The 5 Must Knows About Medicare
1. Covering the gaps left by Medicare
Medicare covers many health care services and certain prescription drugs, but it doesn’t pay for all of your costs, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. These “coverage gaps” could leave you paying up to 20 percent of your health related expenses. A Blue Medicare supplement plan can give you additional coverage for Medicare deductibles and coinsurance for services like: hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, physician services, diagnostic tests, and medical and surgical services and supplies. You’ll also be covered for Medicare-eligible costs not covered by Medicare.
Medicare covers many health care services and certain prescription drugs, but it doesn’t pay for all of your costs, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. These “coverage gaps” could leave you paying up to 20 percent of your health related expenses. A Blue Medicare supplement plan can give you additional coverage for Medicare deductibles and coinsurance for services like: hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, physician services, diagnostic tests, and medical and surgical services and supplies. You’ll also be covered for Medicare-eligible costs not covered by Medicare.
2. Guaranteed acceptance for coverage
Enrollment is simple. And, you can’t be denied for Blue Medicare Supplement coverage if you: 1) Are age 65 or older and eligible for Medicare or under age 65 and are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability (Plans A and C); 2) enroll within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B; 3) are not covered by Medicaid; and 4) are a North Carolina resident.
Enrollment is simple. And, you can’t be denied for Blue Medicare Supplement coverage if you: 1) Are age 65 or older and eligible for Medicare or under age 65 and are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability (Plans A and C); 2) enroll within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B; 3) are not covered by Medicaid; and 4) are a North Carolina resident.
3. Avoid waiting periods for pre-existing conditions
If you enroll within 30 days following your 65th birthday, or if you have six months of continuous prior coverage, the 6-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions will be waived. Pre-existing conditions are conditions for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within six months before the effective date of coverage. If you wait until after the deadline to enroll, you may have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions and may have to complete a medical questionnaire.
If you enroll within 30 days following your 65th birthday, or if you have six months of continuous prior coverage, the 6-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions will be waived. Pre-existing conditions are conditions for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within six months before the effective date of coverage. If you wait until after the deadline to enroll, you may have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions and may have to complete a medical questionnaire.
4. Blue Medicare Rx (PDP)
BCBSNC offers Medicare prescription drug coverage with more than 1,800 drugs covered in our Blue Medicare Enhanced Plan and more than 1,000 drugs covered in our Blue Medicare Standard Plan to help you pay for prescription drugs at local and network pharmacies and through mail order. Sometimes referred to as Medicare Part D, Medicare prescription drug coverage must be approved by Medicare and provided through private companies like BCBSNC. Coverage is designed to make filling prescriptions more affordable. Annual enrollment is from October 15th thru December 7th of each year.
Remember that once eligible for a Part D Plan, there is a accumulating 1% per month penalty for each month not enrolled if you decide to wait until later to participate in a Part D Plan.
BCBSNC offers Medicare prescription drug coverage with more than 1,800 drugs covered in our Blue Medicare Enhanced Plan and more than 1,000 drugs covered in our Blue Medicare Standard Plan to help you pay for prescription drugs at local and network pharmacies and through mail order. Sometimes referred to as Medicare Part D, Medicare prescription drug coverage must be approved by Medicare and provided through private companies like BCBSNC. Coverage is designed to make filling prescriptions more affordable. Annual enrollment is from October 15th thru December 7th of each year.
Remember that once eligible for a Part D Plan, there is a accumulating 1% per month penalty for each month not enrolled if you decide to wait until later to participate in a Part D Plan.
5. Silver Sneakers Fitness Program
A fitness program that also offers health education and social events is included with Blue Medicare Supplement plans. Silver Sneakers members receive a basic fitness membership and access to more than 11,000 participating locations.
A fitness program that also offers health education and social events is included with Blue Medicare Supplement plans. Silver Sneakers members receive a basic fitness membership and access to more than 11,000 participating locations.
Contact your local BCBSNC representative, Steve Slate @ 910-338-0686, to schedule an appointment today. He offers in office or in home visits. Also, feel free to use our "free quote" calculator.