GET CONTRACTED
Edward@Croweandassociates.com
Call us: 1.203.796.5403
Crowe & AssociatesCrowe & Associates
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • Sales Blog
  • Sales Tools
    • Online enrollment
      • Connect4Medicare
      • Sunfire
    • Quote and comparison site
    • Application Processing
    • Free Medicare lead program
    • Agent website
    • Predictive dialer
  • Free Leads
  • Products
    • Medicare Plans
    • Life Insurance Plans
    • Final Expense Insurance
    • Long Term Care Insurance
    • Fixed and Indexed Annuities
    • Healthshares
    • Dental and Vision Plans
    • Other Products
  • Training Webinars
  • Contact Us

Blog

    Home BlogPage 38

    FDIC Insured Market Linked CDs

    By Ed Crowe | FDIC insured CDs | 0 comment | 26 April, 2011 | 0

    Market Indexed CDs have become very popular in the last few years.  This is not a surprise given the relatively low standard CD interest rates being offered by banks,  the growing popularity of indexed annuities and the instability of the market.  At the end of the day, what does an indexed CD really offer? Read more

    Medicare AEP Change For 2012

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | 0 comment | 26 April, 2011 | 0

    AEP “Annual Election Period” has changed for 2012.  The past AEP period to make plan changes was from November 15th to December 31st for a January 1 effective date.   This will change for 2012.  The AEP will now run from October 15th to December 7th for a January 1 effective date.  Read more

    United Healthcare AARP Medicare Complete Medicare Plans for 2011

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | Comments Off on United Healthcare AARP Medicare Complete Medicare Plans for 2011 | 4 January, 2011 | 0

    This article relates to 2011 AARP branded Medicare Products. Click this link for  information about 2012 Medicare Products.

    United Healthcare has made some minor changes to their current suite of AARP branded Medicare Complete plans for 2011. They have also added new plans in some counties in order to better accommodate potential Healthnet members who will need to move to a new plan for January 1, 2011.

    The AARP Medicare Complete RPPO $0 premium plan will essentially stay the same for 2011. The plan still features $0 monthly premium and is set up in the same manner as last year. The Inpatient hospital copay has been changed to $320 a day for 5 days vs. $275 a day for 6 days last year. The Rx benefit copays have increases slightly to $6.00, $45.00 and $85.00. As a result, there should still be strong migration into this plan with the relatively small benefit changes.

    In most counties there has also been the addition of a $119.00 HMO option that looks to be geared toward catching Medicare enrollment leaving Healthnet Ruby 1 and Ruby 3. It is not likely that the new HMO plan be overly appealing to Ruby enrollees as the benefit structure does not look strong. It will be interesting to see if the new $119.00 option still only covers outpatient surgery and major radiology at 80%.

    Tax Break For Small Business Offering Group Health Insurance

    By Ed Crowe | Group Health Insurance | 0 comment | 30 August, 2010 | 0

    New Tax Credit May Help Small Businesses

    Small businesses may be able to claim a new credit on their 2010 tax returns if they pay employee insurance premiums in 2010.

    The credit, available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is intended to:

    1.Give small employers a tax break if they pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees on the group health plan.
    2.Encourage small employers to offer health insurance for the first time or maintain the coverage they currently have.
    These frequently asked questions may be helpful. More information about the credit, including tax tips, guides and FAQs is available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

    This link will take you to the general overview on the IRS web page IRS LINK

    Use this link to determine eligibility Eligibility chart

    Medicare Supplement Plan N

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | 0 comment | 12 August, 2010 | 0

    Medicare Supplement Plan N was approved for enrollment on June 1, 2010. The plan is offered at a competative price point by Anthem BCBS and United Healthcare “AARP Branded”. They both offer plan N for around $150 a month depending on availability of discounts.

    Plan N is a departure from other supplements in that is allows the physician to bill up to a max of $20 per visit. It also has a $50 emergency room copay and does not cover the part B deductible (disappointing) of $155 a year. Many seniors have been willing to give the plan a try in order to save $50 a month in premium. This has been especially true of those in plan F supplements. Plan J enrollees need to be careful as plan J is a closed plan an they will not be able to go back to it in the event they try plan N and decide they do not like it.

