Oak Creek Insurance Agency

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IN: Your Medicare Coverage Choices

Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of the “———————–” we focus on your Medicare coverage choices.

There are two main ways to get your Medicare coverage— Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). You can decide if you want Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. And, decide if you want prescription drug coverage (Part D), or if you want supplemental coverage (Original Medicare only). You can also get links to apply online for just Medicare and understand how to get important drug coverage, and more. Read on to help you choose which way to get your coverage.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

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Your Medicare Coverage Choices

Health-Wellness_HandsomeDoctorThere are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage— Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). Use these steps to help you decide which way to get your coverage:

Step 1: Decide if you want Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan

Step 2: Decide if you want prescription drug coverage (Part D)

Step 3: Decide if you want supplemental coverage (Original Medicare only)

You may want to get coverage that fills gaps in Original Medicare coverage. You can choose to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private company.

  • Costs vary by policy and company.
  • Employers/unions may offer similar coverage.
Note

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can’t use Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to pay for out-of-pocket costs you have in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can’t be sold a Medigap policy. You can only use a Medigap policy if you disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

Other options

  • In addition to Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be able to join other types of Medicare health plans.
  • You may be able to save money or have other choices if you have limited income and resources.
  • You may also have other coverage, like employer or union, military, or veterans’ benefits.
Note

You can get personalized health insurance counseling at no cost to you from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Source: Medicare.gov, “Your Medicare coverage choices” http://www.medicare.gov. Accessed November 28, 2015. http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/your-medicare-coverage-choices.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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How To Apply Online For Just Medicare

People_Workers_ManOnComputerMedicare enrollment using our online application

It’s convenient, quick and easy. There’s no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

Use our online application to sign up for Medicare. It takes less than 10 minutes. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if we need more information. Otherwise you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail.

Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Social Security works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare.

For more information about applying for Medicare only and delaying retirement benefits, visit Applying for Medicare Only – Before You Decide.

Apply for Medicare Only: Use the online application to apply for just Medicare.

Return to a Saved Application: Finish an application you already started.

Check Application Status: Check the status of an application you submitted.

Note
If you already have Medicare Part A and wish to sign up for Medicare Part B, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office. You cannot sign up online for Medicare Part B only.

Questions about our online application

Note

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or health insurance based on employment, you may want to ask your personnel office or insurance company how signing up for Medicare will affect you.

To find out what documents and information you need to apply, go to the Checklist for the Online Medicare, Retirement, and Spouses Application.

Source: Social Security Administration, “How To Apply Online For Just Medicare” http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ website. Accessed November 28, 2015. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/apply.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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How To Get Drug Coverage

Health-Wellness_Pills-VitaminsMedicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare. If you decide not to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you don’t get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty.

To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered.

2 ways to get drug coverage

  1. Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). These plans (sometimes called “PDPs”) add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.
  2. Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) (like an HMO or PPO) or otherMedicare health plan that offers Medicare prescription drug coverage. You get all of your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage, and prescription drug coverage (Part D), through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called “MA-PDs.” You must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.

How to join a drug plan

Once you choose a Medicare drug plan, here’s how you may be able to join:

  • Enroll on the Medicare Plan Finder or on the plan’s website.
  • Complete a paper enrollment form.
  • Call the plan.
  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

When you join a Medicare drug plan, you’ll give your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage started. This information is on your Medicare card.

Joining a Medicare drug plan may affect your Medicare Advantage Plan

If your Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) includes prescription drug coverage and you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), you’ll be disenrolled from your Medicare Advantage Plan and returned toOriginal Medicare.

Source: Medicare.gov, “How to get drug coverage” http://www.medicare.gov website. Accessed November 28, 2015. http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-drug-coverage/get-drug-coverage.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.