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If you are a licensed health agent, you should consider adding GTL Ancillary Products to your offerings. GTL offers several product choices in most states.

GTL Supplemental Health Products- click here and see what’s available

Learn the benefits of adding ancillary health products to your sales.

Here are some of the products that GTL offers to individuals:

Important; product availability varies by state. If you want to check what’s available in your area;

click here for GTL product state approval lists.

Hospital Indemnity

GTL offers Advantage Plus Elite Hospital Confinement Indemnity Insurance to help with the expenses associated with a stay in the hospital such as co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses not covered by a health insurance plan. Medical costs can quickly add up and beneficiaries can use the cash benefit any way they like.

Beneficiaries receive a cash benefit if they are confined to a hospital or receive any other covered care. The Advantage Plus Elite plan pays between $100 and $750 per day. The amount depends on the plan selected. Plans provide coverage for a period of either 3-10 or 15 days The benefit period resets when the beneficiary is out of the hospital for 60 days. There are also plan options that offer a 1-day benefit period with a $2,500 daily benefit amount.

Click here for Crowe online contract and add GTL to your products.

Already a Crowe agent and want to add GTL – Click here

Cancer Insurance

Precision Care Cancer Insurance helps policyholders who are diagnosed with cancer access advanced treatments that may not be covered by insurance. Precision Care lets policyholders access TGen’s world class Cancer Physicians and their cutting-edge genomic sequencing services. It also provides cash to pay for the services and the specialized cancer treatments. Learn more about Precision Care, just go to: outsmartmycancer.com.

If the beneficiary is diagnosed with cancer, TGen (the Transitional Genomics Research Institute) an affiliate of City of Hope nonprofit medical research institute receives a biopsy of the tumor, and the DNA is sequenced in TGen’s lab. Once this is done, doctors use the findings to suggest treatments that have been used to target the same mutations. For more information about TGen, visit www.tgen.org.

Cancer Heart Attack & Stroke Insurance

GTL also offers Cancer, Heart Attack and Stroke Insurance that provides beneficiaries a lump-sum benefit amount paid directly to them regardless of other health coverage they may have upon diagnosis of cancer or if they suffer either a heart attack or stroke. The amount of the benefit can range to as much as $50,000 for any of the covered diagnoses. The amount depends on the coverage chosen at the time of enrollment.

Short-Term Care Insurance

Recover Cash is short-term care insurance that GTL offers to provide coverage for several care options. Options include assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or in the enrollee’s home. Because there are gaps in health insurance coverage, Recover Cash provides a way to pay out-of-pocket expenses. Policyholders have access to TCARE’s Family Caregiver Concierge Services. This service provides support to caregivers to help prevent burnout. Policyholders receive this cash benefit directly and can use it any way they like.

GTL helps with both financial support and family caregiver support from TCARE. This helps the beneficiary and their family member through a difficult time.

Short-Term Home Health Care Insurance

Short-Term Home Health Care Insurance helps cover deductibles and co-pays for home health care services. The policy offers several riders to choose from as well as a Short-Term Home Health Care Aide Benefit and a Prescription Drug Benefit.

GTL’s Short-Term Home Health Care Insurance pays a daily benefit for many types of home health care services. Benefit amounts depend on the plan selected. There is a maximum benefit period of 360 days. A Licensed health care provider must certify the cognitive impairment or inability to perform at least two of the six activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, continence, toileting or transferring) without substantial assistance.

Critical Illness Insurance

Critical Provider Plus is critical illness insurance that helps alleviate the financial hardships that come with a critical illness or accident. Coverage options range from $10,000 up to $100,000. The coverage pays up to two times for two separate critical illnesses. GTL issues policies to anyone from age 18 to 64. Lifetime maximum benefit amounts are between $25,000 and $250,000.

Please note: the information in this post is for use by licensed insurance agents only and is not intended for use by consumers. If you are looking for an agent to assist with the purchase of one of the GTL products, please contact our office either by email at teal@croweandassocites.com or by phone 203-796-5403.

High Deductible Plan F

High Deductible Plan F can save substantial amounts of money on a yearly basis compared to a Medicare supplement plan F, G or N.  The following description will detail how the plan works and why it is often a better option for seniors.

What is a high deductible plan F?

