New Medicare Premium, Deductible and Co-Pay for 2011

Posted by: Colorado Medicare Insurance

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released the new medicare premium, deductibles and co-pay charges for 2011.  You can read the November 4 release in its entirety right here.  If you'd like a more readable summary of the changes for 2011, take a look at ElderlawAnswers.  They've published a very good summary of all the changes taking place in 2011 and they provide an explanation as to why some increases apply to some people and not others.

For example, the basic premium for Medicare Part B will be $115.40.  This is a 4.4% increase from the 2010 premium of $110.50.  However, the ElderlawAnswers article states that most Social Security recipients (approximately 73%) will continue to pay Part B premiums of $96.40 per month.  That's because the Medicare law prohibits any increase in Part B premiums in excess of the Social Security cost of living increases.  Since there is no cost of living increase in benefits for 2011, there is no increase in the Part B premium.

However, ElderlawAnswers also explains that certain individuals will pay the new Medicare Part B premium (i.e., the approximately 27% of Social Security recipients)  because they:

• don't have Part B premiums withheld from their Social Security checks;
• pay a higher Part B premium because of their high income level; or,
• are newly enrolled in Part B.

The ElderlawAnswers article has a lot more information about Medicare rates and premiums for 2011, including co-pays for hospital and skilled nursing facilities.  If applicable to you or someone close to you, I'd recommend taking a look at the ElderlawAnswers article.

Article Source: https://livingtrustnetwork.com 

Medicare Supplement Insurance - What Are the 2011 Deductibles, Coinsurance, and Co-Pays It Covers?

Posted by: Colorado Medicare Insurance

Medicare has ultimately released the numbers for the 2011 gaps in Medicare elements A & B. Understanding what these exposures are can assist you quantify the value of getting a Medicare supplement and even offers some exciting insight and questions. Could there be a metaphorical "slight-of-hand" included from Medicare relating to inflation? If so, why? Read on to find out.

Let's go over the details first. Here is a list of the exposures included with Medicare components A & B in 2011.

Medicare Premiums for 2011:

Component A: (Hospital Insurance)Premium

• Most men and women do not pay a monthly Element A premium mainly because they or a spouse has 40 or additional quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
• The Element A premium is $248.00 per month for folks acquiring 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
• The Aspect A premium is $450.00 per month for individuals who are not otherwise eligible for premium-free of charge hospital insurance and have much less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.

Aspect B: (Medical Insurance) Premium

Most beneficiaries will continue to pay the similar $96.40 or $110.50 premium quantity in 2011. Beneficiaries who at the moment have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Component B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or much less (or $170,000 or less for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Aspect B premium in 2011. For further details, see our FAQ titled: Will my Medicare Aspect B premium enhance in 2011?.

Medigap Prepare G - Why It's a Much better Option Than Medigap Prepare F

Colorado Medigap Program G is a Medicare Supplement program that is the 2nd most complete prepare at present made available. It is generally mistakenly ignored in favor of the much more common Medigap Program F. Several agents and firms encourage the Program F just simply because it is simpler to reveal and recognize for these on Medicare. Prepare F pays for every thing that Medicare doesn't cover at the medical professional and hospital so that you don't have any out of pocket expenses.

Medicare Supplement Plans - Finding the Right Plan for All Your Needs

Posted by:  Colorado Medicare Supplement Insurance

Finding the right Colorado Medicare supplement plans can be a challenging task. Many companies now are offering many types of insurance plans that meet the requirements for this type of insurance. The problem comes in with knowing what you really need or are eligible for. In addition, you need to figure out what type of plan will be the most beneficial in your situation for the lowest cost. This by itself can be a bit overwhelming for many people.

Much of the confusion comes from the fact that there are only ten types of plans that may be issued for Colorado Medicare supplement plans. They are all different in what they cover and how they affect the money that a person needs to spend. Some are designed for those who are using many expensive prescription drugs, while others are aimed to help people who have severe illnesses and are already in hospitals or may be entering one soon. Finally, some plans are designed to help those in good health who merely need to work to maintain it. Each plan is based on Medicare and the areas where it does not offer coverage or it is very limited. However, each of these is very different.

