Medicare Blog

how can community blue medicare in pa not have a premium

by Pamela Sawayn Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

What is community Blue Medicare PPO?

 · With Community Blue Medicare PPO, you have access to a select network of community doctors and hospitals in 9 counties in western Pennsylvania and 34 counties in north east and central Pennsylvania. Plus you also have the additional freedom to travel across the United States and find in-network coverage. Community Blue Medicare PPO is a plan ...

What is the difference between community blue and Highmark senior health company?

 · If a provider does not participate, neither Medicare nor Community Blue Medicare HMO will be responsible for the costs. ... Community Blue Medicare HMO. P.O. Box 1068. Pittsburgh, PA 15230-1068. Current Members Call: 1-888-234-5397 (TTY/TDD users call: 711) 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST, 7 days a week.

What if I Can’t afford Medicare’s Premiums?

View a map of counties and participating facilities in the Community Blue Medicare HMO service area. Depending on the county, the monthly premium range is between $15 and $25. Aside from the low monthly premium, other key benefits include a $5 copayment for primary care office visits and a $5 copayment for select generic prescriptions.

Do Medicare savings programs pay for Medicare Part A and Part B?

 · Medicare supplement insurance, sometimes called Medigap, is private insurance that fills in the gaps left by Medicare. For instance, when you have a hospital or doctor bill, Medicare pays its approved amount first, then the supplemental insurance pays other costs, such as deductibles and copays. There are several different Medicare supplement ...

What is a community blue HMO?

Community Blue Medicare HMO is a Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization that offers affordable plans made possible by partnerships with community hospitals. Community Blue Medicare HMO includes a high-value network of select providers, PLUS an enhanced service model to assist in finding doctors, making medical appointments, and coordinating your health information between doctors and hospitals.

Is Highmark a HMO?

Highmark Choice Company is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract.

How many Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are there?

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans.

What is Highmark Blue Shield?

Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

Who runs Medicare approved health plans?

These Medicare-approved health plans are run by private insurance companies and provide benefits for hospital, doctor, and other health care provider services covered under Original Medicare Parts A and B as well as supplemental benefits that vary by plan. The insurer receives money from Medicare and may also charge you a premium in some cases, ...

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare supplement insurance is private insurance that fills in the gaps left by Medicare. For instance, when you have a hospital or doctor bill, Medicare pays its approved amount first, then the supplemental insurance pays other costs, such as deductibles and copays.

What is the age limit for Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Supplement Coverage. If you are 65 , you are eligible for Medicare. As you approach your 65 th birthday, you should consider applying for Medicare. Opens In A New Window. . There are two types of Medicare: original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Does Medicare Advantage require you to use a doctor?

Medicare Advantage might require you to use certain doctors and hospitals. Prescription drug coverage is available under Medicare Part D. Prescription drug benefits are included in some Medicare Advantage plans but otherwise must be purchased separately.

Does Medicare Supplement Plan A include dental coverage?

However, the premium you pay for that plan may differ from one company to another. It is important to note that most Medicare supplement plans do not include dental or vision coverage.

Does Medicare cover my spouse?

Your policy will not cover your spouse. Choosing the right Medicare supplement plan can be complicated. There are a number of questions to ask.

Does Medicare Supplement Plan A have the same benefits?

All insurance companies must offer the same benefits under a given plan. In other words, Medicare Supplement Plan A will have the same benefits regardless of which company sells it. However, the premium you pay for that plan may differ from one company to another.

What is Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and , in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

How often does Medicare evaluate plans?

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

How to get extra help for Part D?

For plans with Part D Coverage: You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778 or consult www.socialsecurity.gov; or your Medicaid Office.

How to contact Medicare by phone?

For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

Does eHealth pay commission?

Under a contractual relationship between eHealth and each insurance company issuing a policy offered by eHealth, eHealth earns a commission paid by the insurance company for each policy eHealth sells. The commission rate varies by policy and may increase as eHealth sells more policies. In some cases, eHealth may earn bonus commission amounts based on criteria such as the number of policies sold.

Who may contract with other plan sponsors?

Pharmacies, Physicians, and Providers may also contract with other Plan Sponsors.

Do you have to have Medicare Part A or Part B?

You must have Medicare Part A or Part B (or both) to join a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Members may enroll in the plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the plan for more information.

What is the income limit for Medicare Part A?

The income limits are higher (up to $4,339/month for an individual, and $5,833 for a couple in 2020), but the asset limit is lower, at $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple.

What is extra help for Medicare?

Medicare offers “ Extra Help ” for Medicare enrollees who can’t afford their Part D prescription drug coverage. In 2020, if you’re a single person earning less than $1,615 per month ($2,175 for a couple), with financial resources that don’t exceed $14,610 ($29,160 for a couple), you may be eligible for “Extra Help.”.

What is QMB in Medicare?

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB). Helps to pay premiums for Part A and Part B, as well as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. This is the most robust MSP, and has the lowest income limits for eligibility. A single person can qualify in 2021 with an income of up to $1,094 per month ($1,472/month for a couple).

Does Medicare cover out of pocket costs?

A: Yes. Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) can help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Does Medicare cover long term care?

Medicare does not cover custodial long-term care, but Medicaid does, if the person has a low income and few assets. Almost two-thirds of the people living in American nursing homes are covered by Medicaid (almost all of them are also covered by Medicare).

Is Medicare a dual program?

Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility. People who are eligible for MSPs are covered by Medicare, but receive assistance with premiums (and in some cases, cost-sharing) from the Medicaid program. But some low-income Medicare enrollees are eligible for full Medicaid benefits, in addition to Medicare. About 20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are dually ...

What is Freedom Blue PPO?

Freedom Blue PPO or Community Blue Medicare PPO pays remaining amount up to negotiated local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan contracted rate

What is the limiting charge for Medicare?

A provider who does not accept the Medicare- approved amount, or assignment, is permitted to receive up to 115 percent of the Medicare-approved amount (called the “limiting charge”). The difference between what the plan pays and the amount that provider is eligible to receive as the limiting charge may be billed to the member. (This is referred to as balance billing.)

What is the suitcase symbol on a Medicare card?

A suitcase symbol with a Medicare Advantage designation will appear on your ID card. Medicare- eligible members, simply present your ID card when you receive care, and the provider submits the claim to the local Blue Plan. The local plan partners with Highmark to coordinate your benefits and ensure prompt and accurate claims payment.

What is a highmark PPO?

As a Medicare Advantage Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Highmark’s Freedom Blue PPO and Community Blue Medicare PPO plans provide access to a national network of participating providers.

What is an in network provider?

In-NetworkContracted providers or non-contracted providers in an area without a Medicare Advantage Network

Does Highmark pay for Medicare?

Highmark will not pay for any service received from a provider who has opted out of the Medicare program. Please note: Emergency and urgently needed care is always reimbursed at the higher, in-network level, regardless of where the care is received. How It Works.

Can Freedom Blue PPO be a Blue Cross?

If a Freedom Blue PPO or Community Blue Medicare PPO member lives or travels in a location where there are no participating Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO providers, they can go to any Medicare-eligible provider and receive covered services at the higher, in-network level of reimbursement.

Why do all insurance policies have an annual statewide adjustment?

All policies will have an annual statewide adjustment, due to inflation or other reasons.

Does community rated insurance have a discount?

First, community-rated plans sometimes start higher and almost always have a built-in enrollment discount that diminishes a little each year. This causes the premium to increase automatically every year, in addition, you will have a “state-wide” rate adjustment each year.

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