ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations)

Account Care Organizations (ACOs) are groups of medical providers that accept payments based on quality under the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). This model is meant to be an alternative to the traditional fee-for-service (FSS) aimed at reigning in unnecessary treatments, coordinating care, promoting quality over quantity, and curbing Medicare spending. The bottom line:  According…

Why Did My Insurance Premium Go Up?

Your rates didn’t go up because of legislation directly increasing premiums, some who had lower rates before saw rates go up as a response to new protections

I have Medicare. Do I Need ObamaCare?

If you have Medicare, keep it. You don’t need to get ObamaCare and you won’t owe the fee. It’s illegal for private insurers to sell you a non-Medicare plan.

Medicare Part B Requirement?

Only those over 65 with access to Medicare need to enroll in Medicare. Your monthly premium for Part B may go up 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but didn’t sign up for it.

What is Medicare?

How Medicare Works Medicare, or Original Medicare, is a federal program offered to seniors when they reach 65, people with certain disabilities, and those with ESRD. Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Supplemental Medicare options are also offered to “fill the gaps” in Medicare coverage. Supplemental Medicare…

Medigap

What is Medigap Insurance? Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Insurance, “covers the gap” between Original Medicare and your medical costs. Supplemental Medigap plans are sold by private companies and make sense for seniors who have costs that aren’t covered under traditional Medicare Part A and B. If Original Medicare isn’t covering your medical needs, you’ll want…

Medicare Part D (Drug Coverage)

What is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Medicare Part D, or Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, covers the gap between your prescription drug needs and Original Medicare. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) includes basic drug coverage. However, many Medicare beneficiaries have prescription drug needs outside of what parts A and B covers. Medicare Part D is…

Medicare Enrollment Dates

Medicare Open Enrollment Medicare open enrollment is the time when you can enroll in Medicare.  Medicare Part A, B, C, D, and Medigap have different enrollment period dates. Below we will review all the Medicare open enrollment dates and attempt to provide every detail and answer in the simplest way possible. When in doubt go to Medicare.gov or…

Medicare Advantage Plans

What is Medicare Advantage? Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is a health plan that offers Medicare Part A, B, and typically D benefits through a private company. Medicare Advantage offers everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B offers but with better benefits and coverage options. Typically however this comes at a higher upfront…

ObamaCare Medicare: ObamaCare and Medicare

Get the Facts on the Impact of ObamaCare on Medicare This page contains a summary of everything you need to know about the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) and Medicare. ObamaCare’s Medicare reforms improve and expand Medicare for seniors. One way it does this is by closing the Part D Donut hole (you have paid only…

Changes to Medicare insurance

What Medicare Insurance Means for Seniors Under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) Changes to Medicare insurance under ObamaCare: For Seniors with Medicare insurance or Medicare Advantage not much will change under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). Most seniors will enjoy the benefits, rights, and protections of the new health care law like expanded access to…