Blog

Dental, Vision & Hearing plan

If you are looking for a great all-in-one package of health care products, look no further.  Our Dental, Vision & Hearing plan package will provide you with the coverage you need at a price you can afford.  These plans are offered by SureBridge.  SureBridge is an affiliate of the Chesapeake Life Ins Company and a recent partner of the UnitedHealthcare Group family of companies.

Plan Details:

Pays 100% on preventative services on DAY ONE of the policy with no deductible

No waiting period on basic benefits (fillings and simple extractions)

Only a 9-month waiting period for major services on dental

Benefits on basic and major services go up 10% every year for the first 3 years.

Issue ages 0-90

ISSUE AGE rates – Premiums are locked in

All applications, contracting done online

Guarantee issue and renewable for life

Carrier pays the provider directly

Click here for more information/brochure

►Now Available: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, ME, MI, MN, MS, NE, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, WI, WV and

WY!

►Launching 6/21: LA, MO, ND,

NM, NV and UT

►Launching 7/19: TX, KY and OH

(More States to come for 7/19

Launch!)

Network Information:

Dental = Carrington Dental Network

Vision = No network

Hearing = TruHearing

**Out-of-network is based on 75% of what dentists in the area are charging.  (UCR)

To see the plan rates for your state click here

Click here to learn what sets us apart from other uplines.

For image attribution

Medicare Part B premium appeal form

The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium for 2022 will be $171.00.  Medicare Part B is what you use to pay for medical costs of doctor’s visits, medical equipment and outpatient procedures.  If you have a MAGI that is over the Medicare maximum amount, you can file a Medicare Part B premium appeal form.

However, if you have a high income level, Medicare might make you pay a higher amount for your part B premium. Medicare uses your modified adjusted gross income or MAGI to decide the amount you will pay for your Part B premium. They take this amount from your tax return from 2 years ago.  This means that if you have Medicare Part B in 2022, your premium is based on your MAGI from your 2020 tax return.

If your income has gone down from what it was 2 years ago, you can use the Medicare Part B appeal form below to file an appeal and have your Part B premium lowered. In some circumstances, a life changing event can significantly reduce your income.  There are many reasons that you can experience a reduction in income.  These instances include divorce, death of a spouse, loss of a pension just to name a few.

Medicare Part B Appeal Form   Click here for an appeal form

If you are more comfortable with an in-person meeting, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule a meeting t your local Social Security office.

If you want a better idea of what the IRMAA is, take a look at the chart below:

THE INFORMATION BELOW HAS BEEN UPDATED.   CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT TABLE.

Medicare Part B Appeal Form – Income for extra help

If you fall below certain income levels you may qualify for extra help paying for your Part B or Part D premiums. Click here for details.

Would you like help with your Medicare coverage? Please feel free to contact our office.  You can reach us either by phone (203)796-5403 or email teal@croweandassociates.com.

for photo credit click here

PPO

If you are or ever have been in the market for a healthcare plan you will most likely come across the term PPO.  A PPO is a preferred provider organization. These plans offer a network of healthcare providers for their members to use for medical care at a negotiated rate.  PPO plans allow members to see any in-network health care provider they choose without requiring a referral.

More PPO information:

If you choose to join a PPO, in most cases, you will not need to choose a primary care provider.  You will be able to use any provider within the company’s network of providers. All your in-network healthcare services will be covered at the negotiated rate.  You will also have the option of using out-of-network providers, although they will be covered at a lower rate. It is always a good idea to make sure your provider participates with your health plan in order to avoid receiving a higher than expected medical bill.

In most cases you will have a deductible to meet each year before your medical bills are covered by the insurance company.  There is also the matter of co-pays for certain services.  Some services will require you to pay a percentage of the total medical cost. These are things you should be aware of, if possible, before you go for medical care.

PPO Providers:

PPO plans have a number of in-network doctors and medical facilities you can choose from. In this way the plans are similar to HMOs.  It is always more cost effect to use an in-network provider when seeking medical treatment. Providers who participate with your insurance company have an agreement to accept lower payments and in return, receive access to patients who participate with the insurance company’s network.  One advantage to a PPO is that beneficiaries do receive coverage for some out-of-network care. If you decide to use an out-of-network provider you will most likely have to pay a higher rate for your care but the insurance carrier will pay some of the cost.

Another benefit of joining a PPO is that you will not be required to get a referral to see a specialist.  You can choose from any in-network provider for medical services

PPO plans might be a good fit for you if:

• You do not want to get a referral before seeing a specialist.
• Sometimes you want to use an out-of-network provider.
• It is important for you to have the choice of where you receive your medical care.

If you would like help choosing a Medicare plan, click here

To set up an appointment with a sales rep, please contact us either by phone (203)796-5403 or by email teal@croweandassociates.com.

Does Medicare Cover Home Healthcare

Does Medicare cover home healthcare; If you are getting ready to sign up for Medicare you might ask the question.  This can be a very important question to know the answer to.  As we all get older, we do not want to worry about what will happen to us if we become too ill to take care of ourselves.

• 24-hour-a-day home care (live in health care).
• Meal delivery to your home.
• Services that pay people to shop, clean and or do laundry for those who need assistance.
• Medicare does not pay for Personal care given by home health aides.  This care consists of bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom.  If this is the only help you need.

Does Medicare cover home healthcare; Medicare will cover your home healthcare services if you meet all the criteria below:

Part time skilled nursing care.  This means any service that only a licensed nurse can do safely.

If you require the services of a part time home health aide for personal care such as bathing, dressing or using the bathroom.  These services include things that do not need to be done by a licensed nurse.  Medicare will not pay for the home health aide unless you also require therapy or other nursing care.  These services must be a part of your at home treatment plan for your current health condition.

Physical, occupational or speech therapy for any amount of time the doctor recommends.

In order for Medicare to pay for any therapy, they should be prescribed in order for you to regain your quality of life as it was before the on set of your current health condition.

Medicare will also pay for approved, necessary medical supplies such as wound coverings ect.   It does not include either prescription drugs or biological therapy.

Durable medical equipment such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs are also covered by Medicare.

FDA approved injected osteoporosis drugs are also paid for by Medicare when deemed necessary in certain situations.

Please remember; although your health care provider helps with the arrangement for Medicare covered home health care, the final word is yours as to which agency you use.

If you need help choosing the best Medicare plan for yourself, please contact us.  You can reach us either by phone (203)796-5403 or email teal@croweandassociates.com.

click here for image attributes