A high deductible plan F is a Medicare supplement plan (also called a Medigap plan).  It has the same benefits as a standard plan F supplement but with a $2,200 deductible prior to having the coverage of a traditional plan F.  Once the deductible is satisfied, the high deductible F covers exactly the same as a plan F.  The benefit of the high F is the reduced monthly premium which can be up to 80% lower than the standard plan F premium.  Because high F is a standardized supplement, there is no provider network.  Medicare supplements do not have networks.  You may go to any doctor that accepts Original Medicare.

How does the deductible work?

The high deductible Plan F deductible does not work the same as a traditional high deductible plan.  Medicare A and B roughly covers 80% of approved services.  The 20% left over is the only amount that goes toward the deductible.  The common misconception is the insured needs to pay the first $2,200 of services which is not the case. In fact, most people enrolled in the high F plan do not meet the deductible on an annual basis.  The key is to understand what Medicare A and B covers which will provide a better understanding of what charges will go toward the high F deductible.

How much money can be saved on a high F plan?

The savings is in the reduced premium.  There is also additional savings when the annual deductible is not met.  Premiums vary by state.   We will use Connecticut as an example.  In Connecticut, one of the lower cost plan F supplements is $239 a month. One of the lowest cost high F plans in Connecticut is $53 a month which creates a substantial savings.

Plan F premium = $239 a month x 12 months = $2,868 annual premium.  This premium will be paid regardless of how often the plan is used.

High deductible plan F = $53 a month x 12 months = $636 annual premium.  This is a difference in annual premium of $2,232.   In the event the full deductible was hit for the year, the total plan cost would be $2,836 ($636 annual premium + $2,200 deductible paid).  When the deductible is met, the annual savings is marginal but the deductible is not often met for the year.

How often does the average person meet the $2,200 deductible?

The high deductible plan F works so well because the deductible is not often maxed out.  Here are some national averages to consider.

85% of people age 65 to 67 spend $541 a year toward the $2,200 deductible.  Remember that Medicare A and B is providing coverage at 80% of Medicare allowable charges and only 20% goes toward the deductible.  As a result, this will provide a total annual savings of  $1,691 using the high F plan vs. the standard F plan.

80% of people age 68-72 spend $647 a year toward the $2,200 deductible.  This would be a savings of $1,585 using the high F vs. the standard F plan

70% of people age 73+ spend $754 a year toward the $2,200 deductible creating a savings of $1,478 a year.

Those that do manage to spend $2,200 for the year will be no worse off than if they had a regular plan F.  Maxing the deductible plus the annual premium still has them spending less than the total annual cost for a standard plan F. The benefits are the same once the deductible is met for the year.

What happens if I meet the $2,200 deductible for the year?

If you do meet the $2,200 deductible for the year, your plan will pay all Medicare approved claims. It will work just like a regular plan F. The insurance carrier will track all costs and will pay your claims automatically if you have accumulated costs up to $2,200.  Everything is automated, without the need to submit any type of paperwork.  Note: Please be sure to use a carrier that provides automatic claims filing.  Using a carrier that does not auto file claims may require you to submit paper forms for claims to be paid.

What if I decide I want to go back to my old supplement?

In  CT, NY and some other states, you are allowed to change supplements the 1st of any month the entire year.  If you try the high deductible plan F and don’t like it, you can change back to your old plan F, G or N any month you like.  The change is guaranteed and can not be blocked due to health conditions in guaranteed issue states.  The process to change back is quick and simple.

Next steps

Call our office to discuss further at 203-796-5403 or email Edward@croweandassociates.com

CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS ON MEDIGAP HIGH F PLAN

High Deductible Medicare Supplement

High Deductible Medicare Supplement is usually the best option for a Medigap plan if the premium is low enough. The biggest challenge is understanding how the plan works and why it will prove to be a better choice than standard supplements such as F, G and even N.

Want a quote for the lowest cost high deductible Medicare Supplement in your state

Call our office to receive a quote over the phone (203-796-5403) or email Edward@croweandassociates.com  

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement Plans, also called “Medigap” insurance, provides extra coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. People in Original Medicare often take Medicare Supplement insurance to cover the gaps in Original Medicare. Medicare has two parts, Part A and Part B.  Both programs have gaps in coverage that a supplement may cover. (Depends on which on is purchased.)

