Medicare Advantage plans are organized and sold county-by-county. The reason for this, versus national plans, is that most private health insurance use provider networks, which are local. In this MedicareWire article, we'll help you find plans in your area and give you tips to help you choose the … [Read more...]
Medicare Part B Excess Charges: How To Avoid Them
Most doctors in the USA participate in the Medicare program in one form or another. It's a very small percentage that doesn't. However, not all doctors participate in the same way, and this often leads to Medicare Part B Excess Charges. In this MedicareWire article, we'll explain what these charges … [Read more...]
WellCare Value Script PDP: Best or Worst 2021 Part D Plan?
Possibly nothing gives seniors a bigger headache than their Medicare prescription drug plan and drug costs. So, after dozens of emails asking about the 2021 WellCare Value Script Medicare Part D plan, we decided to take a closer look. Is WellCare Value Script the Best or Worst Part D plan for … [Read more...]
Understanding Medicare in 4 Easy Steps
If you are getting your Medicare benefits for the first time, the jargon may sound foreign, but you don't need Medicare for Dummies to figure it out. Once you learn the ABCs and D of Medicare, you'll be well on your way. In this MedicareWire blog post, we'll break down the four main parts of … [Read more...]
When Can I Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
When Can You Sign Up For Medicare Advantage Plans? Medicare Advantage (aka, Medicare Part C) and Medicare Part D plans have several different enrollment periods. The most well-known period is called the Annual Election Period, or AEP. It runs in the Fall from 15 October to 7 December. You'll want … [Read more...]
Is it Better to Have Medicare Advantage or Medigap?
Here are the five top reasons that it's better to have a Medicare Advantage plan: Up-front costs (monthly premium) are generally lower. You may have more doctor choices in Medicare Advantage. Plans are required to take you regardless of your health condition. If you have both Medicare … [Read more...]
How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans
One of the more common questions we get here at MedicareWire is, "How do I choose a Medicare Advantage plan?" In this article, we'll go over some of the most important aspects of private health plans and what you should look for. We'll also offer seven tips to help you find the best plan and get the … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
Medicare Plan F vs Plan G: Which is Better?
Is Medicare Plan G Better than Plan F? If you're wondering which Medicare supplement is the best, Plan F vs. Plan G, you're in the right place. We're going to answer that question as thoroughly as possible. In fact, we're going to come at it from both directions, because both of these stellar … [Read more...]
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 (aka, Medigap). The short answer is no. You can get … [Read more...]
What Is Medicare Part G?
There are four different parts to the federal 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 … [Read more...]
What Is Medicare Part F?
The federal Medicare program is a series of lettered (A, B, C, and D) health insurance programs available to people, age 65 and older, and certain adults with qualifying disabilities. Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B (Original Medicare) is provided directly by the government, whereas Medicare … [Read more...]
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. Also known as Medigap, there are 10 standardized plans, A to N. Each lettered plan offers a different level of coverage to suit a variety of needs. We'll cover … [Read more...]
Do Low-Cost Medicare Supplement Plans Save Money?
Medicare supplement insurance premiums continue to increase. The increases have a lot to do with changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act (aka, Obama) and how these changes affect reimbursements to health care providers. As a result, a lot of seniors are asking about low-cost Medicare … [Read more...]
Is Medicare Plan F Going Away?
As of 1 January, 2020, Medicare Supplement Plan F is no longer available to people turning age 65. But, don't fret, you can still get excellent gap coverage for your Original Medicare. Key Takeaways Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan F are not available to anyone qualifying for Medicare … [Read more...]