Determining which Medicare supplement insurance plans are right for you is further complicated by the rates that different insurance companies charge for the different types of plans. For one person a plan from United HealthCare might do the trick and for someone else Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado or Mutual of Omaha may work best. Some consumers find Colorado Medicare Advantage Plans work while most other seniors will see that a traditional supplement plan give the most security. Also, prices can vary a great deal by zip code and this makes it difficult for a person to know if they are getting a good price or not. Most people do not have the time or desire to spend all the time that would be required to thoroughly investigate all the various insurance companies to determine who has the best rates for the plans they think they need.

In view of these issues, it may be wise in many cases for a person to contact someone who specializes in Colorado Medicare supplement plans. They can eliminate much of the stress that goes along with trying to figure all these complex issues out. By letting them use their training and experience in this type of insurance to help you with your needs, you can be confident that your needs are being addressed and that they best solutions will be found. In most cases, a professional will meet with you, go over your needs and then set about obtaining quotations for you from various companies. They can then go over the results with you and help you decide what fits your needs and your wallet.

Feds Adopt NAIC Standards For Medigap Insurance

Posted by: Colorado Medicare Supplement Insurance

In early May well 2009, the federal government adopted new standards for Medicare supplement insurance. The standards were developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and had been set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in order to apply the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

The Medicare supplement insurance standards were originally set by the NAIC in 1979 and have been advised a lot of occasions given that then. The recent modifications to the standards include things like modifications to the Medicare Supplement strategy alternatives that had been believed to be confusing and duplicate positive aspects that are obtainable in the Medicare Element B - physician and outpatient services - plan. These adjustments consist of the following:

- The addition of hospice rewards to each and every Medicare Supplement program choice

- The elimination of preventative and at-house recovery advantages for all Medicare Supplement program alternatives

More About Medigap Insurance

Medigap insurance, also recognized as supplement insurance, is an insurance policy that Medicare subscribers can take out in order to cover healthcare expenses that are not already covered by Medicare.  Medigap insurance policies are supplied by private insurers and are available for all Medicare subscribers that are interested in enrolling in such programs.

All Medicare subscribers need to be conscious of how Medigap insurance policies function with their existing Medicare policies. For instance, some Medicare subscribers that have Medicare Program D could be in a position to have Medigap insurance cover the price of prescription medicines that are not covered by Strategy D.

Other Medicare Adjustments

In addition to the addition of hospice positive aspects and the elimination of preventative and at-residence recovery positive aspects to the Medicare plan, the method will undergo many other adjustments in 2010. These further adjustments consist of the elimination of four Medicare Plans and the addition of two new plans.

All Medicare subscribers must review their existing plans and find out more about the adjustments that will influence them. Some Medicare subscribers will want to make alterations to their Medicare accounts following they discover additional about the new alternative offered to them. These alterations want to be created throughout the open enrollment period from November 15 to December 31, 2009 in order to be applied to the 2010 Medicare year.

Far more Info about Medicare

Medicare is a federal healthcare program that is readily available to all U.S. citizens more than the age of 65. Additionally, individuals beneath the age of 65 are eligible for Medicare coverage if they have a qualifying disability or if they have Finish-Stage Renal Illness - a illness in which an individual has permanent kidney failure and needs a kidney transplant or dialysis treatment options.

Individuals that are enrolled in a Medicare program obtain coverage for quite a few healthcare-associated expenses, which includes healthcare services and supplies. Nevertheless, there are some healthcare expenses that are not covered by Medicare, which includes co-insurance, copayments, and deductibles. Some prescription drugs and treatments are also not covered by the Medicare program.

Medicare Subscribers have quite a few possibilities when it comes to selecting the right plan for their requirements. Subscribers are initial needed to select from 4 plans: Medicare Part A, Medicare Pat B, Medicare Part C, and Medicare Part D. In some cases, they can combine these plans together in order to receive the correct coverage for their needs.

