Healthcare News & Stories

Approximately 54 million people in the United States have a disability. Regarding health insurance, insurers consider a person disabled when they cannot perform job duties due to an illness or injury. Also, people who struggle with a disability often struggle to get the medical coverage they need. Medicare covers a wide range of issues, but does Medicare cover disability insurance?
This article will focus on Medicare services and whether or not it covers disability insurance. It will also offer specifics about who Medicare can help (those with Lou Gehrig’s disease, end-stage renal disease, or who are over 65) and social security disability insurance.
For people with disabilities, finding affordable health plan coverage that meets all of their needs can be challenging. Finding a qualified insurance agent can be a big help if you are seeking assistance enrolling in Medicare coverage. Health Plans of North Carolina can help. Explore our options today.

Upon turning 65, many seniors opt to enroll in Medicare. Medicare is federal health insurance coverage designed to support individuals over 65, who have eligible disabilities, or who have End Stage Renal Disease. While Medicare offers multiple parts and is considered quality healthcare, it isn’t comprehensive enough for everyone. So what is the best health insurance for seniors on Medicare?
For most Americans, medical insurance can be quite costly. Finding affordable health insurance alongside Medicare that covers basic needs, emergency care, long-term care, prescription drug coverage, and dental can be quite challenging. Some private insurance companies can raise monthly premiums as you age, making it very difficult to pay for the coverage you need.
The purpose of this article is to explore health insurance options for seniors on Medicare, and to help them find the best option available. For more information about health insurance options in the state of North Carolina, explore our website today. 

Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, also known as Medigap, are types of health insurance plans meant to help individuals pay for out-of-pocket expenses. Primarily, it provides coverage for monthly premiums, copayments, and coinsurance. With several different plan types, you may be able to find a supplement plan that works best for you. You can also speak with a licensed and experienced health insurance agent to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

There is no such thing as perfect insurance. When unexpected health concerns arise, even the best insurance plans may not be enough to cover all the costs. Knowing what Medicare supplemental insurance options are available can be extremely helpful for individuals with Medicare. But what is the average price of Medicare supplemental insurance?
Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) refers to extra insurance that can be added to your regular medical coverage plan. Users can purchase Medigap through a private insurance company, helping them pay out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans aren’t like normal insurance plans. Their purpose is to cover the expenses you may be responsible for in your Original Medicare plan.
This article will focus on supplemental insurance and why you need it. It will also answer questions like, what is the average cost of a Medicare supplement? And, what is the average cost of medicare part B supplemental insurance?

Having quality medical insurance is extremely important. Living without healthcare may make you susceptible to substantial medical bills you can’t afford. There are several different healthcare options, including employer insurance and Medicare. So, you may wonder, “Can I have employer insurance and Medicare?”.
Employer coverage refers to health insurance purchased by your employer. This insurance is then offered to their employees as part of a benefits package. An employer health plan is considered private health insurance coverage. 
Meanwhile, Medicare is a form of federal health insurance offered to people 65 or older, younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. Since it is federal-based insurance, it is not considered private. 

In today’s world, taking care of your health starts with proper health coverage. You could get stuck with massive, avoidable debt without health care coverage that meets your medical needs. Private insurance and Medicare are two of the more popular forms of medical insurance. You may wonder, “Can you have private insurance and Medicare simultaneously?”
Private insurance refers to health coverage offered by the private health insurance industry. Private insurance companies that operate as separate, individual businesses offer a private insurance plan. According to a 2020 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 68 percent of Americans have private health insurance.
Meanwhile, Medicare is a federal insurance plan eligible for adults 65 or older, individuals with disabilities, or people suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease. The government directly offers Medicare, not private insurance companies. 

Medicare Advantage continues to grow in popularity with Medicare beneficiaries. Data released in January 2023 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows Medicare Advantage provides coverage for just over half of all Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. So out of almost 60 million people enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, just over 30 million are enrolled in a private plan.

At Health Plans of NC, our experienced and professional team of locally based health insurance agents are here to help you. We've recently launched a new website to make it even easier for anyone living in North Carolina to access the best health insurance plan.  You can request a quote online in seconds simply by providing your zip code. It's a great way to get a quote fast, and we'll assign you to one of our knowledgeable North Carolina agents here to help you find the right plan for your health needs and budget. But if you want more control over your chosen agent, we recommend you look at our new 'Find an Agent' feature. This tool gives you the power to choose which insurance broker you use. 

What Else Should I Consider When I Apply For Medicare?
To start, you will only need to apply for Medicare once. This is done through the Social Security Administration. You can stay with Original Medicare or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage plans have an out-of-pocket limit. This means that after paying a set amount, Medicare will fully cover all eligible medical expenses. 

