Adler Insurance Offers Prescott Seniors Last Minute Medicare Enrollment tips

As you may be aware there are only a few days left for seniors to make their 2018 Medicare choices. Adler Insurance, your Prescott area Medicare Broker, would like to remind you of some last-minute tips to help you make your decisions before the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends on December 7, 2017.

Figure out your needs - Take time to review your medical and prescription needs for the upcoming year. Do you foresee having to see a specialist next year? Do you expect higher prescription needs in the coming year? Are you currently undergoing treatment that will continue into the next year. Rather than just comparing your current plan to all of the 2018 choices, you should first determine your needs and see which plans best meets those as far as physicians and drug coverage.

Compare all your options - Many people don’t realize that the original Medicare is not their only choice. It is important to compare not only the original Medicare plan, but also Medicare Advantage Plans offered by private insurance companies. By understanding your personal requirements, it will allow you to make the best choice for your situations.

It’s more than just premium cost - Too often people just look at the monthly premium amount when making their decision about Medicare coverage. But it is important to look past this and also consider the co-pays and deductibles for each plan. You may find that the total out of pocket expenses for the year is actually less with a higher monthly premium because more of your costs are covered directly. For example, if you need to see your physician on a regular basis, does the $20 co-pay of the cheaper plan really save you money over the long run versus the No co-pay of the more expensive plan.

Plan ratings - While this should not be a deciding factor, these ratings should be taken into consideration, since we all want the best healthcare possible. However, if your physician does not participate in a 5 star group, you may choose to find a plan that your doctor does participate with because you know and trust your doctor. Or if a 5 star plan does not cover a prescription you take on a regular basis and another plan does, that may also affect your decision.

If this all seems overwhelming, you are not alone. Because there are changes every year, it is hard for an individual to keep up with all of the options. Thankfully, we are here to help you go through the options and avoid making costly mistakes. To find out more about your choices for Medicare Insurance in Prescott, contact Adler Insurance at 928-710-1455, or on the web at: http://www.adlerlifehealth.com.

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Adler Insurance helps Prescott Baby Boomers avoid Medicare mistakes

For many baby boomers, that magic number of 65 is fast approaching and many of them assume original Medicare is the only option. The fact is there are many Medicare Advantage Plans that they can choose from and making the right decision can save thousands of dollars a year. About 25% of the people signing up for Medicare at 65 are now choosing Advantage Plans, rather than the original Medicare. Adler Insurance, your local Prescott area Medicare broker, is here to help you get it right. 

Don’t judge a plan by its premium
Zero additional premium does not mean zero expense. Look at the details and make sure you understand what out-of-pocket cost you could incur, including deductibles and copayments. You may find that based on your personal situation that it is much better to pay a few dollars a month to avoid high deductibles or caps in other plans. You will also find that some plans have extras, like hearing evaluations, which may save you additional dollars.

Check the quality ratings of the plans
The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services collect data about Medicare Advantage plans, then give each one a rating on a scale of one star (Poor) to five stars (Excellent). The more stars, the better the plan has worked for members enrolled in it. When looking at the various plans, make sure you check out those that are 5 star-rated and you may also want to think twice about choosing one with 1 or 2 stars. The ratings are based on members responses regarding customer service and satisfaction.

The holes of drug coverage
A Medicare beneficiary lands in a hole year when his total annual cost of medications (paid by the Medicare Part D plan and the individual) reaches $2,940. The beneficiary is then responsible for footing the bill for the cost of all medications until they exceed $4,750. (This hole is scheduled to close in 2020.)

Only about 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries end up in these holes, so paying for this extra coverage may be unnecessary. You’re likely to find yourself in it if you take three or four brand-name medications. Check out your medications so that you determine whether you’ll land in this situation or not. Once you find out, you can then decide whether the additional coverage is worth the extra premium.

Do you already have insurance?
Many people approaching 65 figure that they don’t need to sign up for Medicare because they already have private insurance. Big mistake! The only insurance that will let you delay enrollment in Medicare is a group health plan through an employer with 20 or more employees. Coverage through a COBRA plan or other type of coverage does not allow you to skip enrolling in Medicare. If you’re supposed to enroll in Medicare and fail to do so, you will be assessed late-enrollment penalties.

