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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.

How Medicare Supplements Work

Medicare supplements are insurance plans that provide coverage after Original Medicare A and B benefits.  Some people also call  these plans either Medigap or Med Supps.  There are many plans you can choose from.  All these plan options have standardized benefits from plan to plan.  This simply means that if a company is offering a plan F supplement, the benefits will be the same from company to company.  The only difference in the plans will be in the monthly premium.  As a result, it is very important to compare prices when you decide on which company’s plan you are going to use.

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This post has been updated.  Click here for information

Medicare Supplement Rates Connecticut 2014

Medicare Supplement  Rates Connecticut 2014.  The Medicare supplement plans (also called Medigap) are standardized in the state of Connecticut. This means that plan benefits can not vary from company to company.  If a company is offering a Plan F supplement, the benefits must be the same regardless of the company offering it.  The only difference is the monthly premium.  Traditionally, the most popular plan in CT has been plan F.  AARP currently holds the best plan F price at $218.50 a month but Combined has released a plan for $214.57 a month starting in April of 2014.  Plan N and L have started to gain popularity in the last 24 months with many consumers enrolling in them as a lower cost alternative to plan F.

The state of Connecticut is a guaranteed issue Medigap state. This allows the insured to change from one supplement to another anytime during the year.   The state of CT does not allow underwriting on Medigap plans.  There is a 3 month waiting period for those that did not have any type of plan (Medicare Advantage or Medigap) prior to signing up for a Medigap plan.  The 3 month wait would not be applicable to those with a qualifying event.

CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS TO MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT RATES 2014 CONNECTICUT

Crowe and Associates is always happy to help you with either healthcare or investment needs.  We want you to feel comfortable with the plan you choose. Your plan has to fit both your healthcare needs as well as your budget.

If you would like more information about Medicare, please contact us.  You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at admin@croweandassociates.com.

Changing Medigap Plans

Changing Medigap Plans is not impossible.  Medigap plans (Also called Medicare Supplements) can be changed the first of any month in Connecticut.  This change can be made internally from one Medigap to anther in the same company.  You can also change from one company to a different company.  This is allowed because Connecticut is considered a guaranteed issue state for the Medigap plans.

As a quick example, if someone is in an AARP plan F and wants to move to an AARP plan N supplement, they may do so the first of any month.  Likewise, if they want to move from an AARP supplement over to an Anthem BCBS supplement, they may do this as well.  Again, the change will take place the first day of the following month.

People often confuse the rules regarding Medicare Advantage and Stand Alone Part D plans with Medigap plans.  The rules for making changes (Nov 15th to Dec 7th for a Jan 1 change) only apply to Advantage and Part D plans.  These rules do not include the Medicare supplement plans.

Looking for more information on Medicare supplement plans?  Click Here

Crowe and Associates is a full service brokerage.  In addition to Medicare, we offer our clients council on medical, dental, life, as well as home insurance products.  We also offer advice regarding investment products including both annuity and bridge loan products.

Click here to learn about all of our services.

Do not let health insurance scare you.  Crowe and Associates is here to help you  to choose a plan that suits both your medical needs and your budget.

If you have any health care coverage needs or questions, please contact us.  You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at admin@croweandassociates.com.  We are also available to help you with investment opportunities or questions.

Medicare Supplement Medigap Plans

Medicare supplement Medigap Plans, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that  Original Medicare A and B doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Some Medigap policies such as Plan F, G and N also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. These services include, medical care when travelling outside of the country.  If you have Original Medicare A and B and you buy a Medicare Supplement policy, Medicare will pay its share of the  Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share depending on which plan you purchase.

A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. (MA or MAPD)  A Medicare Advantage plan is primary instead of Original Medicare being primary.

If you are looking for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) applications, CLICK HERE or email Edward@croweandassociates.com

Important things to know about Medigap policies

1. You must have Medicare A and B in order for a Medicare Supplement to provide coverage
2. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can apply for a Medigap policy.  Although your Medigap plan will not work unless you dis enroll from the Medicare Advantage plan.
3. You pay a monthly premium for your Medigap policy in addition to the monthly Part B premium that you pay to Medicare.
4. A Medigap policy only covers one person. If there is a husband and wife, you must each buy a plan if you both want coverage.
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.  You can not be cancelled due to health complications.
7. Medigap plans no longer include prescription drug coverage.  If you also want drug coverage, you need to purchase a Part D Prescription drug plan.