In the occasion that a subscriber selects a program that does not cover some or all of their healthcare wants, the individual may elect to purchase Medigap insurance. Medigap insurance is developed to cover the cost of numerous healthcare expenses that are not already covered by Medicare. Coverage alternatives differ based on the plan and the strategy provider that an individual selects.

Typically, when an individual has Medicare Aspect B coverage, the person will buy Medigap coverage as effectively. Medicare Plan B covers 80 % of the medically necessary healthcare charges that an person may incur as a result of treatment by a physician or a hospital. When bills are especially high, Medigap insurance can cover all or some of the remaining 20 percent that is not covered by Medicare.

Medicare also does not commonly pay for preventative services, such as routine exams. Medigap insurance plans might cover the expense of these non-covered services, depending on the strategy that a subscriber purchases.

Respiratory Help Is Available For Seniors With COPD

Posted by: Colorado medicare supplement insurance

I found this article on Ezine Articles and thought it would be a good addition to my blog.  Remember, if you have any questions or comments, please respond to my posts! I'd love to see what you have to say :)

As HMOs Continue to Drop Coverage for Seniors - Now Over 500,000 Victims - Those Needing Expensive Respiratory Medication, Support and Homecare Services are the Hardest Hit
One Patient Advocate, Geriatric Services of America, is Providing Relief to Victimized Patients Through a Unique, Often No-Cost Program

More than 536,000 US senior citizens are scrambling to find new doctors or new coverage because their health plans terminated their Medicare managed-care services, according to a Nonrenewal Report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the year 2002. Among the hardest hit are seniors in California (84,000), Florida (59,000), Pennsylvania (55,000), New Jersey (53,000), Texas (46,000), and Michigan (31,000), who will be losing coverage in the coming year. Even those with continuing coverage face substantial premium hikes and dwindling drug benefits. Particularly hard hit will be those with chronic illnesses such as respiratory disease, who will bear the brunt of high medication and healthcare costs.

Though all seniors 65 and older are covered by Medicare, those enrolled in managed-care programs agree to see doctors within a limited network and receive additional benefits, such as preventative care and prescription-drug coverage. The current coverage crisis stems from rising delivery costs and limited government reimbursement, as doctors and hospitals increasingly balk at seeing Medicare HMO patients, since they aren't sufficiently reimbursed for their services. Without enough doctors and hospitals providing care, an HMO can't serve its members. The problem is worst in large urban markets, where more than half of Medicare + Choice beneficiaries live nationwide but where reimbursement rate increases have trailed rising costs since 1997.

To compensate for the funding shortfall, premiums for seniors retaining Medicare HMO coverage are expected to spike while benefits dwindle in the coming year. In California's Sacramento-area, for example, monthly premiums for Kaiser Permanente's Senior Advantage Medicare Plan will double from $40 to $80 starting Jan. 1st. Healthnet, following suit, is raising premiums 50 percent, from $40 to $60 per month for its Seniority Plus members in the area. Pacificare and Western Health Advantage, while holding monthly premiums at $50 in their Sacramento-area Medicare plans, will eliminate brand name drug coverage next year.
Across the nation, seniors caught between rising premiums and shrinking coverage will find themselves in a similar bind. Even those with Medigap policies will feel the squeeze. Medigap policies A through J, for instance, have minimum standard benefit packages, and the H, I, and J plans covering prescriptions have annual drug caps ranging from $1,250 to $2,000.

For the 30 million Americans with a Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as asthma, emphysema or cystic fibrosis - collectively the fourth leading cause of death in the US, however, help is available with Geriatric Services of America (GSA), a national community service organization based in Tempe, Arizona which provides direct help and support to older Americans suffering from chronic respiratory disease. Through its Respiratory Disease Control Program, GSA provides access to a comprehensive range of special medication benefits, as well as support and homecare services, which eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for patients with primary or supplemental insurance coverage.

