What Will You Do When Medicare Advantage No Longer Exists?

Give some thought to what you would do if you no longer had Medicare Advantage, because in 2010 it will no longer be offered.

Come 2010 there are many things that will be changing in America's health care landscape, not the least of which is the demise of Medicare Advantage, the old Medicare supplement plans A through G being phased out, and new plans A through G being phased in.

What will all these changes mean? To start with, there will inevitably be a lot of confusion about the changes. So for the better part of 2010, it might be very difficult to get to the bottom of what is going on with your health insurance. For instance, with regard to the changes in Medicare supplements, you will find you will either be in a closed risk pool prior to the June 1, 2010, switch-over date, or in a different (but similar) closed risk pool after the switch-over date.

What is going to cause the most confusion is that fact that nothing in plans A through G will be changing. The only thing that will make a difference is what "pool" you may end up in. Both pools, since they will be closed, will likely initially see a decrease in premiums, as the competition will be fierce for those wanting to buy health insurance. Whether or not the prices will continue to remain low is another question entirely.

Generally speaking a closed risk pool will mean higher prices for benefits. There are apparently another two additions to the Medicare supplement line up, Plan M and N, but no one seems to have all the details about what they will or will not provide.

The fact that Wellcare and Coventry will no longer carry Medicare Advantage will be disturbing to those already on such a plan. Medicare Advantage was designed for people over 65 or under 65 and on Medicare disability. Those losing this advantage will need to be integrated into the mainstream Medicare plans in some way. This is why it would be wise to speak with a knowledgeable health insurance agent now, before losing Medicare Advantage becomes an urgent issue.

One thing to note about the demise of Medicare Advantage is that those who currently have it will have guaranteed issue for 63 days. While this may be enough time for many to find alternative health insurance coverage, it would be smart to start looking now and be prepared, so you may avoid the inevitable confusion and backlog in 2010.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.com, a leader in providing health insurance quotes. Benepath provides individuals, families, and businesses with affordable health insurance quotes in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Think Local When You Buy Any Type of Health Insurance

Thinking about surfing online to find a really great health insurance quote? Here are a few ideas that may save you some serious frustration.

When you hit various online health insurance sites you will see some quotes that look pretty darn decent. And they are, however, they are also what is called "preferred" quotes and are for people in tremendous shape, with no pre-existing conditions. Since just about everyone has a pre-existing condition or two, it's best to check around more and find out how those conditions change the price of your health insurance.

While many people really don't prefer talking directly to a health insurance agent, this is the only way they are going to be able to find out the exact package they need and the price it will be. Rates are based on your health history, so don't assume that the "perfect" rate on the website is the one you will be able to get. This is why you want to spend some time talking to a health insurance agent and finding out what category you would be in.

Try sticking to a local health insurance agent as well for the simple reason that they are very familiar with all the doctors and hospitals in your area. If you're talking to agents in another state, they have no idea what your area offers you, which means they would only be able to offer you a generic health insurance package policy. What you want is something specific that addresses the very real conditions and realities of where you live, and what you need for health insurance coverage.

You would want a local health insurance agent as well to stand up for you if you have a dispute with your health insurance company. The local agents know who to talk to, how to pull some strings, and how to help resolve any problems you may have. You don't get service like that if your health insurance company, and the initial broker you used to buy the policy, is out of state.

So, if you want health insurance coverage that really counts, an insurance agent willing to go to bat for you in a dispute, and a policy that really suits what you need and want, buy local. It's always nice to have someone in your corner when you need them.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.com, a leader in providing health insurance quotes. Benepath provides individuals, families, and businesses with affordable health insurance quotes in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Practical Solutions to Saving on Health Care

If reducing the cost of health care is the top priority on every American's shopping list, then buying generic drugs will make a difference.

It's no secret that health care is really pricey these days. Medical care is in fact getting more and more expensive every year. While saving on doctor's fees may not be an option, there is an area to save some serious bucks – using generic drugs. It's worth checking out.

If every American stopped using brand name drugs and switched over to the generic versions, there would be a major revolution in the cost of buying medications. However, if just one person makes the switch from brand name drugs to generic drugs, it still means saving money in the long run. Give that proposition some thought the next time the doctor hands out a prescription for a brand name medication.

While most people do tend to buy their drugs at their local pharmacy, the other alternative, and definitely a less expensive one, is shopping online through a legitimate mail order pharmacy. It doesn't matter where they happen to be located, and it may ultimately mean only paying $10 a month for your drugs as opposed to say $100. That's a lot of extra money to have leftover for other things.