Medigap policies don’t cover everything

Medigap policies do no cover  long-term care , vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.

The following policies are not Medigap plans

Some types of insurance aren’t Medigap plans (Medigap plans are secondary to Medicare, the following are not)

• Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO, PPO, or Private Fee-for-Service Plan)
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
• Medicaid
• Employer or union plans, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
• TRICARE
• Veterans’ benefits
• Long-term care insurance policies
• Indian Health Service, Tribal, as well as Urban Indian Health plans

Want To know the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage? CLICK HERE

United Health Care branded Plan C Medigap Connecticut

This post contains some important information about United Health Care branded Plan C Medigap Connecticut.  The terms “Medigap” and “Medicare Supplement”  are interchangeable they both describe the same product.  They both refer to an insurance plan that provides medical coverage that is secondary to Original Medicare.  In fact,  Medigap plans are standardized in Connecticut.  This means that there is no variation in the benefits clients receive from one company to another company.  AARP branded Medigap plans through United Healthcare currently have the lowest rates in Connecticut.  Plan C is one of three Medigap plans in Connecticut that people under the age of 65 can enroll in.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLAN C

 FOR MORE INFORMATION – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION

If you have any questions, please contact us.  You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at Edward@croweandassociates.com.  We are happy to give our agents any support that they need in order to be their best and grow their books.

United Health Care Branded Plan N Medigap Connecticut

Crowe and Associates would like to help you answer any questions you have about United Health Care Branded Plan N Medigap Connecticut.  Both terms “Medicare Supplement” and “Medigap” are interchangeable as they refer to the same insurance coverage. People use both these terms as names for private insurance plans that you can use as secondary coverage after your Original Medicare plan.  You should note that Medigap plans do not included Part D drug coverage.  In fact,  AARP offers Medigap plans through United Healthcare.  Additionally, people who purchase this UHC plan currently enjoy a lower premium rate.  This is an advantage over the other companies who offer Medigap plans at a higher rate in the state of Connecticut.

Often times people choose to use the Plan N as a supplement option as an alternative insurance choice to a Plan F Medigap plan.   If you would like to learn more about this,  FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLAN N CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

In Addition, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.  You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at admin@croweandasssociates.com.

AARP Plan N Supplement Connecticut Medicare

If you would like to learn more about AARP Plan N Supplement Connecticut Medicare, you should read this post.  AARP Medicare Supplements offered through United Healthcare currently have the lowest monthly premiums in Connecticut.   Medicare Supplements (also called Medigap) are standardized in Connecticut which means the benefits are uniform from company to company.  Plan N Supplement should be given consideration as an alternative to Plan F.   Plan N covers 100% of the part A deductible and coinsurance.  It will cover all but $20 of the Medicare Part B coinsurance.   The only other charge is a $50 charge for emergency room visits.

Plan N does not cover the part B deductible which is $144.00 one time per year.  It also does not cover part B excess over 100% and excludes coverage for foreign travel emergency.   The plan is still very solid and like all supplements, allows you to go to any doctor you choose as long as they accept Medicare.   The premium for plan N is $147.00 a month.  This cost should be compared to Plan F ($221.00 a month).  Often, the math will come out better on the plan N vs. the Plan F due to the premium savings.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

CLICK FOR AN APPLICATION

Other Questions?  Call our office at 203-796-5403

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.

A Medicare supplement plan (Also called Medigap) is an insurance policy that is designed to cover the benefits that Medicare A and B do not cover.  If you are not familiar with Medicare A and B benefits CLICK HERE  Doctors, hospitals and all other Medical providers, bill Medicare A and B (Original Medicare Card). Medicare covers their portion and the balance is sent to the Supplement plan to cover the amount specified by the plan you buy.  So is it worth it to buy a supplement?

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