For people on Medicare, there are some changes to be aware of for 2018
“Medicare is going to replace everyone’s Medicare card starting in April 2018 through April 2019. The cards will be replaced on a scheduled basis. Everyone will get a new card that will have the Social Security number removed and replaced with a unique ID number. It will look different. Nobody needs to initiate anything.”
SCAMS
“There are a lot of scams. There are people calling Medicare beneficiaries, saying they need to pay $35 for these new cards. But Medicare will never call to verify a Medicare number,” or ask for money.
For people on Medicare, there are some changes to be aware of for 2018.
The open enrollment period for Part D prescription drug plans and Part C Medicare Advantage plans is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
Prescription drug plans, known as Part D, are advisable for people on Medicare if you are not enrolled in an HMO with drug coverage.
In the past, Medicare allowed companies to merge their enrollees with existing plans,” we have not heard if that is still true.
It’s important to read the annual notice of change from your company. “If people choose not to renew, they have extra time to find other coverage, but it’s important to pay attention to the dates.”
You shouldn’t risk a coverage gap. If this particular plan ends Dec. 31, you have until Feb. 28 to renew. But that leaves two months uncovered — you don’t want to do that.
People who have prescription drug coverage from a retiree plan do not need to enroll in a Part D plan. You don’t need to do anything. If you have credible coverage from a former employer or the Veterans Administration, you don’t need to enroll.
Medicare Plan F vs. Plan G: Which One is Right For You?
With so many Medicare plan options available, it’s hard to know which plan will meet your medical needs, especially when it comes to coverage. By comparing Medicare Plan F vs. Plan G, you can determine which plan can better supplement your existing coverage.
Plans F and G are known as Medicare (or Medigap) Supplement Plans. They cover the excess charges that original Medicare does not, such as out-of-pocket costs for hospital and doctor’s office care.
You may be asking yourself this question: What really is the difference between these two plans? When comparing Medicare Plan F and Plan G, it’s important to note their similarities. These two plans offer the same basic benefits, which include:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Up to 80 percent of foreign travel coverage
- No out-of-pocket limit
With this much similarity, you’d think they were the same plan. However, the differences between Plan F and Plan G make them virtually polar opposites.
Spot the Difference in Plan F vs. Plan G
With Medicare Plan F, you’re getting the plan with the most coverage available. In addition to the above coverage, Plan F exclusively covers deductible payments for both Medicare parts. It can protect you from excess charges and deductibles with Part B, which Plan G doesn’t cover.
This much coverage, however, may come with a high-deductible option. That means payments of up to $2,180 may be required on the deductible for the plan to cover any of the costs for coverage.
Even though Plan G doesn’t cover Part B’s deductible, the annual premium savings can help offset out-of-pockets expenses. Because of this and the amount of coverage you receive, Plan G could be considered as the more affordable of the two Medigap plans.
So Which One Is Right?
When you’re stuck comparing two or more plans, it can feel like a game of tug-of-war with you in the middle. At https://Insuredmeds.com we want to make sure you get the right Medicare Supplement Plan for your needs. Best of all, there is no cost to you for our service.
We can help you compare Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. Plan G to figure out which one fits right with you. Fill out our requests form,  Call us at 845-380-5809 or find a licensed agent near you.
Go to our secure website https://www.InsuredMeds.com for more information and free quotes.
I will be in the Newburgh, N.Y. Walmart 10/15 to 12/7 during the Annual Open Enrolment Period- 1201 Rt. 300, Newburgh ,N.Y. and available by appointment.