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Medicare Easy Pay (Automatic deductions for Medicare Part B premiums)

Medicare Easy Pay is an electronic Medicare part B payment option for people to have their Medicare Part B premiums set up to draft from either a savings or checking account each month.

Can I sign up for Medicare Easy Pay?

Anyone who gets a bill for their monthly Medicare Part B premium is eligible for Medicare Easy pay.  Those already drawing Social Security payments are paying out of their checks automatically and do not need to set up easy pay.

Mail the completed form to:

What happens once I sign up for Medicare Easy Pay?

Sometimes it takes 6-8 weeks for Medicare to process your application. If medicare cannot process your MEP application, they will  return it to you with a letter of explanation.

Two things will happen each month after your request is processed:

1. You will get a Medicare premium bill stating “This is not a bill”.   This will let you know that the premium will be deducted from your bank account.
2. Your premium will be deducted from your bank account.  This usually happens on the 20th of the month.  The deduction will appear on your bank statement as an “Automated Clearing House (ACH)” transaction.

Medicare will try to deduct your premium only one time per month.  If there is a problem processing your premium deduction, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to make a direct payment to Medicare.

Do I need to do anything when my premium amount changes?

No,  Medicare will deduct the new premium amount from your bank account automatically.

What if I want to change bank accounts or stop Medicare Easy Pay?

You would complete another payment authorization form(SF-5510), and indicate the type of change you want to make. Mail the completed form to the address above.

If you would like more information about Medicare; contact us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or email at teal@croweandassociates.com.

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018

About the Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018 (MSP) is available those below certain income levels. As a result, the program does not take assets into consideration for eligibility.  There are three levels of the program you may qualify for if your income is below the guidelines.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary):  Pays for your Medicare Part B premiums, as well as Medicare deductibles and/or coinsurance.  Most people do not pay a premium for Medicare Part A, although the QMB program will pay part A premium for those with a Medicare Part A premium.
  • the income limits for 2018 either single $2,135.32 a month or couple $2,894.92 a month.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Will pay for your Medicare Part B premium
  • the income limits for 2018 either single $2,337.72 a month or for a couple $3,169.32 a month.
• ALMB (Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Will pay for your part B premium;  You may not have any other type of Medicaid program while enrolled in the ALMB program
  • income limits for 2018 either single $2,489.52 a month or couple $3,375.12 a month

This program is subject to changes during the 2018 year. Click here for an update

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018 Application

It’s easy to apply for the Connecticut Medicare Savings Programs. Simply complete an application and mail it in. The application is“Medicare Savings Programs Application/Redetermination,”.  There is no cost to apply for the program as well as no penalty for applying if you are not accepted.

Medicare Savings Program Application 

Formulario de Renovación de programas de ahorro de Medicare 

Please mail the completed application to:

DSS ConneCT Scanning Center

PO Box 1320

Manchester, CT 06045-1320

If you are having trouble printing the application; please call Crowe and Associates at 203-796-5403

MSP Connecticut – Apply through CHOICES

All three MSP programs are administered by the Connecticut DDS . To apply, you can complete the paper application (In the link above). You may also call CHOICES at 1-800-994-9422,

Medicare Savings Program  FAQ  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Link to the DORS website

More basic information on MSP

DORS BENEFITS QUICK GUIDE

If you need help choosing a Medicare plan, feel free to contact us either by email teal@croweandasspociates.com or phone 203-796-5403.

To learn more about what we offer; click here.

Medigap Plans CT

Medigap plans Ct are also called Medicare supplement plans.   They provides coverage for these “gaps” in your Medicare coverage and can save you money.  Medigap plans are not Medicare Advantage plans rather, they provide coverage after Original Medicare A and B benefits pay.  As a result, it is important to note that Medigap plans will only cover services that are approved by Medicare. They will not help cover costs that Medicare does not allow/approve.

Access all Medigap plans CT (Medicare supplement plans) with this link.  Site will show you all plans and rates in CT.

Are you a broker looking to sell Medigap plans?  If so, click here to learn more about Medigap sales.

Medicare supplemental plans are offered by private insurance companies.  These plans help to pay the ‘gap’ between costs covered by original Medicare and your out of pocket costs.  Medigap plans are regulated by national and state governments and therefore benefits are generally the same, regardless of the insurance company.   For example, Plan A has the same benefits regardless of the company you purchase it from.  As a result, rates and value add benefits are the only difference from company to company.

Medigap plans do not cover medication expenses.  If you enroll in a Medigap plan, you should also consider a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan.  The rule is different for drugs under medicare part B. As a result, it is important to pick the right part D drug plan.  The pharmacy you like to use and the specific prescriptions you take make all the difference when selecting a drug plan.  Call our office to learn more or use the CMS drug plan finder tool. 

Want to learn more about the differences between a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan? Click here to learn about all your medicare options.