    The most suprissing part plan N has been the low number of providers that actually bill any type of excess on the plan. Providers are allowed to bill up to $20 dollars but seem not to do so often. (That has been our limited experience so far anyway)

    People switching from their current plan to Plan N do not need to pay the $155 part B deductible as it has already been met for the year. They will however be subject to the Part B deductible in 2011.

    Walmart to offer Part D Drug Plans for 2011

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | 0 comment | 12 August, 2010 | 0

    Walmart will be offering Medicare Part D Prescription drug plans for 2011. While there has not been much detail provided about the plan design, it is suggested that the plan will have a $0 copay for generic drugs and very low cost monthly premiums

    Walmart will utilize small kiosks in the store staffed by representatives licensed to sell the Medicare Part D Rx plans. There are not yet many details on the plan formulary but it will be offered through Humana. Members will only be able to use the new drug card at Walmart pharmacies. The plan will be available on November 15th which is the start of the Medicare Annual Election Period which is when Medicare Eligible members may sign up for a Part D Rx plan.

    AARP MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT CHANGES FOR JUNE 1, 2010

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | 0 comment | 12 April, 2010 | 0

    AARP Supplement Changes For June 1, 2010

    AARP released the new supplement changes for 2010.  Plan changes and Rates are as follows…

    Supplement Plan M- Will not be offered in CT for 2010 Read more

    HEALTH REFORM BILL EMPLOYER IMPACT OVERVIEW

    By Ed Crowe | Group Health Insurance | 0 comment | 12 April, 2010 | 0

    Employer Reporting Requirements

    Notice of Coverage Options. Not later than March 1, 2013, employers must provide a written notice to newly-hired and current employees informing employees: 1) that healthcare exchanges are available, the services provided by the exchange, and how to contact the exchange; 2) if the employer pays less than 60% of the costs of benefits, that the employee may be eligible for a premium tax credit and a cost-sharing reduction if the employee purchases health insurance from an exchange.

    Reporting Cost of Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage on W-2. Effective January 1, 2011, an employer will be required to report the aggregate value of medical benefits, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance coverage on the Form W-2 that is provided to each employee annually.

    Uniform Explanation of Coverage. By March 23, 2012, group health plans and sponsors of self-insured health plans must provide participants a uniform summary of benefits and coverage. The uniform summary cannot be longer than four pages and must describe the health benefits offered under the plan, limitations on coverage, cost-sharing provisions, and any restrictions on continuation of coverage. Failure to provide this summary will result in a $1,000 fine per failure. Read more

    The Myth About Life Insurance

    By Ed Crowe | Life Insurance | 0 comment | 15 September, 2009 | 0

    Do You Have A Competitive Life Insurance Rate?

    The old saying goes that you should keep you life insurance policy once you purchase it because it costs more as you get older.  This saying is only partially true for most and can cost you thousands is you follow it. Many believe that this was simply a ploy by insurance carries to help keep business on the books and prevent people from rate shopping once they had a policy.

    Read more

    Alternatives For Small Group Health Insurance

    By Ed Crowe | Group Health Insurance | 0 comment | 15 September, 2009 | 0

    Small Group Employers In Connecticut May Want To Consider Alternatives

    Group health insurance rates are becoming a greater burden on small employers with every renewal.  Double digit rate increases have become the norm.  So what can a small employer do to help off-set rate hikes?

    Most employers have simply been going by the standard formula of increasing the employees contribution toward the plan premium and raising medical and Rx copays to keep things at a manageable level.  More proactive groups use either HSA or HRA designs in order to offer a plan with a more substantial deductible in order to lower premiums.  Such strategies are becoming more and more popular every year.

    Read more

    Medicare Renewals Point Up In Connecticut

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | 0 comment | 15 September, 2009 | 0

    Insurance Companies are starting to roll  out the plan changes for 2010 and the trend is disturbing.  Much like group and individual health insurance, Medicare Advantage plans are seeing increasing trends. The difference is that the Medicare Advantage companies are increasing rates and lowering benefits at the same time.

    Read more

    Medicare Advantage Plans and VA benefits

    By Ed Crowe | Medicare | 4 comments | 26 August, 2009 | 0

    Medicare Advantage Plans and VA benefits

    We will explain why veterans should use $0 Medicare Advantage Plans and VA benefits .

