Collin County Living Well Magazine Winter 2014 | Page 32
MEDICARE CHANGES FOR 2015
By Tucker Thompson
B
ecause of the impact that
some of these changes can
have on both your healthcare and checkbook, thorough
reviews are recommended! Highlights are mentioned below with
special emphasis on checklists to
help you better understand your
choices.
While most Medicare recipients
still won’t pay any “monthly premiums” for Part A in 2015, patient
responsibilities per benefit period
will include a $1260 “deductible”
for hospital stays from 1-60 days,
and a $152 “coinsurance” after 20
days for skilled nursing facility stays.
Part B “monthly premiums” will be
$104.90 again this year, with final
figures income based. Additional
patient costs include a $147 annual deductible and 20% of your
Medicare approved bill, the same
as last year.
To help offset costs, Medicare supplements or Part C [including Advantage Plans, HMOs, PPOs, PFFS]
offer additional coverage seniors
can buy. While some plans can
save you thousands, others can
cost you thousands!
WHEN REVIEWING PLANS:
•Make sure your doctors accept
the plan.
•Carefully review the coverage,
monthly premiums, deductibles &
co-pays.
•Ask what the maximum, worse
case out of your pocket is.
•Check at least one other com
pany’s plans for comparison!
•Look at company support sys
tems (an 800#) with or without a
local agent.
Prescription Drug Plans [Part D] for
2015 have made changes to their
formularies, their premiums, deductibles and co-pays.
WHEN REVIEWING
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS
•Make sure your prescriptions are
on the plan’s formulary!
•Estimate expected annual costs
for your prescriptions.
•Is there an option to save using
“mail order” or buying a 90-day
supply?
•What is the monthly premium?
Include any deductibles!
•Are “preferred pharmacies” con
venient for you?
For 2015
“the
gap/donut
hole”
is between $2960 and $4700. You
are responsible for paying 45% of
your brand name drugs and 65%
of your generic drugs while in this
“gap/donut hole”. The Cost of Living Adjustment [COLA] for Social
Security participants is 1.7% for
2015.
With so many moving parts to
Medicare, seeking help from an
experienced, independent agent
who specializes in Medicare plans
and is licensed with several companies can be indispensable!
Tucker Thompson CSA, the author, has worked in the insurance
field for over 22 years. His time is
spent helping individuals review
or enroll for new medical, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Life and Long
Term Care policies.
New
Medicare choices in 2015
could mean better coverage for less money!
You can apply to change a Medicare supplement policy
anytime during the year!
Senior Life Division
Medicare Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Long-Term Care Policies
Life Insurance
Benchmark Financial Services is a local company with a Senior Life Division dedicated
to helping seniors review & find Medicare healthcare and prescription plans that best
fit each individual’s needs. With a strong commitment to offer independent,
unbiased advice, we are licensed with over 30 national companies and are not
“employed” by any of these companies whose plans we might recommend.
local (972) 548-1629 or toll free (888) 247-1829
32
COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | WINTER 2014
Your Local Agent:
Tucker Thompson
Certified Senior Advisor