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Medicare Plan Choices Connecticut 2017

Medicare plan choices connecticut 2017 will cover Medicare Advantage (Also called Managed Medicare or Medicare part C, Medicare Supplments (also called Medigap) and Medicare Part D plans.  Various companies in Connecticut offer all three types of plans for 2017.   This post will cover all three plan types. Also it will cover how a Medicare receipient can pick the best choice for him/her.  Benefit and rate comparisons have been provided below throughout the post.  Good luck.

NOTE: There are links below which provide Medicare supplement, Medicare Advantage and PDP plan comparisons for the State of CT.  We can run any additional quotes/comparisons that are needed for any product. (MAPD, Medigap, PDP)  Call or email our office with any questions (203)-796-5403 or email Edward@croweandassociates.com.  

Quick Medicare A and B Information before getting into the plans

First of all, you need to know the basics rules of Medicare A and B. While picking the right plan is important, having Medicare A and B is probably as important.  First of all, you must have Medicare A and B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD) or a Medicare suplement plan (Medigap).  A part D drug plan (PDP) requires you to have Medicare part A and/or B.  Medicare part A cost nothing for almost everyone while part B costs money every month.  CLICK FOR PART B PREMIUMS  If you are drawing social security already, the part B premium will be taken out of your check every month.  If you are not drawing social security, you will be billed quarterly.

Part A of Medicare covers hospitalization while part B covers outpatient services such as doctors and testing. CLICK FOR MEDICARE A AND B BENEFITS  You will see that Medicare covers 80% of Medical costs, as a result,  most people want to cover some or all of the other 20%.  Finally, it does not cover prescriptions drugs, therefore many people purchase a PDP plan.  As a result, those aging into Medicare likely will enrol in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap and/or a PDP plan.

Medicare Plan Choices Connecticut 2017- Medicare Supplements (Medigap Plans)

Medicare Plan Choices Connecticut 2017

A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like foreign travel coverage. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare allowed amounts for covered health care costs. Then the Medigap pays its portion of the cost depending on the plan you have.

A Medigap policy is not a Medicare Advantge Plan.

Things to know about Medigap policies

1. You must have Original Medicare A and B
2. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can apply for a Medigap policy, but make sure you can leave the Medicare Advantage Plan before your Medigap policy begins.
3. You pay the Medigap premium and the Medicare Part B premium
4. A Medigap policy only covers one person. If you and your spouse both want Medigap coverage, you’ll each have to buy separate policies.
5. You can buy a Medigap policy from any insurance company that’s licensed in your state to sell one.
6. Any standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems. This means the insurance company can’t cancel your Medigap policy as long as you pay the premium. Furthermore, Connecticut is a guaranteed issue state for Medigap.  This allow a change form one Medigap to another throughout the year without any health underwriting.

Medigap policies don’t cover everything

Medigap policies generally don’t cover benefits such as long term care, vision and dental.

Click for Medigap rates Connecticut 2017

Dropping your Medigap and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage:

You have to pay a Part D late enrollment penalty when you join a new Medicare drug plan if:

• Either you drop your entire Medigap policy and the drug coverage wasn’t creditable prescription drug coverage, or
• You go 63 days or more in a row before your new Medicare drug coverage begins

Call or email us with any questions at 203-796-5403 or email Edward@croweandassociates.com. We do not charge a fee for our services.

Medicare Plan Choices Connecticut 2017-Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans are sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C or Managed Medicare plans . They are Medicare-approved health insurance plans for individuals who are enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. When you join a Medicare Advantage plan, you are still in the Medicare program and must continue paying your Part B premium. Original Medicare is not billed while in an Advantage plan, as a result, some people incorrectly think they are not part of the Medicare Program

Medicare Advantage plans provide all of your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) coverage. Sometimes, they offer additional benefits, such as vision, dental, and hearing, and most include prescription drug coverage. These plans often have networks, which mean you may have to see certain doctors and go to certain hospitals in the plan’s network to get care.

Medicare Advantage plans may potentially save you money vs using a Medigap and PDP plan because the monthly premium is much lower in most cases. Pricing (monthly premium, copays, dedutibles and co-insurance) will vary by plan provider, so it’s worthwhile to compare all plans in your area. Your costs will vary by the services you use and the type of plan you purchase.