Gaps In Coverage

Part A Gaps:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital, inpatient skilled nursing facility, home health, and hospice services.  The following is a list of gaps in coverage:

• Hospital deductible per stay
• Hospital coinsurance (Medicare covers the first 60 days in full after the deductible has been met.  Days 61 to 90 have a copayment, and days 91 to 150 – the “lifetime reserve” –  a higher copay.
• No coverage after 150 days.
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance payments (Medicare covers the first 100 days).
• No coverage after 100 days.
• Home health aide services that are provided on more than a part-time basis.
• Home health nursing and aide services.

See exact amounts for the current year here.

Part B Gaps

Medicare Part B (outpatient coverage) provides coverage for a number of outpatient and physician services.  It also pays for durable medical equipment, prosthetic devices, supplies and ambulance.  The following is a list of gaps Medicare does not cover.

• Part B deductible (annual deductible of $166).
• Part B 20% coinsurance payment (Medicare pays 80% of the allowable charges).
• Balance billing above the Medicare-approved charge (some physicians and providers charge more than the amount Medicare approves).  Billing above Medicare approved amounts not allowed in all states.  The amount they can bill above is limited as well.

Who Needs Medicare Supplement Plans?

There are a number of programs that help fill in the gaps of A and B.

• Government Programs such as QMB or Full Medicaid.
• Group Retirement Plans.
• Standardized Individual Medigap Policies. (Means the plans have the same core benefits.)

If you have Medicaid or are a QMB

Medicare beneficiaries with Medicaid (Title 19 or QMB) usually do not need Medigap insurance because Medicaid will cover their out of pocket costs. Chick here for a short video about Medicaid.  Not all doctors and facilities will take Medicare however.  People who do not qualify for Medicaid may still be eligible for the QMB program. QMB program benefits include:

• The payment of monthly Medicare premiums.
• All costs of Medicare annual deductibles.
• Payment of Medicare coinsurance.

Those not on Medicaid or QMB

People that are not on Medicaid or QMB may want to consider one of the many Medicare supplement plans available.  Currently, there are plans A,B,C,F, High F,G,K,L,M and N. Each plan covers different amounts of the gaps not covered by Original Medicare.  Plans are standardized which means benefits in a plan must be the same from company to company. Example: Plan F has the same benefits no matter who offers it.  A persons health is the biggest factor when choosing between all the options. Price point of a specific plan in an area is a consideration as well. Many people take a Medicare supplement because there is no network to follow.  As a result, the beneficiary may see any provider that accepts Original Medicare when using a Medicare supplement plan.

What is the best Medicare supplement plan option?

There is not a perfect plan for everyone.  Each individual situation is different and as a result, the right supplement for one person may be wrong for another.  In general plans F,N,G,K and High Deductible F have the best price points for the benefit.  This is very dependent on the state you reside in however.  In most states, the best deal for a supplement is the high deductible F supplement.  Most people do not understand how high F works however so they overlook it.   CLICK FOR MORE INFO ON HIGH DEDUCTIBLE F SUPPLEMENT  Note: call our office at 203-796-5403 or email Edward@croweandassociates.com if you want a quote over the phone or sent to you by email.

CT Medicare Supplement Rates                                                             

 NY Medicare Supplement rates

 NJ Rates 

 PA Medicare Supplement rates

 Mass Medicare Supplement Rates 

Florida Medicare Supplement rates

Georgia Medicare Supplement rates

VT Medicare Supplement Rates

 Washington Medicare Supplement 

 Virginia Medicare Supplement Rates 

Arizona Medicare Supplement Rates

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North Carolina Medicare Supplement

Delaware Medicare Supplement Rates

South Carolina Medicare Supplement

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Hawaii Medicare Supplement

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Alaska Medicare Supplement Rates

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Kentucky Medicare Supplement Rates

Ohio Medicare Supplement Rates

Nebraska Medicare Supplement Rates

Maryland Medicare Supplement Rates

North Dakota Medicare Supplement

Oklahoma Medicare Supplement

When do you take a Medicare Advantage plan instead?

A Medicare Advantage Plan is not a supplement. Instead,they are very different types of plans.  A supplement is secondary to Medicare.  A Medicare Advantage plan replaces Medicare and acts as the primary insurance as a result.  There are a number of things to consider when choosing a supplement or Advantage plan.  What doctors will be used?  How often is care received? Does the beneficiary plan to travel? These are just a few things to consider when choosing.

Do they cover prescriptions?

Medicare Supplement Plans do not include Rx coverage.   A beneficiary can consider a stand alone drug plan for coverage because they can not buy a supplement with a drug plan.  Instead they would buy a part D plan from an insurance company. The part D plan can be from a different company than the supplement company.  Part D plans are offered by many companies. They have very different premiums and benefits from one company to the next.

