The Medicare Plans Direct Blog
Three New States to Implement Medigap Birthday Rules in 2022
In the majority of states, you are only guaranteed the ability to enroll in a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which is when you first become eligible for Medicare. Unless you are granted a guaranteed issue right, you will usually have to undergo medical underwriting if you want to sign up for a Medigap policy outside of your Medigap OEP. However, there are certain states that implement annual Medigap birthday rules, which give you the right to change Medigap plans during the month or two after your birthday. Previously, there were only two states that implemented this type of policy, but starting in 2022, three more states are jumping on the bandwagon. Which states already have Medicare Supplement Insurance birthday rules?
Why You Should Compare Medicare Plan Options Every Year
So many people sign up for Medicare when they turn 65 and forget about their coverage options. But what many people don’t realize is that they have a chance to modify their Medicare coverage each year. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Part D (prescription drug coverage), you have the option to compare plans and modify your coverage annually. However, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 71% of Medicare beneficiaries did not compare Medicare coverage options in 2018. And this figure increased with age. 84% of Medicare beneficiaries aged 85 and older did not compare plan options that year. You may be asking yourself why you should compare Medicare plan options every year. To begin, plan availability can change from
New Premium Rates, Higher Deductibles, and More Medicare Updates in 2022
As you know, Medicare rates change annually, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on premiums, deductibles, and more. In 2022, there are some big changes when it comes to what Medicare beneficiaries will have to pay for their care, as well as what coverage options they will have available to them. Read on to learn about all of the new Medicare updates in 2022. Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Perhaps one of the biggest Medicare updates in 2022 is the Part B monthly premium, as the Medicare Part B premium will see an increase of 14.5% from its 2021 rate of $148.50. In 2022, the Medicare Part B premium is set at $170.10. That is $21.60 more per month than in 2021, totaling up
Medicare Coverage for Non-Working Spouses
Has your spouse worked the required amount of time to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A but you haven’t? Or maybe the opposite is true. If you’re wondering if a non-working spouse can qualify for Medicare based on a working spouse’s eligibility, then you’ve come to the right place. Do non-working spouses qualify for Medicare? Perhaps you haven’t worked, but your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters). In this case, you may be eligible to receive Medicare Part A coverage for free when you turn 65. You must be married for at least a year before applying to be eligible. This applies to people who were employed in the past but didn’t work and pay Medicare
Medicare Part D Plans Comparison in 2022
In 2022, Medicare beneficiaries will have a number of options for their prescription drug coverage. Some people will choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, while others may want to sign up for a stand-alone Part D policy. You should know that while Medicare drug plan enrollment is optional, you could have to pay late enrollment penalty fees should you fail to sign up when you are first eligible and want to enroll down the line (unless you had some other drug coverage that Medicare considers creditable). While researching Medicare prescription drug plans can seem like a complicated task, our Medicare Part D plans comparison can point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing your Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Alaska – New Options in 2022
Alaska Medicare Advantage plans are arriving soon, and there is a lot of excitement. Medicare in Alaska is unique in that, previously, Medicare Advantage plans were not offered in the state. However, you will soon have the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage MSA plan in Alaska. Starting October 1, 2021, Alaska Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (coverage will become effective January 1, 2022). Previously, there were no Medicare Advantage plans available to Alaska residents. So, in the past, if you wanted private Medicare coverage in Alaska, your only option was to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. However, 2022 brings a new opportunity to get your Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage MSA plan. Read on to learn more