Medicare Plan Choices Connectict 2017- Plan options can include:

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
• Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)  (Not currently available in CT for 2017)
• Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
• HMO Point-of-Service (HMOPOS)
• Medical Savings Account (MSA) (Not currently available in CT for 2017)

You can generally join if you:

           live in the service area of the plan you want to join (Most plans in CT are offered in all CT counties with a few exceptions)

•  have Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, coverage.
•  don’t have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant); however, there are a few exceptions.

Choose your plan carefully. Outside of when you first become eligible to enroll and other personal circumstances that may qualify you for a Special Election Period, you are only able to change plans once a year during the Annual Election Period. The Annual Election Period lasts from October 15 through December 7 of each year. (An exception to this rule is for those that have a “Trial Right” which allows  them to change from an advantage plan back to a Medigap and drug plan.

There is also a Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period, which runs from January 1 through February 14. During this time, individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can disenroll from their plan and return to Original Medicare coverage and buy a Medigap and PDP plan if they want to.

One more thing to note is that Medicare Advantage plans, with or without prescription drug coverage, vary depending on where you live. The name of this blog is Medicare plan choices Connecticut 2017.   In fact, the rules above apply to most states.

Medicare plan choices Connecticut 2017 – Click Here For 2017 MAPD Plan Comparison CT

Medicare Part D (PDP) Plans CT 2017

A prescription drug plan (PDP) is an option for those eligible that want to enroll in the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, which can lower the costs of prescription drugs for insured. A prescription drug plan (PDP) is a stand-alone plan, covering only prescription drugs. Enrollees who choose the option of prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan would also have coverage for other medical expenses as part of that plan. Medicare Advantage drug plans and stand alone PDP plans are different but the drug coverage portion works in a similary manner.  Enrollees pay a co-pay for each prescription, a monthly premium (not with some advantge plans however) and an annual deductible.

Note: Please call or email our office for a full list of PDP plans available in CT

Medicare Advantage Plan Connecticut

This post is for Medicare Advantage Plan Connecticut –  A Medicare Advantage plan is an insurance plan offered by a private insurance company.  Advantage plans are also called Part C plans as they are filed under Part C of Medicare.   When someone enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan, they are taking a plan that replaces original Medicare A and B.   This means that when they receive medical services, the providers will bill the Medicare Advantage plan and not Original Medicare.   If the member discontinues the Advantage plan, they will go back to original Medicare A and B.

Medicare Advantage plans are copay plans.

The member would need to pay copays for medical services received from providers.  Copays vary in amount depending on the type of service received.   Some examples based on plans in Connecticut…

Primary doctor visits- copay ranges from $10 to $30 a visit depending on the company

Specialist doctor visits- copay ranges from $30 to $50 a visit depending on the company

Major Radiology- Can be a 20% cost share or copay ranging from $100 to $275 depending on the company.

This is just a quick example.  (There is a link below to all the plan benefit summaries for Connecticut plans below. )

Medicare Advantage plans also come with drug coverage (They include a Part D drug plan with the coverage).   These Part D plans are very similar to many of the Part D drug plans you would purchase on a stand alone basis.

Bottom Line:  With a Medicare Advantage plan you include your medical as well as your drug benefit in one package.  In fact,  in Connecticut, there are 5 companies that currently offer Medicare Advantage plans.  Finding the right one can take some time.

CLICK HERE FOR BENEFIT SUMMARIES AND APPLICATIONS

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW AN ADVANTAGE PLAN IS DIFFERENT THAN A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Comparison Connecticut

In this post we will give you Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Comparison Connecticut.  Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans (also called Medigap plans) are very different.  There are positives and negatives of each depending on an individuals medical needs.  This post will provide a description of both and compare them in order to make an educated decision when choosing a plan.  The plans outlined in this post are applicable to Connecticut and may not be available in other states.

Medicare Advantage Plans  (CLICK HERE FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE APPLICATIONS)

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies.   They offer medical and Rx benefits in one plan and act as the primary insurance instead of original Medicare.  There are 5 companies offering Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut.  The companies are Connecticare, United Healthcare (with and without AARP logo), Aetna, Anthem BCBS and Wellcare.

