Original Medicare is a health insurance program designed for American citizens and permanent residents over the age of 65. This program also accepts candidates below this age range that have any qualifying disabilities or illnesses.

There are three parts of Medicare; A, B, and D. Part A is hospital insurance, whereas Part B is medical insurance. Finally, Part D is prescription drug coverage.

Supplemental coverage can help cover deductibles. As a result, many people find supplemental coverage an asset. If like many others, you don’t want to be responsible for your deductible under Part B of Original Medicare,then supplemental coverage may be right for you.

In addition to Part B, this coverage applies to 20% of coinsurance and other medical expenses. To learn more about supplemental coverage and whether or not it’s right for you, speak with our team today.

Though most insurance plans are flexible and allow for coverage changes, there are certain times when this isn’t possible. There is an open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D every year.

If you have an SEP (Special Election Period), you can change your policy either before or after this period. In addition, there are additional open enrollments available for Medicare Part B. This window runs from the first of January until the 31st of March and is available for those who did not sign up when they were first eligible.

If you’d like more information regarding when you can and can’t adapt your coverage, contact Golden Plan Choice today.

The extra help program was designed to help those who struggle with affording aspects of their health insurance. So, if you come from a lower-income household and have difficulty paying for Part B of Medicare, then this program may be beneficial to you.

In addition to part B, this program can also assist with paying deductibles, coinsurance, and even prescriptions. With the extra help program, you can get the coverage you need at a lower cost than you would with a Medicare plan or solely Medicare Part D.

Of course, some people struggle worse than others. As such, your income and resources will determine the level of help you receive. Typically, enrollees eligible for the extra help program will pay no more than $3.35 for generic drug prescriptions or $8,35 for brand-name. However, this can change.

Your annual income determines your eligibility for this program. If you’d like to know whether or not you’re eligible for the extra help program, reach out to our team today; we are here to help.

There are late enrollment penalties for all three parts of Medicare. These penalties occur when you don’t sign up for each part as and when you are eligible to.

In regards to Part B, you may see a 10% increase in your monthly premium for a 12-month premium. For the most part, you will have to pay this penalty every time you pay for your premiums. The longer you go without coverage, the more your penalty will increase.

However, your premium may not increase at all if you meet certain conditions, enabling you to sign up for Part B during a SEP.

People who don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, will have to buy this coverage. If this applies to you and you don’t buy this coverage when you’re first eligible, your premium may go up by 10%.

You will have to pay this higher premium for double the duration you didn’t have this coverage. So, for example, if you went two years without Plan A, you’ll need to pay this higher premium for four years.

Finally, Part D. Unlike the previous two penalties, the penalty for part D is a permanent addition to your coverage. This premium may be added if you fail to enroll during the allotted period of time for this coverage.

If, at any time after the initial enrollment period, there is a period of 63 or more days where you don’t have Part D coverage, then you will be hit with a late enrollment penalty.

For further clarification on these penalties and to ensure you don’t incur one, speak with our insurance experts today.