Avoid Covid-19 scams
Avoid COVID-19 scams Have you gotten robocalls, text messages, or emails offering COVID-19 tests in exchange for your Medicare Number? Be careful! Scammers are selling fake and unauthorized at-home COVID-19 test kits in exchange for your personal or medical information. Do not give out your Medicare Number for COVID-19 test kits! Make sure to purchase FDA-approved COVID-19 test […]
At Home Tests for COVID-19
Free at-home COVID tests are now available through the federal government. Visit COVIDtests.gov to enter your information to receive four free at-home tests. These tests are great to get a quick idea of whether you may have COVID. They do not require a lab drop-off and can give results in as quickly as 30 minutes. […]
AEP is here!
The Annual Election Period (AEP) occurs only once a year from October 15th to December 7th. This period provides the important opportunity to assess the available Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D drug plans. Plan changes made during this time apply to the following calendar year. Make sure your doctor plans to continue accepting Medicare […]
Quarterly over-the-counter benefit reminder for Blue Cross of Idaho, United Healthcare, Humana, and Molina Medicare Advantage Plans
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan with one of these four companies, this post will serve as a reminder of your quarterly over-the-counter benefit. You are allotted a given cash value that you are able to use to purchase over-the-counter items each quarter of the year. This allotment expires and resets each quarter, meaning […]
Beware: Misleading advertising by national marketing companies
National marketing companies have been advertising heavily recently, and much of what has been advertised does not pertain to the state of Idaho. Therefore, these ads can be very misleading to the Idaho public. For example, there are no Medicare Advantage Plans in the state of Idaho offering a full Part B buyback ($144). This […]
The Annual Enrollment Period is Ending December 7th
This year has been a lot different due to the pandemic, but I’ve still helped countless people find the plan best for them and reassessed the available options for many other clients during this Annual Enrollment Period. It has gone by fast; there are only a few days left. The AEP ends on December 7th […]
CMS Press Release on 2021 Medicare Premiums
A few days ago, CMS put out a press release outlining the monthly premiums for Medicare in 2021. Changes in premiums from year to year are always a concern for those on Medicare, and it was also projected that Medicare spending would increase in 2021 due to various factors caused by the pandemic. Luckily, Medicare […]
New Online Tool from Medicare Helps Find Healthcare Services Near You
Medicare.gov has created a very useful tool for finding healthcare services near you. It is known as Care Compare, and it is completely free. The tool is accessible on smartphones and tablets in addition to computers, and, according to Medicare.gov, it can help you find and contact doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice and home health […]
The Annual Enrollment Period is now here!
Don’t be surprised! Today is the first official day of the Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans. If you need a new plan or need to change plans, now is the time to reach out to Elise. She will be happy to help you get on a plan that meets all of your needs. […]
Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans
Although we did touch on Medicare Advantage plans in an earlier post while talking about value-based care, it seemed important to continue to explain what exactly makes Advantage plans so great. First, it is important to recognize how access to Advantage plans has improved nationwide; “In 2020, 99% of Medicare beneficiaries have access to at […]