The 2021 Medicare Open enrollment period (OEP)

When is open enrollment for medicare?

The Medicare open enrollment period for 2021 is October 15 to December 7, 2021. During this time you have the opportunity to do things like shop for a new Part D drug plan, switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa. The changes you make during the enrollment period will take effect on Jan. 1.

When can I buy Medicare Supplemental Plans?

Recent research discovers that people with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage should be able to lower their costs by shopping among various plans each year. As an example – another Part D plan in your area may cover the drugs you take with fewer restrictions and charge you less. Medicare & You 2021

Our goal is to make the process of identifying and selecting a Medicare Supplement plan simple and hassle-free. You will be working with licensed insurance agents representing top, reputable insurance carriers. Our service is easy to use, free and with no obligations to purchase – ever.

MEDICARE Approved Products

2021 Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare open enrollment 2021 is open from October. 15, 2021 to December. 7, 2021 but you can shop for medicare supplement plans (medigap) all year round.

And beneficiaries have a variety of choices of subsidized prescription plans. But you can shop for Medigap Insurance Policies on this site anytime. Medicare coverage is fairly comprehensive.

However, if you need a lot of care – Medicare can leave you with significant out-of-pocket costs.

That is why most people have some kind of supplemental insurance (MediGap) to help cover the costs that Medicare doesn’t.

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies, which are usually Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) or Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). Advantage plans combine hospital insurance, medical insurance and often prescription drug coverage in one neat package. Some plans include extras like vision, hearing and dental coverage.

Recent Articles about Medicare Enrollment

• Medicare Supplemental Plan 2021
• Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement
• HUMANA Medicare Advantage 2021
• Medicare Plan Finder
• Disenrolling from Medicare – MADP
• Medicare Supplement Comparison
• Medicare Terms
• It pays to shop around
• Best Medicare Advantage Plan
• What you need to know about open enrollment 2021
• Medicare D Open Enrollment 2021
• Medicare Premiums for 2021
• Picking The Right Medicare Drug Plan
• About the Medicare Official Website

What is Medigap Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance also known as Medigap is an insurance, which is sold by private companies, that will help you pay some of your heath care costs that Original Medicare does not cover. Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance are some of the costs Medigap can cover.

The Medicare Part D 2021 Open Enrollment

My Medicare – Medicare Gov

Medicare Part D Open enrollment ends Dec 7th. During the 2021 Medicare enrollment period October 15 to December 7, 2021, you can join, switch, or add a Medicare Drug Plan. Also during this time you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. The new coverage on these plans will start on January 1, 2021.

Private insurance companies provide Medicare insurance using Medicare Supplemental Plans that pays for medical expenses Medicare WILL NOT PAY FOR. You need to choose the plan you like the best. Should I sign up? It depends on how good your current coverage is.

You can get a Medicare supplemental insurance plan only if you have Original Medicare. Medigap covers Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance). It does not cover Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans), Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans) or any other private health insurance, Medicaid, Veterans’ Administration benefits, or TRICARE.

Why Purchase a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan (MediGap)?

People under the age of 65 may have difficulty purchasing a medical supplemental insurance plan. The Law states that it is a right duly given to elders age 65 and above only after they have enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

With the ObamaCare plan that went into effect in 2013 – there became a New Medicare tax for high earners. Medicare related tax rates are affecting high earners. People who earn over $200,000  – or $250,000 for couples jointly filing their tax return – will see their Medicare payroll taxrate increase from 1.45% to 2.35%. They will also pay a brand new 3.8% Medicare tax on unearned income – including investments, interest, dividends, annuities, rent, royalties, certain capital gains and inactive businesses

How Medicare works with other insurance companies

When you have Medicare coverage and other health coverage as well, each type of coverage is called a “payer.” In the case there is more than one payer, “coordination of benefits” rules decide which one pays first. The “primary payer” pays what that coverage owes on your medical bills first, and then sends the rest to the “secondary payer” to pay – which could be a private medicare supplemental Medicare company instead of standard Medicare insurance. In a few cases, there might even be a third payer.

Compare Medicare Plans

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

Medicare supplement insurance covers the gap between what Medicare pays on medical bills and what you have to pay for premium deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments.

