Dallas County Living Well Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 44
MEDICARE CHANGES FOR 2015
B
By Tucker Thompson
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 company’s
plans for comparison!
• Look
at
company
support
systems (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” convenient 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!
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
42
NORTH DALLAS Living Well Magazine | SPRING 2015
Your Local Agent:
Tucker Thompson
Certified Senior Advisor