipients may still be able to changing or securing a MAPD. There are several Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) types, that if you are eligible, you can get into a MAPD or change your existing MAPD. Below are some of theses SEP’s: Change in residency: If you are living in New Jersey and move to Philadelphia, this opens up a SEP. You are permitted to select a new MAPD in your new location. Dual-Eligible Individuals: Simply put if you are on both Medicare and receive any type of assistance from the Medicaid program you can change almost anytime to a new and different Medicare Advantage plan. Loss of Dual-Eligible Status: If you loose Medicaid eligibility you can then seek and secure a new MAPD. Trial Right:You are allowed to leave a MAPD within the first 12 months(trial right) and go back to a Medicare Supplement plan anytime within that 12 month trial period. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program: In Pennsylvania, this is called PACE. If you are on Pace or PaceNet, this opens a SEP, and you can get into a MAPD at anytime. LIS, Low Income Subsidy beneficiaries: If someone is receiving extra help through social security or low income subsidy, they also qualifies as a SEP. SNP Special Needs Plans: If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you can get into one specific carrier’s MAPD. As you can see from above, there are special situations when seniors, or those with disabilities and on Medicare, can make plan changes or secure an advantage plan outside the normal annual enrollment period. We fully realize that this is pretty confusing. If you find yourself in one of these situations or have any questions, just call (215) 658-1776 and we will assisit you every step of the way.