Private Medicare supplement insurance policies pay only for services that the U.S. Medicare system indicates medically necessary – and cash payments are generally based on the Medicare approved expense. Some insurance plans offer financial benefits that Medicare do not offer. Such as emergency care abroad.

What it means to pay primary/secondary:

• The insurance company that pays first pays up to the limits of its coverage.
• The insurance  that pays second only pays if there are costs the primary insurer did not cover.
• The secondary payer (which may or may not be Medicare.gov) may not pay all the uncovered costs.
• If your employer insurance is the secondary payer, you may need to enroll in Medicare Part B before your insurance will pay.

Paying “first” means paying the whole bill up to the limits of the coverage. It doesn’t always mean the primary payer pays first in time. If the insurance company doesn’t pay the claim promptly (usually within 120 days), your doctor or other provider may bill Medicare. Medicare may make a conditional payment to pay the bill, and then later recover any payments the primary payer should’ve made.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans, also called as Medigap or PRIVATE MEDICARE, are individual insurance policies purchased by elders who believe they need more assistance with their medical needs. While the 2021 Medicare enrollment period October 15 to December 7 2021 is coming up and plans will start on January 1, 2021. The Medicare assistance offered by the government is sufficient for majority of the elders in the US, but there are still quite a few individuals who will need more financial assistance on this matter. The only option left for them to grab hold onto is these Medigap Insurance Policies.

Medigap Insurance Policies are classified into 12 distinct categories. This is regulated by law and cannot be altered in any way by the insurance company. The most they can do is to convince you to purchase the plan coverage that will place the company at lesser risk of paying more rather than earning more from you. You should be cautious of these techniques because you may end up tricked by some insurance agents because of their flowery words and convincing speeches.

Choose a Medigap Insurance Policy if and only if you have calculated your potential insurance cost to be more than what the Medicare will be providing you. Otherwise, you will not need any of these supplemental insurance plans because the government will have your medical expenses all covered-up.

Medicare.gov – National Health Insurance

Medicare insurance is a social insurance program administered by the US government, providing national health insurance coverage to people 65 and over, or individuals who meet other special criteria. These plans will start on January 1, 2021. Remember your OEP dates; 2021 Medicare enrollment period October 15 to December 7, 2021.

US Medicare Gov operates similar to a single payer healthcare system. The most important difference is that its coverage only extends to 80% of any given medical cost. The remaining 20% of cost must be paid either via a private company supplemental health insurance, or via the patient’s own personal funds. Private health insurance usually require a monthly premium to be paid.

Web addresses for the Government Medicare Site

• www.medicare.gov
• www.mymedicare.gov
• www.cms.gov

Explain The Difference Between Medicaid and Medicare Gov

Medicaid and Medicare sound similar. They are really two very different government programs. The biggest differences is Medicaid is a state governed program while Medicare is a federal program. Some other differences are:

Medicaid is for low income:

• Women who are pregnant
• Children under 19 years of age
• Individuals 65 and over
• Individuals are blind
• Individuals who are disabled
• Individuals who need nursing home care
• Individuals who need nursing home care

Application for Medicaid is accepted at the individual State’s Medicaid agency.

Medicare insurance is for individuals:

• 65 and over
• of any age who have kidney failure or long term kidney disease
• who are permanently disabled and cannot work

Medicare is applied for at your local Social Security office (SSO).

Some individuals qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid can sometimes be used to help pay for Medicare premiums. People who qualify for both programs are called ‘dual eligible’.

Medicare open enrollment 2021

When is open enrollment for medicare?

Who Is Eligible For Medicare.gov Coverage?
As a rule, all persons 65 years or older qualify for Medicare coverage. If they have been a resident of the US for at least 5 years. All people with disabilities in the US are also entitled to Medicare.

What is Covered Under Medicare?
Basically, Medicare has four parts. Part A covers hospital stays and expenses. Part B is general medical insurance coverage.  Part D is coverage of prescription drugs. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage Plan – is just another way to receive parts A, B and D.

Medicare Part D offers prescription drug plans (PDP) through private insurance companies. There is 10 national plans offered, including AARP Part D Coverage, and some regional plans. The estimated cost for the premium will vary with the plan but the current estimate for the average PDP is approximately $37 per month. The premium cost is expected to increase annually.