The question that I am constantly asked during the course of a consultation on Medicare is ‘which is the best plan?’  My answer to the question of the best Medicare supplement is always the same.  It all depends.  Each person is different.  Needs are different.  Perception of reality is different.  If you ask my wife, which is better—two piece or one piece swim suit?  Her opinion will differ greatly from mine.

When it comes to Medicare, the first fork in the road is a choice between Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare and a supplement.  Once someone makes that first choice, the second fork in the road is between Medicare supplements.  There are potentially ten possibilities—Plan A—N.

Plan F has been the most popular plan among the bunch.  Because of that, some would say that Plan F is the best Medicare supplement, even though it is the most expensive.  Its appeal, however, is convenience and a sense of security.  With a Medicare Supplement Plan F, there are no co-pays, deductibles, or co-insurance.  You don’t have to worry about maximum out of pocket expense.  You plop down your red, white, and blue Medicare card, your Plan F card, and you’re done.  The bills may make Medicare and the insurance company cringe, but no matter.  You are covered 100% for the services that Medicare covers.  For that sense of complete, comprehensive coverage and convenience of payment, Plan F’s are the most expensive among the various insurance companies.

Plan F’s are expense for other reasons as well.  As medical expenses go up, so do Medicare supplement premiums.  You can almost count on an annual rate increase from the insurance company, especially for a Plan F.  Why is that?  Because people on Plan F use their benefits frequently.  Whether they go to the doctor no times or fifty times a year, the price is still the same.  Whether they go to the hospital zero times or a hundred times, the price is still the same.  No co-pays.  Just the same monthly premium.  Consequently member over-use increases cost, which is reflected in regular rate increases.

Plan G, however, has a small deductible.  You pay the first $147 on Part B expenses, such as doctors’ visits, outpatient procedures, emergency room visits, etc.  After you pay the first $147, then the Plan G is like a Plan F.  Everything is covered.  The two benefits of a Plan G are 1) the premium for Plan G’s is lower, even with the deductible factored in, 2) the rate increases are smaller and less frequent.  Plan G people tend to not over use their benefits as much as Plan F folks.  A great deal is being written on this Plan G topic right now.  It is very arguable that Plan G is the best Medicare supplement.

Which is the best?  It all depends on you.  I tell my wife I would rather see her in a two piece bikini.  That is the best for me, and that is final!

Medicare can be a confusing topic to navigate, especially for those who have not had any experience with it yet. From wondering what ACA implications have to do with Medicare, if anything, to learning the different components of Medicare coverage, it’s easy to make mistakes. Unfortunately, Medicare mistakes can be very costly and time consuming!

Perhaps the worst assumption people make about Medicare is that they don’t qualify for it, because they haven’t worked long enough. The fact is that if you’ve earned 40 credits through payroll taxes at work (about 10 year’s worth of work), you won’t have to pay premiums for Part A services, which mainly covers hospital insurance. You actually don’t need any work credits to qualify for Part B, which covers doctor’s services, outpatient care, and medical equipment.

What are some other common mistakes? Here’s a brief rundown.

Failing to Enroll in Part B on Time

Were you aware that if you don’t enroll in Part B when you’re supposed to, you could actually incur penalty costs? Let’s say you have health coverage beyond the age of 65 from an employer for whom you or your spouse actively works. If that employer has 20+ staff, you can delay part B enrollment without having to pay the penalty. But if this is not the case, you’ll need to sign up during your seven-month initial enrollment period.

Assuming Retiree Healthcare Coverage Replaces Medicare Part B

In many plans, Medicare is actually automatically your primary coverage if you have a retiree plan. Many people don’t realize this, and that they have to enroll in part B otherwise they may be stuck with no coverage at all when they retire.

Not Understanding Full Retirement Age

Retirement age for most individuals is not 66 years of age. However, to avoid late penalties you must sign up for Medicare when you turn 65, unless you have health coverage from your own or your spouse’s current employment.

This is just a brief overview of the common mistakes people make in regards to Medicare coverage. A few others include; assuming you don’t need Part D coverage because you don’t take prescription drugs, choosing a Part D drug plan based solely on the premium or the fact that someone you know uses it, or simply misunderstanding enrollment periods.

