MEDICARE PLAN‑C ENROLLEMENT

(2021 UPDATE)

Medicare Plan A and Medicare Plan B are the two basics parts of Original Medicare. While Medicare Plan B covers services, equipment, and supplies, Plan A covers hospital-related care.

Learn about Part C benefits, the rising costs of Medicare, and why Medicare Advantage may be the right choice for you.

Medicare Plan C Coverage

Medicare Plan A and Medicare Plan B are the two basics parts of Original Medicare. While Medicare Plan B covers services, equipment, and supplies, Plan A covers hospital-related care. However, basic Medicare falls short of covering the services and supplies seniors want. Private Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Plan C, bridges this gap. Learn more about Medicare Plan C and how seniors can curate the ideal Medicare Advantage Plan to meet their specific health care needs.

In most cases, Medicare Part A covers the following

Home health care

Hospice care

Hospital or inpatient care

Non-custodial nursing home care

Skilled nursing

Most Medicare Part A coverage involves inpatient hospital care. A good example is when a patient is admitted to the hospital for one or more overnight stays and receives inpatient treatment. These hospitals must accept Medicare, and a utilization review committee must approve the hospitalization.

In most cases, Medicare Part A covers most skilled nursing. However, coverage is usually on a short-term basis. Policies are available for seniors with a qualifying hospital stay, doctor recommendation, and hospital-related medical condition.

Hospice is another service covered under Medicare Part A. While most inpatient treatment occurs in a hospital setting, specialists can administer Hospice services from home. Once these benefits begin, Part A covers everything needed to address the patient’s terminal illness.

Medicare is available for any American citizen over the age of 65. However, younger adults with disabilities or end-of-life diseases may qualify. While most seniors get Medicare Part A for free, all seniors pay for Part B. The premium is deducted from seniors’ Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement payment. Those that don’t receive these payments get billed for Part B every three months. 

Seniors can get Medicare Part A premium-free under the following conditions

Paid Medicare taxes while working

Receives retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board

Eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them

Had Medicare-covered government employment

Medicare Premiums Are Rising

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the 2020 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for Original Medicare in November of 2019. According to the Social Security Act, Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayment rates adjust annually.

Medicare Part B monthly premiums and annual deductibles rose in 2020. The monthly premium for those with Medicare Part B is now $144.60, which increased $9.10 from the previous year. The annual deductible for Medicare Part B enrollees is $198, which is an increase of $13 from 2019.

So, what drives prices? According to the CMS.gov, the rise in the Part B premiums and deductibles is due to increased spending on physician-administered prescriptions. Despite the efforts being made by the current administration to lower medical costs, current laws have only incentivized pharmaceutical companies to raise prices. These higher costs create a “ripple effect,” which drives higher Part B premiums and deductible. 

Other factors affecting Medicare’s rising cost are a rapidly growing baby boomer population, inflation, and federal regulations.  

Medicare Plan A Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts for 2020

Inpatient hospital deductible is $1,408

Daily coinsurance for the 61st-90th day is $352

Daily coinsurance for lifetime reserve days is $704

Skilled nursing facility coinsurance is $176

Medicare Plan B Monthly Adjusted Premium Amount for 2020

Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns:

  • Less than or equal to $87,000 will pay $144.60
  • Greater than $87,000 and less than or equal to $109,000 will pay $202.40
  • Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to $136,000 will pay $289.20
  • Greater than $136,000 and less than or equal to $163,000 will pay $376.00
  • Greater than $163,000 and less than $500,000 will pay $462.70
  • Greater than $500,000 will pay $491.60

Beneficiaries filing joint tax returns (per individual):

  • Less than or equal to $174,000 will pay $144.60
  • Greater than $174,000 and less than or equal to $218,000 will pay $202.40
  • Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $272,000 will pay $289.20
  • Greater than $272,000 and less than or equal to $326,000 will pay $376.00
  • Greater than $326,000 and less than $750,000 will pay $462.70
  • Joint tax returns greater than $750,000 will pay $491.60

The Benefits of Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C or Medigap, covers special services and prescriptions not covered by Original Medicare. Unlike Medicare Part A and Part B, the commercial market provides advantage plans. These private health insurance policies make it easy to customize a health care plan around the beneficiary’s specific needs.

Medicare Advantage plans provide some of the best policies available for seniors and those that qualify. Beneficiaries enjoy premium services like dental, vision, physical therapy, and much more.  

Medicare Part C covers everything under Part A and Part B but also includes the following:

Doctor visits

Emergency ambulance services

Home health care

Lab Tests

Mental health care

Medical Equipment

Occupational therapy

Physical therapy

Speech and Language therapy

Vaccines

Additional Medicare Part C services include the following

Dental care

Hearing aids

Prescriptions

Vision care

If you think a customized health care plan is right for you, speak with one of our licensed insurance agents. Explore Medicare Advantage policies and discover ways to save money while improving the quality of your health care. Our friendly representatives are available now and can show you some of the best plans on the market.

Call us now to learn more about Medicare Advantage before the enrollment period expires.

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800-807-5036

$0 monthly premium Medicare plans may be available in your state

Fill out the form to see if you are eligable

Although we love to go online, we’re not comfortable making important purchases on the internet. With Medicare Advantage, we were able to speak with Steve. Steve helped us choose a policy with the benefits we needed and within our fixed-income budget. Steve is our super hero!

Red and Dolores Pinkerton

Our Medicare Advantage policy was a real-life saver! The preventative services helped detect a serious condition before it got out of hand. We’re eternally thankful for our Medicare Advantage Plan.

William and Edith Parker

We recommend Medicare Advantage to all our friends at the clubhouse. Our policy provides services that keep us active and healthy. Here’s the best part: you get to speak to a live insurance agent that can answer all your questions. You have nothing to lose. Pick up the phone and call Medicare Advantage, now!

Lawrence and Phyllis Jackson

$0 monthly premium Medicare plans may be available in your state

Fill out the form to see if you are eligable

You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The Part B premium is covered for full-dual members.
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This is a solicitation of insurance outside of the Medicare Annual Enrollment period, beneficiaries can enroll in a plan if they meet certain criteria. A licensed insurance agent can help you determine whether you are eligible. Benefits may be subject to limitations and annual maximums. Not available with all plans. Availability varies by carrier and location. Transportation to plan-approved locations. Callers will be directed to a licensed insurance agent with a third-party partner of Ring2Media Inc. who can provide more information about Medicare Advantage Plans and/or prescription Drug Plans offer by one or several Medicare-contracted carrier(s). Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information contained in this advertisement. This information is not a complete description of benefits. For a complete listing of Medicare plans, please contract 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or consult www.medicare.gov

All Medicare plans comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, free language assistance services are available. Visit the plan’s website or call them directly for more information.