#medigap – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

2024 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024Ed MacConnell

On October 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2024 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help more than 10 million people with coverage of Medicare premiums and, in most cases, other cost sharing. In their continued efforts to improve access to health care and lower costs for millions of Americans, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS, recently finalized a rule to streamline enrollment in MSPs, making coverage more affordable for an estimated 860,000 people. In addition, the… Read More

Decisions for someone who is nearing age 65

December 12, 2023December 12, 2023Ed MacConnell

As you near age 65, you need to learn about Medicare coverage choices and make several important enrollment decisions. This fact sheet will give you a list of the steps you shouldtake and tell you about resources to help you make your Medicare enrollment decisions. There can be penalties if you do not enroll on time, so it is best to complete these tasksat least 3 months BEFORE you turn 65. Please note you can enroll on Medicare Parts A & B with Medicare about 90 days before your 65th birthday. IF YOU ARE STILL WORKING and your company has less than 20 employees you still MUST enroll on Medicare… Read More

Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services, & Prevention Programs: Booklet

August 24, 2023July 12, 2023Wendy Lopez

This booklet explains Medicare coverage of diabetes supplies and services in Original Medicare and with Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Original Medicare is fee-for-service coverage. The government usually pays your health care providers directly for your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits. If you have other insurance that supplements Original Medicare, like a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, it may pay some of the costs for some.services described in this booklet. For a comprehensive understanding of Medicare coverage for diabetes supplies and services, download this informative booklet today! As always if you have any questions or concerns about this bulleting please contact your Medicare health… Read More

Alert: 2023 mid-year IBC Group Medigap rate increase

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023Ed MacConnell

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) recently received approval from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to increase monthly premium rates effective July 1, 2023 for: The following plans did not have a rate increase: H with Rx, F(HD), N, and G(HD). Please review the 2023 Mid-Year Medigap Rate Increase – Medigap Security & Security 65 document for more information on call scripting and see below for related links for rate change letters and rate sheets.

How does Original Medicare work?

January 27, 2023January 24, 2023Ed MacConnell

Original Medicare covers most, but not all of the costs for approved health care services and supplies. After you meet your deductible, you pay your share of costs for services and supplies as you get them. There’s no limit on what you’ll pay out-of-pocket in a year unless you have other coverage (like Medigap, Medicaid, or employee or union coverage). Services covered by Medicare must be medically necessary. Medicare also covers many preventive services, like shots and screenings. If you go to a doctor or other health care provider that accepts the Medicare-approved amount, your share of costs may be less. If you get a service that Medicare doesn’t cover,… Read More

When can I buy a Medigap plan?

October 24, 2022July 25, 2022Ed MacConnell

3 Types of Medigap Rating Structure

October 12, 2022August 2, 2022Ed MacConnell

Attained-Aged: Premium based on current age when policy is issued. Premium goes up as you get older AND may go up due to a rate increase. All Medigap Freedom plans are Attained-Aged rated. Issued-Aged: Premium based on the age you are when you buy (are issued) the Medigap policy. Premium DOES NOT go up as you get older AND may go up due to a rate increase. Community: Same premium is charged to everyone who has the Medigap policy, regardless of age. Premium DOES NOT go up as you get older AND may go up due to a rate increase. Call your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc Medicare health insurance specialists… Read More

Key Differences: Medigap Open Enrollment, AEP, and ICEP

October 4, 2022July 28, 2022Ed MacConnell

Medigap Open Enrollment Period: six (6) month period starting the first of the month a beneficiary turns 65 or enrolls into Part B, whichever is later. Once in a lifetime EXCEPT for Guaranteed Issue situation or beneficiaries under 65. Annual Election Period (AEP): Medicare Advantage or PDP ONLY. Every year from October 15th to December 7th. Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP): Medicare Advantage Only. With most ICEPs, occurs 3 months prior, the month of and 3 months after a beneficiary’s 65th birthday. The professionals at Total Benefit Solutions, Inc are here to help you understand your Medicare health insurance choices. Call us today at (215)355-2121.

Medigap Open Enrollment Period

September 13, 2022July 28, 2022Ed MacConnell

Most beneficiaries get ONE Medigap Open Enrollment Period. The Medigap Open Enrollment Period cannot be changed or repeated. Under 65 Medicare beneficiaries get another Medigap Open Enrollment Period when they turn 65. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance specialists with any questions or concerns at (215)355-2121.