The fact of the matter is, if you or your working spouse are approaching retirement or retirement age, it’s time to start exploring what your options are. The licensed insurance agents at Omaha Insurance Solutions are here to answer any of your questions you may have about Original Medicare, an Omaha Medicare Advantage Plan, and any other Medicare concerns you may have. Please contact us today at (855) 367-3631.

You can also find more information at Medicare.gov.

Would you be interested in a service that you must absolutely have? As a matter-of-fact, almost everyone has it. It’s not free. You will have to pay, but let’s say you could get the same thing for 400% less than what most people pay. Would you be interested in a bargain like that? Most people would enthusiastically say ‘YES!’  You ask, ‘what is the bargain?’  Medicare.  Medicare is a bargain!

Everyone needs health care because everyone gets sick and needs doctors, hospitals, drugs, treatment, etc. The average cost of a decent group health plan is going to be $1,000+ per month per person. If you go into the exchange to purchase an individual plan, you are looking at $500-$600 per month WITH a $2,500 deductible, and that is not including the maximum out of pocket.

You may say that you only pay $50 or a $100 per month for your health plan at work. That is because your employer is paying the majority of the cost. You are not getting it for free. You’re not even getting it for a reduced price. It still costs $1,000. Your employer is taking your compensation and applying a portion to your health insurance instead of paying the money to you. It’s your money, your compensation. You are not given a choice on how to receive it. That employer portion is just part of your total compensation. And it is still part of your employer’s total expense for an employee.

You might complain that now I have to pay the full cost of health care myself. Yes, your employer is not paying for your health care because you are not working any longer. Your employer is also not paying you a salary any longer. When you go to the grocery store, you can’t use your salary to pay for the groceries. You have to use your Social Security check, savings, investments, IRA’s, etc. Your source of earned income stopped when you retired, which includes your employer subsidy for your health insurance.

The realization of the true costs of services, like health care, doesn’t diminish the fact that Medicare is a bargain!

What does Medicare cost? For most people, you paid for Medicare Part A during the working years, so there is no charge. Medicare Part A covers the hospital. Medicare Part B is for doctor and outpatient procedures and that is generally $104.90 per month currently. With a Medicare supplement—let’s say a plan F—you will pay around $100-$140 when you turn 65 depending on male or female and location (Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs). Add in a Part D prescription drug plan. It is possible to come in around $250 per month in total for your Medicare health coverage. With a plan F, there will be no deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurance. Incredible Cadillac health insurance for approximately $250 per month. Much better than a group plan or an individual plan on the ACA (Affordable Care Act) exchange that costs $1,000+ per month which also includes deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance.

Medicare is a bargain! Medicare is something that you should be excited to become a part of when you turn 65. I am 53 as of the writing of this blog. I purchase my own insurance on the exchange as a self-employed individual. I would happily pay triple what Medicare beneficiaries pay for that same coverage, and it would still be a bargain for me.

Does Medicare Cover Cancer Treatment After Age 76

My mother had her routine physical in Nov of 2011. There were many tests.  One test came back positive for cancer. We were stunned. She had no symptoms. Everything was fine, we thought. 

As the doctors performed more tests, they determined my mother had stage four ovarian cancer.  The next week, she was in chemotherapy.

I learned a lot about Medicare and cancer after that.  Yes, cancer treatment is covered by Medicare.

Medicare covered her cancer treatments, radiation treatment for cancer, and chemotherapy.  She had a Medicare Supplement Plan F.  Medically, everything was covered.  My mother was 76.  Medicare covers cancer treatment after age 76.  There is no age at which Medicare will not cover radiation treatment for cancer or chemotherapy.  

Cancer Is Scary, And So Are Medical Bills

The C-word is a scary word.  I don’t know your relationship to the C-word.  You may have had a family member or friend contract cancer?  Did she die, recover, or is still struggling?  Or maybe it was you? 

Cancer is a dirty word that ignites intense feelings because you are fighting for your life. 

You also realize there is a price tag, and you immediately begin to ask, ‘Is cancer treatment covered by Medicare?‘  ‘What will I have to pay?’  

I suggest you ask yourself several serious questions about your Medicare health coverage. 

• How much would you be willing to pay out of your pocket in a year–$2,000, $5,000, $7,550?
• How much would you be willing to pay to avoid paying hefty bills? 

The cost of cancer is high, both emotionally in terms of pain and financially. I remember seeing some of my mother’s EOBs (Explanation of Benefits).  There were no small bills.  

