How To Get The Best Advantage Plan for Medicare available

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Ruben siaz

You would probably be surprised to realize how many American citizens are without health insurance. Perhaps you are one of them and are unsure how to change that. The tips in this article will help you to understand the basics you need to know about Health Insurance and health agencies.

If you suddenly lose your job and apply to COBRA, you can use your health spending account funds to cover the cost of your monthly premiums. This can help you through the tough times, but ensure that you have a plan for when your HSA runs out and you have to pay out of pocket.

Even if you have a PPO, if you’re considering any kind of procedure, you should definitely contact your health insurance company to be sure the procedure you want to have is covered. All too often, people have procedures done without checking with their health insurance company, only to find after the fact that the procedure was not covered and they are now 100% financially responsible for it. Know before you go!

When considering a Medicare insurance plan from your employer, be weary of certain incentive based plans that attempt to lure you. These may seem attractive at first, but there may be hidden costs or loss of previous benefits. Always read the contract thoroughly and do not be afraid to ask questions about anything you are uncertain about.

When considering a medicare part c from your employer, take a good look at your current plan and consider items that you might be able to change. You may be currently paying for more coverage than needed, or certain items that may now be obsolete. Take time to consider each option, what it means to you, and how much it is worth to have included in your plan.

Appealing a denied medicare insurance claim can be a long, drawn-out process, and the smart patient never submits the same appeal twice. When multiple appeals are required, the patient should pay attention to the results each appeal generates. A good appeal is always tailored to address not only the initial claim denial but also any issues raised against prior appeals.

The world of medicare insurance is not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of obstacles to avoid and knowing some great tips to navigate the system can make a huge difference in the end result. Now that you have those great tips from this article, you can make sure that you are covered and covered well.

Choosing comprehensive and cheap advantage plans for you or your family can mean the difference between life and death at some points.

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Forethought Highest Medigap Commissions

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Alex Stone

Forethought Financial Group has had solutions for people planning for their financial future since 1985. Their foundation is solid, with a 25 year track record proving their integrity and focused on delivering products to consumers. Rated A- “Excellent” by A.M. Best for their financial strength, the company has a competitive supplement product that is continuing to expand to new states.

Several Forethought Medigap plans are available with a direct company contract, excellent commissions, competitive premiums, and 9 month advancing. In addition to Medicare Supplements, they also offer annuities, life insurance, and various other financial products.

Forethought offers a Combo Application, combining both Medicare Supplements and Final Expense on the same application. This app allows you to develop a long standing relationship with your clients and have multiple sales on the same lead.

With their current fax application program you are able to sell Medicare Supplements over the phone, mail the application to the client to be completed, and wait for it to be returned. Soon they will have an E-Application option available as well, which will make the process of prospecting over the phone even easier. The E-App is efficient, eliminates paperwork, and allows for fewer errors with a quicker turn around on business being issued. With the time saved from prospecting by phone, you will be able to broaden your sales territory by making more calls and expanding your business.

The Forethought products are designed to reduce the burden of loss to loved ones and offer the best products to your clients. Be sure you have this product in your portfolio in order to capture business in the booming senior market.

Forethought Medigap is the perfect addition to your senior market portfolio. Precision Senior Marketing offers the best Forethought Life contracts and top-level commissions plus service on major Medicare Supplement products.

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Medicare Supplement Leads: Internet, Direct mail, Referrals

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Alex Stone

Leads are an essential part of gaining new business. Sometimes I can be hard to know if you have purchased enough, the list is scrubbed, or you will have to compete for the business from the lead. Several avenues are available to purchase leads from including internet, direct mail, and referrals. Decide which one will work best with your business model and weigh the pros and cons in deciding which to purchase.

Here are the main lead source options available:

1. Internet – Leads are purchased from a vender or submitted on a form on your own agency website. They are available as either shared or exclusive.

Of the options, shared leads are the most economical. However, they are sold under the notion that multiple agents are being sold the same leads; and, therefore there will be a competition for contracting each lead. Sometimes a senior will have heard from multiple other agents and you will have to be specific in what separates you from everyone else. Otherwise, exclusive leads are available and only sold to one person. This is a more costly option but your close ratio will be much higher and sale much quicker. The senior won’t have been bombarded with agents calling and therefore reception to your approach.