While comprehensive health insurance is essential, fees can be concerning. Monthly premiums, copays, and coinsurance can all add up. However, there are potential solutions for Medicare members to lessen high-pocket costs.
Medicare Supplement plans, Medigap, can effectively cover costly medical expenses. With proper information, you can better understand what the supplemental is and the benefits it can have. In this article, we will discuss everything you need about Medigap and answer the question, “Do I need supplemental insurance with Medicare?
What is Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)?

An Individual’s health should be one of their top priorities in life. Finding the correct medical insurance, though, can feel tricky and confusing. For many, the options are Medicare vs private health insurance. It is important to understand and compare the two. With the right information, you can make a proper decision on what is best for you.
Medicare vs. Private Insurance: Comparison Overview
Medicare is a health insurance program established by the federal government. 

U.S. President Joe Biden recently signed the Inflation Reduction Act authorizing the government to negotiate prices on some prescription drugs and allow the government to cap the costs of Medicare. With over 63 million Americans receiving Medicare health benefits, the law is likely to affect many people throughout the country, including those living in North Carolina. 

Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan for anyone currently enrolled in Medicare. Before its introduction in 2006, many Americans spent thousands of dollars each year covering the costs of their prescriptions.  If you need help finding a prescription plan, our locally based NC health insurance brokers can help. We specialize in assisting people in North Carolina find the best prescription drug plan for their needs.

With many people finally able to start planning for travel again after Covid-19, it's essential to consider your health insurance coverage while you're away. While there's nothing like exploring new places, being prepared for any unexpected costs is necessary to ensure you're not left significantly out of pocket on your vacation.  Where you're traveling, and the type of Medicare policy you have can impact your coverage while you're away. It can also be a good idea to purchase additional insurance depending on your coverage. If you have any questions, a local health insurance agent can help you decide on the right policy for you, so you can rest assured and enjoy your trip.

Medigap Plan M is a type of Medicare Supplement Plan offering basic coverage to help cover the gap for costs not covered by Original Medicare Part A and Part B. It provides a low monthly premium, but you must pay for half of your hospital deductible and 100% of your yearly outpatient deductible. 

Medigap Plan L is a type of Medicare Supplement Plan. This plan helps cover the gaps not covered by Original Medicare, such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition, Medigap Plan L provides a lower premium if you're willing to share some of your health care costs with your insurance provider. 

Medigap Plan K is a basic Medicare Supplement plan, offering similar benefits to other types of plans but with lower premiums. Purchasing a Medigap Plan K also provides you with a cap on your out-of-pocket maximum. A Medigap Plan K plan supplements Original Medicare Parts A and B.

Medigap Plan D is a Medicare Supplement Plan that helps cover the gaps in coverage not covered by Original Medicare. There are 10 different Medigap plans available in North Carolina. Medigap Plan D offers more coverage than Medigap Plan A or Medigap Plan B, but not as many benefits as you can get if you purchase Medigap Plan C, Medigap Plan F, or Medigap Plan G. It's important to realize that Medigap Plan D is a different plan from Medicare Part D, which provides coverage for prescription drugs. Though their names are very similar, Medigap plans do not provide coverage for any prescription drugs. 

Medigap Plan A refers to coverage that helps you pay for some out-of-pocket costs from Original Medicare, including Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical.) Medigap Plan A is also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan A. It shouldn't be confused with Medicare Part A, a different plan that offers distinct benefits. 

Medigap Plan B is a standardized Medicare Supplement plan. In North Carolina, you can choose from 10 different Medigap policies to supplement Original Medicare Parts A (Hospital) and B (Medical.) Although Medigap Plan B sounds similar to Original Medicare Part B, they are not the same and offer different levels of coverage.

A Medigap Plan C is a health insurance plan covering almost all of Original Medicare's coinsurance requirements, except for excess charges relating to Medicare Part B. Medigap Plan C is also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan C.  As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare can no longer cover the Medicare Part B deductible.  Because Medigap Plan C covers the Part B deductible, this plan is no longer available to people new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. It's important to realize that Medigap Plan C is not Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage). These are two unique plans with different levels of coverage included. 

When you're a part of an employer-sponsored high-deductible plan or health savings account plan, you might want to consider purchasing a High-Deductible Plan G supplement also known as a Medigap plan. This plan is similar to the High Deductible Plan F, but it doesn’t provide coverage for your Medicare Part B deductible. 

If you previously had a health savings account plan or a high-deductible plan through your employer, you may be interested in purchasing a Medicare Supplement High-Deductible Plan F plan, also known as Medigap coverage. High-Deductible Plan F includes the usual benefits you expect from a regular Medigap Plan F. The key difference is that you manage your health care costs until you reach your yearly deductible. After that, your plan works just like a standard Medigap Plan F. Choosing a high deductible for your plan can help reduce your monthly premiums.

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