Customer Reviews
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Past 65–still working?
Choosing Between Medicare & Employer Plan
Look for the best value by comparing benefits and cost between your options.
As a courtesy, we can help. If you can gather and email us: your monthly plan premium and the summary of benefits for your employer plan, we will compare plans and report our findings.
Moving From Employer Plan to Medicare
If you are past 65, you will need to get 2 forms completed to enroll in Medicare Part B (Part B is required to join Medicare plans.)
- Download the forms by going to our RESOURCES Tab, in the drop down find: Medicare Part B forms.
- After you turn in the two completed forms into the Social Security office, give us a call to discuss your next step.
Plan Change or Relocation?
Relocation
Relocation to a new county opens a special enrollment period allowing you to change plans that starts the month before your move and ends 2 months after your move.
We can help. Once you know: your timing, new zip code and county, we can look up plans and evaluate choices.
Changing Medicare Advantage Plans
You can change your Medicare Advantage plan each year during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Oct 15 thru Dec 7th with an effective date of Jan. 1st. Or change to a different Advantage plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) Jan 1st thru March 31st (plan effective date would be the 1st of the next month after application).
If you’re looking or have a plan in mind, we can help you make the change.
Does income affect Medicare cost?
High-income Surcharge
The government looks back at your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) two years ago to determine if you will have a surcharge. If your income was over $97,000 (if filed as an individual) or $194,000 (if filed jointly), then you may have a monthly surcharge for Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D-Drugs.
Before you enroll in a plan, we can help you determine the level of surcharge and what to do if your income drops.
Low Income Help
If you have a low gross income, the Government has an “Extra Help” program that may reduce your costs (based on assets and gross income).
Think you may qualify? Let’s talk. We can help.
Medicare Lifetime Penalties?
Part B Penalty
If you delayed joining Part B when first eligible (and you don’t have other creditable coverage: Working Employee plan) then this penalty adds 10% to the base monthly Part B premium for every 12 months you go without Part B. You generally pay the penalty for life (or as long as you have Part B).
We can help! Before you enroll in a plan, is the best time to team up to figure the added costs.
Part D Penalty
If you delayed joining a Part D-Drug plan (or a plan that includes a Part D-Drug plan) when first eligible (unless you had other creditable coverage: VA or Working Employee plan). You generally pay the penalty for life (or as long as you have a Part D plan).
We are here to assist. Let us know how long you didn’t have Part D and we can discuss options and potential programs.
Out of county plans?
Medicare plans can vary county by county. By law, you enroll in plans available in your county of residence. (where you reside at least 51% of the time.) People who fraudulently enroll in an out of county plan may be fined and/or receive jail time.
You deserve to know what plans are available to you, where you live. Let’s team up and talk about it.
Are Medicare TV ads true?
Many of these ads have one goal: to sell your info to agents. They use wording like: “you may qualify for…”, or “call now to see if you qualify”. Many plan benefits are only for people who are on Medicare and Medicaid.
With us, you get the peace-of-mind knowing we research the plans you legally qualify to join, where you live, with your financial situation. No bait and switch tactics. And we never sell your information!
Obamacare available at 65?
Yes. But the question to ask is, ‘what would it cost?’ Some pay $10 a month for a subsidized under 65 plans. But when you turn 65, the subsidy ends! It could cost $1,250.00 or more a month! Per person!
We can help you find the best value with the benefits you require. Let’s talk.
Cancel Part B: What happens?
You are required to have Medicare Part B to enroll in Part D-Drug plan, a Supplement or an Advantage plan. If you cancel Part B, all other plans will also be cancelled.
If the dollar isn’t stretching, we should talk about cost effective options or programs that may help.
Why have a Cancer policy?
About 42% of the costs of cancer are indirect. Medicare won’t cover indirect costs. It is very common to experience upwards of $30,000 in out-of-pocket costs after a 9-month cancer treatment.
Ask yourself: Would a lump sum check, at such a time, help you and your loved ones? If so, what amount would you want?
WARNING: Once you hit your 65th birthday, you can NOT get these policies in California any longer. Other states may have different rules.
We can help if you think this would reduce pressure on you and family. Let’s talk about your options.