Also, if you have your own website adding a quote form will gather leads as well. The simple form should require contact information like name, phone number, email address, and location to be submitted so you can gather correlating information and have it on hand when you contact the lead. It is important to have a website if you are selling Medicare Supplements over the phone, so prospects will be able to get a feel for your business even though they cannot meet with you face to face.

2. Direct mail – Purchased directly through a vender, mailing pieces are already available to use. You will pay per- quantity cost and choose the area to distribute the mailer to. This is a great option, since the visual piece goes straight to the prospect for them to consider. They will then either mail the piece back or use the contact information you provided to get in touch with you about their Medicare Supplement needs.

3. Referrals – Your current clients are an excellent source of promotion for your business. Even though you might feel self conscious, at first, about asking for referrals they are an easy way to get more clients. When your client is satisfied, surely they have friends and family who can also benefit from your services. Don’t hesitate to ask.

Medicare Supplement leads can be obtained from internet sources. Contact Precision Senior Marketing, a Medicare Supplement FMO, to find trustworthy vendors to further the growth of your business.

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Texas Medicare Supplement 101 for Beneficiaries

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Danielle Kunkle

Beginning the quest for the right Texas Medicare supplement is often a bewildering experience. The Department of Health and Human Services does mail out its annual handbook to help you, but the handbook uses confusing language about Medicare that you may not be familiar with. Don’t fret – scores of beneficiaries are in the same boat. However, expert help is easy to find online.

First Step: Basic Medicare A & B

Beginners would do well to first learn what is covered by original Medicare A & B. Hospital coverage is provided under Part A. The premiums for Part A for most people are $0, but this doesn’t mean there are no costs to you. You are required to share in your coverage costs in the form of the deductible for Part A Hospital stays, and also the steep daily hospital copays that you incur if your stay in the hospital goes past 60 continuous days.

Medicare Part B has a monthly premium of around $115/month for most beneficiaries. Part B covers outpatient care, which can range from minor doctor visits to higher-ticket care, such as chemotherapy. Medicare pays only 80% of your outpatient costs. You must pay the deductible and the other 20%. Covering the financial exposure for these gaps is why people purchase a medicare supplement, also sometimes called a medigap plan.

Medigap Plans: Which One is Right for Me?

In 1990, the federal government itself standardized medicare supplements, or medigap plans,to eliminate confusion. Each medigap plan has a letter associated with it, and this tells you which set of gaps in Medicare that the plan covers. The plans are labeled A – N, and there is one high-deductible option, too. By standardizing the plans, CMS made it possible for you to know that no matter which insurance carrier you select, the benefits will be the same. Example: a Plan F has the same set of benefits whether you buy it from one insurance carrier or another. Start by reviewing what each supplement option covers. Then choose the plan letter that covers the gaps that you are most concerned about. If you want a supplement that fills in all the gaps, a Plan F is likely the most suitable choice, as it pays all of your copays, coinsurance and deductibles for you.

Which Insurance Carrier is Right for Me?

Since benefits are standardized, you can shop for your carrier based on price, the carrier’s reputation, and their rate trend history. Enlisting the help of an online independent insurance agent is not only a free service, but will greatly reduce the time you spend evaluating carriers. An experienced agent can compare rates among 20 or so carriers for you. Plus, the agent can provide you with information that often you cannot get on your own – such as which carrier has had the lowest annual rate increases over the last 5 years?

An additional bit of wisdom that a veteran senior market agent can offer you is an introduction to solid, long-standing insurance carriers who only offer health insurance to people on Medicare. Since these carriers don’t provide health insurance products to people under age 65, chances are that you haven’t heard of them in the past. Nonetheless, there are quite a few of these carriers with impeccable claims payment histories and high financial ratings, plus they sometimes offer lower premiums for the same plan than a more well-known carrier. In a nutshell, agents bring value to the table by ensuring you don’t miss out on a terrific monthly rate with a low-profile carrier who is still financially strong.

Working with an independent agent who specializes in Medicare-related insurance products will help you learn all the vital facts you need before making your choice. Your agent will also help you apply, and will be a trusted resource for you over the years when you have questions about your Medicare.

Want to find out more about Texas Medicare Supplements, then visit Danielle Kunkle’s site on how to choose the best medicare supplement for your needs.

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Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement’s Tools for Success

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Alex Stone

Founded in 1926, United of Omaha is a sector of the Mutual of Omaha companies. They have a diverse portfolio including Medicare Supplements, fixed annuities, and life insurance. Mutual of Omaha has been maintaining quality supplemental insurance products since 1966, when Medicare began.