Does Medicare Part A Cover Cancer Treatment?

Medicare Part A covers the hospital, and Part B takes care of doctors and outpatient services.  You will not be in the hospital as an inpatient with cancer most of the time.  The oncological treatments are done as an outpatient, but there may be instances when you need hospitalization. 

My mother was admitted to the hospital during the year because the pain was too intense.  The doctors needed to use intervenience medications to beat back the pain that was overwhelming mom.  In those instances, Medicare Part A picked up the tab. 

Medicare Part A also includes skilled nursing, home health care, and hospice, not just inpatient hospital. 

After a 3-day stay in the hospital, a person may be admitted to skilled nursing for a number of reasons.  The person can continue cancer treatment while in the skilled nursing facility, and Medicare Part A will pay.  My mother did that toward the end.   

Does Medicare Part B Cover Cancer Treatment?

Medicare Part B is where most patients will experience Medicare for cancer treatments. The doctors administer chemotherapy drugs through your veins in an outpatient clinic or doctor’s office. Some oral chemotherapy is administered in the doctor’s office, though more are moving toward self-administration. The doctors also give radiation treatments in an outpatient setting.  Medicare Part B covers cancer treatment when administered in this way.   

The doctors need to check on the progress of treatments, so Medicare Part B covers cancer treatment for diagnostic tests like X-rays and CT scans.

Cancer treatment is incredibly taxing for the person, so durable medical equipment is often needed. Medicare covers wheelchairs, walkers, and feeding pumps for cancer treatment.

When appropriate, surgeons will operate to stop or curtail cancer. You see this most often with skin cancer.  Outpatient surgeries are likewise covered.

The strain is not only physical for the patient but mental. Counseling and other mental health support may be appropriate and would be covered by Medicare.

What Does Medigap Do to Cancer Costs?

Beneficiaries on Original Medicare would be responsible for the Part A deductible and the Part B coinsurance unless they have a Medigap policy.  Depending on the type of Medigap policy, it will come in and pay most or all of the remaining amounts.  Regarding cancer treatments, Medigap policies, such as Plan G and Plan N, are very powerful in the amount of coverage, filling in the 20% Part coinsurance gap after the Part B deductible. 

What Are Cancer Policies?

Medicare does not cover some benefits that may be helpful for people going through cancer treatment, like room and board in assisted living facilities, adult day care, long-term nursing home care, and services of daily living–bathing and feeding.  Neither Medicare nor the Medigap policy will cover those expenses.  Another type of insurance could be helpful in these instances–indemnity plans. 

You should ask us about cancer policies.     

Does Medicare Advantage Cover Cancer Treatment?

Each Medicare Part C (or Medicare Advantage) plan is unique.  Looking at the Medicare Advantage plans in the Omaha Metro area, most cover cancer treatment at 80%.  Beneficiaries will need to pay the 20% for chemo and radiological treatments for cancer.  Your coinsurance payments will go against the maximum out-of-pocket for the particular plan, and because of the high cost of cancer treatment, it would not be unusual for you to reach the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP).  Each plan has a designated MOOP amount, for example, $4,900, $5,500, or even $6,700.  Once the Medicare beneficiary reaches the MOOP, you pay no more.  The Medicare Advantage plan covers everything at 100%.  The MOOP, however, is a large expense for most people in a given year.  

Drugs Are An Essential Part

Medications are also an essential part of cancer treatment. Beneficiaries may purchase a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.  Most Medicare Part C/Medicare Advantage plans have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan included in the plan.

Part D covers some oral chemotherapy drugs not covered under Part B. Anti-nausea drugs and other prescriptions used in cancer treatment, like pain medications, will come under Part D. 

Questions To Ask Yourself About Medicare & Cancer Treatment

There are two important questions I would ask myself about Medicare and cancer treatment in the Omaha metro area.

• How likely do you think you will contract cancer? 
• How easily will you cover the costs out of your pocket?

The American Cancer Society says that the elderly are ten times more likely than younger people to get cancer.  Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 account for 54% of all new cancer cases.  Cancer is the leading cause of death among the elderly. 

While those are generalizations, you can further add your own analysis to the formula if you have had cancer.  Cancer among family members raises your chance of you contracting cancer. 

The reality is that there is a probability that you may develop cancer during your time on Medicare.  What is your estimate of that probability?  