If all these choices seem overwhelming, don’t panic! Adler Insurance is here to help you go through the choices and avoid making costly mistakes. To find out more about your Prescott Medicare choices, contact us at 928-710-1455, or visit our website at http://www.adlerlifehealth.com.

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Adler Insurance helps Prescott seniors avoid Medicare scams

It’s open enrollment time for Medicare eligible seniors and unfortunately it brings out the scammers trying to take your money and your identity. Although there doesn’t seem to be any way to completely get rid of the scammers, but knowing some of their schemes may help you avoid them. Adler Insurance, your local Medicare Insurance Broker serving Prescott, Cottonwood, and Sedona, brings you a short list of a few of the most common Medicare scams.

Issuing New Cards – Medicare does not issue new cards and will not ask for your personal information. If you get a phone call, email or a visit at your home and you are asked for your Medicare number (which is the same as your social security number), your date of birth or other personal information in order to “get your new card”, it’s a scam. What they really want is your identity.

Refunds – Someone contacts you and tells you that you are entitled to a refund on your Medicare premiums because there have been “changes” or “enhancements” to your coverage. They tell you that all they need is your Medicare number and your banking information in order to put your refund directly into your account. It’s a scam. The truth is, if you are entitled to a refund from Medicare, they will send a check directly to you.

Phone calls – Just because your caller ID says “Medicare” or another name you trust, if they ask you for personal information over the phone, it is probably a scam. Government agency normally communicate via traditional mail. If they tell you they’re from Medicare and need your information for any reason, tell them you will call them back. The actual phone number for Medicare is 800-633-4227.

Freebies – You get a phone call offering free medical supplies, and all they need is your Medicare number so they can bill Medicare directly and your credit card info for “a small shipping charge for your supplies” and the address where you want your supplies sent. Now they have all of your information! Anytime someone unsolicited asks for your personal information, it is usually a scam.

No matter the approach they take, these all spell fraud. Medicare fraud is a huge problem, costing taxpayers about $60 billion a year. Remember, the absolutely easiest way to avoid a Medicare scam is to never reveal your card number or other personal or health information to anyone you don’t know. If you need more information on Medicare options during Open Enrollment, or more info on how to stay safe,  just contact Jesse at Adler Insurance, the leading Medicare Insurance Broker in Prescott,  a call at 928-710-1455 or check us out their website at http://www.adlerlifehealth.com.

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Don't procrastinate during medicare open enrollment in Prescott - Get the facts from Adler Insurance

Medicare is a great program that provides health coverage for many Americans, but it is complex. Because some parts change every year, you might need to make some changes to make sure you are covered in the coming year. Adler Insurance, your local Prescott Medicare broker, brings you this warning about procrastinating during the Medicare Open Enrollment period.

Changes are a constant in life, sometimes these changes are unpredictable, Medicare Open Enrollment is not one of these however it does not last very long. October 15th to December 7th is the only time you have to adjust your coverage for the next year. It’s important to get things right during this window.

Review your premiums and prescription coverages. Every plan is required to send a notice of changes to participants every year. This notice usually comes in September and lists all of the changes. It can be extensive, so you should start reviewing this notice as soon as it arrives.

Comparison shop for better rates and coverages. If you have reviewed all changes to your plan and find no changes that affect you, you can count yourself lucky. However even with no adjustments, you should use this time to shop for other options and deals, you never know what you might find.

Medicare Part C, or Medigap, or Advantage Plans. Don’t find yourself with a huge surprise next year! These items can change year to year and you should look at these closely. Do you have a doctor you like? We suggest also contacting your doctor or supplemental plan and confirm they are still in the network.

If all of this seems overwhelming, you should ask for help, Medicare brokers can be great councilors during this time of the year. Don’t be late! The December 7th deadline is strictly enforced. There are only very specific situations where changes outside this time of year can take place. Don’t assume you may be allowed to make changes during any other point of the year.

Need help? Adler Insurance offers Medicare Open Enrollment assistance in Prescott and surrounding areas. We help you get the best possible coverage although you must call soon to schedule an appointment. December will be here before you know it. Contact Adler Insurance today by calling 928-710-1455 or visiting http://www.adlerlifehealth.com/ for more information on how we can help.

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