Positives:

• Many have $0 monthly premium.   You will still pay your part B premium to Medicare however.
• They include the medical and Rx benefit in one package.  You do not need/cannot purchase a separate Part D Rx drug plan when you have a Medicare Advantage plan.  The Medicare Advantage plans include the Part D Rx coverage in the benefits.
• Extra benefits- some Medicare Advantage Plans provide for extra benefits such as dental, visions, podiatry visits, gym memberships, etc….

Negatives:

• Medicare Advantage plans have networks. Since the Advantage plan is your primary insurance, the provider must be in network in order for his servicesnto be covered by the plan. There are a limited number of Medicare Advantage Plans in Ct that provide out of network coverage as well.
• Copays-  You do not pay a monthly premium with Advantage plans but you do pay copays for medical services such as doctors visits, lab work, inpatient stays, etc….
• The last negative is that Medicare Advantage plans are able to make benefit changes every January.  This means that they may have a major increase in co-pays and cost share on renewal in January.  You are able to make a plan change every January.  Although, you cannot change your plan after February 14th.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADVANTAGE PLANS

CLICK HERE FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN APPLICATIONS

Medicare Supplements (Also called Medigap Plans)    (CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLEMENT APPLICATIONS)

Medicare Supplement plans are secondary to Original Medicare.  When someone purchases a supplement, the provider will bill Medicare first and then the supplement will cover a portion or all (depending on the supplement you choose) of the remaining costs.  Medicare Supplement plans cover Medical services only and do not include Rx coverage.  Those that want Rx coverage purchase a stand along Part D drug plan.   Supplements are standardized in Connecticut.  This means that there is no variance in benefits from insurance carrier to insurance carrier.  In Connecticut there are 10 supplement plan options with plans F, N and L being the most popular.

Due to the fact that the benefits are standardized, purchasing a supplement usually comes down to who has the best rates.   Currently in Connecticut the United Healthcare AARP branded Medicare Supplements have a large rate advantage over all the other companies.   In other words, it really doesn’t make sense to purchase a Medicare supplement through a different company.

Positives:

• Medicare Supplement plans are secondary to Medicare.  This allows you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare.  There is not a network to follow.  As a result, Medicare supplements are very convenient for people that travel.
• You can determine how much coverage you want. For example, if you want 100% medical coverage, Plan F supplement would provide it or for 75% coverage you could use a plan L.
• Medicare supplement do not have prior authorization requirements

Negatives:

• Medicare Supplement plans have monthly premiums in addition to the Part B premium.  For example, the lowest cost plan F in Connecticut is $220 a month.  (cost is per person)
• Medicare Supplements do not include Rx coverage.  You must purchase Rx coverage separately with a Part D Rx plan.  Part D plans range in monthly price from $14 a month to $100 a month depending on the plan chosen.
• Medicare Supplements will only cover a procedure that is covered by Original Medicare.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS

 FOR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT APPLICATIONS – CLICK HERE

Please contact us if you have any questions.  You can either call Crowe and Associates at 203 796 5403 or email  us at Edward@Croweandassociates.com.

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?  A Medicare Advantage plan is an insurance plan that insurance companies offer that have benefits similar to a group health insurance plan. (There are some differences however). Because these plans are referred to by different names, there is often confusion about what Medicare Advantage plans are.

Read more

There are 5 companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans (MA or MAPD) in the state of Connecticut.  The 5 companies are Anthem BCBS, Aetna, United HealthCare, Connecticare and Wellcare.  They do not all offer their plans in all counties of Connecticut however.  This post provides an overview of what is available.  Please call or email us for a benefit summary on any of the plans listed below.

WellCare- Offers plans in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven Counties.  Wellcare has a $0 premium plan that boasts the lowest copays of any $0 premium MAPD in Connecticut.  They also have the only Dual Eligible offering in the state.   Both plans are very strong from a copay and additional benefit standpoint.    Wellcare does have network limitation that need to be considered.  Networks tend to be best in and around cities.  They do not have network in northern Fairfield county.

Anthem BCBS- Anthem offers plans in all counties of Connecticut.  They have an HMO offering for $28 per month.  They also have a PPO (available in limited counties only) for $18.00 that boasts very strong benefits compared to all other PPO plans in Connecticut.   Anthem has a very large network but is missing some major Physician IPA groups in CT.