There are two ways to shop alternatively for drugs – online brand name drug shopping for lower prices and online generic drug shopping at even lower prices. Some people claim generic drugs are not as effective as brand name drugs. This is a myth. All generic drugs are made of the same ingredients as the original brand name compound. The only differences may be in the coating or color of the pill(s). What counts the most here are the substantial savings.

One other interesting point is that studies are showing the newer brand name drugs just don't have the same kind of track record of reliability to back them up that the older stand-by drugs are able to boast about. In addition to that worry is that newer drugs have different side effects that might be more serious than tried, proven and true, old stand-bys.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

The Co-Pay Conundrum

Paying a co-pay while employed is a benefit. Trying to do this while self-employed is another matter entirely.

Not a lot of people actually realize that there is a difference between a co-pay situation while working and wanting the same thing while self-employed. A co-pay arrangement offered to workers is actually considered to be a benefit and not insurance. The benefit to the employee is a perk for working at that particular company.

What happens when the employee leaves the company is that they are now responsible for getting their own health insurance. Since they have been used to the co-pay benefit, they expect that is what they will get when they get their own health insurance. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. While that kind of insurance is available, the deductible is extremely high, not to mention fairly prohibitive, for just one person. Co-pay benefits are usually in the bailiwick of larger corporations.

Faced with trying to figure out what other kinds of insurance an individual used to co-pay benefits, usually causes a fair amount of confusion in terms of what to replace the co-pay arrangement with. While the answer might sound a bit flippant, it truly is what the person requires in their particular set of circumstances. Take those circumstances to a local insurance agent and get them to outline the various alternatives.

It's going to be tough to go from one kind of insurance to another after having such good benefits in the first place. Most often what happens is the customer is really disappointed when they find out that what they expected to get is not what they can afford or are even eligible. Local insurance agents have been through this kind of scenario many times and have a wide variety of options for people to consider.

Most of the options offered will be affordable, and in some instances, may be as close to co-pay as possible. In all instances though, the insured needs to make some compromises in order to get what they need to suit the reality of their circumstances. Consulting an insurance agent is a no cost venture that will provide good advice and several quotes to consider.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Medicare Advantage Health Insurance Disappearing

Medicare Advantage will no longer be offered in 2010, as the two largest companies (Wellcare and Coventry) offering it are shutting their doors.

This isn't the only change coming to the health insurance system in 2010 either. There will be the phasing out of the old Medicare supplement plans A through G, and the phasing in of new plans A through G. Speak to a health insurance agent to find out what that really means.

There's going to be a lot of confusion over what these changes mean, and it might be very difficult understand what is going on with your health insurance. For example, the changes in Medicare supplements will put you in a closed risk pool on the switch-over date. This may mean lower premiums to start with, that creep up over time, once there is less competition for health insurance customers.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance Medicare Supplements

When the plans "change" in 2010, they really aren't going to change. They will be the same plans, just split into two different groups – the before the switch date group and the after the switch date group. The only difference is what "pool" you may end up in. Both pools, since they will be closed, will likely initially see a decrease in premiums. Whether or not the prices will continue to remain low is a good question.

Often a closed risk pool means higher prices for benefits. There is apparently another two additions to the Medicare supplement line up, Plan M and N. However, there is limited information available on what they will offer.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance for Those Over 65

When Wellcare and Coventry no longer carry Medicare Advantage in 2010, it will be a change that will affect many older Americans. Medicare Advantage was designed for people over 65 or under 65 and on Medicare disability. Once they no longer have Medicare Advantage, they will need to speak to a knowledgeable health insurance agent about other alternatives.

Seniors losing this advantage will need to be integrated into mainstream Medicare plans in some way. Act now to find out what you can do instead, before not having Medicare Advantage becomes an urgent issue.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance May Be Higher Than the Preferred Rate!

Basically, what the insurance company chooses as the policy and the rate a customer pays is based on the customer’s health. If there are certain pre-existing conditions, often the customer is stuck between a rock and a hard place, paying up to 50% more than the preferred rate. Insurance companies may also refuse/decline to insure someone they think is a poor risk. So it's a good idea to stay as healthy as you can.

