QUESTION:  I am losing my Retirement Plan from my company I worked at for many years.  They are telling me that I can only choose between plans they are giving me at this insurance enrollment number.  If I use another enrollment method or get different plans from what they are offering they won’t pay for it anymore.  Can they do this?  What do I really need to be concerned about getting on Medicare?

ANSWER:  Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus!  I’m sorry for being sarcastic, but it is amazing to me that companies out there are trying to confuse people getting on Medicare.  YOU STILL HAVE CHOICES JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN CITIZEN WHEN THEY ARE FIRST GETTING ON MEDICARE!! What your company is really saying is…..we have made a deal with these “certain” insurance companies that if you “enroll” with them AND take out the plans “we want you to take out”  WE WILL HELP YOU PAY FOR IT.

Most people when they retire go on Medicare with no financial help.  Usually if you have retired from a company, you can afford the $100 a month, give or take a little, for premium on a MedicareSupplement/Medigap plan, which is most certainly the best coverage and what you should be offered. If you are desperate and cannot afford this premium, THEN and only THEN should you take up the offer from your employer and join a Medicare Advantage Plan.  This is INFERIOR COVERAGE AND HAS NO NETWORK OF DOCTORS OR HOSPITALS THAT WILL ACCEPT THESE PLANS. Also, they are not going to be available after 2011 anyway.  So, my “educated guess” (yes, I’m being sarcastic again)  is that since the insurance company gets paid at least twice the commission for selling you Medicare Advantage Plans, they want to get these sold as long as they can, and they make some kind of “deal” with your employer.

After 2011, you will be right back in the same spot of choosing another kind of health plan.  Please read more about Medicare Advantage Plans under the “category section” on the left side of the homepage of the blog.

What you need to do is to call a local agent that you trust, or contact us and get a comparison of Premiums on a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan and also a comparison based on your drugs, of a Stand Alone Part D for drugs plan.  That is ALL you NEED.

Now some of you are also used to having dental and vision coverage under your retirement program.  There are no insurance plans for people on Medicare for dental and vision.  The Medicare Advantage Plans have these little teaser benefits, but nothing like you used to have and should not be a deciding factor in chosing to use a Medicare Advantage Plan.  Believe me, if there were any kind of decent vision and dental plan out there for Medicare beneficiaries, I would have found it.  There are plans you can join, BUT THE PREMIUM IS NOT WORTH THE BENEFITS, OR YOU ARE WASTING YOUR MONEY. There are plenty of salespeople out there that will sell you dental and vision plans all day long.  So just think about that…..

When picking out a Part D plan, the only thing you need to worry about is saving the most on your co-pay and premium for the first $2,830 worth of drugs you buy.  After that, you don’t need to use your drug plan at all….you NEED TO SHOP AROUND AND BUY YOUR DRUGS AT THE PLACE YOU CAN FIND THE BEST PRICE NOT USING YOUR DRUG CARD.   ALSO, BEGIN THE YEAR BY NOT BUYING YOUR GENERICS ON YOUR DRUG CARD. If you read my other blogs about “drug savings tips” you will understand how this will keep you OUT of the DREADED DONUT HOLE LONGER EACH YEAR!   The only people who should buy all their drugs on their drug plan are those that will hit the donut hole and reach the other side to the 95% coverage!!  Get past that donut hole ASAP and begin getting your 95% coverage.

So, please find yourself a comparison of Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans and a Part D Plan, based on your prescriptions and enroll on those 2 things.  You will be glad you did!!!!

Go to www.MyPartDusa.com and enter in your drugs and tell us what situation you are dealing with in the comments.  We will honestly help you understand and get the best coverage!!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.

Many of you have lost your employer coverage recently.  We know how suddenly being thrown into the Medicare system with every insurance company sending you information on their products can be so confusing and downright overwhelming!

We have also heard that some companies and even government employees and teachers have been offered ONLY a choice of Medicare Advantage Plans.  Some companies even tell their employees that if they use a PARTICULAR INSURANCE AGENCY to take out their coverage they will get more money to help pay for it.  In other words they are steering you to use a particular insurance agency or insurance company if you want any financial help to pay for your Medicare coverage.

This is amazing!  ARE THEY REALLY TAKING AWAY YOUR CHOICES?  NO, THEY ARE NOT!

They are making you feel as though your only options are to take what they want you to take, when the truth is, when you lose coverage from your employer, you are FREE to join whatever plans you KNOW are best for you, and that is CERTAINLY NOT a Medicare Advantage Plan.  Please read my other blogs under the category section on the left hand side under MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.

Please know that it is NOT to your advantage to choose anything other than using your Original Medicare Benefits, Part A & Part B and joining a Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plan and a stand alone Part D plan.  You may not get the extra $50 a month to help pay for it, but if you can possibly pay for a premium for a Medigap plan, you must decide to do what is in your best interests.

The main reason these companies want you to join Medicare Advantage Plans is the commission is so much higher for them.  They make more money when you join Medicare Advantage Plans.   I’ll let you wonder why your employer would only give you Medicare Advantage Plans as an option???  You can think about that.

