Page 5 - Staying Well and Feeling Good - Q4 2021

1. Where and When Should I Start?
Between now and the time you become eligible for Medicare (typically your 65th birthday), examine your current health coverage. What type of plan do you have? Are you happy with the coverage, or is there something you’d like to improve or change? Then, think about what kind of coverage you want moving forward. Ask yourself these questions:
• Are there added benefits that are important to you that Original Medicare doesn’t cover? For example, fitness memberships and coverage for dentures or hearing aids.
• If you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, what’s more important: Having the flexibility and freedom to choose any provider, or saving money by using providers and hospitals within a plan’s network?
2. What Should I Look for in a Medicare Plan?
When comparing Medicare plans, you should focus on the three Ps: premium, prescriptions, and providers. Ask yourself these three questions:
• Premium — What do I pay now? What can I afford in the future?
• Prescriptions — Are prescription
drugs covered and does the plan’s drug formulary, or list of covered drugs, include the drugs I take today?
• Providers — Do I want a plan with a network of providers or one that offers me freedom to choose any provider?
3. How Do I Know If I’m Getting the Right Plan at the Right Price for Me?
There are many types of plans and prices
to choose from. Medicare Advantage plans are administered by private insurance companies, with varying costs and benefits. There are even plans with $0 premiums. In the case of $0 premium plans, the federal government pays the health plan to cover all Medicare services, plus extra benefits that your current plan may not include, such as dental, hearing aids, eyewear, chiropractic, and podiatry benefits.
4. Whom Should I Turn to for Help?
If you need help sorting out the details and deciding whether a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you, call your current insurance provider and ask questions specific to your health care needs. You can also contact Medicare for more information, or talk to an independent broker to learn more about your options before deciding on a plan.
Still need help? Visit ibx.com/medicare to learn more about our Medicare Advantage, MedigapSecurity, and Medicare Supplement plans.
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