There are other options available for those who have been declined health insurance. The first one is to shop around to other larger insurance companies, because each company underwrites in a different way. You may also be eligible for your state's Risk Pool.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Medicare Advantage Guaranteed Issue When Gone

Even though Medicare Advantage is biting the dust in 2010, those who are currently on that plan will have guaranteed issue for 63 days, once it has ended. However, now that more people are beginning to find out about the loss of this plan, it would make more sense to spend some time talking to an experience health insurance agent to find out what to do.

Even though 63 days may seem like a long time to find other health insurance coverage, once the changes take effect the whole industry will be in a state of mass confusion. Start looking now and be prepared to avoid the inevitable confusion and backlog in 2010.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance Quotes Made Easier

Here are a few ideas that might help you save some serious frustration when you are searching online for health insurance quotes.

Some online quotes seem really great. And they are, however, they are also "preferred" quotes for people with no pre-existing conditions. Most people have at least one pre-existing condition, so it's best to check and find out how those conditions change the price of your health insurance. It may not be as bad as you think, so level with the health insurance agent and they will give you a variety of options to consider before you make any choices for what type of health insurance would suit your circumstances.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance Categories

A lot of people don't prefer talking to a health insurance agent on the phone. However, this is the only way you are going to be able to get the right kind of information about what you need in terms of a health insurance policy that is tailor-made for you.

Health insurance rates are based on your health history, so don't make the mistake of assuming that the "perfect" rate you happen to see on the website is the one you will get. Before you can find out what you will be paying, you need to find out what category you are in, according to the health insurance agent. Once you know that information, it is easier to make an informed decision.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Local Health Insurance Agents Have the Inside Scoop

When you're hunting for health insurance quotes, stick to dealing with a local health insurance agent because they are intimately familiar with all the doctors and hospitals in your area.

If you have chosen to call out-of-state, you will only get a generic health insurance package and no useful local information about what the doctors and hospitals in your area offer – because the out-of-state agents have no idea what is offered. Ideally, you want information and advice about the real conditions and realities of where you live, and what you need for health insurance coverage. Only a good local health insurance agent has this kind of inside information at their fingertips.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Local Health Insurance Agents Stand Up for You

If you have a dust up with your health insurance company, wouldn't you want your local health insurance agent/representative to go to bat for you? Sure you would, and this is what will happen if you buy your health insurance locally from people who are familiar with local conditions.

The local agents know who to talk to, how to pull some strings, and how to help resolve any problems you may have. So, if you want health insurance coverage that really counts, an insurance agent willing to go to bat for you in a dispute, and a policy that really suits what you need and want, buy local. If you spend the time finding out the ins and outs of your local coverage area, you would be surprised at some of the things your agent is able to tell you. They're there to help you, not sell you something you don't want.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Tip to Save on Health Insurance

We all know health care is really expensive and are always looking for ways to cut back on how much we are paying for medical expenses. While you might not be able to save much on doctor's fees, rates and tests, there is an area where you may save some serious money by using generic drugs. It's worth giving it a try.

If every American stopped buying brand name drugs and asked for the generic versions, there would be a major revolution in the cost of buying medications. While it might not be likely that everyone would change, and there may be cases where doctors insist on no substitutions, if just one person went from brand name drugs to generic drugs, it would save money.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance Medication Savings

You don't have to buy your drugs at the local pharmacy, not when you have viable and less costly alternatives in the form of shopping at an online pharmacy. Make sure the pharmacy is a legit one of course, and then be prepared to take advantage of the savings. If you choose to shop online in the US, whatever works to reduce your costs makes sense. You also have the option of shopping online in Canada as well.

Most people aren't aware that they can save some decent money by going this route and actually might be able to cut their $100 a month for drugs down to $10 to $20. That's a lot of extra money to have leftover for other things. Give generic drugs a try, as they are normally just as effective as the regular brand name drugs, and in fact are made with the same ingredients.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Health Insurance Co-Pay Confusing

There is a difference between a co-pay situation when working and wanting the same thing while self-employed. A co-pay arrangement for workers is actually considered to be a benefit, and is not insurance. The benefit to the employee of course is that the co-pay is a perk for working at that particular company.

What happens when the employee leaves the company is that they are now responsible for getting their own health insurance. Since they have been used to the co-pay benefit, they expect that is what they will get when they buy their own health insurance. It's not quite that simple. That kind of insurance is available, however the deductible is extremely high, and fairly prohibitive for just one person. Ask your health insurance agent for more information to make an informed personal choice.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.