In the year 2011, there will no longer be Medicare Advantage Plans as we know them today.  Even this year, many, many Medicare Advantage Plans have taken themselves OFF the market and many peope are losing coverage from their Medicare Advantage Plan.  The main reason for this is they have NO NETWORK OF DOCTORS  OR HOSPITALS THAT WILL TAKE THIS COVERAGE. You have no way of knowing if the doctor you have seen the past 10 years is going to accept the Medicare Advantage Plan or your preferred hospital will take the coverage.  If they do take it NOW, they can STOP taking it anytime they choose and you will be without coverage.

Tell me, WHY would you take that risk? Medicare Advantage Plans do not pay for durable medical equipment and many times your health is left up to the bean counters, not your doctor!  If you can afford the premium on a Medigap plan, why would you risk your healthcare?

So, the main point I am trying to make is do NOT feel trapped into taking whatever they throw at you.  You have the same choices as anyone else getting on Medicare coverage and you can choose to go to any agency, any website, any company that YOU CHOOSE, to find the best, most affordable coverage.

We can help you here if you are losing employer coverage to give you Medigap cost comparisons along with Part D drug plan comparisons.   We have helped thousands of GM, Whirlpool and other companies retirees…..JUST READ ALL OUR TESTIMONIALS!

GO TO www.MyPartDusa.com and enter in your meds and tell us what your concerns are about your choices today.

HOW MANY OF YOU LISTEN TO THE TALKING HEADS EVERY NIGHT? You have to first realize that RATINGS are their FIRST PRIORITY, not the facts.  Many of these people don’t even agree, and actually know they are starting controversy, but that is what creates BIG RATINGS!

There is no such thing as “OBAMA’S DEATH PANEL”! When you actually read the section of the bill, they are talking about DOCTOR-PATIENT CONSULTATIONS ABOUT END OF LIFE PLANNING, such as drawing up a living will or planning hospice treatment.  Please refer to my other blog about hospice care. YOU WILL FIND THIS BLOG IN THE CATEGORY SECTION ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE, UNDER “OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST”? It describes “advance care planning”, clearly stating on page (424, lines 21-23) that this means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner.  IT IS NOT ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Everyone needs a LIVING WILL!

If you do not have one, please ask your doctor.  If you leave these kinds of decisions up to your family, many times they do not have the heart to do what needs to be done.  We have all seen cases like this in the news and it gets blown totally out of proportion to the “real” situation.  Most of us would not want to be kept alive for years or even months on machines when there is no chance of recovery.

Just a little COMMON SENSE would do us all some good!  I’m sure many of you have had terminally ill members of your family and have gone through these gut-wrenching decisions.

Please remember that if it sounds ridiculous, it probably is ridiculous!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: ALL OF US COULD TAKE A LESSON FROM THE WEATHER.  IT PAYS NO ATTENTION TO CRITICISM.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, SENIOR CITIZENS CAN BE VERY VULNERABLE TO SCAMS, OR SALES PRACTICES THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE.  PLEASE REMEMBER NOT TO GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION SUCH AS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR MEDICARE CLAIM NUMBER TO ANYONE, UNLESS YOU HAVE DECIDED TO ENROLL ON A PLAN AND YOU ARE SURE YOU HAVE A REPUTABLE PERSON FROM A “LICENSED AND CERTIFIED” COMPANY TO SPEAK WITH.  IF YOU ARE ENROLLING ONLINE, MAKE SURE IT IS A SECURE SITE.

NEVER GIVE “CASH” TO AN INSURANCE OR MEDICARE SALESPERSON.  NEVER. there s something about mary free

NEVER MAKE A CHECK OUT TO THE SALESPERSON, IT MUST ALWAYS BE MADE OUT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY YOU ARE JOINING.

NEVER SIGN ANYTHING UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO ENROLL.  SOME SALES TACTICS INVOLVE TELLING PEOPLE THEY NEED TO SIGN SOMETHING TO GET THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY SIGNING TO JOIN THE PLAN.  UNLESS YOU HAVE DECIDED TO BUY A POLICY OR JOIN A PLAN, NO ONE NEEDS YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS.

IF SOMETHING SOUNDS “TOO GOOD” IT IS PROBABLY “NOT TRUE”.  IF THE SALESPERSON DOES NOT OWN UP TO ANYTHING YOU NEED TO BE WARY OF, OR IF THEY HAVE TO “TRY TOO HARD” TO CONVINCE YOU, THEY MIGHT BE HIDING SOMETHING. 

Many Medicare Beneficiaries get notices in the mail from what looks like their drug plan company, but it is an application to enroll on the companies Medicare Advantage Plan With a Built in Prescription Drug Plan.  I get emails all the time during the AEP that they “SOMEHOW” enrolled in a MAPD and it cancelled their drug plan and healthcare plan.  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING UP FOR!!!  If this happens to you, please call MEDICARE immediately, and let them know you were misled. 

