If you are turning 65 soon or already there, you may have questions about Medicare. Clarity Group is here to help you.
Clarity Group is an agency that is dedicated to helping people with all things Medicare related. When someone is new to Medicare, it can be very confusing. It’s important to start with the basics.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS. It helps pay for many health care services, but it does not cover every cost. Understanding how Medicare works can help you choose coverage, avoid penalties, and plan for medical expenses.
There are Four Parts to Medicare.
- Part A: Hospital Insurance. Part A helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
- Part B: Medical Insurance. Part B helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment, and certain home health services.
- Part C: Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide Part A and Part B benefits and often include prescription drug coverage, as well as some services not covered bu original Medicare.
- Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage. Part D helps pay for prescription medications and is offered through private insurance companies that follow Medicare rules.
“Original Medicare” refers to Parts A & B, is provided by the Federal Government. Parts C & D are through private insurers. There are also Medigap plans which can supplement original Medicare.
Choosing the Right Plan
This is a very individual choice. What’s right for your family and friends, may not be right for you. There are many factors to consider, including the doctors you see and medications you take. Other factors could include if you travel frequently and what extra benefits such as dental and vision are important to you. Your Clarity Group agent can explain the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans and help determine which is best for you. Although Medicare is a federal program, Medicare Supplement rules can vary by state.
The licensed agents at Clarity Group will guide you on how and when to enroll in Medicare to avoid any penalties. This can also vary depending on when you retire, if you plan to work past age 65, the size of your employer and what they offer you for health insurance.
We’ll also discuss when you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan and when you can change plans. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15th – December 7th, but many people qualify for Special Enrollment Periods, which could allow you to change sooner. If you are not happy with your current plan, you may not have to wait to make a change. Once you have chosen the plan that best suits your needs, we handle any paperwork. We can also help you with any financial assistance you may qualify for.
Our goal is to make the Medicare process as easy and as stress-free as possible for you.
That’s just the beginning. When you work with Clarity Group, we are here to answer your questions all year round. One of the best parts is that our services are always at no cost to you.
Clarity Group opened in Depew in 2017 and now has 5 locations throughout Western New York. Visit our website www.claritygroupny.com or call 716-393-3437. Clarity Group is not affiliated with the federal government.
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