Posted by Carolina Medicare Supplement on December 11, 2009 under Uncategorized | 
Obtaining Medicare Supplement quotes is the easy part. There are plenty of online resources (i.e. North Carolina Medicare Supplement Quotes) to request them. The more difficult part is knowing just what they mean, how to review them, and ultimately, how to choose the right plan for you. There are three very significant things to keep in mind when embarking on this process:
- Regardless of where you get the quotes, the information will be the same. Brokers/companies are required to offer the same Medicare Supplement rates for “like” companies/plans. Most people agree that the discerning consumer will enlist the services of a broker, who is able to compile quotes from all companies and has unique knowledge of their own consumer experience with the plans. By doing it this way, you can get a rate quote comparison chart of all the plans available for your age and zip code.
- Plans are standardized so price and company reputation are the primary comparison factors. Medicare supplements have been standardized since 1992. All companies are required to offer the exact same coverage plans. So, for example, a Plan F with one company is the exact same as a Plan F with another. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either trying too hard to try to sell you something or just misinformed (Medigap policies on Medicare.gov). Keep this in mind as you are comparing because plan premiums can vary as much as $100/month from company to company.
- Understand the difference in plans. First of all, a Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan is NOT a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan. The two could not be more different. Make sure you know which of the two Medicare insurance options you are interested in looking at - Medigap (Medicare Supplement) or Medicare Advantage. For more information about the differences: Medicare & Medicare Insurance - Understanding the Parts of Medicare. As far as Medigap plans themselves, you should make yourself familiar with the standardized plans chart, since all companies are required to go by that chart. This chart shows very clearly the differences in what each plan covers. You can see this chart at: Medicare Supplement insurance and plans chart.
Posted by Carolina Medicare Supplement on November 4, 2009 under Uncategorized |
If you are on Medicare now or going on soon, now is the time to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan in North Carolina. With the influx of several new companies/rates, Medicare Supplements premiums have never been better in NC.
Whereas the cost of many things is still going up, NC Medicare Supplements have been reduced in average price. The three major players that have caused this to happen are Mutual of Omaha, Family Life Insurance and Gerber Life Insurance. These are all major players in the NC Medicare Supplement marketplace that have come in during the last year and anticipate claiming the bulk of the Medicare Supplement business here.
Medicare Supplements are standardized; that is, each company is required to offer the exact, same standard coverage plans. So, there is no advantage of choosing one company over another, other than price. With that said, the three new companies are focusing on being leading-edge low-price leaders in the marketplace, which is making them the most pertinent choices. If you have a Medicare Supplement now, with another company, it is nearly guaranteed that you will be able to keep your same exact coverage plan and get a much lower rate than what you are currently paying.
As always, you should, whenever possible, work with a qualified Medicare Supplement broker who can help you compare all of the options in once centralized place, but make sure you get quotes for these companies and, if you are on Medicare, look into it while the rates are so competitive.
To contact or work with Carolina-Medicare-Supplement.com, a leading, independent North Carolina Medicare Supplement brokerage, visit North Carolina Medicare Supplement quotes or call toll-free 877.506.3378.
Posted by Carolina Medicare Supplement on October 15, 2009 under Uncategorized |
North Carolina Medicare Advantage plans are undergoing major changes for 2010. Because of reduced Federal funding, many of the plans, just like they are nationwide, are going up in premium and down in benefits. However, there are still some very good options for Medicare Advantage coverage across the state of North Carolina for 2010.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan currently, you have probably received or will receive soon the information about your plan’s premiums and benefits for 2010. Pay close attention to this information - this is NOT the year to use this folder of info as a coaster or put it in a stack somewhere!
Although many of the 2010 plans are changing drastically, you can still compare plans, find a better option in your specific county and save money.
The best way to compare plans and find one that is a good fit is to use a qualified brokerage. Carolina-Medicare-Supplement.com is a brokerage that is happy to help you compare the North Carolina Medicare Advantage for your county. However, whether we help you or someone else does, it is definitely to your advantage to compare Medicare Advantage plans for 2010 to make sure that you have the best plan for your specific needs.
COMPARE NORTH CAROLINA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
Posted by Carolina Medicare Supplement on September 28, 2009 under Uncategorized |
The Medicare Advantage AEP (end of year enrollment/disenrollment period) is right around the corner - it begins November 15. This year, the AEP is expected to be busier than ever. There are a couple of factors in this:
- First and foremost, the changes in the Medicare Advantage marketplace. New Federal changes to the Medicare Advantage program (reduction in funding) is projected to cause major changes to the premiums of these plans in 2010. In addition, many believe that the actual benefits will be reduced as well.
- Secondly, more and more employers are reducing or eliminating retirees from group plans. This has been happening in increasing numbers over the last couple of years, and most expect that even more employers are doing it this year when they make their end of year changes.
With these two things in mind, North Carolina Medicare Supplement companies are preparing for what they expect the be the busiest last two months of the year ever with Medicare-eligible individuals switching out of Medicare Advantage plans and employer coverage.
That makes it more important than ever to prepare for this end-of-year time period early and get a jump-start on comparing plans and making an educated decision on new coverage.
As always, Carolina-Medicare-Supplement.com is a leading, independent source for these rate quote comparisons so that you can compare plans and find a plan that is a good fit for you. Here are a few more articles/information pages that pertain to this information:
To get quotes for Medigap plans: North Carolina Medicare Supplement quotes
To compare Medigap plans: Medicare Supplement comparison
To find out more about 2010 Medicare Advantage plan changes: South Carolina Medicare Advantage plan changes
To find out more about leaving a Medicare Advantage plan: Leaving a Medicare Advantage plan
Posted by Carolina Medicare Supplement on September 14, 2009 under Uncategorized |
There is a new, leading resource for Medicare Supplement information and quotes for North and South Carolina residents. Carolina-Medicare-Supplement.com is a centralized place to “shop” for Medicare Supplement insurance and plans.
This web site contains useful information and resources about Medicare and Medicare insurance, particularly North Carolina Medicare Supplement insurance and South Carolina Medicare Supplement insurance.
Visitors can get a no obligation quote on all the plans for their specific age and zip code, so they can make an educated, informed decision about the plan that is the best fit for their unique situation.
Posted by Carolina Medicare Supplement on September 2, 2009 under Uncategorized |
North and South Carolina Medicare Supplement plans provide financial security against ever-increasing health care costs for those over 65 or on Medicare.
They allow you to cap your maximum expenditures on health care costs within a given year by filling in the “gaps” in Medicare. Where Medicare pays 80% at the doctor and hospital, the supplement plans cover the other 20%.
Supplement plans should be a major part of any long-range financial plan for someone on Medicare, and shopping for a Medicare Supplement could not be any easier.
The plans are Federally-standardized - that is, each company offers the exact same coverage plans. They can not vary from this on an individual basis. This makes price and company reputation the only two factors that matter when comparing plans.
If you are going on Medicare or trying to save money on existing Medicare Supplement coverage in the Carolinas, visit North Carolina Medicare Supplement Insurance plans or South Carolina Medicare Insurance - Medicare in SC for more information.
