Tuesday, March 9, 2010

March Madness of Medicare!


What does "March 31st" mean to Medicare world?

March 31st is the last day of the period called "Open Enrollment Period" in which you can change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another "like- to-like" plan. Or you can go back to the original Medicare by enrolling "stand-alone" Part D Drug Plan. After that, you will be stuck in "Log-In period" until the next "Annual Election Period" which begins November 15th and ends December 31st of every year.
REMINDER: If you jointed a MA (Medicare Advantage) Plan or MAPD (MA Plan with Prescription Drug) within last 12 months, and DO NOT like it, or you feel it does not meet your NEEDs, you can get OFF those plans by going back to the Original Medicare and /or enroll a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. If you wait too long, you may not be able to get on it because of the underwriting or health questions.
REMINDER: If you are NEW TO MEDICARE and you joined a MA/MAPD plan and don't like it, you are still within your Open Enrollement Period and WILL NOT be turned down because of health issues. You can get back on OriginalMedicare which pay 80% of all doctor and hospital costs and take out a Medicare Supplement that pays the other 20%. With Medicare supplement your only expense is your monthly premium. There are NO Co-Pay, No Networks of doctors you must use. You can go to any doctor and/or hospital of your choice anywhere in US! We can help you to pick out the best plan fit your needs.
REMINDER: If you are losing your Retirement Group Plan Coverage and need to join a Medicare Supplement plan, we can provide you a comparison of their premiums. The Benefits from all the Medicare Supplement plans are the same, no matter what insurance company you buy it from. The ONLY difference is the quality of their service ans the price they will charge you.
For more details between these plans (MAPD, MED SUPP, PART D), please call us at 714-873-2688 or email: dqmagency@gmail.com for a private and confidential advice for your Needs.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Save up to 90% on your Prescription Drugs!




"If pharmaceutical companies can manufacture prescription drugs all over the world and safely bring them into the U.S., then a similar system can be devised to ensure the same for consumers. Americans need access to lower-priced prescription drugs."
(Nelda Barnett, AARP Director)


And this is the solution!

What the FDA and drug companies don't want you to know is that many of the medications we consume in the U.S. have been researched, developed and manufactured in other countries for quite some time. The FDA is well aware of the safety of these medications since they are required to inspect these plants every two years. "FDA performs over 200 foreign drug manufacturing inspections per year." FDA.gov

At Canada 4 Meds our focus is on providing a solution to the rising cost of prescription medications and other health care related matters. We pride ourselves on ensuring safe, high quality and low cost prescription medications through our US, Canadian and International Pharmacies.
We are a team of experienced service industry representatives with a proven track record and thousands of satisfied customers. The Canada 4 Meds personnel have extensive knowledge in the prescription medication industry and give every attention to service. With a professional outlook, we offer qualified pharmacists and reliable service representatives who are committed to a quality focus. Our customers are confident placing orders with our International Pharmacies.
With pharmacies in New Zealand, Italy, India, USA and Canada we employ a safe, high quality and low cost methodology. We work closely with each and every International Pharmacy to ensure your experience is positive. Our team of knowledgeable customer service representatives will guide and monitor all orders until each client receives their prescription medication at their home.
Our services at Canada 4 Meds are not primarily about cost savings. It is important to understand that our low prices do not compromise product quality or value. Each pharmacy we partner with has been extensively researched. Products are provided from producers with USFDA, Canadian HPB, UK MHRA or similar standards to ensure the high quality of products.
The bottom line for any U.S. citizen who wishes to buy cheaper drugs from other countries is: only buy from a licensed pharmacy. Licensed pharmacies are regulated by boards of pharmacy and will not jeopardize their livelihoods by selling illegitimate products. All of our partner pharmacies, wholesalers, and manufacturers are credentialed and approved by our managing pharmacists.




Friday, February 26, 2010

2010 Medigap Plan Changes



Effective June 1, 2010 there are planned changes to the current standardized Medigap policy offerings. These changes will impact all companies offering Medicare Supplement insurance.

History:
The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) included language to encourage the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to modernize the Medigap market. The NAIC decided to review the Medigap plans to determine if there were changes that could be made to the benefit packages in response to changes in the marketplace since the standardization of the product in 1990.

Summary of 2010 Changes:

Eliminates 4 Medigap Plans:

  • Plan E, H, I, and J are eliminated

Modernizes Benefits:

  • Eliminates the At-Home Recovery Benefit (Affects Plan D, G, I and J)
  • Eliminates Preventive Care Benefit (Affects Plans E and J)
  • Replaces the 80% Part B Excess Charges Benefit with a 100% benefit (Affects Plan G)
  • Creates a new Hospice Benefit as part of Basic (Core) benefits (Affects all plans, starting 6/1/2010) :
  1. Medicare offers a hospice benefit with a drug co-pay and inpatient respite care coinsurance. The 2010 modernized plans will now cover the expenses below as a core benefit
  2. * $5 co-pay for outpatient prescription drugs for pain and symptom management* 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care (short-term care given by another caregiver so the usual caregiver can rest). Does not include room and board

Creates New Plan Options:

  • Plan M - with increased cost-sharing (including 50% coverage of Part A Deductible)
  • Plan N - with new co-pay structure (will offer similar benefits to Plan F, but there will be a $20 co-payment for doctor visits and a $50 co-pay for emergency room visits - waived upon admission to the hospital).
  • Both Plans M &N have all the core benefits plus the foreign Travel Emergency Benefit. And the cost of these plans will be approximately 75% of the cost of Plan F.

Summary:

  • * Overall = Reduces number of plans from 14 to 11.
  • * Plans E, H, I, and J are no longer offered due to duplicity as a result of benefit changes
  • * Eliminates outdated and underutilized benefits
  • * Adds new plans that feature higher cost sharing and lower anticipated premiums for policyholders.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Medicare Coverage: Medicare Advantage Vs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap)


  • Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage with little or no monthly premiums. In some instances, you (the beneficiary) can actually receive money back every month!

  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you are still part of the medicare Program and retain all of their medicare rights and protections.

  • When joining a Medicare Advantage plan, you will continue to receive all of your regular Medicare-covered services. With medicare Advantage, you will also have access to additional services that neither Medicare Supplements nor Original Medicare can provide.

  • Medicare Advantage plans can offer prescription drug coverage whereas Medicare Supplements do not.

  • Medical providers may or may not accept some Medicare Advantage plans. Ask your Agent to help checking with your doctors prior to purchase a Private-Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have a published network of providers. Whereas most medicare Supplements are universally accepted.

  • Agents who help you to enroll Medicare Advantage plans are required annual certification and strongly enforced marketing practices.

  • With a Medicare Supplement, you must pay a premium whether you use it or not! With a medicare Advantage you only makes a small co-pay when you use the services.

  • With a Medicare Advantage plan, you only have to answer ONE health question: Do you have End-Stage Renal Disease - ESRD (kidney failure)? Medicare Supplements may have multiple health questions.