Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare advantage plans, commonly referred to as HMO's offer a resonable premium and in network options. For a complete list for your area you can to go http://www.medicare.gov or go to http://www.arizonamedicaresupplementplans.com

Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement

Two main
options exist when it comes to covering expenses not taken care of by straight
Medicare. Medicare advantage plans and medicare medigap plans. Because there is
a lot of confusion between the two I would like to address the main
differences. Typically there are always exceptions to any rule so please check
with your qualified representative to insure your best option.
Medicare
advantage plans usually have premiums that are lower that medicare supplement
plans. Additionally, prescription drug coverage is usually included in the
plan. A medicare advantage plan is typically set up as an HMO which means you
have to choose your primary care physician. If you need to go to a specialist a
referral would be required. When care is provided on this type of plan there is
usually a copay that needs to accompany the visit. Plans changes can only be
done on these plans during open enrollment periods.
There are some
medicare advantage plans that do provide a greater degree of flexibility in
choosing doctors. Those types of plans would be considered PFFS or PPO plans.
Both of these plans usually require a monthly premium.
Medicare
supplement options work differently than medicare advantage plans. On a
medicare supplement plan Medicare is your primary insurer and the medigap plan
is what is called your secondary insurance. There are several types of medicare
supplement plans. For explanation purposes I will concentrate on plan F.
On a medicare
supplement plan you are not limited to having to have a primary care physician.
You can go to any doctor (primary or specialist) that accepts medicare. This
includes out of state coverage.
If medicare is
your primary insurance you will need a part D (prescription drug plan) that
will have to be purchased separately. The average cost of a plan D is $30.00
per month.
Changes on a
medicare supplement plan may be made at anytime. However the company that you
are switching to may require underwriting.
A medicare
supplement plan F would take care of doctors office visits so no copay would be
necessary. Additionally, there would be no hospital copay or deductible.
Because of the
enhanced benefits there is a monthly premium required for medigap plans.
By providing
details on the different available options my hope is that you can make an
informed decision.
For follow up
questions please come to our web site at:
http://www.arizonamedicareadvantageplans.com and compare
all of your options.

Health Insurance rates and childrens policies

With health care reform in full swing many of the carriers have increased their rates instead of the lower rates promised during the debates. It is now virtually impossible for children to get coverage on their own policy. With the government mandating that children be covered insurance companies have come out and said that they will only cover children if at least one parent is on the policy.

You may go to:

http://www.arizonahealthinsurancerates.com

to get a current quote on a family policy.

Important medicare supplement questions to ask

Help with choosing a medicare supplement
1. Medicare Supplement Plans (Also Known as Medigap)
Medicare.gov says:
"These policies help pay some of the health care costs that the Original Medicare Plan doesn't cover. If you are in the Original Medicare Plan, you could get a Medigap policy to help cover the extra health care costs."
What many people don't realize about these plans is that all of the plans offered (A - J) have exactly the same benefits. Only the monthly premiums are different.
For example, you might get "Plan F" from one company and pay one premium and get the same "Plan F" from another company and pay another premium. But the benefits from either company will be the same.
2. Medicare Health Plans (Like HMO's and PPO's)
Medicare.gov says:
"These plans are approved by Medicare and run by private companies. When you join one of these plans, you are still in Medicare. Some of these plans require referrals to see specialists. They provide all of your Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage. They generally offer extra benefits, and many include prescription drug coverage. These plans often have networks, which means you may have to see doctors who belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get covered services. In many cases, your costs for services can be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan, but it is important to check with the plan because the costs for services will vary."
That last line is a very important statement… "it is important to check with the plan because the costs for services will vary."
3. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Also Known as Medicare Part D)
According to Medicare.gov
"These plans add prescription drug coverage to the Original Medicare Plan, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans."
One of the things many people are not aware of about Prescription Drug Plans is that every plan has a different approved list of medications (called a formulary). If you consider enrolling in a Prescription Drug Plan, It is important to know what plan best fits the medications you might need.

Please see our website - http://www.arizonamedicareadvantageplans.com

Arizona Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans

Here are some Medicare basics:

Vertex insurance is a contracted provider of both medicare advantage and medicare supplement plans. An overview of the two options is listed below: You can also visit our website. http://www.arizonamedicareadvantageplans.com/


Medicare Advantage

Monthly premiums usually lower.
Usually have to identify a primary care physician.
When getting medical attention there is usually a copay.
Visiting a specialist usually requires a primary care physician referral.
PFFS plans offer greater flexibility of doctors.
PPO plans will allow you to go to any medicare contracted physician but there may be an out of network charge.
Usually drug coverage is included in the plan.
Coverage for emergencies out of state.
Plan changes can be made during open enrollment.

Medicare Supplements

Medicare remains your primary and the supplement becomes your secondary insurance.
Greater flexibility of doctors to see. (Any doctor that accepts Medicare)
Out of state coverage.
Prescription drug coverage (Part D) needs to be purchased separately.
Usually minimal or no copays for services performed.
Requires a monthly premium.
Changes to these plans can be made anytime, but may require underwriting.
Plan benefits remain mostly the same with all companies. Pricing however is different.

Visit our website - http://www.arizonamedicareadvantageplans.com/

Maternity Benefits

Maternity options are available on individual plans. Almost without exception there will be a waiting period. The three most popular are Assurant, United, and Cigna.
Assurant requires a three month waiting period. You will need to choose a maternity deductible amount. United has a set amount that is paid for maternity benefits based on the length of time you have had the coverage. Cigna requires a year waiting period.

We have more information at http://www.ihealthinsuranceoptions.com

Individual Health Insurance Quotes

We've set up a new website to give up to the minute health insurance quotes - http://www.arizonahealthinsuranceoptions.com. This will help to see all options that are out there for individual health insurance in Arizona. We are working on another one soon to be released nationwide.

This one will help with arizona short term insurance and accident insurance as well.