Here are the five top reasons that it’s better to have a Medigap Plan F, G, or N policy and keep your Original Medicare benefits for life: All of your major healthcare expenses are covered up-front. You can use the healthcare providers of your choice (no network providers). No referrals are required to use healthcare […]
Medicare Star Ratings: What They Mean & How to Use Them
Have you ever wondered what the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) star ratings mean and how to use them to choose a health plan? In this MedicareWire article, we’ll cover what you need to know and explain how we use the CMS 5-star rating system to help you choose a plan with the quality of care you deserve. We’ll […]
Why Medicare Advantage Plans are Bad: 7 Top Complaints
One of the most common questions we get here at MedicareWire is, “are Medicare Advantage plans bad?” In my experience, this question comes up because people ask their friends, neighbors, and healthcare providers about Medicare plans, and that brings up the horror stories and a litany of reasons why Medicare Advantage plans are bad. But, […]
When Does Medicare Start? 7 Important Facts You Need to Know.
Medicare is the government medical insurance plan for older Americans and people with certain disabilities. As of 2020, more than 61-million Americans rely on Medicare for their primary health insurance needs. By the year 2032, this number will swell to over 80-million people. In this MedicareWire.com article, we’ll explain when Medicare starts for most people […]
Does Medicare Cover Blood Tests?
Medicare covers many common laboratory tests and diagnostics needed to keep you healthy or diagnose a symptom. This includes many blood tests for things like hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), triglycerides, cholesterol, lipids, and most preventive care lab tests. In this MedicareWire.com article, we’ll explain what lab tests Medicare covers. Blood tests are covered under […]
Medicare Advantage vs Medigap: Which is Best for You?
While shopping for Medicare health insurance, most people want to know “What is the big difference between Medicare supplements and Medicare advantage plans?” Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage are very different health insurance products, but they both attempt to protect you from the high cost of a chronic illness or being hospitalized. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to compare Medicare supplements, also known […]
Can I Get My Prescriptions with a Medigap Plan?
One of the top benefits of most Medicare Advantage plans is they bundle in prescription drug coverage. We get a lot of questions from readers wanting to know if they can get prescription drug coverage bundled with Medicare supplement insurance. The short answer is no. You can get prescription drug coverage through Medicare in one […]
What Is Medicare Part G?
There are four different parts to the Medicare program. From its inception in 1965, it has been a government-run health insurance program for seniors aged 65 and people with disabilities and medical conditions. But, did you know it isn’t all-inclusive care? That’s where Medicare Plan G comes in. Let’s start with a quick review of what Medicare covers and its four Parts […]
Does Medicare Cover Vision?
As people grow older, it’s common for them to suffer from vision-related problems. So, as you’re researching Medicare and all that it offers, you may question if Medicare covers vision services. In this Medicare Wire article, we’ll explain which vision care service Medicare covers, and those that are not covered. Original Medicare Part A and Part B Vision Coverage Original […]
How to Qualify for Both Medicare and Medicaid
What is Medicare? Medicare is health insurance for adults aged 65 or older and those with certain disabilities. Medicare Part A (hospital inpatient coverage) and Medicare Part B (medical coverage) provide the traditional private fee-for-service coverage, known as Original Medicare, but private health plans are also available. Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare is not end-to-end healthcare. In fact, from the beginning, Medicare was […]
What Is Medicare Part F?
The federal Medicare program is a series of lettered (A, B, C, and D) medical insurance plans available to people, age 65 and older, and certain adults with qualifying disabilities. Medicare Part A and B are provided directly by the government, whereas Parts C and D are provided through private insurance companies authorized to sell […]
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
The National Eye Institute reports the risk of suffering from cataracts increases significantly after the age of 40. For this reason, the number of cataract cases in the United States has increased 20% from 2000 to 2010. What’s astounding is that by 2050, it is estimated that there will be double the cases – about […]
Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?
The flu shot is a preventive care treatment for influenza, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease for seniors and people with comorbidities. While many health insurance plans make you pay a co-pay for the flu shot if you have Medicare you can get it for free. In this article, we’ll give you the complete […]
When Does Medicare Start?
If you’re approaching retirement, you may ask yourself, “When does Medicare start?” This article will help you understand when your Medicare benefits will begin. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) Everyone turning age 65, or getting Medicare benefits due to their Social Security disability status, gets an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). How long it takes for Medicare […]
Does Medicare Cover Dental?
One of the most common questions Medicare beneficiaries ask online is, “Does Medicare cover dental?” The answer is no. Medicare does not cover dental care, dental procedures, or supplies offered by dentists. Medicare beneficiaries should not expect coverage for dental services such as cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, etc. The only caveat to dental services […]