The second question to consider is cost. There is no one number for the cost of cancer. It depends on the type of cancer, the number of treatments, the type of treatments, etc. But there are ranges.

A study by Avalere Health gives prices as low as $25,000 to as high as $45,000 for chemotherapy. What do you think of that cost?

With Medicare, you will only pay 20% of the expense.  Most of it will probably be covered if you have a Medigap policy.  The relevant cost for a Medigap policy will be the ever-growing monthly premium. 

A Medicare Advantage plan will guarantee you pay no more than the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP).  In 2022, the largest possible MOOP nationally is currently $7,550.  The MOOP in the Omaha Metro area is about $4,500 on average.  

Is that something you can afford?

Does Medicare Cover Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, and Lung Cancer Treatment?

Medicare does not make any distinction between the types of cancer.  All cancer is covered by the customary treatments doctors and hospitals use to combat cancer.  

The Wheel of Fortune Or Misfortune?

James Bond was so cool when I was growing up.  When he would sit down at the Roulette table in the casino across from the pretty girl, I was rooting for him to win.  But would you want to leave the cost of your health care to the spin of the wheel? 

There are 37 slots in a roulette wheel–0-36.  The numbers divide into the colors red and black.  Predicting the color is much easier than choosing a winning number.  The house takes it most of the time, but people keep playing!  It is incredible. 

Most people will not get cancer, though a certain percentage will.  Do you want to spin the wheel and take your chances that you won’t end up with back-breaking bills, or do you want to offload the problem?   

You could purchase a Medicare Supplement for a reasonable monthly premium.  The Medigap policy will cover the 20% that Medicare does not.  You then can go to any of the excellent medical systems we have in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs metro area or anywhere in the country without concern about costs.

You could choose a Medicare Advantage plan that limits your maximum out-of-pocket to a manageable number, and you will pay very little or nothing beyond your Part B premium. 

The choice is yours.  Choose wisely.  

My mother died on February 4, 2013.  We worried a lot about her during the illness.  There was fear, pain, and grief.  I think about her daily and all she did for me to make me the man that I am.  I pray for the repose of her soul.  But during the trial that was her treatment and ultimately her death, there was no concern about medical bills.  She had prepared.

RIP Mom.

 

I talk to lots of people about Medicare.  One gentleman told me about his $1,258.80 mistake.  He signed up for Social Security and Medicare at sixty-five because he thought he had to.  Started receiving Social Security.  Got his Medicare Part A and Part B card.  Started paying his $104.90 for Part B.  At the end of the year, Jim sat down with him HR person to go over his health benefits.  Jim planned to work until 68 because his wife didn’t work and was on his health insurance.  He saw that he was paying a small amount for his family’s health insurance compared to most group health plans and getting excellent coverage.  He asked his HR person what he needed Medicare for, especially since it was an additional expense of $1,258.80 per year.  She informed him that he probably didn’t since his employer plan covered everything and he is not required to have Medicare Part B, if he has other creditable coverage.  Jim was not happy, but the mistake he made is very common.

Medicare Part B, or not Part B.  That is the question.  People assume that they need to enroll in Medicare Part B because they are required to enroll in Medicare Part A at 65.  Many people don’t understand the differences, the reasons, and the rules.  Medicare Part A is for the hospital and don’t cost anything because it was paid for during your working years.  Part B is for doctor and outpatient procedures.  That does cost something—currently $104.90 per month.  You still have a 20% co-insurance with that, but if you have other coverage that Medicare would deem creditable, you can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B.  There will be no penalty.  You may delay to avoid paying the premium and because the coverage that you currently have through an employer group plan is the same or better than what Medicare would offer.  Or, you have a spouse that needs the employer group health coverage because that person is not eligible for Medicare yet.

The question is: what should you do?  Make a comparison.  Get the details of your employer group health plan: premium, deductible, co-pays, co-insurance, and maximum-out-of-pocket.  Once you have those numbers, then you will be able to make a side-by-side, apples-to-apples comparison between your group plan and your Medicare options.  It may make more sense to go in the direction of Medicare and a supplement or Medicare Advantage than staying on your employer plan, or not.  It all depends on a number of variables.  I help people determine the direction that best fits their needs easily and quickly.

To B or not to B, that is the question.  It requires a little homework and comparison so that you can make an informed decision that will get you the best coverage at the most reasonable cost.

Most people show up at the steps of Medicare without any idea about how to buy Medigap insurance.  If they have health insurance company A at their work, they call up health insurance company A and buy their Medigap insurance from company A.  They don’t shop, and most pay more without getting more.

Amateur Or Professional?

A few years ago, a friend of mine told me that he was going to finish off his basement himself.  His wife wanted it done because she was going to host her large family for Thanksgiving that year. Tom thought he could save some money by doing it himself.  

He figured out a design, went to the hardware store, and bought some lumber.  It sat there for several months because he got busy with coaching the kids, work, and other projects. His wife got on him because there was a deadline. He started the project, but because he wasn’t an experienced carpenter, he made a few mistakes. The mistakes started adding up. 

Mistakes are expensive. The deadline was looming. Finally, he called in a professional. The basement was done in six weeks, just in time for Thanksgiving.  He also realized that the basement was much nicer than what he could have done.

What does this have to do with how to buy Medigap Insurance?

How Do You Find The Lowest Price?

A true insurance professional will show you how to buy Medigap insurance at the lowest cost for the coverage you want.  He will have the knowledge and experience to better serve you than doing Medigap insurance yourself, visiting with a friend of a friend who does Medigap insurance part-time, or talking to someone in a call center thousands of miles away. 

The benefits of working with an experienced and independent local Medigap insurance professional are that he or she understands the laws and regulations around Medicare in that state and county.  The Medicare Handbook is over 150 pages. It takes a while to absorb all the regulations, and that is just from Medicare.  Each insurance company has its underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures. In other words, buying Medigap insurance is complicated.

And all of these organizations are run by humans, and humans make mistakes—lots of mistakes.  Have you ever had an insurance company make a mistake that affected you?  I’ve seen a few, and an experienced Medigap insurance agent can quickly and easily help you resolve snags that inevitably will arise when you’re trying to figure out how to buy Medigap insurance.

How Do You Buy Medigap Insurance With So Many Choices?

Showing you how to buy Medigap insurance means shopping for Medicare supplements and plans for you. In Nebraska or Iowa, there are over 30+ insurance companies offering hundreds of supplements, 20 Medicare Part C Advantage plans, and 28 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, which all interact with Medigap insurance.  

That is a tremendous amount of information, and prices and information are not easily available to persons not licensed and appointed with Medigap insurance companies. A truly independent agent will be able to show you all the plans and pricing, not just one company with a few plans or a handful of cherry-picked companies. Using sophisticated software, he or she can line up the Medigap insurance plans in your area down to the zip code, showing you how to buy Medigap insurance.

A Plan G is a Plan G

A dirty little secret that most people do not know is all the Medigap insurance plans are the same.  By law and regulation, the plans are exactly the same.  

“It’s important to compare Medigap policies since the costs can vary between insurance companies for exactly the same coverage . . . .”  The Official U.S. Medicare Handbook: Medicare & You

A Plan G is a Plan G is a Plan G.  The only difference is the price.  An independent Medicare insurance broker should be able to line up all the Plan G’s and Plan N’s in a row from the least expensive to the most for you to see. How to buy Medigap insurance should be straightforward.

Lowest Price vs. Biggest Brand

While brands are not unimportant, saving money is more important.  Some companies trade on their name.  You pay more, but the Medigap insurance you buy does not cover anymore, pay any faster, or do anything extra.  

There are other things to consider when you think about how to buy Medigap insurance.  You will hopefully be using Medicare for twenty or thirty years.  Picking a Medicare plan is not like getting a tattoo. It is not a one-and-done thing. Each year Medicare makes changes in rules.  Medigap insurance policies go up in price because of age or rate increases. The insurance companies are constantly adjusting plans based upon Medicare, markets, inflation, pharmaceutical companies, etc. 

Medigap Age & Rate Increases

How to buy Medigap insurance should also consider the history of age increases to the policy and rate increases.  For an insurance company to stay alive, not to mention be profitable, it must be able to adjust its prices.  The two ways an insurance company adjusts are through age and rate increases.  An independent Medicare insurance broker should be able to show you the age increases.  In other words, what will your Medigap insurance policy be at 66, 67, 68, etc.  

