Indy Health Agent Logo
Virtual Agent Logo
Local health agent ratings link
  • Home
  • Alabama Health Insurance
  • Indiana Health Insurance
  • Get Medicare
  • Book Appointment – With a Local Health Insurance Agent
  • Instant Health Insurance Quotes
  • Virtual Agent – Health Plan Navigator
  • Vision and Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • ACA-Options
  • Faith Share Options and Rates
  • Short Term Quote & Buy
  • Recommended HSA’s & Pet Care
  • Medicaid – Hip Healthy Indiana Plan
  • Business Group Health Insurance
  • MedCard Plans & Pricing
  • Refer Friends
  • News – Blog
  • Carrier Phone Numbers
  • About & Q/A
  • Agents | Password Required
  • Health Insurance Expert Profile
  • Our Privacy Policy
Questions? Call or text me at 800-710-5668
  • Meet With Agent
  • Join on Zoom
  • Medicare Information
"Health Insurance Rates Looking Scary? Don't Worry, Talk to Larry"
Larry Medcalf, CLU®
Medicare,Medicare Advantage,medicare age in,Medigap,Turning 65
|
March 15, 2020
|
Larry Medcalf, CLU®

Welcome to Medicare - EZ Guide

Approximately 10,000 people a day in the United States, that’s how many people since 2011 that age into Medicare everyday.  These numbers will continue until around 2030 as the last of the Baby Boomers age in.  That’s a lot of people being introduced to a healthcare system and benefit structure that is likely unlike anything they have ever had before. Because of this we decided to put together a short guide to Medicare benefits and a basic overview of the structure of Medicare plans. 

Medicare is often described as complicated because of the different programs and plan types offered by organizations. The available plans include offers by private firms in line with established guidelines and programs and Medicare plans called Part C plans.  I’m going to just give you the basics here.  If you want more detailed information you can checkout my other Medicare-focused articles or if you live in Central and Southern Indiana, we can meet up or talk on the phone.

The first step is enrolling in Part A and B. If you are receiving social security this may be automatic. If you are not sure call 800-MEDICARE.
 

Breaking it Down

You basically have 3 options when it comes to Medicare:

Option 1 – Original Medicare services

It consists of parts A, B & D.  Part A of Medicare is part of original Medicare which comes at no cost for persons that paid for it during their working years or the working years of their spouse.  It covers hospital stays and other inpatient services and has a deductible of around $1,400 a year.  Once the deductible is met in some cases you’ll pay a 20% co-insurance, in other cases you won’t.  Part B is the part of Medicare that covers outpatient services.  If you or a spouse had income under $174,000 in 2018, you’ll pay $144.60 a month for your Part B coverage.  It has a deductible of almost $200 a year and then co-insurance of 20%.  Part D is the Medicare drug plan.  There is no one Medicare drug plan, only standards that Medicare sets.  The idea is to find the plan that has the lowest overall cost when you factor in drug cost and monthly plan premium cost.  I or another reputable Medicare agent can help you determine the best overall Part D plan for your needs.

Rx Pills
Even if you currently don’t have an Rx, it’s important to consider the Part D penalty cost when deciding to forego Rx coverage.

Option 2 – Original Medicare with a supplement, is keeping your original Part A and B Medicare coverage in place.  However, you pick a Medicare supplement (aka Medigap) plan to help pay the out of pocket cost.  There are several different Medgap plan letters, Plan N, Plan F, Plan G, etc.  The idea is that by having a uniform system of Medigap plans consumers can shop around easier.  Once you know the plan type you want, you just need to find a reputable carrier that is offering that plan type in your area at a good price.  Because a Plan G is a Plan G is a Plan G.  It doesn’t matter who you get that Plan G from, it covers the same medical benefits.

Option 3 – Part C (aka Advantage) is kind of like saying thanks but no thanks Medicare, I choose Aetna, or United, or whoever, to administer my Medicare coverage.  Now you play by that carrier’s rules.  At a minimum, they have to cover what Original Medicare covers, but many have different ways of doing this.  Many plans do not have deductibles, but instead of copays.  Copays are set dollar amounts for various services. So for instance, a primary doctor’s visit might be $5, a lab might be $10, an outpatient surgery could be $200, and so on.  Often part D drug coverage is included in these plans, so you won’t have separate drug coverage.  Depending on the competition in the area, oftentimes these plans will add on extras like dental, vision, credits for OTC items, and gym membership.  In many cases, these plans will not cost you any additional money beyond your Part B premium as well.