Guaranteed Issue Rights

September 7, 2022July 29, 2022Ed MacConnell

Guaranteed Issue (GI) rights are rights the beneficiary has in certain situations when insurance companies must offer certain Medigap policies. There are ONLY 7 situations where Guaranteed Issue Rights apply. Two of the most common are: Beneficiary is in a Medicare Advantage Plan, and the plan is leaving Medicare or stops giving care in their area, or the beneficiary moves out of the Medicare Advantage plan’s service area. Beneficiary has Original Medicare and an employer group health plan (including retiree or COBRA coverage) or union coverage that pays after Medicare pays and that plan is ending. Just like with the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, during a Guaranteed Issue: No eligibility… Read More

Medigap Quick Facts

August 23, 2022August 3, 2022Ed MacConnell

What is it? A Medigap policy (also called “Medicare Supplement Insurance”) is private health insurance that’s designed to supplement Original Medicare. This means it helps pay some of the health care costs (“gaps”) that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Play types offered: Insurance companies can sell only a “standardized” policy identified in most states by letters. Independence Blue Cross offers Plans A, B, F, F-HD, G, G-HD, and N. Medical Coverage: No selection of a PCP is required; members are able to choose any doctor or hospital as long as they accept Original Medicare. This also allows for no referrals and no network. Prescription Drug Coverage:… Read More

MACRA: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015

August 16, 2022July 29, 2022Ed MacConnell

Since January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare aren’t allowed to cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F are no longer available to people who were “new to Medicare” on or after January 1, 2020. For this situation, people “new to Medicare” are people who turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, and people who got Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) on or after January 1, 2020. If you already have either of these 2 plans (or the high deductible version of Plan F) or you were covered by one of these plans before January 1, 2020, you will be… Read More

Best Time to Buy a Medigap Policy

August 8, 2022July 27, 2022Ed MacConnell

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. The Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts for 6 months and begins on the first day of the month a beneficiary turns 65 or enrolls in Part B, whichever is later. Under 65 Medicare beneficiaries get a second Medigap Open Enrollment Period when they turn 65. The professionals at Total Benefit Solutions, Inc are here to help you understand your Medicare health insurance choices. Call us today at (215)355-2121.

Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022Ed MacConnell

Some changes in the health care industry resulted in expected cost savings for the Medicare program for 2022. CMS’ recent announcement states they plan on passing these savings to consumers via their 2023 Part B premium. Click here to read the details on the lower Part B Premium Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions Inc Medicare health insurance specialists at (215)355-2121 if you have any further questions or concerns.

IBC Increasing Medigap Rates

March 15, 2022Ed MacConnell

Independence Blue Cross recently received approval from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to increase our monthly premium rates for MedigapSecurity plans A, B, C, D, F, F High-Deductible, G, G High-Deductible, and N. These rates will become effective April 1, 2022. MEDIGAPSECURITY PREMIUM UPDATED RATE SHEET Monthly Premium If you have … Beginning April 1, 2022, you will pay … MedigapSecurity – Plan A $164.95 MedigapSecurity – Plan B $195.65 MedigapSecurity – Plan C $224.55 MedigapSecurity – Plan D $204.95 MedigapSecurity – Plan F $224.70 MedigapSecurity – Plan F High Deductible $109.00 MedigapSecurity – Plan G $205.10 MedigapSecurity – Plan G High Deductible $91.95 MedigapSecurity – Plan N $181.30 Questions… Read More

When can I buy a Medigap plan?

August 22, 2021August 22, 2021Ed MacConnell

Tag: #medigap

2024 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

Like this:

Decisions for someone who is nearing age 65

Like this:

Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services, & Prevention Programs: Booklet

Like this:

Alert: 2023 mid-year IBC Group Medigap rate increase

Like this:

How does Original Medicare work?

Like this:

When can I buy a Medigap plan?

Like this:

3 Types of Medigap Rating Structure

Like this:

Key Differences: Medigap Open Enrollment, AEP, and ICEP

Like this:

Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Like this:

Guaranteed Issue Rights

Like this:

Medigap Quick Facts

Like this:

MACRA: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015

Like this:

Best Time to Buy a Medigap Policy

Like this:

Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way

Like this:

IBC Increasing Medigap Rates

Like this:

When can I buy a Medigap plan?

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: