Blog
Newest Medicare Eligibility Rules
By: Chris Grimmond • On: May 21, 2023
You don’t get Medicare because you want it. You must be eligible for Medicare. Medicare eligibility doesn’t mean you can enroll in Medicare whenever you wish. You can only enroll in Medicare during specific periods under particular circumstances. These special times are called election periods, each governed by criteria and circumstances. You must meet specific […]
2023 Medicare Changes for Insulin
By: Chris Grimmond • On: May 17, 2023
Medicare is superb health insurance. The coverage is the most comprehensive of any health plan. The cost is incredibly low for the consumer. The medication portion, unfortunately, which has been relatively new since 2006, is not as good as most employer-provided drug coverage, at least for the Medicare demographic. Consequently, Medicare continually evolves, so the […]
What Is Medicare IRMAA For 2023?
By: Chris Grimmond • On: February 6, 2023
Many years ago, I was still new to the Medicare insurance business. I had a few hundred clients but no high-income earners. I knew what Medicare IRMAA was, but I had never met someone subject to the IRMAA tax before. Doug was an improbable candidate. After many years and thousands of clients later, I definitely […]
Why Are Medicare Advantage Plans So Bad?
By: Chris Grimmond • On: January 27, 2023
Why do so many people bash Medicare Advantage? Yet, in every Part of the country, Medicare plans are expanding, and more people are joining. Why are Medicare Advantage plans considered so bad when they attract so many people and keep them as loyal customers? What Makes Medicare Advantage Plans Bad? The main reason is location, […]
What Is Medicare Supplement Free Look Period?
By: Chris Grimmond • On: January 18, 2023
Medicare has lots of rules and regulations. The insurance companies and the State Insurance Commissioners have even more laws. The Medicare supplement 30-day free look period is one of those rules. Medicare Supplements are called Medigap policies because filling in the gaps is precisely what they do. They fill in the gaps in Original Medicare. […]
Which is Better, Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement?
By: Chris Grimmond • On: January 12, 2023
When people compare Medicare with Medicare Advantage, they usually mean Medicare (Original Medicare) with a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan versus Medicare Advantage (Part C) with prescription drugs included. The comparison is difficult because they are drastically different, so I believe a fair side-by-side comparison is impossible. That, however, does […]
Is Medicare Prior Authorization Required?
By: Chris Grimmond • On: January 4, 2023
Medicare has had an exciting history with prior authorization. Medicare prior authorization has become controversial over the years because of Medicare Advantage. Have You Always Been Subject to Prior Authorization? Health plans started using prior authorization in the 1960s. Hospital admittance grew after the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. At the same time, more employers […]
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Medicare Changes
By: Chris Grimmond • On: December 29, 2022
When I meet with prospective clients, I begin with a brief explanation of Medicare. Then move on to the hundreds of plans. Drugs are next. This is hard. Clients must lay down their cards; some hold a straight flush of costly medications. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is a long-awaited solution to improve Medicare […]
By: Chris Grimmond • On: December 26, 2022
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a powerful tax-advantaged devise. An HSA, however, can have devastating effect if you do not understand how an HSA works with Medicare. What Is An HSA? A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of personal savings account introduced in 2003. It is designed to work with employer health […]
What Is The Medicare Donut Hole?
By: Chris Grimmond • On: December 22, 2022
Many people have heard of the Medicare Donut Hole, but even those on Medicare are not familiar with what the donut hole really means unless they fall into it. When you are in the Medicare Donut Hole, you know it and quickly learn what it means. Clients call me monthly asking, “What’s going on? My […]