Senior citizens are special targets for con artists. In fact, according to some estimates, one-third of all victims of fraud schemes nationwide are seniors. Worst of all, approximately 60% of all health care fraud victims are senior citizens.  Why?

Many elderly people live alone, making it easier for the fraud artist to go one-on-one with them.

Many seniors are lonely and are susceptible to the charm and persuasive tactics of the criminal.

Seniors often have ready cash.

Seniors are trusting.

Some of these con games, such as high pressure sales pitches for living trusts, investments and “miracle” remedies are aimed at the senior. They also prey on their confusion regarding the New Medicare Health Coverages, such as Medicare Advantage Plans.

Here are a few quick tips you should use to avoid being taken by any of these schemes:

Don’t let greed overcome your common sense. If they say “you have won” or get-rich-quick, you know that it is too good to be true.

Wait 24 hours before making any purchase; there is no need to rush. An offer from a reputable source will remain available from one day to the next. If they offer a low price that you “must buy now”, don’t fall for it.

Get a second opinion; consult with someone you trust before making important financial decisions. If you are deciding on changing your health insurance and do not understand the benefits, have a family member speak to the salesperson with you.

Never reveal your “vital numbers” such as credit card, phone cards, date of birth or social security number or your PIN number for automated teller machines.

BE WARY OF:

HIGH PRESSURE SALES
DEMANDS FOR CASH ONLY
THE NEED FOR QUICK DECISIONS
SECRET DEALS, AVAILABLE ONLY TO SELECTED PEOPLE
NO RISK, HIGH YIELD INVESTMENTS

MY PART D USA and our websites and information therein are HIPPA compliant and secure. You must make sure you are on a secure website before enrolling in a Part D drug plan.

We hope that this information has been helpful to you! 

Pass it ON!

As we have warned you in the past there are many scams regarding Medicare Coverage that you need to know about. I get news reports everyday of seniors signing up on plans that are bogus or that they didn’t even know they joined.

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Most of these are concerning Medicare Advantage Plans. Please do not join a Medicare Advantage Plan if you do not understand the benefits you will recieve. If you currently have a Medicare Supplement and you can afford the premiums, you will be better off to keep your Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement. Medicare Advantage Plans may sound like a better deal with lower premiums, but that is not always the case. You may find that your doctor or hospital will not accept the terms of payment from the MA plan. Please read my other blogs with more details about Advantage Plans on the left side of this page under categories.

We have also heard of Drug Plans arbitrarily dropping people for no reason. Seniors get calls asking them to pay a years worth of premiums that they thought were being deducted from their Social Security checks. Please be sure you know how you are paying your monthly premiums and how much is being taken out of your check each month.

Every November 15th thru December 31st

you can call us for a comparison of drug plans to make sure that you still have a plan that will cover all your meds and save you the most money. Many people don’t want to go through all the checking each year, but then find out that their plan has gone up in price and may not cover every drug they take. Then it is too late to change and they are stuck with that drug plan for another year.

If you feel misled or are not happy FOR ANY REASON, with your Medicare Advantage Plan you have 12 months to get back on your Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement with NO UNDERWRITING!!

You are not without a solution to your problem!! If you wait longer than 12 months, you may not be able to get back on your Traditional Supplement because of health reasons.

Also, if you have an issue with your drug plan or your Medicare Advantage Plan that you feel is not being taken care of properly, you need to call Medicare directly and issue a formal complaint.
1-800-633-4227

If we can help you in any way, please call us toll free at
866-752-1795.

I have written several blogs about Medicare Scams and I wanted to add this important bit of information.

If you are contacted by someone who claims to be with Medicare, BEFORE you do business with this person, please ask them for a call back number to verify who they are AND WHAT COMPANY THEY ARE REPRESENTING. Most of the time, Medicare does not CALL YOU! It is hard to get in touch with Medicare since they are so busy.

NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR MEDICARE CLAIM NUMBER OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER UNLESS YOU INTEND TO JOIN OR PURCHASE THE PLAN THAT IS BEING OFFERED TO YOU. NO ONE CAN SIGN YOU UP FOR A PLAN YOU DON’T WANT WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION.

Please refer to my other blogs about scams for more information.

REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ENROLL ON A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN AND WERE MISLEAD OR DON’T LIKE IT FOR ANY REASON, YOU HAVE 12 MONTHS TO GET BACK ON YOUR TRADIITONAL SUPPLEMENT WITH NO UNDERWRITING! IF YOU WAIT LONGER THAN 12 MONTHS YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET A SUPPLEMENT BECAUSE OF YOUR HEALTH CONDITIONS. You need to call us ASAP to get back on a Supplement!

Anyone who feels that they were fraudulently signed up for a Medicare plan they didn’t ask for should report it to the HHS Office of Inspector General.

1-800-447-8477 or mail

Office of Inspector General
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Attn: HOTLINE
P. O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026

If you have questions please call toll free: 866-752-1795

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