Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Did You Miss Medicare/Health Insurance Open Enrollment?
THERE ARE: Special Enrollment Periods
• If you turn 65 or are new to Medicare
• MOVING out of the AREA/ MOVING to a New Area.
• You qualify for extra help with Medicare Prescription Drugs
• You dropped a Medigap Policy for the 1st time within the 1st 12 months
• Special Needs Plans – New or no longer need
• Losing Coverage
*You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. Depending on your Special Enrollment Period type, you may have 60 days before or 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan.
Things to know!
Individual/Family – There are other options available if you do not have pre-existing conditions. These plans can be a lot less expensive especially if you do not qualify for government subsidy. There are national carriers that offer very good plans with comprehensive coverage.
Payment of Office Visits – If you DO NOT have a copay, you should not pay for the office visit in the office if it is avoidable. You always want to pay the insurance company’s negotiated rate. So, pay your provider once you login or get your statement from your insurance company that states what you owe. If you overpaid call the provider’s accounting department and request a refund; it’s not too late.
Payment for Medications – Does your insurance cover medications? If so, you should always check to see if a coupon on, for example, Goodrx, has a better price. The pharmacy is obligated to give you the best price.
Rehabilitation – If you are being discharged from the hospital and you need rehabilitation, if you would be better off in a rehab facility you should ask about it. You have a choice as to where you can go. So, if you like one place, ask to see if it is in your plan’s network. If you are on Original Medicare, you are required to be admitted to the hospital for 3 consecutive days before Medicare will pay for rehab. You can request a Home Health company as well. Very important: if you don’t feel you should be discharged out of the hospital speak-up! Under Original Medicare if you call Medicare and tell them you don’t agree with the discharge the hospital cannot discharge you until Medicare completes it’s review of your case, which normally takes 24-48 hrs. These are just some of the tips I review with our clients.
International Travel – Most of our USA plans do not cover us when leaving the United States; that includes Cruises. You should always take a comprehensive Medical Travel Insurance Policy. They are a lot less than you think and can make a world of a difference.
Pet Insurance – Our fur babies need insurance coverage too. The younger you start the less it costs. As vet bills escalate most of us would do anything for our 4-legged loved ones. Why not cover them as well? There are a wide range of deductibles, copays, etc. In most cases coverage starts for less than $1.00 a day. Pre-existing medical conditions in most cases are NOT covered. So, the earlier the better.
You should really work with a local broker to explore all your options. Don’t invite strangers into your house or give them your personal information over the phone. With social media, Facebook, WebEx solicitation, if you do not know them, please be careful. There are so many scams out there. Go see or call a local agent, build a relationship and, if in the future you have a question, you can go back and see them.
Also remember when moving you may have a special enrollment period to apply or change your health insurance coverage. Also check your wills, trusts, and make sure they follow Florida’s laws and guidelines. Establish yourself with a local Insurance Broker, Attorney and CPA. Ask a professional, most of the time your first consultation is at no charge.
To learn more about your options, call to
schedule an appointment:
Logical Insurance Solutions for all your insurance needs – Dee Merritt
info@logicalinsurance.com
www.Logicalinsurance.com 239-362-0855
*We also do a complimentary homeowners review