Medigap goes with original Medicare Parts A and B and covers those health care costs not included. With their supplemental insurance plan from United of Omaha, your client’s benefits won’t decrease and they will be able to keep all of the doctors and hospitals. Plus, with supplemental insurance they will not need a referral to see a specialist. Coverage is guaranteed renewable, goes with them when they move, and is Guaranteed-issue when they are first eligible or during an open enrollment period.

The open enrollment period for your clients is either during the six months from the first day of the month when they turn sixty-five; or, when their Medicare Advantage or Private Fee for Service plan moves out of the service area, employer discontinues its group retiree coverage, leave a Med Advantage plan within a year of joining it and then return to Medicare. During these times, applications are no subject to underwriting and therefore cannot be denied, have a waiting period for coverage, or charge more for the policy based on health history.

Selling Medicare Supplements over the phone is made even easier with the choice of their phone or electronic applications. When you prospect by phone you aren’t limited to the clients in your area and can reach larger markets with more customers and ultimately make a larger profit. With the e-app, paperwork is virtually eliminated, speeds up the enrollment process, and allows agents to further grow their business efficiently.

Also, agents have the opportunity to use their prospecting mailers, sales scripts, and USA Data lists. USA Data list available through Mutual of Omaha are pre-scrubbed, economically priced, and delivered to you via email in minutes. Then you can use their prospecting mailers which include up to 5,000 complementary full color postcards to send out to your lead list. Mutual of Omaha gives agents the tools to succeed in selling their product and is rated “A+” Superior by AM Best.

For prospecting opportunities like USA Data leads, contract with Precision Senior Marketing for top-level United of Omaha commissions. At PSM we offer our senior market agents the best contracts with the highest Mutual of Omaha commissions.

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Health Care Reform, Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Stephanie Coutavas

Your Medicare, you and the impact of Health Care Reform.

There has been much chatter and concern about the new health care laws. You yourself may be wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect you and your Medicare Benefits.

It will please you to know that the new law will not cut your Basic benefits. In fact, it will actually make some benefits better. The free annual wellness checkup is a good example of this. Starting 2011, your annual checkup and certain preventative screenings, like cancer and diabetes will be provided at no cost.

Medicare Part D coverage will be improved by changes under the new law. If you are on expensive brand prescriptions and find your self hurtling toward the coverage gap each year, you will get some relief. In 2010 beneficiaries who entered the Part D donut hole received a $250 rebate. In 2011 if you enter the gap you will pay 50% for your name brands. The law will close the gap completely by 2020.

The law also addresses the issue of Medicare spending. Medicare spending is growing at a rate of 6.8% per year. The new law will not stop the growth but will slow it down over the next ten years to 5.5%. This sounds small but it is projected to save Medicare over 400 billion dollars over the next 10 years. How will this be accomplished?

Health care providers like hospitals, nursing homes and others will receive reduced increases in payment. Some have agreed to the payments, expecting that their profits will actually increase because of newly covered beneficiaries.

The law will gradually lower the payments to Medicare Advantage Plans. Currently Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans cost Medicare $1,100+ than a person who is enrolled in original Medicare. All people on Medicare pay for this with higher monthly premiums. The law will decrease this over payment and slowly equalize spending.

How will the reduced funding to the Medicare Advantage plans impact the 25% of Medicare recipients who are enrolled in them? You may experience a loss of extra benefits that are included in your current plan. The private plans will always have to cover the benefits that Medicare guarantees however, so you will not loose any of your basic benefits. Some plans may just not be offered at all. Should your plan leave the Medicare system, you will have the option to enroll in a new plan or go back to original Medicare.

The reduced spending along with additional revenue from taxes paid by people who make 200K+ per year are anticipated to achieve a $124,000,000,000 deficit reduction over the next decade and extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund for nine years.

Come and see us for all your medicare needs. We are standing by to help. Get your up to the minute information and quotes for medicare supplement plans where you live.Call 888-347-5552 or visit medicarequote4u.com. We can help.

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Florida Seniors and Florida Medicare Supplement Plans

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Stephanie Coutavas

Factors unique to Florida that affect selection and cost of Medicare Supplemental Insurance

In the state of Florida you may expect to pay up to 60% more for your standardized Medicare Supplement Plan. The Florida rates are among the highest in the nation.