An independent Medicare insurance agent should also have access to the history of rate increases.  Some companies will increase their rates each year a little bit.  Other companies will wait a couple of years.  Those increases can be quite large.  Either way, the price will go up.  While past performance does not guarantee the future, you still get an idea of how any insurance company handles prices and inflation.  With inflation over 4% this quarter, prices will definitely be going up.  

How To Buy Medigap Insurance?

An experienced and independent agent lives in this world and can guide you through the changes to supplements and plans that are most beneficial to you. She can shop Medicare supplements each year and show you how to buy Medigap insurance at the lowest price.

New people are constantly recruited to sell Medigap insurance.  Some last a few days, a few months, or a few years.  Most do not last at all.  The Medicare rules are confusing and unforgiving.  Insurance companies follow strict underwriting guidelines and are constantly changing prices.  Do you really want to do it yourself or entrust yourself to an amateur?

A Professional Will Show You How to Buy Medigap Insurance

The insurance companies will not give you a discount for going direct.  When you do that—and the insurance companies love that—your agent is now whoever answers the 800-number you call.  You will speak to a different person each time.  That person may be in the insurance industry for two days, two months, or two years.  You’ll never know.  Or would you rather have an experienced and independent local insurance professional who will be your advocate for the next twenty or thirty years, to help you learn how to buy Medigap insurance?  He can show you how to buy Medigap insurance at the best price for you.  

 

My father was a Korean War veteran.  He served on a tin can-minesweeper along the Korean coast.  The last 3 months of his life he spent in a VA Hospital.  My brothers and I and our family’s kept vigil.  I was sleeping next to his bed the morning he passed.  After we grieved, the nurses prepared his body for transport.  They covered it with the flag.  As we walked down the hall, they blew a horn and announced over the PA system that another warrior had fallen.  We escorted my father’s body to the elevator to be taken to the funeral home. A few days later at the cemetery, after the rifle volleys, after taps, the service man handed the folded flag to my brother—he’s a lieutenant coronel in the Army National Guard—and said, “On behalf of a grateful nation . . . .”

On behalf of a grateful nation, veterans are entitled to certain benefits, which includes medical care.  VA benefits and Medicare work very well together to fill in the gaps in each and enhance overall medical care. VA Health benefits begin with the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  You need to find out what benefits you qualify for.  Qualification depends upon a number of factors: time and length of service, service related injuries, type of injuries, full or partial medical disability, etc.  Your local Veteran Affairs office will help you.  We have a superb office in Omaha Nebraska VA Benefits 800-451-5796.  They will take you through the process to determine your level of coverage.

The next step is to truly understand the limitations of your VA Health Benefits. This is best done BEFORE you need them. Some questions to ask are: am I 100% covered, will I be reimbursed for coverage in non-VA facilities, do I have co-pays, etc. You may find that you are on your own for emergency care, especially if the local VA is not set up for critical illness, e.g., heart attacks, stokes, car accidents, etc. Many veterans I speak with are comfortable with the care they receive at the VA in Omaha and Lincoln; there are many veterans in the Omaha Metro area and Lincoln. Others will travel hours from rural areas to receive care here. If you are comfortable with VA care, that is great. Medicare can also give you other options and fill in gaps in your VA care. You may not wish to make the trip to the VA hospital from your home. You may have a family doctor that you would prefer to use. You may like the convenience of getting into the doctor’s office quickly. There may be a certain specialists you want who are not at the VA. Medicare will afford you those options as well as many others. The biggest issue I believe is that you will be covered for emergency care if you have Medicare Part A & B. Your local VA hospital may not be equipped to handle a heart attack, stroke, or car accident. The ambulance will take you to the emergency room at the hospital closest to you that is rated for your particular critical illness. The Omaha VA is not a trauma center. And the bill for the emergency room and hospital stay may be yours to pay if you don’t have Medicare, Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medicare supplement in place. My recommendation is always to find out the facts. You need to confirm the extent of your VA benefits. Get it in writing. Don’t be surprised by the gaps in your coverage.

Do not miss out on the coverage that you are likewise entitled to with Medicare. Medicare is excellent medical coverage. It can be your primary coverage, a supplement to your VA benefits, or a back up to your VA medical benefits. Medicare may enhance your medical coverage at little or no cost. I can help you understand your VA benefits in relationship with Medicare. I have many clients who are veterans. Some use Medicare primarily. Others have Medicare in place just in case. In any event, it is better to know your options 402-614-3389.