Medicare Advisors in West Plains
We are you Medicare Advisors in West Plains and we specialize in Medicare and Health Insurance. Represent all major companies and organizations in health insurance and medicare space. Our brokers average over ten years of experience. They are focused on educating first so you can make an informed decision on your healthcare.
MEDICARE
ORIGINAL MEDICARE
If you are just beginning your journey into Medicare, you may be feeling overwhelmed with everything there is to learn. There are very specific enrollment periods for Medicare, so if you are approaching your 65th birthday or you are retiring soon, you need to begin making decisions about your Medicare options. You’ll need to know terminology unique to Medicare and the differences between the types of plans available to you.
The first step is understanding what Original Medicare is and what kind of benefits it provides.
WHAT IS ORIGINAL MEDICARE?
Original Medicare is the “original” Medicare program established by the federal government in 1965. It is a fee-for-service plan that provides inpatient and outpatient healthcare benefits for its members. It consists of two parts: Part A and Part B.
PART A AND PART B BENEFITS AND COST
Inpatient services are covered under Medicare Part A. It helps to think of Part A as your “room and board” coverage for hospital visits. Most individuals receive premium-free Part A. The only requirement is that the individual (or their spouse) must have paid Medicare taxes through an employer for ten years. If that requirement has not been met, the premium for Part A will depend on how many years or quarters the individual did contribute to Medicare taxes.
Part A offers 80% coverage for eligible services after the deductible has been met. After an individual has been discharged from an inpatient facility for at least 60 days, a new benefit period begins.
Outpatient services are covered under Medicare Part B. This applies to doctor visits and many preventive services. Part B does have a monthly premium that is based on an individual’s income.
Like Part A, Part B offers 80% coverage for eligible services after the deductible has been met. This deductible applies one time per year.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE?
Want more help understanding ORIGINAL MEDICARE?
West Plains Medicare Advisors are available to help you understand more about your Original Medicare benefits, as well as the other aspects of Medicare like Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug coverage. These are all things you will want to learn about so that you can reduce your out-of-pocket healthcare expenses that aren’t covered by Original Medicare.
To learn more about these additional plans, we’ve created a large library of resources right here. When you’re ready, you can give us a call and one of our licensed agents will talk with you about your unique situation and needs. We can compare plans available in your area and help you choose the best option.
If you choose to let us help you with enrollment, we will continue to help you throughout your Medicare journey. Every year, we will review your current plans and make sure they are still the best ones for you. Throughout the year, we’ll be here to answer any questions that come up.
HEALTH INSURANCE (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a comprehensive healthcare reform law enacted in the United States in 2010. The ACA aimed to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Americans. Here are key points related to health insurance under the ACA in the USA:
Marketplace Exchanges:
The ACA established health insurance marketplaces, also known as exchanges, where individuals and families can shop for and enroll in health insurance plans. These marketplaces facilitate the purchase of coverage, often with subsidies based on income to make insurance more affordable.
Coverage Options:
Health insurance plans offered through the ACA must provide essential health benefits, including preventive services, prescription drugs, maternity care, mental health services, and more. Plans are categorized into different metal levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each with different cost-sharing structures.
Subsidies and Tax Credits:
The ACA provides subsidies and tax credits to eligible individuals and families to help lower the cost of health insurance premiums. These subsidies are based on income and are designed to make coverage more affordable.
Medicaid Expansion:
The ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility in participating states, allowing more low-income individuals and families to qualify for Medicaid coverage. However, not all states chose to expand Medicaid, leading to variations in eligibility across the country.
Protections for Consumers:
The ACA introduced consumer protections, including prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, eliminating lifetime and annual limits on essential benefits, and allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until the age of 26.
Open Enrollment Periods:
Health insurance plans under the ACA are typically available during specific open enrollment periods. Outside of these periods, individuals may only enroll or make changes to their coverage if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events.
Contact Us
West Plains Medicare Advisors represent all major companies and organizations that serve the senior market. Our brokers average over 10 years of experience. They are focused on educating first so you can make an informed decision on your healthcare.
At Missouri Insurance Advisors we specialize in Medicare. Represent all major companies and organizations that serve the senior market. Our brokers average over 10 years of experience. They are focused on educating first so you can make an informed decision on your healthcare.
We serve a lot of different locations. List of Medicare and Health Insurance Locations.
If you are uncomfortable putting your information into the quote form and would like to receive a phone call, you can, of course, call us at (417) 633-7200.