We are one of Connecticut’s leading Medicare brokerage firms.  Please call us at 203-796-5403 or email us at edward@croweandassociates.com if you have questions.  Better yet, we can set a time to sit face to face and discuss all of your options.  If you aren’t able to travel to our office, we will gladly come to you.

 What is Medicare Part A Coverage?

Medicare Part A coverage is hospital care coverage.  This plan covers both lab tests and surgeries.  Doctor care during the stay is also covered.  There is also coverage for supplies like wheelchairs and walkers when they are medically necessary to treat either a disease or a condition.  Part A covers in-patient hospital stays.  These plans also cover care in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home care as well as Hospice care and some home health services.  Note:  Part A will cover nursing home care for medical purposes.  Medicare will not cover the expense if custodial care is the only care necessary.

Part A includes benefits for hospital expenses.

Other expenses part A covers are, a semi-private room and meals as well as medications.  There is also coverage provided for nursing services and other supplies from the hospital.  Part A benefits will cover home health care services when deemed medically necessary.  Your doctor must order home health services in order for this expense to gain approval. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays coverage will only receive approval by Part A after a qualifying hospital inpatient stay for a related illness or injury. To qualify for SNF care, the hospital stay must be a minimum of three days.  A qualified stay begins on the day you are admitted. The day the hospital dischares you does not count toward the 3 day requirement.  Patients can be kept for observation.  Time spent under observation is considered outpatient.  This time does not count towards your qualifying stay.

If your doctor has certified that you have a terminal illness, you may be eligible for hospice care coverage.   Your doctor will need to determine a 6 month or less life expectancy.  In hospice care, the focus is on palliative care.  Hospice focus is not cure.  The goal is to relieve pain and make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Click here to learn how and when to enroll in Medicare.

Click here for more information regarding Medicare Part A  benefit coverage.

Connecticut residents looking to compare plan options can click here for more details about plans available.  If you still have questions or would like to set an appointment, please call the office at 203-796-5403.  In fact, we are leading Medicare experts in CT and are here to help.  We do not charge for our consultation services.

Click here for a no cost personal and confidential Medicare quote.

Medicare Supplemental Plan Rates

There are many various options when you decide to purchase a Medicare supplement plan. Medicare Supplemental Plan Rates are listed below. Coverage for Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, include monthly premiums, deductibles as well as co-insurances. There is no limit for out-of-pocket spending.  Long term care, dental and vision are not covered.  To stabilize and or limit some of the cost, many choose a Medicare Supplemental or Medigap Plan.  As you have most likely heard, Medicare enrollment can be complicated.  For your own piece of mind, we recommend speaking with an experienced, licensed health insurance agent.  A knowledgeable agent can help you  to choose the best option for YOU.

There are actually 10 Medicare Supplement Plan options available to you. Each plan has different, yet standardized, benefits and coverage. This means that no matter which insurer you buy from, the benefits of each plan will be the same.

However, while the plans are standardized across insurance companies, the Medigap costs can be vastly different. So even though you will ultimately be getting the same benefits, it pays to shop around to get the best rate.

Click for rates in CT

Click for rates in NY

Do you have questions or concerns regarding your current Medicare plan? If you would like to learn more about future Medicare Advantage, Supplemental as well as Prescription Drug Plan options?   Please contact us either at 203-796-5403 or at admin@croweandassociates.com to discuss your Medicare options in detail.

How Are Hospital Observation Services Covered?

How Are Hospital Observation Services Covered? For those covered under Original Medicare or a Managed Medicare plan there can be a big difference in out of pocket costs for a hospital stay.  The amount of coverage you receive depends on how your carrier classifies the services.  Your insurance carrier may consider a hospital either inpatient or outpatient even if someone stays overnight.

Read more

Medicare Assignment

Medicare Assignment:  Doctors who don’t accept assignment may charge you more than the Medicare approved amount.  Although, they can not bill more than 15% over the Medicare approved amount.  This is called the “limiting charge.”  The limiting charge applies only to certain services. It  does not apply to some supplies and durable medical equipment (DME).  When you purchase certain supplies and DME, Medicare will only pay for them if the suppliers are enrolled in Medicare.  It does not matter who submits the claim  either you or your supplier.  Some states do not allow excess billing even if a doctor is not accepting assignment.  (Connecticut is a good example)

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Medicare A and B Benefits

Medicare A and B Benefits become available to most people when they turn 65.   Other people become eligible due to a state disability after 2 years.   Most people are automatically enrolled in Part A and pay no premium for it.  In fact, the majority of people (if they are drawing social security payments) are enrolled in part B.  In most cases, there is a cost of 104.90 a month for each person who is enrolled.  Some people pay more for part B, this amount is based on their income.  In some instances if you qualify for assistance, there will be a lower cost to no cost for Part B coverage.  This is also based on your income level.    You must apply through your state for this assistance in order to qualify for it. Read more