Through GSA's patient support center, nebulizers and respiratory medication are provided and paid for with free home delivery, conveniently packaged and ready to use. GSA handles all paperwork, and clinical Patient Care Coordinators work with doctors and insurance companies once a patient has enrolled in the Respiratory Disease Control Program. Patients can enroll themselves in the program; there is nothing to buy, and no enrollment or membership fees.

Currently, Medicare, AARP, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and over 180 other insurers have special benefits for patients with respiratory disease. GSA provides access to these benefits, and coordinates all elements of care to help patients, doctors, and insurance companies combat respiratory disease.

At a time when US seniors face restricted health care access, rising premiums, and shrinking benefits, GSA stands out as a welcome ally for those needing respiratory medication benefits, support, or homecare services. For more information about GSA, or how someone you know can enroll in this special wellcare program, write to 4812 South Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282; call 800-307-8048; fax 800-345-2425; or email Gary Rheault directly at grheault@geriatricservices.com.

About The Author:  Del Williams is a technical writer based in Torrance, California.

Can Telemedicine Enhance Medicare Supplement Insurance Care?

Posted by: Colorado medicare supplement insurance


Telemedicine isn't for the space station, but it is intended to reach into communities exactly where there's less access to specialists, like in rural locations. Imagine becoming able to speak to your physician "face-to-face" without having to go to her office. That signifies no a lot more hassles of getting wheelchairs in the van, or attempting to find streets that have been cleared of snow in the winter to preserve your doctor's appointment. If you're in a modest town, it can also mean you won't have to journey across the state to see the closest specialist.

What does telemedicine give you if you're eligible for Medicare? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already proposed new policies to increase the use of telemedicine. Seniors and those with disabilities are amongst those most likely to benefit from the growing use of technology-delivered medicine.

Mobility usually becomes a lot more challenging as we age, but with video conferencing, you can nonetheless "see" and speak with your doctor devoid of risking a fall although traveling to a doctor's appointment. Even in rural regions with little access to specialists, Medicare and

Medicare Supplement plans can offer you you a lot more healthcare alternatives.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Can Improve Access To Healthcare
You may possibly have heard that our aging population is expected to place a better demand on the current healthcare system. With telemedicine, even towns that have trouble attracting specialists will be able to connect you with specialists in urban settings.

As Dr. Debra Lister of Douglas, Georgia explains, "It's so far for our individuals here to get to a specialist. Some of these individuals just can't travel - some of our elderly and poor folks couldn't have created the trip. An awful lot of them would not have received care."

Thanks to telemedicine, Lister's clinic is typically able to connect sufferers by way of video conferencing with a specialist inside two months. That's just about half the time it takes to get an in-person appointment with a specialist.

This new access makes Medigap Insurance even much more useful. You most likely recognize that Medicare doesn't pay for all of your healthcare costs. Medicare only pays for 80 % of a pre-approved fee for physician services. Medigap plans not only pick up the remaining 20 percent, but also support when specialists charge much more than Medicare's pre-approved payment. With the correct Medigap coverage, you could have access to the very best specialists no matter how far away their practice is or how pricey their services are.

Telemedicine Provides A Bridge To Improved Care
At the University of Nebraska Medical Center, an interactive video method is bringing Dr. Thomas Magnuson face-to-face with his sufferers in nursing homes about the state. He can communicate with household members and the staff at the nursing homes in the very same way. Magnuson, who's a psychiatrist, says, "We have a lot of isolated locations. We just had a massive patient population out there that wasn't being observed."

Magnuson uses video conferencing to see and hear his patients just as if he was in the room with them. This technology can link specialists from urban centers with rural physicians and their patients can get the care they will need when they want it. Even far more exceptional, technologies is permitting surgeons to perform "lengthy-distance" operations by making use of remote-controlled robots.

Quite a few rural hospitals already have some kind of telemedicine, but the growth of telemedicine technology is expected to continue. Just as telemedicine is bridging the distance between sufferers and specialists, Medicare Supplement Insurance is eliminating the economic barriers that have separated folks from the healthcare they want.