Changing Your Medicare Plan

Senior on computer
Most health care plans offer one-year terms, and Medicare plans are no different. There are lots of reasons why you, as a Medicare beneficiary, might need to change plans: Maybe your health care needs have changed, and you need benefits not offered by your current plan. Some specialists, therapies, or prescription drugs are probably excluded from your plan,...
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Why You Need Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage

Older gentleman with glasses
One of the things I hear often from beneficiaries is that they’re concerned to find out that Original Medicare does not pay for everything — especially “extras” like vision, dental, and hearing coverage. If you’re transitioning from employer-provided health care to Medicare, you’ve probably had vision, dental, and hearing benefits all along. Since Medicare doesn’t cover them,...
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Enroll Now for an Affordable 2019 Health Insurance Plan

Woman and man on computer
Open Enrollment for 2019 individual and family health insurance plans starts on November 1, 2018, and ends December 15, 2018. Beginning November 1, you can apply for a new health insurance plan, change your health plan type, or make updates to your existing health plan, such as adding dependents. Any new plans or changes you make by December 15 will go into effect on January 1,...
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Considering Medicare Advantage? Get the Facts

A doctor talking to an older adult about her Medicare Plan
You might have heard Medicare Advantage plans discussed as an alternative to “original” Medicare, but did you know that these plans have been around, in some form, since the very beginning of Medicare? Medicare Advantage plans are part of a program that allows private insurers to provide Medicare benefits to enrollees on behalf of the federal Medicare program....
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Family Health Insurance: Taking Care of Those Who Depend on You

Family of 4
You would probably go to great lengths to protect your family, and enrolling in family health insurance is one of the most important ways to do just that. Here are five good reasons to keep your family covered:

1. Health insurance helps keep your family healthy

Health care isn’t just about taking care of illnesses and injuries when they arise....
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How does Independence Blue Cross decide which medications to cover?

Doctor and patient rx
Health insurance companies maintain a list of covered prescription medications. This list is called a formulary, and it is an important tool for you and your doctor. It’s the master list of all the generic and brand-name drugs for which plan members receive benefits, and can help members and providers choose medications that will be most cost-effective....
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Value-Based Care: Understanding Price vs. Value in Healthcare

Health professionals talking
As with any big decision or large investment you make, one critical component should be understanding the difference between the price you’ll pay and the value you’ll receive. When it comes to your organization’s healthcare benefits, likely your second largest expense after payroll, knowing what you are getting for your money is more complex than ever before....
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For Caregivers: Helping a Loved One Navigate the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

An older adult with a younger adult reading a health plan brochure.
Providing care for an older adult is rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Navigating the world of Medicare and the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) doesn’t have to add to your stress, though. Although there is a lot to consider during AEP, with a little bit of knowledge, you’ll be navigating Medicare decisions like a pro....
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Save Money with Medicare’s New Benefits for Beneficiaries

You probably already know that Medicare Advantage plans cover lots of benefits that aren’t a part of Original Medicare, but did you know that starting January 1, 2019, the savings are about to increase? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have expanded health plans’ ability to offer health-related benefits as part of their Medicare Advantage plan benefits,...
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