You can file a complaint (also called a "grievance") if you have a concern
about the quality of care or other services you get from a Medicare provider.
For example, you are not happy about the care you are getting from your
Medicare health plan or Medicare drug plan, doctor, hospital etc. You may
also file a grievance if you have a problem calling the plan or if you are unhappy
with the way a staff person at the plan treated you. But, if you have a complaint
about a plan's refusal to cover a service, supply, or prescription, you would
file an appeal.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
Monday, January 14, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
U.S Health
A report requested by the U.S government showed Wednesday that
Americans are less healthy and die younger than people in other
wealthy countries. Some of the reasons are Americans are overeating,
lack of health insurance access and high poverty rates.
In the United States we have higher rates of obesity and heart disease
and worse infant mortality rates that other rich countries but we spend
more per person on healthcare.
Why are Americans slipping behind?
The U.S health disadvantage has multiple causes and involves a number of
issues like unhealthy behaviors, adverse economic and inadequate healthcare,
just to name a few.
The United States should look at policies that work in countries with superior
health to find answers or we will continue to fall behind.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
Americans are less healthy and die younger than people in other
wealthy countries. Some of the reasons are Americans are overeating,
lack of health insurance access and high poverty rates.
In the United States we have higher rates of obesity and heart disease
and worse infant mortality rates that other rich countries but we spend
more per person on healthcare.
Why are Americans slipping behind?
The U.S health disadvantage has multiple causes and involves a number of
issues like unhealthy behaviors, adverse economic and inadequate healthcare,
just to name a few.
The United States should look at policies that work in countries with superior
health to find answers or we will continue to fall behind.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Pre-Existing Conditions
Some Medigap policies will not cover pre-existing conditions for the first six months
the policy is in effect. A pre-existing medical condition is a condition for which
you received medical advice or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician
six months before your policy was issued. Even if you were to purchase a Medigap policy
during your "open enrollment" period, the new policy still may not pay for any pre-existing
conditions for up to six months. Compare different policies to see which ones do not cover
pre-existing conditions before you purchase a plan.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
the policy is in effect. A pre-existing medical condition is a condition for which
you received medical advice or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician
six months before your policy was issued. Even if you were to purchase a Medigap policy
during your "open enrollment" period, the new policy still may not pay for any pre-existing
conditions for up to six months. Compare different policies to see which ones do not cover
pre-existing conditions before you purchase a plan.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Health Insurance Rates
Health insurance companies across the country are seeking and winning
double-digit increases in premiums for some customers. The biggest
objectives of the Obama administrations health care law was to stem
the rapid rise in insurance cost for consumers but that has not happen.
Small businesses and people who do not have employer provided insurance
are being affected the most. In California, the top Health Insurance
companies are proposing rate increases of over 20 percent for some of those
policy holders, according to the insurers' filings with the state for
2013.
The California insurance commissioner who is one of the two health plan
regulators in the state, said that without a federal provision giving all
regulators the ability to deny excessive rate increases then some insurance
companies can raise rates as must as they did before the Affordable Care Act.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
double-digit increases in premiums for some customers. The biggest
objectives of the Obama administrations health care law was to stem
the rapid rise in insurance cost for consumers but that has not happen.
Small businesses and people who do not have employer provided insurance
are being affected the most. In California, the top Health Insurance
companies are proposing rate increases of over 20 percent for some of those
policy holders, according to the insurers' filings with the state for
2013.
The California insurance commissioner who is one of the two health plan
regulators in the state, said that without a federal provision giving all
regulators the ability to deny excessive rate increases then some insurance
companies can raise rates as must as they did before the Affordable Care Act.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
Monday, January 7, 2013
Health Insurance Exchange
On Thursday Jan. 3, 2013 Obama administration approved plans by
seven states to create health insurance exchanges.
That brings the total to 17 states that the White House has signed
off on blueprints for those states to operate their own exchanges
in 2014, as long as they continue to meet certain benchmarks over
the course of the next year.
There is more work to be done for these states to be ready for open
enrollment in October, but the director of the department's Center
for Consumer Information believes they've made significant progress.
The majority of states did not submit applications to run their own
marketplace. They now have a couple of options. These states can
decide to partner with the federal government overseeing certain parts
of the new exchange, or leave the entire task to the Obama administration.
By Feb. 15, 2014 the States must notify the federal government of which
option they will pursue.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
seven states to create health insurance exchanges.
That brings the total to 17 states that the White House has signed
off on blueprints for those states to operate their own exchanges
in 2014, as long as they continue to meet certain benchmarks over
the course of the next year.
There is more work to be done for these states to be ready for open
enrollment in October, but the director of the department's Center
for Consumer Information believes they've made significant progress.
The majority of states did not submit applications to run their own
marketplace. They now have a couple of options. These states can
decide to partner with the federal government overseeing certain parts
of the new exchange, or leave the entire task to the Obama administration.
By Feb. 15, 2014 the States must notify the federal government of which
option they will pursue.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Understand Medicare Advantage Plan's care provider network
Most Medicare Advantage plans work with a network of doctors and
pharmacies to coordinate the care for their members. Private insurers
negotiate with doctors and pharmacies to offer special pricing, which
translates into lower costs for members. Medicare beneficiaries should
visit in-network doctors and pick up their drugs from in-network pharmacies
whenever possible, to help save money.
Some Medicare Advantage plans allow members to see out-of-network
doctors,but the price of the services provided is usually higher.
Also, some plans do not cover services provided by out-of-network
doctors. So it is important for members to understand their plan's
policies before getting care.
We specialize in Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans so contact our
agency and an agent can assist you and make sure you fully understand your options and make
sure you get the best rates available. We cover Southern California,counties of Riverside,
San Bernardino and surrounding area's. We also cover Nevada and all of Utah. Please visit
us online at Medicareplansdirect.net or call 760-413-9749.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
pharmacies to coordinate the care for their members. Private insurers
negotiate with doctors and pharmacies to offer special pricing, which
translates into lower costs for members. Medicare beneficiaries should
visit in-network doctors and pick up their drugs from in-network pharmacies
whenever possible, to help save money.
Some Medicare Advantage plans allow members to see out-of-network
doctors,but the price of the services provided is usually higher.
Also, some plans do not cover services provided by out-of-network
doctors. So it is important for members to understand their plan's
policies before getting care.
We specialize in Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans so contact our
agency and an agent can assist you and make sure you fully understand your options and make
sure you get the best rates available. We cover Southern California,counties of Riverside,
San Bernardino and surrounding area's. We also cover Nevada and all of Utah. Please visit
us online at Medicareplansdirect.net or call 760-413-9749.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Medigap & Travel
Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M and N provide foreign travel
emergency health care coverage when you travel outside the U.S
If you bought one of theses plans that are no longer offered
E, H, I and J before June 1, 2010 you may keep it. These plans
also provide foreign travel emergency health care coverage when
you travel outside the U.S.
Medigap Plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M and N pay 80% of the billed
charges for certain medically necessary emergency care outside the U.S
after you meet a $250 deductible for the year. These Medigap policies
cover foreign travel emergency care if it begins during the first 60 days
of your trip, as long as Medicare doesn't cover the care.
There is a lifetime limit of $50,000 for Foreign Travel emergency coverage
with these Medigap policies.
Sincerely,
Tom Caress
760-413-9749
medicareplansdirect.net
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