That’s the basics of your Medicare options. The whole process of choosing the right Medicare option as you turn 65 could be especially frustrating without the help of an expert Medicare agent. An expert that is versed in Medicare plans can help you find plans that are most suitable to your needs. The importance of understanding the terms and conditions that apply to every insurance policy cannot be overemphasized either. A good health insurance professional will provide guidance based on expert knowledge of the industry. 

If you’d like more detailed information you can checkout my articles below or contact me via text/voice directly at 317-514-8696.

Different parts of healthcare

Welcome to Medicare – When do Benefits Begin?

March 6, 2020 No Comments

Health insurance is often described as complicated because of the different programs and plan types offered by organizations. The available health insurance plans include offers

Read More »
Medicare board

Welcome to Medicare: Coverage 101

October 19, 2019 5 Comments

Intro to Medicare Health insurance options broaden for a person when they become 65 years old. American’s that are at least 65 years old are

Read More »
Larry Medcalf, CLU®

Larry Medcalf, CLU®

A graduate of Marian University in Indianapolis with a BS degree in Human Resources and Management. Larry has over 15 years experience in financial services serving individuals, families, and small business owners primarily in Central Indiana and Northern Alabama. In the last 10 years, he's focused on providing group health, Medicare and individual benefits. If you have questions or need help with your benefits, you can reach Larry directly at 317-514-8696 (call or text) and larry@indyhealthagent.com

Share this Article on:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google+
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

Subscribe to our Blog & Receive a Free Gift

Our Bronze Membership Free

Health Benefit & Rx Pricing Advocate - Rx Discount Pricing - Lab/Imaging Discount Pricing - BenefitHub Discount Market - And More...
Free Gift
Health Insurance Call Me Banner
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
Link
Medicare board
Medicare

Welcome to Medicare: Coverage 101

Read »
MedCard Logo
Health Insurance

3 Small Business Hacks for no Cost Employee Benefits

Read »
Different parts of healthcare
Medicare

Welcome to Medicare – When do Benefits Begin?

Read »
« Previous Next »

Subscribe to our Blog & Receive a Free Gift...Our MedCard Bronze Membership

Health Benefit & Rx Pricing Advocate - Rx Discount Pricing - Lab/Imaging Discount Pricing - BenefitHub Discount Market - And More...

SSL Certified Icon

Indy Health Agent - Indiana Health Insurance
5868 E 71st St Suite E-593 Indianapolis, IN 46220
larry@IndyHealthAgent.com
P (317) 296-8881

AL Health Agent - Huntsville Alabama Health Insurance
14149 Peek Dr Athens, AL 35611
northalabama@IndyHealthAgent.com
P (256) 760-3111

AL Health Agent - The Shoals Alabama Health Insurance
3506 E 18th Ct Sheffield, AL 35660
shoals@IndyHealthAgent.com
P (256) 978-4555

Apple App Logo
Google Play Android Icon
Yelp Icon
Nextdoor Icon
Linkedin Logo
Twitter Icon
Angie's List A Rating Logo Avon Health Insurance Agent

Larry Medcalf is an Alabama & Indiana health insurance agent licensed in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, Texas, New Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, West Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Not all Services and products are available in all states. Agent may be compensated based on enrollment in a health plan. Agents will not provide tax or legal advice. Contact a tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual circumstances. Quotes are provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until you are enrolled.
Attention: Medcalf Advisors is a local Alabama & Indiana health insurance broker and the operator of this website and is not healthcare.gov. In providing the website Medcalf Advisors is required to comply with all applicable laws, including the standard to protect the security of PII (personally identifiable information). This website may not show all data on ACA Plans being offered in your state. To see all ACA Plan options in your state, go to HealthCare.gov. If you are looking for an Alabama or Indiana health insurance you came to the right place. Larry Medcalf is a local Alabama & Indiana health insurance agent with almost 15 years experience. We can help you with Alabama & Indiana health insurance (and most other states), life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, long term insurance, disability insurance and more.

Check Agent Email

©2009-2021 by Medcalf Advisors Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana