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MedicareWire is smart content for savvy seniors. We blog about everything related to Medicare news, benefits and coverage.
We feature the largest directory of Medicare health plan information on the internet. Search and compare Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D plans, and Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap).
Medicare Supplement Plan GIf you're turning age 65 this year, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement you can buy. It's also the most popular. You might be t… Read More
Navigating the world of Medicare Advantage plans can be a daunting task. Some private health plans are great, but many aren’t. You need to learn how to identify and weed out the worst… Read More
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Medicare? To sign up for Medicare in the United States of America, you must prove that you are eligible. To do so, you will need documentation that veri… Read More
Without Medicaid, millions of people would be unable to afford their Medicare benefits. They would not be able to pay their monthly premiums, the out-of-pocket costs to see a doctor, or the… Read More
If you are new to Medicare, you might find the cost structure confusing. This is particularly true when it comes to Medicare Advantage plans. In this article, we’ll do our best to… Read More
Compare Supplements with the Medigap Comparison Chart You can use our Medicare Supplement Insurance plans comparison chart to compare Medigap plans side by side. Easily explore benefits, and… Read More
With so many Medicare plan options and the differences between them, choosing the right plan can feel overwhelming. This article will help you choose the right Medicare Supplement InsuranceM… Read More
Medicare, the cornerstone of healthcare for millions of Americans aged 65 and older, continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of its beneficiaries. In 2022, a significant milestone was… Read More
Does Medicare Cover Annual Physicals? Medicare is a vital healthcare program, but there’s often confusion about what it covers. Many people wonder whether Medicare covers annual physic… Read More
As the 2024 Medicare Open Enrollment PeriodDuring the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan members can change, switch, or drop a plan they chose during the Ann… Read More
Can I Drop My Employer Health Insurance and Go on Medicare? Your employment and access to employer health insurance have no bearing on your qualification for Medicare or your ability to sign… Read More
What is Medigap Coverage Used for? Medigap helps pay Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Without it, beneficiaries pay these costs themselv… Read More
Does Medicare Cover Blood Pressure Monitors? If you have abnormal blood pressure, and your doctor prescribes a blood pressure monitor for home use, Medicare will cover it. In this article, w… Read More
How Does High Deductible Plan G Work? Once you have paid the deductible, High Deductible Plan G has the same coverage as the standard Plan G. Until the deductible is met, you pay all out-of… Read More
Can Medicare Supplement Plans Deny Coverage? In all but four states, Medicare Supplements can deny coverage, unless you have a guaranteed issue right. This is because they are not health ins… Read More
Is Medicare Part C a Scam or Legitimate? Medicare Advantage is legitimate, but it’s an easy target for scammers. So, it’s important to do your research before joining a plan. In… Read More
Does Medicare Cover Hospital Beds? If your condition requires it, a hospital bed can be prescribed and Medicare will cover it. It is durable medical equipment that’s covered under Part… Read More
What are 4 Types of Medicare Advantage Plans? HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, and PFFS plans are the 4 most common Medicare Advantage plansMedicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C… Read More
What is the Truth About the Flex Card for Seniors? The Flex Card is a legitimate benefit offered by some Medicare Advantage plans. It is not available everywhere or by all plans. However, ma… Read More
Which is Better Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement? With Medicare Advantage, you can get more benefits. But with a Medicare Supplement plan, you get more coverage. Decide which you ne… Read More
What is the Downside to Medigap Plans? The downside of Medigap is the cost and the short guaranteed issue period. However, with a comprehensive policy, you will never have excessive hospital… Read More
Is Medicare Plan F going away? Plan F is still available, but only if you qualified for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. After that, the best plan you can get is Plan G. In this article, w… Read More
What is Plan N in Medicare? Plan N is a supplement that covers all costs except the Part B deductible and excess charges. Plus, you pay a small copay for doctor’s office and E.R. visit… Read More
What is the Difference Between Medicare Plan G and N? Plans G and N are the two most popular Medigap plans sold today. Plan G covers all out-of-pocket costs except the Part B deductible. Pla… Read More
Can You Have A Medicare Advantage Plan And A Supplemental Plan At The Same Time? Medicare rules do not allow beneficiaries to have both a Medicare Advantage plan and Medicare Supplement Insu… Read More
Can You Get On Medicare At Age 62? As a general rule, you can’t get Medicare at age 62. However, there are three situations that may allow you to have Medicare before the age of 65. In… Read More
Compare Supplements with the Medigap Comparison Chart You can use our Medicare Supplement InsuranceMedicare Supplements are additional insurance policies that Medicare beneficiaries can purc… Read More
What are the Medicare Advantage Eligibility Requirements? Anyone enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare) is eligible to join a Medicare Advantage plan in their area… Read More
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Medicare? To apply for Medicare, you must prove that you are eligible. Proof may include verifying your age, citizenship or residency status, work histo… Read More
What is the Average Cost of Medigap Insurance? According to our research, the average cost of Medicare Plan G is $132.25 per month, whereas the average cost of Plan N is $98.85. Plan G and P… Read More
Comparing Medigap Insurance Companies by Rate Increases One of the most important bits of information you need before buying a Medicare Supplement policy is its rate increase history. It tel… Read More
What Does Medicare Part B Excess Charges Mean? Healthcare providers that don’t accept Medicare’s standard rates as full payment are allowed to add up to an additional 15% to your… Read More
Why Are Some Medicare Advantage Plans Free? A Medicare Advantage plan with a zero-dollar monthly premium isn’t free because you must continue to pay your monthly Part B premium. A zero… Read More
Should I Switch From Plan F to Plan G? Medicare Plan F premiums are increasing much faster than Medicare Plan G. Plus, in nearly all cases, annualized Plan G rates, plus the Part B deductibl… Read More
What is Medigap vs Medicare Advantage? While they are both private insurance, Medigap and Medicare Advantage are very different. Medigap works in lockstep with Original Medicare to help pay… Read More
Can I Switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap without Underwriting? If you are new to Medicare, and you joined a Medicare Advantage plan, you have a 1-year trial right. During this period… Read More
When Does Medicare Start? Most people should sign up for Medicare coverage starting three months prior to their 65th birthday. However, you can delay enrolling if you have coverage through y… Read More
Does Medicare Have an Out-of-Pocket Max? Depending on the coverage selections you’ve made, your Medicare benefits may have low, high, or even unlimited out-of-pocket maximums. In this… Read More
What are the Worst Medicare Advantage Plans? Every year, Medicare publishes a list of sanctioned Medicare Advantage plansMedicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C, are… Read More
When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Plan? Unlike other types of Medicare insurance, you can apply for, change, or cancel your Medicare Supplement plan at any time. However, there are ru… Read More
What Zip Codes Have The Medicare Give Back Program? The Medicare Part B premium reduction benefit pays all or some of your Part B monthly premium. However, the benefit is not available from… Read More
Medicare Advantage Plans: Are They Bad? Due to their cost structure, a Medicare Advantage plan may be a bad choice if you are a frequent user of healthcare services. Lower monthly premiums a… Read More
What is the Medicare $900 Grocery Benefit? The Medicare $900 Grocery Benefit is legitimate, but not through Medicare. It is a feature of certain Special Needs Plans, and a limited number of… Read More
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and certain individuals with disabilities, plays a crucial role in ensuring access to affordable healthcare. However, the cost of M… Read More
Does Medicare Cover Dexcom G6 or G7? Yes. Medicare will cover the cost of a Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 if you meet their criteria. In fact, Dexcom ships Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 units to Medicare… Read More
Caring for loved ones who are aging, disabled, or have chronic illnesses can be challenging, both emotionally and financially. Thankfully, Medicare offers various support programs to allevia… Read More
Why is My First Medicare Bill So High? The Social Security Administration (SSA) bills you for your Medicare Part B premiums quarterly. All other parts are billed monthly. Your Medicare bill… Read More
Why is My First Medicare Bill So High? The Social Security Administration (SSA) bills you for your Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefi… Read More
Medicare without Social Security Medicare and Social Security benefits are no longer linked. In the past, both benefits were automatic at age 65. This is no longer the case. Today, most peop… Read More
Can You Cancel Medicare Part B? Yes, you can cancel Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. It covers doctor visits, preventative care… Read More
Do I Really Need Supplemental Insurance with Medicare? The reason you need supplemental insurance with Medicare is that Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) only covers… Read More
A while back we wrote about the Flex Card benefit that’s flooding our TVs with commercials claiming outrageous monetary benefits, but only if you qualify. We’re now seeing simila… Read More
With so many Medicare plan options available, and the various differences between them, choosing the right plan can feel overwhelming. So, let’s break it down to help you choose the ri… Read More
If you are getting your Medicare benefits for the first time, you might wonder if Medicare Supplement Plan GIf you're turning age 65 this year, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most compreh… Read More
Did you know that you can get an insurance company’s rate increase history? One of the free services we offer here at MedicareWireMedicareWire is a Medicare insurance consulting agency… Read More
Many people get into a Medicare Advantage plan with the belief that it will cost less than Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medica… Read More
As a general rule, no, you can’t get Medicare at age 62. However, there are three situations that may allow you to have Medicare before the age of 65. In this article, we will do a dee… Read More
If you’re about to sign up for Medicare, and you’re considering a Medicare Supplement plan, you might be wondering how Plan N stacks up to Plan G. After all these are the two mos… Read More
The gaps in Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage… Read More
If you’re shopping for a Medicare Supplement, and you’re wondering how you can save some money on your monthly premiumsA premium is an amount that an insurance policyholder must… Read More
If you are getting your Medicare benefits for the first time, you probably have questions about supplemental Medicare coverage. And you may want to know how you can save money. In this artic… Read More
You may have noticed that Medicare is not the same everywhere. Plans are different. Costs are different. And, benefits are different, too. In this article, we’ll explain the difference… Read More
Medicare covers about 80% of your major medical costs. Unless you have additional coverage, the remaining 20% is paid out-of-pocket. Medigap coverage is used to pay the 20% out-of-pocket cos… Read More
Most people can change their Medicare health coverage and Medicare drug coverage during three different enrollment periodsEnrollment periods are designated time periods to enroll or disenrol… Read More
Many people mistakenly believe that Medicare is free for everybody, including when you turn age 65. After all, during all of the years that we work, we paid Medicare taxes, right? Medicare i… Read More
Is Medicare Plan F going away? Yes and no. Plan F is still available in 2023. However, it isn’t available to everyone. And it may not be the best cost option. To get a Plan F policy yo… Read More
If you are about to get your Medicare benefits, you might be wondering if you can afford a top-shelf Medicare Supplement plan. A better question might be, can you afford not to have Medicare… Read More
Over the past couple of enrollment periodsEnrollment periods are designated time periods to enroll or disenroll from the various parts of Medicare. There are six Medicare enrollment periods… Read More
Medicare Advantage is Medicare Part CMedicare Part C is Medicare's private health plan option. Also known as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part C plans are a type of Medicare health plan offe… Read More
The Medicare program is full of fraud, waste, abuse, and scam artists. So it’s reasonable to research before signing up for a Medicare plan that sounds too good to be true, particularl… Read More
Medicare Part CMedicare Part C is Medicare's private health plan option. Also known as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part C plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by companies that… Read More
The four parts of the Medicare system (A, B, C, and D) give Medicare beneficiaries a choice in how they receive their healthcare benefits. In this article, I will explain what Medicare Part… Read More
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to millions of Americans. There are four parts, A, B, C, and D. Each part provides a different coverage option. Original… Read More
Do you feel like your Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers lim… Read More
Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart Medicare Supplements, which are identified by plans A – N, cover the gaps in Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service he… Read More
The other day a woman new to Medicare wrote to me to ask, “What are the disadvantages of Medigap plans?” As I had clearly spelled out the many reasons people feel Medicare Advant… Read More
Jaw surgeries are indeed covered by Medicare, as are all medically necessaryServices or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted st… Read More
Key Takeaways CMS projects that the Part AMedicare Part A is hospital coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also cover… Read More
An essential part of many Medicare beneficiaries’ treatment is durable medical equipmentDurable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that is designed to last and can be used repeatedly… Read More
Quality sleep is an essential part of your health. If you aren’t getting good sleep, a potential cause can be sleep apnea, which can interfere with your ability to breathe properly whi… Read More
If you have a family history of colon cancer, you might be concerned with getting preventive care to catch any early signs. In this MedicareWireMedicareWire is a Medicare insurance consultin… Read More
A dermatologist can diagnose and treat skin cancers, melanomas, and other tumors of the skin. And that’s important because more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U… Read More
When your hip joint is damaged or worn, you may need hip replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for a hip replacement. However, hip joint damage can also be cause… Read More
If you have Medicare and you are one of the millions of people that require a wheelchair to get around, you might be wondering if Medicare will pay for an electric wheelchair or a mobility s… Read More
Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage.... covers me… Read More
If you have Medicare and you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you might be wondering what’s covered and what isn’t. Diabetes can be an expensive condition to treat. It often re… Read More
Hospital beds are not just for hospital patients. They are available for home use as well. However, a hospital bed is a big medical expense. Thankfully, a hospital bed can be prescribed if y… Read More
When your kidneys stop functioning properly, your body progresses into End-Stage Renal DiseaseEnd-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), also known as kidney failure, is a condition that causes you to… Read More
Active addiction to substances, including alcohol, is a disease. And like all diseases, it needs to be treated. For this reason, Medicare classifies addiction treatment as a medically necess… Read More
If you suffer from abnormal blood pressure, your doctor may suggest that you regularly track your blood pressure with a device called a blood pressure monitor. If you’re on Medicare, y… Read More
You never know when a medical emergencyWhen you believe you have an injury or illness that requires immediate medical attention to prevent a disability or death.... will happen. When it does… Read More
At some point in your life, you’re likely to consider traveling outside of the United States. Perhaps a vacation in Italy or a cruise to Mexico. When you’re planing such a trip… Read More
Fertility issues are not an issue for most Medicare beneficiaries. By the age of 65, most of us have either already had kids or didn’t want a family. However, Medicare is not just for… Read More
If you’re covered by Medicare and have an illness or injury that requires physical therapy, you may wonder, “what does Medicare cover?” More specifically, you’ll like… Read More
If you have received a cancer diagnosis, you may be concerned about which cancer treatments, supplies, services, and prescription drugs Medicare covers. Take a breath and relax, because the… Read More
If you’re on Medicare and you’re allergic to foods, pollen, animals, or another natural substance, you might be wondering if allergy testing is covered. The good news is that it… Read More
Medicare covers bunion removal when your doctor finds it medically necessaryServices or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted st… Read More
Funeral or bereavement expenses are not considered medical expenses. As a result, Medicare does not cover the cost of a funeral for Medicare beneficiaries. And, if the beneficiaryA person wh… Read More
Medicare covers an annual wellness visitMedicare's annual wellness visit is a preventative care service provided to its beneficiaries at no cost. The annual wellness visit is available every… Read More
