Q: If I enroll in the state advantage plan this year, can I go to a supplemental plan with guaranteed issue NEXT YEAR?
No, your Guaranteed Issue Period will have expired at that point and you will be required to go through medical underwriting no matter what Medicare Supplement plan you choose.
Q: What about USAA MS plan?
USAA only sell Medicare Supplement plans to USAA members and only through their internal agents. If you would like more info on USAA you will need to contact them directly.
Q: I am a SURS retiree... no dependents. Please Clarify the "deadline" issues. When do I need to "opt out?" and then by when do I need to secure supplement and Part D drug plan?
You need to Make the choice between selecting the State's Medicare Advantage program or opting out of it by December 13th. If you choose not to enroll in the State's plan you will have a window to select a Medicare Supplement and a Part D drug plan that will extend for 63 days after the termination date of your current coverage (which will end on January 31st)
Q: If I am on a Medicare Advantage HMO and move to another state and want to change to traditional Medicare Plan F, or G, is the move considered a qualifying event where pre-existing conditions and medical exams do not apply?
It would be a qualifying event only if the HMO does not offer services in the location you are moving to.
Q: blue cross /blue shield not on portal. also Aetna. Can you handle? Also any reason not to go with the cheapest available.
We can handle Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna & AARP. It is worth noting that Aetna sells Medicare Supplements in the State under the name of "American Continental Life Insurance Company" which is displayed on the quote grid.
Q: I won't be 65 until 9/14 - will SURS send me a termination of coverage letter then?
Yes, however you won’t need it since your 65th birthday is a qualifying event for Open Enrollment and requires no documentation.
Q: How much for your service???
you select. We do not charge anything to the consumer.
Q: Will the state also provide a guaranteed issue letter for my spouse/dependent?
They should. However, if they don’t, then your termination letter along with a copy of a proof of that policy (i.e. insurance card or policy statement) with your spouse's name on it should suffice.
Q: I am still working and have Medicare part A. What are my choices?
You could keep other insurance if available, or you could activate your Medicare Part B and get a Medicare Supplement and drug plan, or you could opt for the States advantage plan at that point.
Q: In what situation or for what type of person is the state's Advantage program equal to or better than a supplement program?
It’s all a matter of preference. If you aren't concerned about future health events, you know for a fact that all of your doctors/specialist/hospitals will accept your plan and you are okay with the likelihood that the advantage plans coverage levels/cost with fluctuate with the changes the State and insurance carriers are going to make over time, then an Advantage Plan might work well for you. On the other hand Medicare Supplements are grandfathered from the time of purchase so there can never be a lowering of benefits. It ultimately is a decision for the individual to make.
Q: In an email we were warned about losing traditional Medicare. It is my understanding that these Medicare Advantage plans will cover everything that traditional Medicare covers. What am I missing? Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services that Traditional Medicare covers but the level they cover them to, the requirements they put in place and the cost to you are vary.
Q: Drug plans?
You are able to choose from any Part D drug plans in your area. Currently there are over 30 to choose from in any given area and you get to determine the one that’s suited best for you is based on what you drug needs are.
Q: I didn't get what you said about what Advantage plans cover--just that they shift things around. Please clarify.
To answer this let me quote the Medicare handbook… "A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another way to get your Medicare coverage. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have
Medicare. You’ll get your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans,
sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare." To better understand how this works here is Medicare’s explanation of how this is supposed to work... "Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care each month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan for non-emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year."
Q: Why isn't AARP MS plan at SUAA Portal?
2 reasons, AARP plans are more expensive than most other plans and AARP has a unique discounting system based on criteria that make it extremely difficult for individuals to access a correct quote without agent assistance. They are available through us but you will need to call and speak to us directly to get the pricing and application.
Q: When do we have to get this applied for?
Within 63 days of your existing coverage ending.
Q: There are only two days left in the Medigap sign up period. How can I sign up without the guaranteed issue letter? And I now live in Arizona, will that be a problem?
Being anywhere in the US won’t be a problem. You don’t need a GI letter to apply but you will need to get one if health questions are preventing you from being issued. Simply call SURS to get the letter and send it to us if needed.
Q: With either Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement I still keep paying the monthly Medicare premium - Correct?
Yes, that premium is paid to the federal government and with be paid by you no matter what you choose to do.
Q: Can someone who is not a SUAA member use your services?
Yes, SUAA has directed us to make this tool available for everyone.
Q: what other companies do you represent? Do you represent Cigna?
We represent all major carriers available to the general public including Cigna
Q: So far, your comparisons don't take into consideration the $1000 annual out of pocket maximum. The side by side comparisons available in the SUAA Medicare portal offer side -by-side comparisons and include both the $1000 and $3000 annual limit options for the Advantage Plans. It is worth noting that the Medicare Supplement plan "G" has an annual out of pocket maximum of just $147.
Q: State Plan does not separate husband and wife. MS plans separates - is this true?
Both the State's Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Supplements will be individual policies. This is because they are both sourced from Medicare which is always an individual coverage.
Q: Tobacco use: Is that now or anytime in the past?
In most cases it is within the last 12 months.
Q: do you sent application to SURS?
No, you will send the application to Insuraprise.
Q: I now live in Arizona. Will this cause problems with enrollment in a Medigap plan through Insuraprise? No, we are a national company that can process your application no matter where you live in the United
States.
Q: How does vision and dental coverage fit into all this?
You can purchase a separate Dental, Vision or hearing coverage if you wish. The costs for these are
very low and our agents can facilitate that for you.
Q: Won't the current Illinois plan continue until she qualifies for Medicare?
According to what has been released by the State, yes spouse's coverage should be available to those
not Medicare eligible.
Q: The CMS opt out option says you are opting out of medical Rx drug, and vision. Sounds scary.
the drug needs of most seniors that the existing formulary under the State's group plan. Q: My wife will be 65 in June of 2014. Does any of this apply to us?
She will be "open enrollment" at that time so she will be able to get any Medicare Supplement plan she
wants
Q: The one disadvantage I see for a supplement is that I am not going to pay a monthly premium. I didn't pay this for Cigna previously.
Correct, if you were under the State Retirees Insurance program with 20 years of service you would not have to pay a premium. You will also not have to pay a premium for the new Advantage plans either. However, most enrollees are under the College insurance Program or the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program and have always and will continue to have to pay a premium.
Q: what about the Dec 13 deadline?
That is the deadline for you to sign up for the State's Advantage Plan options. It has no impact on the timeframe for your enrollment if you are choosing not to go with the State's options.