United HealthCare- United offers plans in all counties of Connecticut.  They have 2 HMO plans ($99 a month plan and $0 a month plan) along with an AARP branded PPO plan for $24.00 a month.   United has an extensive provider network through Connecticut.  The UHC plans do not participate with Quest Labs which should be taken into consideration.  All other major labs do participate however.

Aetna- Currently offer plans in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven county.  They have a $0 premium plan HMO, $94.00 HMO and a $90 PPO plan.  The $0 premium plan has benefits second only to Wellcare when compared to the other $0 premium plans in the state.  They also have a substantial network to go with the plan and allow for access to any Aetna Medicare HMO provider nation wide.  The Aetna PPO is not competitive at this point due to a $1,000 out of network deductible.

Connecticare- We have a contract with Connecticare but they will not allow to post any comments about their plan.  Call the office if you want information on this company 203-796-5403 or email Edward@Croweandassociates.com

HOW CROWE & ASSOCIATES CAN HELP YOU:

Crowe & Associates is an independent based in Brookfield CT. We are A rated with the BBB and are contracted to sell every Medicare Advantage plan in Connecticut.  We are paid commission from the companies and do not charge clients a fee for our services as a result.  We work with seniors in Connecticut every day to help them find the right Medicare plan to meet their needs.  Feel Free to call our office at 203-796-5403 or email me at Edward@Croweandassociates.com

Would you like to learn More? Register for our “How to choose a Medicare plan” Webinar by clicking this link

There are 5 companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans (MA or MAPD) in the state of Connecticut. The 5 companies are Anthem BCBS, Aetna, United HealthCare, Connecticare and Wellcare. They do not all offer their plans in all counties of Connecticut however. This post provides an overview of what is available. Please call or email us for a benefit summary on any of the plans listed below.

WellCare- Offers plans in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven Counties. Wellcare has a $0 premium plan that boasts the lowest copays of any $0 premium MAPD in Connecticut. They also have the only Dual Eligible offering in the state. Both plans are very strong from a copay and additional benefit standpoint. Wellcare does have network limitation that need to be considered. Networks tend to be best in and around cities. They do not have network in northern Fairfield county.

Anthem BCBS- Anthem offers plans in all counties of Connecticut. They have an HMO offering for $28 per month. They also have a PPO (available in limited counties only) for $18.00 that boasts very strong benefits compared to all other PPO plans in Connecticut. Anthem has a very large network but is missing some major Physician IPA groups in CT.

United HealthCare- United offers plans in all counties of Connecticut. They have 2 HMO plans ($99 a month plan and $0 a month plan) along with an AARP branded PPO plan for $24.00 a month. United has an extensive provider network through Connecticut. The UHC plans do not participate with Quest Labs which should be taken into consideration. All other major labs do participate however.

Aetna- Currently offer plans in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven county. They have a $0 premium plan HMO, $94.00 HMO and a $90 PPO plan. The $0 premium plan has benefits second only to Wellcare when compared to the other $0 premium plans in the state. They also have a substantial network to go with the plan and allow for access to any Aetna Medicare HMO provider nation wide. The Aetna PPO is not competitive at this point due to a $1,000 out of network deductible.

Connecticare- We have a contract with Connecticare but they will not allow to post any comments about their plan. Call the office if you want information on this company 203-796-5403 or email Edward@Croweandassociates.com

HOW CROWE & ASSOCIATES CAN HELP YOU:

Crowe & Associates is an independent based in Brookfield CT. We are A rated with the BBB and are contracted to sell every Medicare Advantage plan in Connecticut. We are paid commission from the companies and do not charge clients a fee for our services as a result. We work with seniors in Connecticut every day to help them find the right Medicare plan to meet their needs. Feel Free to call our office at 203-796-5403 or email me at Edward@Croweandassociates.com

Would you like to learn More? Register for our “How to choose a Medicare plan” Webinar by clicking this link

There are a limited number of Medicare Advantage plans available in Connecticut for 2012.  The list includes plans from Connecticare, AARP/United, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield and Wellcare.   Our agency has clients with all companies and plan types in Connecticut and we are happy to share the good and bad of them with you.

Please click the link below to view the comparison.   Call or email with any questions or requests.  Email: Edward@Croweandassociates.com or phone at 203-796-5403   Review our BBB rating here   Click for BBB Rating

Medicare Advantage comparison 2012 CT