What plans are popular? 

It depends on the state you live in but, in general, plans F, N and G are popular choices.  The high F plan can be the best choice if the cost is low. Some states have low cost High F plans and others do not.  Some states allow you to change from one supplement to another any time.  The change can be made without any type of health check.  Other states will check health if changing plans outside of a guaranteed issue period.

More info about Medicare Supplement plans.

Supplements will only cover services allowed by Medicare. If Medicare does not approve the care, the supplement will not cover it either.  An example is acupuncture which is not covered by Original Medicare. The supplement will not cover the charges either. Medicare supplement benefits do not change every January like they do with an Advantage plan.  The premium is subject to change but the benefits do not.  Medicare supplement plan F will no longer be available as of 2020. As a result, the plan G supplement will be the closest option to a plan F.  This is not a big issue because those in it already can keep it but no one can buy a new plan F as of 2020.

Looking for Medicare information in Connecticut?

Click here for a no cost, confidential Medicare quote.

Medicare Plans Connecticut

Medicare Plans Connecticut is a broad term that can refer to a number of companies or plan types in Connecticut.  Insurance companies offer either Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD), Medicare Supplement plans (Also called Medigap)  or Medicare Part D Rx plans.  A summary of both plans and companies has been provided below.  Choosing the right plan means matching up the needs of the insured (current health, doctors, as well as Medications and volume of care) with the strengths of the given plan type.

Medicare Advantage plans-

Managed Medicare plans offered with (MAPD) and without (MA) drug coverage.  Medicare Advantage plans take the place of Original Medicare.  They are the primary insurance and have a network as a result.  There  in network only (HMO) and out of network (PPO) plans available. In Connecticut, most plans are HMO style plans.  Connecticare, United Healthcare, Aetna and Wellcare as well as Anthem BCBS offer plans in Connecticut.

There are two plans with a $0 monthly premium. Both require referrals to specialists. There are a number of plans in the $29 to $44 a month range. The higher end HMO and PPO plans have a premium from $99 to $128 a month. The positive points with MAPD plans are, they have a very low to no monthly premium.  These plans include Medicare part D coverage and they offer some benefits that Original Medicare does not.  Some of the negatives can be, the copay for medical services, provider networks as well as referrals for specialists.  Click the links for plan designs of some of the more popular plans in CT.

Connecticut does not have medical underwriting which is important to consider.  Medicare rules allow someone to change plans every January 1st during OEP.  Without checking health, a member can change from a Medicare Supplement to a Medicare Advantage plan.  If someone develops a health condition, they could change to a supplement without any issues.

Medicare Plans Connecticut 

United Healthcare Medicare Complete Plan 1

UHC Medicare Complete Plan 2

United Healthcare Medicare Complete Plan 3

Aetna Medicare Plan HMO Connecticut

Anthem Mediblue Plus HMO

Anthem Mediblue Select HMO

Medicare Plans Connecticut can also be Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)– Medicare Supplement plans are offered by a number of companies in CT.  These plans are standardized. This means benefits are the same from company to company.  Common plans offered in CT are Plans F, High F, N, K, L and G.  AARP offered by United Healthcare tends to be the first choice in CT.  A number of companies including Humana, AARP, Anthem BCBS, Combined Life, United American and Cigna all offer a number of plan choices.

Click here for standardized Medicare supplement rates in CT

Medicare Part D plans (stand alone Rx plans)-  Medicare part D plans are offered by a number of companies in CT.  Some of the more popular choices are UHC branded Saver, UHC branded Preferred RX, Humana Walmart Rx, Silver Scripts, Express Scripts Rx.  There are too many plans to list them all.   You cannot purchase a stand alone Rx plan with a Medicare Advantage plan.  Clients can only purchase these plans along with a Medicare supplement.  You can also combine these plans with Medicare A and B.  If you buy a supplement plan, you do not have to use the same company for the Rx plan.  Clients can choose any company they feel is offering the best plan for them.  Note: The Humana Walmart Rx plan is  the current lowest cost (lowest monthly premium) plan in CT.

Need to sign up for Original Medicare A and B?  Click this link to sign up online through the Social Security Website.

States offer  programs to individuals in need of assistance.  In fact, you may qualify for assistance.  Click here to learn about programs offered and determine if you are eligible.

