Understanding Your Best Cancer Insurance, Heart Attack Insurance, and Stroke Insurance Options
Medicare is designed to provide coverage for the most basic healthcare that everybody needs. Therefore, it does not include extensive cancer, heart attack, or stroke coverage. That’s why many Medicare beneficiaries enroll in secondary health insurance plans to supplement their current coverage gaps.
Original Medicare Part A covers hospital costs, and Original Medicare Part B covers doctor visits. Medicare Advantage adds on prescription drug coverage as well as other benefits like fitness incentives, dental, vision, and hearing.
Medicare Supplement plans add on extra coverage for your deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance (and sometimes cover prescriptions as well). While those Medicare options are certainly useful for both your wallet and your health, they simply won’t cover all of your health care needs. That’s where ancillary plans, (also known as secondary health insurance plans) come in.
Do you Need Supplemental Insurance?
Supplemental insurance plans provide coverage for medical procedures and needs that Medicare won’t. You might wonder, “why doesn’t Medicare just cover everything in one plan?” Well, Medicare is a government program, and everyone’s healthcare needs are different. It is not lucrative for Medicare to cover everything. That’s why people who need extra financial help can add on ancillary coverage to help cover their extra healthcare costs.
If you have a medical history that includes cancer, heart disease, or stroke symptoms, you may benefit from an ancillary plan that specifically covers your symptoms or can give you extra cash. That’s why you should always disclose all your healthcare and financial information to your agent – they can’t help you get the right amount of coverage if they don’t know how much coverage you need!
Most ancillary plans work by sending reimbursement checks (usually upon diagnosis). You’ll tell your plan when you are diagnosed with a disease, and they will send you a check based on your policy value (sometimes all at once, sometimes annually, etc.). Since your money will come in the form of a reimbursement, you can technically use it for whatever you need – loss of income, childcare, travel to facilities, home health care, rehabilitation/therapy, and any other out-of-pocket costs that Medicare does not touch.
What Does Cancer Insurance Cover?
Cancer insurance plans can vary greatly. In general, you’ll find policies that cover services like:
Blood and plasma
Breast reconstruction
Chemotherapy
Child/pet care expenses
Extended care facility stays
Hospice
Hospitalization
Initial diagnosis
Medical imaging
Organ transplants
Prosthetics
Radiation
Rehabilitative therapy
Surgery
Transportation and lodging related to hospital stays
What are the Best Cancer Insurance Plans?
No other disease statistics come close to cancer. Men have about a 50% chance of developing cancer, while women have about a 33.3% chance. Cancer kills about 1,600 Americans every day and includes about 10% of American healthcare expenses.
There really isn’t one best cancer insurance policy, because everyone’s financial and healthcare needs are different. However, one of the “best” and most common options is a lump sum policy. For a monthly payment of even as little as $20 per month, you can invest in a policy worth anywhere from a couple thousand to a hundred thousand dollars. If you are then diagnosed with cancer, you will receive the lump sum of your policy’s cash value to help you cover your cancer costs.
Lump sum cancer insurance is a good idea if you have a family history of cancer or if you meet any risk factors, such as a history of tobacco use, increased sun exposure, or obesity. If you already have a cancer diagnosis, you may not be able to enroll in this type of cancer insurance. A Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan might be a better option, as pre-existing conditions will not prevent you from enrolling. Plus, you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement plan with great prescription drug benefits.
Cancer Insurance Pros and Cons
Cancer Insurance Pros:
Financial Relief – While you’re worrying about your health, you don’t want to have to worry about your finances. Not only is cancer treatment expensive, but you may have to leave your job to adequately receive the treatment you need! Not only can cancer policies help you pay for your care, but they can also help you recover from lost income.
Extra Medical Coverage – Original Medicare covers basic hospital and doctor costs, and you might have a prescription drug plan, but Medicare alone does not cover all cancer-related costs. A cancer plan will help you pay for extra prescriptions and procedures.
Peace-of-Mind – If you have a family history of cancer or if you’ve shown signs, having a cancer policy can give you the peace-of-mind to know that you’re covered in the event of a diagnosis.
Cancer Insurance Cons:
Availability – Cancer insurance can be harder to find than other health insurance options. However, our licensed agents are able to sell plans from most cancer insurers in your area. A MedicarePlanFinder agent can help you find what you need.
Pre-existing Conditions – If you’ve had any cancer symptoms in the past, it may be hard for you to find a cancer policy. It is really designed for those who have a family history of cancer and want to make a smart decision early on. That’s why you should buy now, BEFORE your diagnosis.
Types of Cancer Insurance
Lump Sum Cancer Insurance
A lump sum cancer insurance plan is meant to provide extra cash when you need it most: while you’re undergoing treatment. You will receive a payment for the value of your policy (usually between $5,000 and $100,000), at the time of your diagnosis.
Indemnity Cancer Plans
Indemnity plans are designed to help you pay for the costs of staying in a hospital for an extended period of time. Instead of paying out your benefits all at once in a lump sum, an indemnity cancer plan can pay you per day. For example, it might pay out $300 for each day you spend in the hospital.
Top Cancer Insurance Plans
While there are seemingly endless possibilities for getting cancer coverage, these are some of the top cancer insurance plans that Medicare Plan Finder agents currently offer (subject to change):
Aetna Cancer Insurance
Aetna offers a cancer, heart attack, and stroke insurance policy for seniors and Medicare eligibles. You or a person that you designate will receive a lump sum based on your policy value upon your cancer diagnosis. The policy can be valued at anywhere from $5,000 to $75,000.
Aetna cancer policies give you a 30-day “look” period. That means that if you decide within 30 days of your purchase that you do not like the plan you chose, you can back out.
Cigna Cancer Insurance
Cigna’s cancer policies can cost you as little as $19 per month and can cover you for as little as $5,000 or as much as $100,000. Cigna cancer coverage is available to anyone ages 18-99. For an added premium, you can also receive coverage for cancer recurrence, heart attacks, and strokes.
Mutual of Omaha Cancer Insurance
Mutual of Omaha offers both a cancer only insurance plan and a cancer, heart attack, and stroke insurance plan. Since the policy pays out as a lump sum at the time of diagnosis, you can use it however you want, regardless of who your doctors are.
GTL Cancer Insurance
Guarantee Trust Life (GTL) cancer insurance is wrapped into one policy including cancer, heart attack, and stroke coverage. They pay a lump-sum upon diagnosis regardless of what other health insurance you may have. GTL benefits are flexible but range up to $75,000.
Medico Cancer Insurance
Medico will pay a lump sum benefit upon your internal cancer or malignant melanoma diagnosis. It is a one-time benefit paid directly to you – you can use it in any way you see fit!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cancer Insurance
Can I get cancer insurance after diagnosis?
It can be a challenge to get a good cancer insurance policy after you’ve already been diagnosed. That’s why we recommend that you look at your cancer insurance options NOW, to avoid any financial surprises later.
Is Cancer Insurance Worth it?
In short, yes! Wouldn’t you rather pay a small fee every month now instead of paying thousands upon thousands later? Investing in your health now allows you to plan for the finer things in life, like a beautiful retirement!
Can I buy cancer insurance online?
We don’t recommend buying without speaking to a licensed agent. Medicare Plan Finder agents are licensed with multiple insurance carriers, which means they can help you find quotes for several different plans and help you choose the best one for your needs.
How much does cancer insurance cost?
This really is going to depend on what you need. All carriers offer different types of plans that offer different amounts of coverage. If you do not have a personal history of cancer, you can get $5,000 of coverage for about $16/month! Of course, the more coverage you want, the higher your monthly costs will be.
Who sells the cheapest cancer insurance?
Cigna offers one of the cheapest plans at as little as $19 per month, and Mutual of Omaha boasts of rates as low as $10 per month! Your choice will depend on your healthcare needs, how much coverage you want, and your geographic area. Remember, not all plans are available in every state or county. It’s more important to look at the coverage that you’re getting first, THEN consider the cost. Our agents can help you find the best balance.
What other types of coverage are included in cancer insurance?
Cancer, stroke, and heart attacks are three of the most common ailments in America. Some cancer insurance policies are wrapped into one policy that includes stroke and heart attack coverage. This means that if you develop a heart condition now and develop cancer symptoms later, your one cancer, heart attack, and stroke policy will likely cover all or most of your conditions.
What Does Stroke Insurance Cover?
According to stroke.org, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds and is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke happens when blood flow is cut off from an area of the brain, resulting in brain cells losing oxygen and dying. The dying cells lead to memory and muscle control loss. Small strokes may only result in temporary weakness, while large strokes can permanently paralyze a person.
Shockingly, nearly 80% of strokes are preventable. You can help prevent strokes by keeping a healthy weight and blood pressure, exercising regularly, avoiding excess alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
When looking for stroke insurance, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans are great places to start. Having extra Medicare coverage will most likely give you access to more affordable healthcare through your doctors and pharmacies.
If that is not enough coverage, you can invest in a stroke policy. Most stroke policies are combined with heart attack policies. Stroke insurance is usually paid out as a lump sum (ranging from as low as $5,000 to as much as $100,000), which means it can cover anything from relevant surgeries to income replacement, instead of covering individual benefits.
Heart Attack Insurance
The CDC states that about 610,000 Americans die of heart disease every year. As common as heart disease is, it’s not cheap to handle. It can cost upwards of $20,000 for a hospital stay alone, not including the costs of any surgeries and prescriptions that follow.
While your Medicare plan may cover your hospital stay costs, it may not completely cover the surgeries and prescriptions you need. In fact, Original Medicare does not cover prescriptions at all. You will need to enroll in either a separate prescription drug plan (otherwise known as Part D) or either a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan that includes prescription drug coverage. That’s why a heart attack/stroke plan is a great option. After a heart attack, you can receive a lump sum based on your policy value to help you pay for care or replace lost income.
Cancer, Heart Attack, and Stroke Insurance
Some cancer, heart attack, and stroke insurance policies are looped into one policy. The same policy can cover heart transplants, physical therapy, patient and family member transportation and lodging, bypass surgeries, anesthesia, replacement of lost income, and help with home expenses.
Costs for cancer, heart attack, and stroke policies will vary based on your needs and how much coverage you want to pay for. If you prefer, you can pay as little as $20 per month (but will have less coverage than if you paid a higher monthly premium).
Help Us Help You
If your family medical history includes strokes or heart attacks, be sure to disclose that information to your Medicare agent. They can help you pick a plan that best encompasses your needs, and then help you decide whether or not you need to add an ancillary policy.
Do you have an agent? Our agents are able to sell countless different plans, so they can help you find the one that truly works best for you. Submit your contact information on Medicare Plan Finder so we can have one of our licensed agents reach out to you. If you’d prefer, give us a call today at 844-431-1832.
This post was originally published on March 23, 2017. It was updated on October 23, 2018, and again on July 18th, 2019.
Understanding The Benefits Of Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage is a coverage option that provides more benefits than basic plans. It includes Original Medicare, which is made of Medicare Part A (hospital care) and Part B (medical/doctor care), plus additional services such as prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are sometimes confused with Medicare Supplement (Med Supp) plans, but they are completely different. While Medicare Advantage (MA) includes extra service coverage, Medicare Supplement plans provide more financial coverage (but not more services).
Medicare Advantage Benefits
Hospital stays, skilled nursing care, home health care, etc. (essentially Part A)
Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventative services, etc. (essentially Part B)
Hearing care, vision care, fitness programs, wellness services, nurse help lines, prescription drug coverage, etc. (Part C)
Prescription drug coverage (essentially Part D)
Types of Medicare Advantage Plans
HMO Plans(Health Maintenance Organization) – You’ll select one primary physician and only see that doctor, unless your doctor recommends another specialist (such as a cardiologist or dentist).
HMO-POS Plans(Point-Of-Service) – You’ll select one primary physician but can also visit other specialists in your network for a fee (like a cardiologist or dentist) even without a doctor recommendation.
PPO Plans(Preferred Provider Organization) – You can see any doctor, but in-network doctors will be much cheaper for you.
PFFS Plans(Private Fee-For-Service) – You will not need referrals or a primary physician, but not all doctors will accept this plan.
SNP (Special Needs Plans) – You are only eligible if you have a chronic illness or disability, live in a nursing home, or are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
MSA(Medical Savings Account) – Medicare will deposit money into a separate bank account for you to use for Medical expenses.
Enrollment Periods
There is a seven-month window during which you can enroll in Medicare. It lasts from three months before your 65th birthday through three months after. During this period, you can purchase a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time or add any additional coverage. Additionally, you can always add or change your plan during the annual enrollment period, or AEP (October 15th through December 7th every year).
You may qualify for a SEP (Special Election Period), during which you can enroll even though it is not during AEP or your initial enrollment period. You can qualify if you:
Move residences to an area where different plan options are available
Move to an area where the nearest hospital or doctor’s office is out-of-network
Are released from incarceration
Lose Medicaid eligibility
Leave a job or start a new job that offers different plans
Were in a plan that is now discontinued
Do you still have questions about Medicare Advantage or are you hoping to purchase a plan? Set up an appointment with one of our licensed agents today. Call us now at 1-844-431-1832.
Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods
Did you know that most people can only enroll in Medicare during a few months out of the year? Read through to figure out what medicare enrollment periods you are eligible to enroll during. If you still need help, one of your licensed agents can answer your questions!
IEP (Initial Enrollment Period)
Most seniors and Medicare eligibles will begin with an IEP. Your IEP begins three months before your 65 birthday and ends three months after, for a total of a seven-month timeframe. Some seniors and Medicare eligibles will be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B and will receive a Medicare card three months before their 65 birthday. Others will need to elect to enroll and will start to receive coverage within a few months.
If you have an IEP but choose not to enroll, you may be faced with a higher premium because you enrolled late. You will be able to complete your late enrollment during the General Enrollment Period.
(GEP) General Enrollment Period
The GEP is exclusively for those who are enrolling in Medicare for the first time and missed their IEP. It runs from January 1 through May 31 of each year for Original Medicare and April 1 through June 30 for prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage. If you enroll during the GEP, your coverage will begin in July.
(AEP) Annual Enrollment Period
AEP starts on October 15 of each year and runs through December 7. This is when every Medicare beneficiary can change plans or enroll in new plans. It’s a good chance for you to look at your current coverage, compare it to your healthcare and financial needs, and make adjustments if necessary. If you wait too long, you’ll have to wait a whole year before you can make changes again.
(SEP) Special Enrollment Period
If you qualify for Medicaid, Social Security, or another financial assistance program, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. If you have an SEP, you do not have to wait until AEP to make changes to your Medicare. Some people will have a continuous SEP, meaning they can make changes at any time. Those who have special circumstances such as moving, losing a job, or moving into a facility will have a 60-day SEP.
Get Help Understanding Your Enrollment Period
Still not sure when you can enroll? That’s ok, it can be confusing. Call us at Medicare Plan Finder and we can help you figure out whether or not you can get into a better plan. Just click here to request a call or call us at 1-844-431-1832.
Get Medicare Financial Assistance with the Medicare Extra Help Program
Did you know that Medicare offers financial assistance programs to those who cannot afford to pay their monthly premiums? The Medicare Extra Help program can help you afford your prescription drug plan.
What is a Low Income Subsidy?
LIS (Low Income Subsidies) is a federal program commonly referred to as Medicare Extra Help. It helps Medicare beneficiaries like you pay for prescription drugs. The program is designed to help those who do not qualify for Medicaid but still need financial assistance.
Medicare beneficiaries with LIS save an average of $3,900 per year on their prescription drugs. Therefore, beneficiaries might pay about $2 for a prescription instead of, say, $40.
What does Medicare Extra Help Cover?
The LIS program provides tremendous support for prescription drug coverage as long as you have a Medicare Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage. LIS provides help with premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Also, LIS beneficiaries have a continuous SEP (Special Election Period) which means they can change plans or enroll any time of year! No more waiting for AEP (October 15 – December 7).
Additionally, LIS can help you pay for any late enrollment fees you may have. You might have a late fee if you wait too long to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
You will start by paying for 100% of your drug costs until you hit your deductible ($435 in 2020). Then, you will only pay a small percentage of your drug costs. Once you spend $4,020, you will pay 25% of brand-name drug costs and up to 25% of generic drug costs..
Medicare Extra Help Application
A senior or Medicare beneficiary is eligible for LIS at 150% of the Federal Poverty Level with (2017):
Income ($18,090/yr individual, $24,360/yr marital)
Social Security Administration Wilkes-Barre Data Operations Center P.O. Box 1020 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18767-9910
Medicare Savings Program
If you do not qualify for Low Income Subsidies, you may still qualify for another Medicare Savings Program. Much like LIS, Medicare Savings Programs help those who are not eligible for Medicaid but still need help paying for Medicare costs. Medicare Savings Programs have certain qualifications that include your monthly income and assets (stocks, bonds, savings accounts). The programs are as follows:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program:
Helps pay Part A premiums, Part B premiums, and deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program:
Helps pay for Part A premiums for those who are working, disabled, and under 65 or who returned to work and lost their premium-free Part A. This is not for those who are already receiving state medical assistance (Medicaid).
Qualification limits:
Individual monthly income of $4,132 or less
Married monthly income of $5,572 or less
Individual assets valuing $4,000 or less
Married assets valuing $6,000 or less
Social Security Help
If you receive social security benefits, you may be able to get a greater benefit by enrolling in certain Medicare plans. That’s right, some Medicare Advantage plans (offered by private carriers) include benefits that pay for part of your Part B premiums, which will result in you getting a slightly larger check from Social Security. Talk to a Medicare Plan Finder agent to see if this type of benefit is available to you.
Get Help Completing Your Medicare Extra Help Application
Some Medicare beneficiaries go years without realizing they qualify for Medicare Extra Help (LIS). Licensed agents in your area may be able to help you apply for LIS. If you haven’t already spoken to an agent about applying for LIS, call Medicare Plan Finder now at 844-431-1832 or click here to request a call.
This post was originally published on November 9, 2017, and updated on December 31, 2019.
Spouse Medicare 101
Spouse Medicare 101
Medicare does not work like individual health care plans – there are no family plans. Every individual Medicare beneficiary will have his or her own plan. However, even though you can’t be on the same plan or share spouse benefits, you’re still in it together. You can meet with an agent together, you can pool your income, and you can mail in one check to pay your premiums. Let’s look at how precisely spouse Medicare works.
Medicare Eligibility Requirements
In some cases, both spouses may not meet Medicare eligibility requirements. Usually, one spouse will turn 65 before the other, or one will become disabled while the other is not. This means one person may hold onto their individual marketplace plan while the other person enrolls in Medicare. Eligibility is different for every person. That’s why Medicare beneficiaries cannot be on the same plan.
Medicare Premium Payments
Every single person will have his or her own premium payment each month. However, if you and your spouse have the same plan, you can mail in just one check to pay for both plans.
Make sure that when you are paying your premiums, you send in money for the correct account. If you only want to send in one check, make sure you write clearly on the check which account the payment is for (or write both if it is for both).
Spouse Social Security Benefits
While Social Security and Medicare are regulated by the same government agency, and in most cases pertain to the same age demographic, they are vastly different programs. In fact, spouse Social Security benefits and spouse Medicare benefits are one of the many areas in which they differ.
For example, with spouse Social Security benefits, if your spouse dies, his or her benefits may become available to you. However, this is not the case with Medicare. Since Medicare is an individual healthcare plan, one spouse’s Medicare plan does not provide any benefit to the other. Thus, it is imperative that if both spouses are in need of Medicare, they each have their own plan.
Medicare for Non-Working Spouse
People often wonder if Medicare for their non-working spouse is available. In short: yes, as long as they are eligible. However, your spouse’s costs may be different from yours.
Any individual who has been employed for more than 10 years and has paid taxes qualifies for premium-free Medicare Part A coverage, (hospital insurance), upon turning 65. If you have not worked and paid Medicare taxes, you’ll have to pay a premium for Part A Medicare regardless of your spouse’ employment history.
In many cases, if you qualify for Medicare, when your non-working spouse turns 65, they may qualify based on your work record. However, the same basic eligibility requirements still apply to the non-working spouse. For example, if you are 65 and receiving Medicare, and your non-working spouse is 62, he or she will have to wait until they are 65 to start receiving benefits. Conversely, if your spouse is older, Medicare for your non-working spouse will be available to purchase Medicare will have to pay a premium for Part A until your premium-free benefit kicks in at age 65.
Medicare Family Coverage
In general, Medicare is not applicable to non-qualifying spouses or dependants. However, if your child has a qualifying disability, they may be eligible for a Medicare plan of their own. It is important to note that there is often a two-year waiting period for Medicare coverage for people with disabilities, including children. For example, if your child was born with a disability, he or she might have to wait until their second birthday to get Medicare. (Though, if your child has End-Stage Renal Disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease there is generally no waiting period for Medicare coverage.)
Medicare Plan Spousal Discounts
While Medicare does not provide spouse benefits, there are some plans that offer household discounts.
You should always confirm with your agent whether or not a household discount exists as some companies may have specific requirements regarding spousal discounts.
Medicare Extra Help and Income Limits
The one thing that marriage will affect when it comes to Medicare is whether or not you qualify for the Extra Help Program, otherwise known as Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). LIS exists to help people with limited income pay for their prescription drugs. Those who qualify for the program pay less in drug premiums, copayments, and coinsurances, and are also covered during the Coverage Gap.
Single and married beneficiaries have different requirements for what constitutes a low income level. For example, to qualify for LIS (a prescription drug savings program), single beneficiaries must make less than approximately $18,000 per year, but married couples must make less than approximately $24,000 per year.
Meet with one of our agents to find out if you qualify for savings.
Joint Meeting with a Licensed Agent
Even if you and your spouse have different Medicare plans, you can still share a medicare agent! Sharing an agent will make your enrollment process easier and help you build a relationship with someone who knows everything about Medicare and can help you find savings.
Do you have a licesned agent? Have more questions about spouse Medicare? Give us a call today to set up a free meeting. Our agents are licensed to sell several different plans, so they can offer you an unbiased opinion and help you find the plan that truly works best for your needs. Call us at 1-844-431-1832.
This post was originally published on 3/8/18 and updated on 9/25/18
Why Use a Licensed Agent for Medicare Plans?
How are you enrolling in Medicare? Have you considered using a licensed agent? Licensed agents are experts who can help you navigate the confusing world of health care and select the best Medicare options for your needs. There are no extra costs associated with them!
Why should I use a Licensed Agent?
Licensed agents who sell Medicare plans dedicate their careers to helping Medicare-eligible Americans find the best health care plans for their needs. They are experts in their field and are available to answer any questions you have and help you go through the Medicare plan enrollment process.
If you attempt to enroll in Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans, or other coverage options without using a licensed agent, you’ll have to speak with someone over the phone or go through the process online by yourself. That means you’ll have fewer opportunities to ask questions and more opportunities to make mistakes. We don’t blame you – Medicare is confusing. That’s why we have licensed agents in 38 states!
Our licensed agents are certified and contracted to sell plans from several different carriers. That means that they do not have any bias when it comes to helping you select a plan! They get paid no matter what plan you choose. That means that in most cases, if two plans that are available to you are almost exactly the same but one will cost you less, they can sell you the cheaper option.
Are there Medicare Fees Associated with Licensed Agents?
There are no additional Medicare fees associated with licensed agents. Whether you enroll over the phone, online, or through a sales representative, you will pay the same price. Licensed agents do earn commission from their plan sales, but that does not impact your price.
It’s like buying a car. Most car salesmen earn commission on the cars that they sell, but that doesn’t mean that the cars are more expensive. A $30,000 car is still a $30,000 car whether you purchase it from a commission-based salesman or not. A $300 health plan premium is still a $300 premium whether you purchase it from a commission-based sales agent or not. There are no extra Medicare fees for purchasing from a sales agent.
Licensed Agent Websites and Finding Your Sales Agent
Some agents will have their own websites promoting their services. While there’s nothing wrong with doing your own research and finding your own agent, we do offer a service to connect you with a licensed agent near you and schedule an appointment for you. You don’t have to do any of the work!
How do I find a Licensed agent for Medicare near me?
We can send a sales agent in your area to your home (or another place that you select, like a public library) to go through your Medicare options and help you select the best plans for your needs. To begin, click here or call us at 1-844-431-1832.
This post was originally published on 2/1/18 and updated on 9/25/18.
Health Benefits of Pets for Seniors
Health Benefits of Pets for Seniors
Most people can’t help but smile when a fluffy dog comes running over. Did you know that pets (especially dogs and cats) have been proven to provide both mental and physical health benefits? Your health and well-being may just be the best excuse yet for you to adopt a furry friend.
Health Benefits of Pets:
They boost your immune system.
Pets who live outdoors or are frequently outside can easily bring bacteria into your home. In most cases, that bacteria won’t be enough to get you sick, but it will expose your body to the specific bacteria and prepare your immune system.
Pets reduce stress
There’s a reason why so many people have registered Emotional Support Animals. They can help prevent breakdowns and emotional outbursts in stressful situations just by their adorable presence. Pets for seniors also notoriously provide unconditional love, giving their owners confidence and helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and self-doubt. Whether they are registered as Emotional Support Animals or not, pets are great for those with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as well as those who just need a friend.
They get you outside and moving.
All animals (but especially dogs) will force you to get outside and moving. Even just taking a walk around the block with your dog is enough to lift your spirit. Plus, the extra exercise and vitamin D is great for your body.
Companion Dogs
By definition, a companion dog is not actually a working dog. You can register a companion dog as an emotional support animal, but it would still technically not be a a service animal. Companion dogs can become certified companions by passing a series of basic obedience tests. All that a companion certification does for you is that when you list your dog’s name on a document, you can follow it with “CD,” for “companion dog.” This tells whoever is reading your paperwork that your dog is certifiably obedient.
While companion dog certification is great for those who are in great health but are looking for a companion, seniors with disabilities may want to look into their service dog eligibility.
Companion Cats for Seniors
Technically, any cat can be a companion cat in the same way that any dog can be a companion dog. However, you can not train and register your companion cat in the same way that you can a dog. If you truly need your cat for emotional support, you can register it as an emotional support animal instead.
There is no question that cats can be just as beneficial as dogs for emotional support. More specifically, Persian, Ragdoll, Abyssinian, Burmese, Maine Coon, and Exotic Shorthair cats have a tendency to be very loving and social cats (but other breeds can be emotional support animals as well). To officially certify your cat, you’ll need to see a licensed specialist. Most online emotional service animal registrations are scams, so please see a real specialist.
Assistance Dogs of America
ADAI, or Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. helps disabled people of all ages find a trained service dog to assist with their daily needs. Even if you yourself can’t have a service animal for any reason, ADAI places therapy dogs in nursing homes, hospice facilities, and even jails.
Assistance dogs can be trained as guide dogs, hearing aid dogs, service dogs, and for help controlling conditions like seizures, PTSD, and severe stress. They can provide tasks even as detailed as opening doors/refrigerators/washing machines, flipping switches, dressing assistance, carrying items, picking up dropped items, helping you stand up from a fall, helping you climb stairs, etc.
If you do not adopt your service dog from Assistance Dogs of America or another certified service dog adoption service, you will need to register your service dog yourself. Dogs can be registered for seizure response, medication reminders, psychiatric disabilities, and seeing eye services. Registering your service dog means that you will be legally allowed to bring your dog anywhere (including rental housing). We recommend that you adopt your service dog from a certified provider (like Assistance Dogs of America) for the most legitimate certification that should not give you any sort of problem at any public facility.
America’s VetDogs
Based out of Smithtown, NY, America’s VetDogs trains service dogs specifically for veterans who suffer from physical injuries, hearing and vision loss, seizures, and PTSD. America’s VetDogs requires that you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces or are a first responder who has become disabled. You must participate in a two-week training program to learn how to care for and work with your service dog, and you must be able to afford at least $100 per month (for food, vet bills, etc.) and be able to care for your dog. Your transportation to the facility is free and there are no adoption fees!
Seniors for Seniors pet Adoption
Seniors for Seniors pet adoption programs are becoming more and more common. There just may be one in a shelter near you! Seniors for Seniors means that a shelter can help senior humans find a senior pet to care for! Puppies are a lot more work and have a lot more energy than senior dogs and cats, and you may find comfort in helping another living thing live his best senior life.
Whether you want to adopt an older pet or not, hundreds of shelters around the world have programs for seniors that include waived adoption fees! One foundation, Pets For The Elderly, can even pay adoption fees for you – just check out their list of participating shelters and see if there’s one near you. However, remember that even if your adoption fee is waived, you’ll still have other pet costs to consider (food, toys, vet bills, etc.).
Pet Therapy for the Elderly
Pet Therapy can mean a lot of different things. Most people first think of emotional therapy and emotional support animals, but pet therapy can provide physical benefits as well! Pet therapy for the elderly is designed to allow seniors to feel less lonely, use less medication, recover more quickly, have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, handle stress better, and even visit the doctor less often.
Seniors have been proven to have better communication, improved memory, and even improved motor skills thanks to pet therapy. Some of this is due to occasional visits from therapy dogs, but a lot of it is due to dog or cat ownership. Seniors who have dogs or cats at home generally get more exercise from walking and playing, work their muscles more from petting, walking, bathing, and brushing, and reduce their stress and depression from the love that pets for seniors provide! Plus, the mental stimulation from the love of a pet can improve memory and social skills!
If you can’t afford a pet or are unable to care for an animal for any reason, check out your local senior center or ask if your health plan knows of a pet therapy center in your area. You can also try volunteering at a local animal shelter!
Dogs in Nursing Homes
Some shelters and pet therapy centers work with nursing homes and other care facilities to bring in dogs to play with seniors! The animals could use the love and affection as much as the seniors can, so everyone wins! Sometimes these will be adoptable shelter dogs, and other times nursing homes may work with actual pet therapy centers that have trained companion dogs for you to spend time with.
Affordable Pet Insurance
If you haven’t adopted a pet yet because you’re worried about vet bills, did you know you can buy health insurance for your pet? While there isn’t really a Medicare for dogs, there are good coverage options out there for animals. You can choose an affordable pet insurance plan based on how much coverage you want and how much you want to pay each month. In most cases, you can use any licensed vet and then get reimbursed by your plan later (unlike health insurance, where you have a distinct doctor network).
Pet insurance generally covers expenses for illnesses and accidents that your furry friends get into. It can really come in handy if your curious kitty eats something she shouldn’t have or if your dog develops a hereditary tumor.
Service Dog Financial Assistance
If you have a qualifying disability and have a service dog helping you around, you may qualify for service dog financial assistance! This will help tremendously with your vet bills, pet food costs, and training expenses. Some veterinarians (but not all) will even provide discounted services for service animals, so make sure your vet is aware if your animal is a registered service animal. Additionally, landlords are required to waive any pet fees for you and your service animal as long as you meet their conditions.
A few examples of organizations that provide other service dog financial assistance are:
The Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) Program (monthly payments of $50)
PETCO Foundation (mainly donation-based)
The Seeing Eye (low-cost seeing eye dog program)
Planet Dog Foundation (provides service dog grants)
Assistance Dog United Campaign (grants, donations, and vouchers)
Medicare for Dogs
We wish we could provide Medicare for your dog, but that doesn’t exist (yet). The least we can do is help you find a plan that will help you afford to take care of your pets! Click here to request a call and find out if you can save more money on healthcare.
*This post was originally published on 3/29/18, updated on 9/18/18.
NEW! Flexible Medicare Supplement Health Insurance
Early this year, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) released new changes regarding Medicare and Medicaid benefits. One of the biggest and newest changes is increased flexibility in what plans are allowed to offer as “supplemental” Medicare benefits.
The Introduction of “Daily Maintenance”
Traditionally, health plans have not been allowed to include supplemental benefits that were considered “daily maintenance.” In other words, items and services that are intended for daily use were not covered. Now, however, plans are allowed to cover “daily maintenance” items that diminish the impact of injuries, physical impairments, or health conditions or help avoid emergency room utilization.
What does this mean for you? Essentially, you may now be able to find a plan that covers items such as wheelchair ramps and other home modifications. Anything that can reasonably improve your life can be included in a plan. However, realize that this does not mean that every Medicare plan will cover these items. Rather, it means that plans are now allowed to cover these items.
Transportation and Medicare Advantage
Do you have trouble getting yourself to the doctor? Thanks to modern technology and these new CMS rules, that may not be a problem for you anymore. Medicare Advantage plans are now allowed to include transportation benefits to help you get to your doctors and pharmacies. Additionally, for those who have a hard time leaving the house altogether, plans can now include meal delivery services.
Durable Medical Equipment and Medicare Advantage
Previously, it was hard to get coverage for home modifications and daily equipment. Now, items such as wheelchair ramps and medically necessary air conditioners can be included in Medicare Advantage plans. Plans can also cover more home health care to help with dressing, eating, and telehealth.
Medicare Advantage Opioid Control
Opioid misuse grows every year. CMS is now asking Medicare plans to help control the issue. That means that you will likely not be able to buy more than a seven-day supply of opioids. They are also cracking down on people who try to “cheat the system” by going to multiple pharmacies and doctors to get multiple doses. With new technology and new laws, pharmacists and doctors will be alerted when you people try to buy too many opioids.
Take Advantage of New Medicare Benefits
Now that plans are allowed to cover all these new items, it only makes sense that you take advantage of this year’s AEP, or Annual Enrollment Period. From October 15 through December 7, you’ll be allowed to switch plans or enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time. Our agents may be able to help you find a plan with added transportation benefits, telehealth, and equipment coverage. To set up your free appointment, click here or call 844-431-1832.
Safe Driving for Seniors
Did you know that approximately one in four drivers is a senior? As we age, our reaction times get slower, we naturally lose some mobility, and our senses weaken, making driving more dangerous. Safe driving for seniors is not much different from safe driving for younger adults. You should always wear your seatbelt, look over your shoulder when merging, and never use your phone or another distracting device while behind the wheel. However, there are senior-specific programs and ideas in place that can help you stay safe on the roads.
CarFit
CarFit is a program for seniors developed by AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. They’re concerned with how much a senior’s driving ability is related to their car’s physical fit. Seniors are usually less detail-oriented and more forgetful, and they may miss things like being too far from the steering wheel, properly adjusting mirrors, etc. Even just being comfortable sitting in the driver’s seat can make or break a person’s driving ability. CarFit representatives take 20 minutes to check out your car and the way you drive and provide recommendations for adjustments and adaptations.
If a CarFit representative thinks that your car is not a perfect fit for you, that does not necessarily mean you need a new car. You can invest in items like a seatbelt extender, sun visor extenders, steering wheel covers for comfort, pedal extenders, larger mirrors, support cushions, etc. Your CarFit representative can help you find the items you need.
AAA Safety Recommendations
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recommends that senior drivers have special features installed in their cars. Some include power-operated seats, larger knobs and buttons, tilt steering that keeps you farther from the airbag, adjustable pedals, and head restraints that provide cushion if you are hit from behind. They also recommend that if you or your senior friend is in the market for a new vehicle, you should choose one with keyless entry and four doors for easier and safer transportation.
Senior Insurance Discounts
Seniors can usually find car insurance deals based on mileage. For example, if you’re retired, you probably don’t drive as often as you used to. By reporting your decrease in daily mileage, you can save on auto insurance. You can also take defensive driving courses or specific senior driving courses to help lower your rates. If you’re a senior in Tennessee, our friends at InsureTN can help you find great coverage at a great rate. Just give them a call at 615-964-5250.
Stay safe on the road!
What is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan?
A Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan, or SNP, is a Medicare Advantage plan that is designed to provide coordinated care for Medicare beneficiaries with special needs. These plans have specific qualifications but offer expanded and specialized coverage.
Medicare Advantage SNPs are specific to your needs whether that be diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, or another chronic illness. Plus, all SNPs must include hospital coverage (Part A), medical coverage (Part B), and prescription drug coverage (Part D). Other benefits include $0 or lower beneficiary cost sharing, extended benefits coverage for inpatient care, and longer coverage periods for specialty medical services.
Like all healthcare plans, SNPs have provider networks. In most cases, you will need to select a primary care physician or health coordinator to be your main source of healthcare.
Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan Eligibility
To start, you’ll need to be enrolled in Original Medicare. You also must live in an area that supports a SNP plan as they are not available everywhere. Then, to be eligible, you must have a special need. In the case of SNPs, special needs can mean Medicaid-eligible/low-income (D-SNP), institutionalized (I-SNP), or diagnosed with a severe or disabling chronic condition (C-SNP).
What is a dual eligible special needs plan (DSNP)?
The “dual” in Dual Special Needs Plan indicates that you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you are over the age of 65 and have low income, there is a good chance that you fall into the D-SNP category! If you are eligible, most of your costs will be covered for you. To learn more about the Medicaid eligibility categories that could place you in a DSNP plan, click here.
What is an Institutional Special Needs Plan (ISNP)?
To be eligible for an I-SNP, you must live in or be moving into a long-term care skilled nursing facility, inpatient psychiatric facility, or another care facility. You must require the facility’s services for at least 90 days to qualify for an I-SNP.
What is a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (CSNP)?
CSNPs are generally designed for specific types of illnesses and disabilities. For example, a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan for someone with chronic heart failure may provide additional coverage for heart treatments, while a CSNP for someone with chronic substance abuse may offer extra coverage for therapy and rehabilitation. Qualifying conditions can include chronic alcohol or other substance abuse, neurological disorders, heart failure, and more.
How to Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan
If you are eligible for a Medicare Advantage special needs plan, you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. This is great because you can enroll any time of year and don’t need to wait for a specific enrollment period! If you are looking to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan in your area, a licensed agent can guide you through the process. In fact, our agents at Medicare Plan Finder can answer any questions about SNPs and eligibility. There is no cost to you and never an obligation to enroll. To get in contact, fill out this form or call us at 844-431-1832.
This blog was originally published on 6/14/18, but was updated on 3/22/19.
