Medicare Benefits Coverage

Choosing A Medicare Plan Is Too Confusing!

Although there are a number of Medicare Benefit Options to consider, it helps by planning ahead. In other words, be prepared to ask questions, if you have an under 65 health insurance plan that you currently enjoy, ask the agent if there is something comparable with Medicare. Communication with your agent is the best way to gain knowledge about what Medicare plan will benefit you the most. Those who believe the plans are too confusing are the one's who aren't making enough of an effort to speak with a licensed agent about their options, or the curent Do-Not-Call guidelines are preventing qualified agents from contacting consumers about assitance.

Compared to the cost of insurance today, Medicare is actually cheaper than most group or individual health insurance plans and you might get more coverage depending on the plan you select. Of course, there is the old saying, you get what you pay for, so be careful upon choosing a Medicare plan by cost alone.

My Health Insurance Agent Didn't Tell Me Everything About Medicare!

This is a very common issue with most consumers enrolling into Medicare. It's also a two way street, meaning, you as the consumer must let the agent know what kind of coverage you are interested in, for example: I want a Medicare plan that's similar to my current individual or group plan. Once the agent understands what you are looking for, they can then determine a plan that closely matches what you currently have.

All The Medicare Health Plans Operate The Same!

If it was this easy, there wouldn't be any confusion. In fact, it's just the opposite, because you have Medicare Advantage Insurance and Medicare Supplement Insurance. There are some plans with low monthly premiums, co-pays, deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket expenses, and require you to visit doctors in the network to get discount pricing. There are other plans with higher monthly premiums, but no co-pays, no deductibles, no maximum out-of-pocket costs, and you can see any doctor that excepts Medicare. Then you have to consider the PPO, HMO, RPPO, LPPO, PFFS, and MSA Medicare Advantage plan options. If the Medicare Advantage plans were not enough options for you to digest, then you can also consider a Medicare Supplement package such as: Plans A, B, C, D, E, F, (High Deductible F), G, H, I, J, (High Deductible J), K, and L plans.

Conclusion: With so many options, once may not know where to start, be sure the agent you're working with is qualified to provide you with assistance, and take action to avoid being penalized for late enrollments.

Dwight Brisco
California Licensed Health Agent
Servicing California Medicare Eligible Consumers

Medicare Benefits
Prescription Drug Information

What Do You Know About Medicare?

Medicare was launched in 1965 and makes available economic and health protection for people age 65 and older and for people under 65 years of age with permanent disabilities or if they have Lou Gehrig's disease or end-stage renal disease. Today, practically all senior citizens are covered by Medicare whereas back in 1965 approximately 50% of seniors did not have medical coverage.



Medicare contributes payments for numerous health care services including, but not limited to, doctor charges, hospital charges and even prescription drugs. Medicare is funded by people who supply money through payroll tax deductions to Medicare throughout their working career; once they become of age, then normally become qualified for Medicare at the age of 65, in spite of their wealth or health.

Explanation of Medicare Parts

Part A assists with payment for your patient care while you are in the hospital. Part A also assists on payments for home health care, skilled nursing service and hospice if you meet definite guidelines.

Part B is the medical coverage part of Medicare. It assists with payment on services that are medically necessary, like physician's charges and outpatient care. Part B will also assist you in paying for a number of preventive services to preserve your health and to prevent you from getting sicker from certain illnesses.

Part C is also identified as Medicare Advantage; this is an additional method to obtain your Medicare benefits. Part C unites Part A, Part B and at times, Part D (prescription drug) coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are administered by private insurance groups endorsed by Medicare and these policies must cover services that are medically essential. These policies are reviewed annually, can charge diverse deductibles, copayments or coinsurance for the covered services.

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) assists in paying for prescription medicine. This benefit could assist you to reduce your prescription medicine expenses and defend against higher expenses in the future. Part D is not designed to cover all the cost of your prescription drugs, so be sure to review the plan's formulary to determine if your drugs are covered and your out of pocket cost responsibilities.

Explanation of Medicare Supplement

Original Medicare will usually pay only 80% of your medical bills and you will be responsible for the remaining 20%, plus any deductibles. One way to assist with paying the remaining 20% (amount varies depending on which supplement plan you choose) of your medical bills would be to get a Medicare Supplement package. Depending on your state, their can be 12 alphabetized options ranging from Plans A - L, some offer no copays, no deductibles, and no coinsurance.

Dwight Brisco
California Licensed Health Agent
Servicing California Medicare Eligible Consumers

Medicare Benefits
Prescription Drug Information