Florida has been a mecca for retirees for many years. We come for the mild climate, a comparatively low cost of living, so many activities to spice up our retirement. All of this and more have been motivating folks to make the move south and enjoy the golden years.

There are a higher percentage of over 65ers in Florida than anywhere else in the country. Florida’s 3,339,000 plus seniors make up a whopping 17.7% of the population of the state and 3,300,000 plus have Medicare.

The large percentage of people over 65 and the increase in health care costs for that group makes Florida an expensive place for a Medicare Supplement Company to do business. Some companies just choose not to. Of course that reduces the options we have to choose from. It also drives up the cost of the available plans.

There are some fantastic consumer friendly provisions that the state of Florida requires if an insurance company wishes to market Medigap Insurance. These regulations drive the up the prices of the plans offered.

Medicare Supplement policies can be rated as issue age or attained age. Florida insurance laws require that all Medicare Supplement Insurance sold in the state be rated as issue age. This is good news because with an issue age plan the rates reflect the age you are when you first sign up. The younger you are the less you pay. Any increase in your premiums will be due to changes in the Medicare deductible or co-insurances, never based on your age. The increase will be much smaller than those you would experience with an attained age policy that will increase regularly based on your new age as time goes on.

All insurance companies wishing to market Medicare Supplements in Florida are mandated by the state to have plans available to people who qualify for Medicare under the age of 65. These are beneficiaries who typically have been on SS disability for 24 months. This gives them the ability to secure protection against medical costs and increased quality of care. It also creates a higher risk, higher cost group of insured.

We have only touched on a few of the many reasons why Medicare Supplement rates are higher in Florida than in other states. Bottom line is rates are higher in Florida, so all you Florida Retirees, get on line,call your agent. Make sure that you have the best value and the right protection for you.

Our licensed brokers are standing by to help.. To compare Medicare Supplement Plan options or get an instant quote visit ww.medicarequote4u.com or call toll free 888-347-5552

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Great States For Medicare Colorado, Utah, And Nevada

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Stephanie Coutavas

Looking at the trends in states like Colorado, Nevada, and Utah you see some interesting things. When looking at Medicare Supplement Plans you notice that these states even though having major cities like Denver, Salt Lake, and Las Vegas rates are alot less money than other states with cities of this size. There are some factors that contribute to this. We are going to talk about 2 of these factors.

Companies that provide Medicare Supplement Plans determine rates based on a large array of factors. One of the major factors is the health of that state in terms of the consumers there. Companies will look in the past and see what the cost of claims in these states. These rocky mountain states have benefited from being very healthy due to all the outdoor activities there. When a company knows there costs are going to be lower based on past experiences they will generally pass those savings onto there customers.

Competition is also a large factor in rates, as you look across the country at rates you will notice an important trend. In states where there is only 1 or 2 companies that sell Medicare Supplement Plans we find that the rates are very high. In states like Nevada, Utah, and Colorado we find at least 5 companies that offer these types of plans. With that being said every company is vying for a position in the market. When you are dealing with a standardized plan having a position in the market has every thing to do with prices.

Standardized plans is of tremendous importance as to why competition is so important, think about it like this. If you went to a car dealership to purchase an automobile you would not pay $5000 more for the exact same car with the same options, that will get you to the same place. It just does not make sense. It is the same with Medicare Supplement Plans. Educated consumers know that these plans are essentially identical company to company which means that there is not much more to talk about than price.

If you are about to purchase a Utah Medicare Supplement Plans(s) a Colorado Medicare Supplement Plan(s) or a Nevada Medicare Supplement Plan you are in a good position.

Want to find out more about Medicare Supplement Plans, then visit Andrew Coutavas’s site on how to choose the best medigap for your needs.

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The Secret to Finding the Best Health Insurance Plan for You

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Max Logan

What health insurance is best for you? The answer to that question depends on your understanding of what health insurance is and what your particular needs are. First, it is not discounted health care. Generally speaking, insurance is a kind of risk management. Your premium is your monthly payment to the company to assume the risk of expense. In one sense, this is a sort of gambling. In this case, the health insurer is betting that you will not need care, and the premium you pay every month is your hedge to offset the consequences should you face large medical expenses. Your health insurance benefits are what you get when the company “loses” and has to pay out.