 If you have either additional questions or need a quote, Click here.

Medicare Supplement Rates Connecticut

Medicare Supplement Rates Connecticut are available at the bottom of this blog.  These Medicare Supplement plans are also called Medigap plans.  Connecticut is a standardized state for Medicare supplements.  Plans have identical benefits from one company to the next. The only difference is in price and value added features. Value added are things such as Silver Sneakers being available with a plan. A Medicare supplement plan is secondary coverage.  Original Medicare both A and B are the primary insurance with a supplement.  Providers bill Original Medicare first.  The portion not covered by Medicare is sent to the supplement.  The supplement covers some or all of the remainder depending on the the plan chosen. Plan F covers 100%, plan N covers most charges, plan L covers 75% and so on.  There are 9 supplement types in CT

How do you decide which one to take?

It depends on your situation.  People in very poor health may be better with a Plan F.  Someone in average health may look at plan N or plan L.  Supplements have some advantages: No network and ability to choose coverage level are two big ones.  Also, the ability to choose any Part D plan. There are also some negatives. The first is paying three premiums.

A part B premium of $121.80. The Supplement premium and the Rx premium.  Some people will make the decision to go with a Medicare Advantage plan instead. Connecticut does not allow companies to underwrite plans.  This simply means they can’t check your health.  This allows members to move from one supplement to another during the year.  Certain health conditions may cause an issue if you want to change plans.  They could also move either to an advantage during OEP or from an Advantage to a supplement.   Rates have been provided below.  In fact, the grid holds the rates for every company with a supplement in CT.

Click this link for CT rates 2016

Are you looking for Medicare Advantage Plan information instead?

If you need to sign up for Medicare A and B, Click for online enrollment with Social Security

Click here for a no obligation Medicare quote.

New Low Cost Plan G Medicare Supplement In Connecticut

Combined Life has released a new low cost plan G Medicare Supplement in Connecticut.  This plan has a monthly premium of $202.42.  The premium makes this plan the lowest cost plan G in the state.  To better understand how this plan works compared to a Plan F supplement, we will take a look at the benefits provided by both

The Plan F Medicare supplement covers 100% of Medical expenses approved but not covered by Medicare.  In other words, plan F pays the entire 20% of co-insurance as well as the deductibles not covered by original Medicare.  Plan G works exactly the same as plan F.  The only exception is the part B deductible. Because the Part B deductible is $166.00 each year and is not covered by Medicare Supplement plan G.  Other than that, the plans have the exact same benefits.  Due to the fact that the lowest cost plan F Medicare Supplement price is $234.00 a month in Connecticut.  Plan G comes out at a lower overall cost even when the $166 deductible is added in.

Connecticut is a unique Medicare state because they do not allow underwriting.   The Medicare Supplement rates are the same regardless of the client’s age.  As a result, a person in CT can change from one Supplement plan to another without any medical underwriting any month they would like.  In fact,  insurance companies are not able to invoke a pre-existing condition clause either.

If you have any questions, you can either call our office at 203-796-5403 or email us at Edward@croweandassociates.com to learn more.  Let us help you find the right plan for both your health and budget needs.

Combined Life Medicare Supplement Rates CT 2016

Combined Life Medicare Supplement Application 2016 CT

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.

CT Medicare Advantage and Supplements

There are many choices when it comes to CT Medicare Advantage and Supplements.  These choices can confuse anyone. We can help you feel comfortable not only with your choice of health care plans but the cost as well.  Crowe and Associates is one of the region’s leading Medicare brokerages.  Are you looking for CT Medicare Advantage and Supplement information in Connecticut?  We can help. Crowe and Associates is an independent brokerage agency that works with all major Medicare Advantage and supplement plans.  We work with clients everyday to help them understand the difference between Advantage plans and supplements. We use that knowledge to choose the best plan and company for them.  The insurance companies pay us so you will never receive any type of bill or fee for our services.

Read more

Cigna Medicare (Loyal American) Plan G

Cigna Medicare plans allow participants to use any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare; no referrals required. That is one of the reasons Cigna Medicare (Loyal American) Plan G may be the right fit for your insurance needs.  Please read the plan details below and decide if this is the plan you need to get the coverage you want.

Medicare plan G allows for basic benefits, covers the Part A deductible, includes emergency foreign travel coverage and some Part B excess coverage for a moderate monthly premium (Connecticut Monthly premium for 2015 is $219.54). Read more