You Have Questions. We Have Answers. 

Commonly Asked Questions (I'm thinking about making short videos to answer these questions. Let me know what you think)

What are my Medicare Options?

Many insurance companies offer individual policies that supplement the benefits available under Medicare. These policies are referred to as Medicare Supplement plans.

Medicare Advantage Plans are also offered by private companies that sign a contract with Medicare. Medicare pays a set amount of money to these private health plans for your health care. They manage the Medicare coverage for their members. 

What is a Medicare Supplement?

Individual Medicare supplement policies are designed to supplement the benefits available under the original Medicare program. Medicare supplement policies pay the 20% of Medicare-approved charges that Medicare does not pay. These Medicare supplement policies do not restrict your ability to receive services from the doctor of your choice. 

Individual Medicare supplement policies include a basic core of benefits. In addition to the basic benefits, Medicare supplement insurers offer specified optional benefits. Each of the options that an insurance company offers must be priced and sold separately from the basic policy. 

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage is a special arrangement between the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and certain insurance companies. Under this arrangement the federal government pays the insurance company a set amount for each Medicare beneficiary. The insurance company agrees to provide all Medicare benefits. The insurance company may provide some additional benefits, but it may also require payment of an additional premium. Beneficiaries under Medicare Advantage plans continue to pay the Part B Medicare premium to CMS. Your Medicare Advantage plan can terminate at the end of the contract year if either the plan or CMS decides to terminate their agreement. Medicare Advantage plans are not regulated by the State of Florida Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Therefore, these plans are NOT required to cover Florida mandated benefits, nor are the plans guaranteed renewable for life like the Medicare supplement plans. 

What is a Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage or commonly known as Part D or PDP?

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is insurance (part D or PDP). Medicare will contract with private companies to offer this drug coverage. These companies will offer a variety of options, with different covered prescriptions, and different costs. Costs will vary depending on which drug plan you choose. Some plans may offer more coverage and additional drugs for a higher monthly premium. When you join a plan, Medicare will help pay some of the premium.

How do you apply for Part D?

Everyone with Medicare, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drugs used, can get prescription drug coverage.

You may sign up when you first become eligible for Medicare (three months before the month you turn age 65 until three months after you turn age 65). If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join from three months before to three months after your 25th month of cash disability payments. If you don't sign up when you are first eligible, you may pay a penalty.