When you understand that a health insurance plan is essentially a kind of risk management tool, it is easier to understand just why there are so many different kinds of insurances, policies, and plans. People have many different kind of needs, and so in theory, insurance can provide policies to cater to those needs. When you think of health insurance, most of us think of payment for doctor and hospital expenses. Generally speaking, you either buy an individual or family policy, or you might get coverage through an employer or union plan if you are employed and your employer offers health insurance as a benefit. In order for you to know what you are getting, you must know exactly what benefits are listed in the policy and how much the policy will pay out for the benefits listed.

Some well-known health insurance company names that you might encounter when researching policies include, Assurant, Anthem, Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Banker’s Life, Mutual of Omaha, United Health Care, Humana, Kaiser, and Tonik. This is really just the tip of the iceberg, and the point of listing these names is only to show you that there are many, many insurance companies all offering their own benefit packages and prices. When you choose a plan, you are choosing one health insurance company to be the payer on your health insurance costs. The way this works is that your doctor submits a bill (called a claim) to the insurance company for services provided, and the company reimburses the doctor an agreed upon rate. How much the insurer pays and how much you pay as your share of costs (deductibles and copayments) depends on the agreements set forth in the policy.

Is there such a thing as single payer health insurance? The answer is both yes and no. In the United States the insurance program that most closely approximates a single payer is the Federal health insurance program for retired individuals age 65 and above. This program is called Medicare and became law in 1965. Although the government manages Medicare, it contracts with private insurance companies to handle the day to day operational logistics of administration. So you see, even though the government is the single payer, it still involves the private insurance industry. The Federal government has gone even further involving private insurance by creating the Medicare Advantage Plan program, which essentially allows private insurance payers to manage Medicare benefits through private, managed care plans.

How do you choose what is best for you? If you are approaching age 65, Medicare will very likely figure into your insurance plans. Everyone else must sift through the many different insurers and plans on the market. The vast number of choices and policies can be overwhelming. Kinds of health insurance include dismemberment insurance, continuation of coverage insurance, hospital inpatient only policies, catastrophic coverage, long term care, temporary health plans, policies that are specific to a particular disease, health savings accounts, point of service options, supplemental health insurance, and the many different kinds of managed care plans.

Making a sound choice depends on a number of factors. You will need to make a list of your costs, needs, circumstances. For example, do you need medical care for only a limited period of time? If so, then a no frills temporary policy might work better for you than a more comprehensive, expensive plan. If you need coverage that will include all of your family, then you will probably look at a more comprehensive plan including both hospital and medical benefits. However, let’s say that you work in an environment where there is a realistic expectation of injury. In that case, you might consider catastrophic coverage, or possibly a dismemberment policy. When searching for health insurance, your understanding of your needs will be of primary importance in finding a policy that suits not only your needs but your budget.

What you get when you seek cheap health insurance quotes and what a low cost health insurance plan really means.

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United of Omaha Med Supp for Senior Agents

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Alex Stone

Mutual of Omaha supplemental insurance pays the costs of certain services and supplies that Original Medicare Parts A and B does not cover. Medigap policies are standardized to follow federal and state laws made to protect consumers and sold by private insurance companies.

As part of the Mutual of Omaha Companies founded in 1926, United of Omaha has a diversified portfolio of life insurance, fixed annuities and Medicare Supplements, among other insurance products. With a reputation for providing quality products since Medicare began, in 1966, their policies are part of a long history.

The open enrollment period, starting six months from the first day of the month when your client turns 65 or older, is the best time to buy a supplement plan. In that time, applications are not subject to underwriting, meaning the insurance company cannot refuse any policy they sell. Also, there is not a waiting period for coverage to start or an inflated price based on health conditions and treatments.

Submitting client applications for processing is easier than ever. Both a phone and an electronic application are available, making paperwork virtually unnecessary. With the e-app you can sell Medicare Supplements over the phone and contract more people while wasting less time, from anywhere. Usually, policies are issued in four business days, making the application process quick and easy.

As an agent you will receive both free sales support materials and periodical communications on products and industry news via print and email. Also available are high quality discounted leads from USADATA, a pivotal lead service agency in the industry.

With a history of excellent customer service and dedicated representatives to exceed the expectations of customers, Mutual of Omaha is a superior “A+” rated company by A.M.’s Best and it is also one of the most renounced and financially stable products in the world.

Once you have a Mutual of Omaha contract you can begin selling Medicare Supplements over the phone, using their electronic application. Also, a United of Omaha contract allows you to have the security of a superior “A+” rated by A.M. Best product in your portfolio to offer your senior insurance clients.

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