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I Need Help Understanding Medicare
“I don’t understand Medicare! I need help.”
Have you ever caught yourself saying this? If so… don’t be ashamed. It’s true: Medicare can be confusing. And if you don’t fully understand your options, it can leave you feeling unsure about your health—and maybe even your future.
I’m Jennifer with NC Medicare Plans, and I have worked to develop a system to simplify the process. The documents available on this website—combined with my one-on-one consultations—will help you to dig through all the jargon. I will walk you through each step, and before long, you’ll be selecting the plan that’s perfect for you!
Here’s a sneak peek into some of the information I provide:
Get the Most from Your Medicare Benefits
Even the budget-minded don’t have to sacrifice their health. Here are tips to help you minimize costs and maximize benefits.
- Save money on health care by not paying for duplicate coverage. If you have group benefits from a current or former employer or union, ask your plan administrator how the coverage compares and coordinates with Medicare before selecting an option. Compare your group plan’s costs and benefits against a Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with a Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance policy.
- Make sure your provider accepts Medicare before receiving services under Original Medicare. Otherwise, you may pay up to 15 percent more than the amount Medicare has approved for a particular service.
- Stay in network for services if you have a Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO. These plans may negotiate lower rates with providers in their networks. It’s good to take advantage of them.
- Schedule your Medicare covered physical. You are entitled to a free physical exam within the first year under any Medicare plan that includes Part B.
- Get covered immunizations and preventive health screenings. You know that prevention is critical to staying healthy. Get flu shots, mammograms, or prostate cancer tests and other covered screenings to find problems early, when they are most treatable. Most preventive services are now covered. Check with your plan.
- Take advantage of benefits for special conditions. People with diabetes, for example, may be eligible for two free fasting plasma glucose screening annually. The Part B deductible and coinsurance do not apply. Visit medicare.gov to learn what’s covered.