Live Insurance News

Mind the Gap: Things to Know Before Picking the Best Medicare Supplement Plan

May 5, 2013February 15, 2014 Guest Author

Whether you have just turned 65, are about to turn 65, or are looking after a loved one who already has, keeping abreast of Medicare policy changes and picking the best Medicare supplement plan can seem like a daunting task. While the basic Medicare supplement plans (Plans A – N) are standardized at the federal government level, there are still many variations and nuances that occur at the state level. For example, some states may charge different rates for males than they do for females; some states won’t ask questions…

Health insurance comparison guide for 2013 Medicare supplement released

November 29, 2012November 28, 2012 H. Cutner

Medicare open enrollment deadline approaching fast – things you should know!

The Louisiana Department of Insurance and senior counselors are helping beneficiaries for next year. With the 2013 open enrollment period growing closer to completion for Medicare health insurance beneficiaries, officials in the industry are now ready to help people to ensure that they make the right choices for their coverage. Assistance is now available for helping to make decisions and use the coverage more effectively. Louisiana Department of Insurance Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) has counselors who are working throughout the state to help beneficiaries of Medicare to choose…

Sterling Insurance announces new California Supplement policies for Medicare beneficiaries

March 22, 2012March 22, 2012 Julie Campbell

Sterling Insurance has announced that it is now offering California residents Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies There are currently over 4.8 million residents of the state that are eligible to receive Medicare. In California, every day means that approximately 1,000 more people will have turned 65, rapidly increasing the number of possibly eligible beneficiaries. At the moment, only 7 percent of the Medicare-eligible population of the state is carrying a Medicare Supplement policy, which means that there is a large number of people who have health coverage, but who will also…

With Thanksgiving and Black Friday over, the Medicare deadline is the next big date

November 28, 2011November 28, 2011 Julie Campbell

With the Thanksgiving turkey eaten and Black Friday’s discount-hunting madness behind them, consumers have started to use the final two weeks left for open Medicare enrollment to do their last minute insurance shopping. Senior citizens are now starting to run out of time for choosing a new Medicare prescription drug or Advantage plan if they want to alter their current coverage. The deadline for Medicare’s open enrollment has been moved to December 7 from its traditional December 31 as a result of the 2010 federal healthcare laws. The reason for…

Over half of seniors using exchange for private Medicare plan to reevaluate in 2011 AEP

November 16, 2011November 16, 2011 Marc

A survey that included the participation of 372 seniors who have previously bought private supplemental Medicare plans showed that 58 percent are now using the 2011Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) to rethink their insurance needs. When the seniors were asked why they were reevaluating their plans, the top three reasons were: • 45 percent wanted to make certain that they were receiving the best coverage for their needs • 19 percent had experienced an increase in premiums • 9 percent had experienced an increase in out-of-pocket expenses. Another 35 percent…