South Carolina Medicare Supplement Plans Brace for Influx of Medicare Advantage Customers

Posted by J. Garrett Ball, Medicare specialist on September 28, 2009 under Health care reform, South Carolina Medicare Advantage plans, South Carolina Medicare Supplements | Be the First to Comment

With the already-set and anticipated changes to the Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage program for 2010, Medicare Supplement plans in South Carolina and nationwide are bracing themselves for what they expect to be an “onslaught” of new customers to the Medicare + Medicare Supplement marketplace.

South Carolina Medicare Advantage plans are expected to see increases in premium of $40-70, on average, for 2010, as well as reducing some of the benefits that they have provided in the past. In addition, the days of the $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans are, most likely, gone (or almost gone). Medicare Supplement companies are expecting, and rightfully so, that many of these people will find themselves searching for Medicare Supplement plan options to replace their Medicare Advantage plans.

With Medicare Advantage plans increasing in premium to levels of some of the lower tier supplement plans, plus having more cost-sharing (i.e. co-pays and deductibles), most companies and those in the industry project that the supplement plans will be a more viable option for this Medicare enrollees in 2010.

Coupled with the sharp increase in the last two years of companies dropping retiree insurance, the last two months of this year are projected to be the busiest ever for Medicare Supplement enrollments.

With this information in mind, if you plan to disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan this enrollment season (or, even if you are changing to a new plan), it is advisable to get an early start on doing so. Companies, agents and Medicare itself are expected to be very busy this enrollment season. Below are a couple of resources if this situation applies to you:

• Here is a reference article about some of the projected South Carolina Medicare Advantage changes.
• Also, here is some information about leaving a South Carolina Medicare Advantage plan (if this situation applies to you).

South Carolina Medicare Part D Enrollment Period Fast Approaching

Posted by J. Garrett Ball, Medicare specialist on September 17, 2009 under Part D | Be the First to Comment

Medicare Part D is easily the most confusing and troublesome part of Medicare. From the varying co-pays to the “donut hole” to the way that plans can change their formularies in the middle of the year, it can be very frustrating.

One of the frustrating aspects of the program for many seniors is the once-a-year enrollment period (Nov. 15-Dec. 31). This is the only time of year (unless you are aging in to Medicare or in a special enrollment period) that you can sign up for a new plan or drop an old plan. This short period of time, coupled with the fact that it falls around the holidays, can make this a hectic time for seniors wishing to re-evaluate your Medicare Part D drug coverage.

Secure Medicare Solutions has developed a solution to this dilemma to ease the pain and headache of comparing, selecting and enrolling in a Medicare Part D drug plan.

The Medicare web site (http://www.medicare.gov) offers a way to compare all of the plans in your zip code based on your specific medications. While it would be nearly impossible to get all of the formularies from the companies and do this yourself, the web site synthesizes all of the information in one place so you can have a ready reference of what your co-pays would be with specifc plans (based on your current medications).

If you are reading this and you are an existing customer (Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage) of Secure Medicare Solutions, we perform this analysis for you at no charge. This is a once-a-year service to you. Please either email Garrett directly with your medications or contact us on the Medicare Insurance Quotes form, putting “Part D” in the “Comments” box. You will need to also send your medications and dosages so that we can perform the analysis for you.

If you are NOT a current customer of Secure Medicare Solutions, but you would like to take advantage of this offer, we can help. Please contact us the same way as was listed above - on the Medicare Insurance Quotes form, putting “Part D” in the “Comments” box. We will be happy to help you re-evaluate your current coverage and the 2010 plans once they are released (usually October/early November).