    There are a large number of Medicare eligible veterans who rely on VA facilities for their medical care and Rx coverage.  Although it is not possible to put all those using VA benefits in the same category, there is a general trend with veterans in Connecticut.  Most veterans go to VA doctors for routine care.  They also use the VA to fill their generic prescriptions.  The need for hospital or emergency care seems to be a different story as most usually tell me they prefer to go to the local hospital or emergency room.

    The other trend I often see is:

    They tend to have Medicare A and B benefits without either a secondary plan or Rx coverage.  This can lead to out of pocket costs when the veteran needs a name brand drug or chooses to use the local hospital or emergency room.  Medicare A and B leaves them with out of pocket expenses when they use non VA providers.

    Read more

    36373839
    Visit the Agent Blog Archives

    Categories

    • Annuities
    • annuity
    • Brokers
    • CD rates
    • Dental
    • Dental insurance
    • Disability
    • FDIC insured CDs
    • Fixed interest rates
    • General Articles
    • Group Health Insurance
    • Individual Health Insurance
    • Investments
    • Latest news
    • Life Insurance
    • Long Term Care
    • Medicare
    • Medicare A and B benefits
    • Medicare Advantage Plans
    • Medicare compliance
    • Medicare Drug Coverage
    • Medicare Supplements
    • Over The Counter benefits
    • phone and home Medicare sales
    • Retirement Income
    • Voluntary Benefits

    Recent Comments

    • Rachel on When is The Medicare Advantage Dis-enrollment Period (MADP)
    • Kathy Stark on United Health Care OTC Catalog
    • Tracey Klee on UHC 2022 OTC Catalog
    • Brenda Brogan on Aetna OTC 2023
    • terry zehring on Anthem 2022 OTC catalog

    Social Icons

    Archives

    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • February 2022
    • December 2021
    • October 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • October 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • September 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • April 2011
    • January 2011
    • August 2010
    • April 2010
    • September 2009
    • August 2009

    Recent Posts

    • Insurance Live Transfer Leads
      27 January, 2023
      0

      Insurance Live Transfer Leads

    • MetLife dental NCD
      24 January, 2023
      0

      MetLife dental NCD

    • ConnectiCare OTC 2023
      18 January, 2023
      0

      ConnectiCare OTC 2023

    • $35 insulin list
      18 January, 2023
      0

      $35 Insulin List

    With licensed sales professionals in both the investment and insurance fields, the experienced and knowledgeable team at Crowe & Associates can tend to your various needs.

    Latest News

    • Insurance Live Transfer Leads

      Insurance Live Transfer Leads

      Insurance Live Transfer Leads With Crowe and Associates, agents can access insurance

      27 January, 2023
    We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800 MEDICARE to get information on all options.

    Follow Us

    • Follow Us on LinkedIn
    • Find Us on Facebook
    • Watch Us on YouTube

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Edward K. Crowe & Associates LLC BBB Business Review
    • Home
    • About
    • Agents
    • Quote
    • Retirement
    • Services
    • Blog
    • Contact
    Copyright 2023 Crowe & Associates | All Rights Reserved |

    Insurance Agency Website by Stratosphere

    • Home
    • ABOUT
    • Sales Blog
    • Sales Tools
      • Online enrollment
        • Connect4Medicare
        • Sunfire
      • Quote and comparison site
      • Application Processing
      • Free Medicare lead program
      • Agent website
      • Predictive dialer
    • Free Leads
    • Products
      • Medicare Plans
      • Life Insurance Plans
      • Final Expense Insurance
      • Long Term Care Insurance
      • Fixed and Indexed Annuities
      • Healthshares
      • Dental and Vision Plans
      • Other Products
    • Training Webinars
    • Contact Us
    Crowe & AssociatesCrowe & Associates

    Online Enrollment- Enroll prospects online without the need for a face to face appointment. Access to all major carriers with the ability to compare plan benefits and prescription drug costs. Link to recorded webinar https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/2899290519088332033

    All agents receive a personalized enrollment website. Prospects can use the site to compare plans, check doctors, run drug comparisons and enroll in plans. Agents are credited for all enrollments. Click Here

    [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]