Many seniors are shocked to learn that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) only pays about 80% of Medicare-covered costs and that there’s no out of pocket maximum on the costs that beneficiaries pay (the remaining 20%). Learning this is when most people become interested in supplemental Medicare insurance. A Medicare Supplement plan (aka, […]
What is a Medicare Supplement Plan… And Why Do I Need One?
A Medicare Supplement plan is additional insurance that works in conjunction with Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B benefits. There are 10 standardized plans, A to N. Each lettered plan offers a different level of coverage to suit a variety of needs. Before we get into the plans, and what they have to offer, […]
Is Medicare Plan G Better than Plan F? It All Depends on What You Value Most.
The 2010s are behind us and with the new decade comes a big change in Medicare. As of 1 January 2020, Medicare Plan F is no longer available to people getting their Medicare benefits for the first time. In other words, if you’re not age 65+ before 2020, Medicare Plan F isn’t for you. Medicare […]
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Which is Best for You?
Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage: Which is Better? Before 2003, when Medicare added the private health insurance option, known as Medicare Advantage, seniors only had two options: pay out-of-pocket or buy a Medicare supplement. Now there’s anon-going debate as to which option is better. Answering this important question is made all the more difficult by […]
Medicare Plan G (Medigap Plan G): Good As You Can Get in 2020
If you’re turning age 65 this year, Medicare Plan G is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement you can buy. It’s also the most popular. You might be thinking that Plan F is the best, but that’s only true if you turned age 65 before the year 2020. Here’s why. Medicare Plan G, sometimes mistakenly called […]
Top 10 Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies for 2020
Finding the 10 Best Supplemental Insurance Companies Here at MedicareWire, we are not insurance agents. We do not sell Medicare supplement plans or any other type of insurance. We are educators and senior advocates. Our job is to make sure that seniors and their caretakers have the information they need to make the best decisions […]
Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart: A Side-by-Side Look
Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart 2020 Medicare supplements, which are identified by plans A – N, cover the gaps in Original Medicare coverage. That’s why Medicare calls them Medigap plans. One of the most beneficial aspects of the lettered plan system is that it lets you compare supplemental Medicare plans side-by-side. To make it as […]
What is Long-Term Care Insurance and Why Do I Need It?
You might be healthy now, but chances are you’re going to need some help taking care of yourself as you get older. In fact, if you’re turning 65-years-old this year you can expect to live another two decades and there’s a 52% chance you’ll need some type of long-term care services and support at some […]
Is Medicare Plan F Going Away?
Is Medicare Plan F going away? Yes. As of 1 January 2020, this popular plan is no longer available to people turning age 65. But, don’t fret, you can still get excellent coverage. What Happened to Medigap Plan F? For decades, Medicare Supplement Plan F (aka, Medigap Plan F and Medicare Plan F) was the […]
17 Ways to Boost Your Medicare & Social Security Benefits in Retirement
Medicare and Social Security are the social safety net programs we all pay into during the years we work. Designed to assist seniors and disabled individuals, together the programs fill the basic healthcare and financial needs of their beneficiaries. Medicare offers health insurance that covers medically necessary doctor visits, medical treatments, and hospitalization. Social Security […]
Is Medicare Free for Seniors, the Disabled and Retirees?
One of the most common questions we get at MedicareWire.com is, “Is Medicare free?” The answer all depends on your personal situation. In this frequently asked questions blog post, I’ll do my best to dispel myths and help you get your Medicare benefits for FREE if you qualify. If you don’t qualify to get Medicare […]
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: Which is Best for You?
In this MedicareWire article, we’ll do our best to help you understand which type of Medicare insurance is right for you. Our Medicare system is full of options, and deciding between Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement plan is a big decision. Comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap (Medicare Supplements) Medicare Advantage replaces your Original Medicare benefits with […]
7 Ways to Optimize Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
If you take regular prescriptions, you already know how expensive it can be. The older we get, the more chronic conditions set in, and our medications get even more expensive. That’s why having a prescription drug plan is so important. In this MedicareWire article, we’ll share 7 ways you can optimize your Medicare Part D […]
What are My Medicare Cost Sharing Obligations?
Although you or your spouse paid into Medicare through payroll taxes during the years that you worked, it’s not a zero-cost system when you turn 65 years old. Many people who retire and get their Medicare benefits for the first time are caught off guard by the out-of-pocket costs with Medicare. In this MedicareWire article, […]
Medigap Plans K and N vs. Medicare Advantage Plans
It has long been assumed that Medicare Advantage plans are the way to go if you need a low monthly premium. The risk trade-off, of course, is higher out of pocket costs until you reach the annual spending limit. However, the premiums are so low on most of the basic plans that many seniors wonder, […]
