Medicare Blog

what are the extra medicare benefits fot virginia

by Van Grimes Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Plans are required to offer the same level of care as Original Medicare and may include additional health care benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, routine hearing, vision, and dental exams, and fitness club memberships: For 2022, there are 132 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Virginia

Full Answer

Can I get help Paying my Medicare costs in Virginia?

There are programs in Virginia that can save you money: the Extra Help Program and the Medicare Savings Programs. You may qualify to get help paying for the Part D premium and/or your Part B premium. If you can answer “YES” to these questions, you should apply for help paying your Medicare costs:

What are the Medicare Advantage Benefits?

Your Medicare Advantage benefits may include discounted gym memberships, yoga classes, weight management counseling, and other routine wellness services not covered under Original Medicare.

What benefits do I get with the Virginia Premier advantage elite plan?

When you have the Virginia Premier Advantage Elite (HMO D-SNP) plan, you get extra benefits on top of your medical, hospital, and prescription drug coverage. Need to know how to use your benefits? Select the benefit below to find out. Please refer to your Evidence of Coverage for specific benefit limits.

Are you eligible for medical assistance in Virginia?

There are several Medical Assistance Programs offered in Virginia. Each program covers different groups of people and each program has different eligibility requirements. When you apply for Medical Assistance, you are screened for all possible programs based on your age, income, financial resources, and other information.

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What extra benefits can you get from Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as:Safety devices for the home that reduce the risk of injury. ... Transportation to health-related services, such as the doctor's office or pharmacy.Emergency care coverage outside the country.Over-the counter medications.Adult day-care services.

What are the additional benefits with Medicare Part A and B?

Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage. Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage. Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information). Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

What is the best Medicare supplement plan in Virginia?

Medicare Supplement Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N are the best Medicare Supplement plans in Virginia. These three plans are considered the best for overall satisfaction, cost, and coverage level. Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive plan. However, only some beneficiaries can sign up for this plan.

How much is Medicare in the state of Virginia?

Medicare in Virginia by the NumbersPeople enrolled in Original MedicareAverage plan costAnnual state spending per beneficiary1,153,271Plan A: $0 to $499 per month* Plan B: $170.10 per month**$9,328Apr 16, 2022

Is there a Medicare plan that covers everything?

Plan F has the most comprehensive coverage you can buy. If you choose Plan F, you essentially pay nothing out-of-pocket for Medicare-covered services. Plan F pays 100 percent of your Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance amounts, and excess charges.

Does Medicare Part B pay for prescriptions?

Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. covers a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs under certain conditions. A part of a hospital where you get outpatient services, like an emergency department, observation unit, surgery center, or pain clinic.

How much does Medigap cost in Virginia?

How Much Do Medigap Policies Cost?Plan TypePremium RangePlan F$126-$352Plan G$97-$337Plan N$80-$288

What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?

This is where the differences between Plan G and N start. Plan G covers 100% of all Medicare-covered expenses once your Part B deductible has been met for the year. Medicare Plan N coverage, on the other hand, has a few additional out-of-pocket expenses you will have to pay, which we'll cover next.

What is Plan G Medicare supplement?

Plan G is a supplemental Medigap health insurance plan that is available to individuals who are disabled or over the age of 65 and currently enrolled in both Part A and Part B of Medicare. Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plans that are available to purchase.

What is the income limit for Medicare in Virginia?

Your countable income must be no more than $1,074 per month. If you are married and your spouse's income is counted, the limit is $1,452 per month. If your income is higher, you may be eligible for another Medicare Savings Program under Medicaid.

What does Medicare cover in Virginia?

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, inpatient skilled nursing care (for circumstances such as nursing care in transition from inpatient hospital care to home), some home health care and hospice care.

What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2022?

$170.10The standard Part B premium amount in 2022 is $170.10. Most people pay the standard Part B premium amount. If your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago is above a certain amount, you'll pay the standard premium amount and an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).

Does Virginia help with my Medicare premiums?

Many Medicare beneficiaries who struggle to afford the cost of Medicare coverage are eligible for help through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). In...

Who's eligible for Medicaid for the aged, blind and disabled in Virginia?

Medicare covers a great number of services – including hospitalization, physician services, and prescription drugs – but Original Medicare doesn’t...

Where can Medicare beneficiaries get help in Virginia?

Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) Free volunteer Medicare counseling is available by contacting the Virginia Insurance C...

Where can I apply for Medicaid in Virginia?

Virginia’s Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Virginia Health Access (DVHA). Individuals can apply online for Medicaid or the MS...

What is the income limit for Medicare in Virginia?

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): The income limit is $1,063 ...

How much can you get Medicaid in Virginia?

In Virginia, applicants can qualify for Medicaid for the aged, blind and disabled with monthly incomes up to $851 (single) and $1,150 (married). Individuals with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid benefits for the aged, blind and disabled can enroll in the Medicaid spend-down in Virginia. The monthly income limit for Extra Help in Virginia is ...

What is the income limit for HCBS?

The income limits for HCBS are $2,349 (single) and $4,698 a (if married and both spouses are applying). Spousal impoverishment rules in Virginia allow spouses of nursing home or HCBS recipients to keep a monthly housing allowance of up to $647. Virginia requires applicants for Medicaid LTSS to have a home equity interest of $595,000 or less.

What is the maximum home equity for Medicaid?

In 2020, states set this home equity level based on a federal minimum of $595,000 and maximum of $893,000.

Does Medicare give you extra help?

Medicare beneficiaries who receive Medicaid, an MSP, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also receive Extra Help – a federal program that lowers an enrollee’s prescription drug costs under Medicare Part D. Individuals can also apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration if they don’t receive assistance automatically.

Does Medicaid cover long term care?

Regular Medicaid for the aged, blind and disabled benefits don’t ordinarily cover Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS), but community-based LTSS services are available to beneficiaries whose medical and financial situation makes them eligible for a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver.

Does Medicaid count income of spouse?

Eligibility rules for Medicaid LTSS programs differ from other Medicaid benefits when only one spouse is applying. When this occurs, only the applying spouse’s income is counted. (Normally with Medicaid benefits, the income of both spouses is counted – regardless of who is applying.)

How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Virginia?

All counties in Virginia have Medicare Advantage plans available, with plan availability ranging from 15 plans in Culpepper County to 46 plans in Loudoun County. In Virginia, 37 insurers offer Medigap plans and nearly 430,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the state have Medigap coverage. As of 2021, Virginia will require Medigap insurers ...

How many Medicare beneficiaries are there in Virginia?

The other 1,152,353 Medicare beneficiaries in Virginia had Original Medicare as of 2020.

How much does CareFirst charge for Medigap?

CareFirst’s Medigap Plan A for people under age 65 is significantly more expensive than the average Plan A premiums charged by other insurers for people who are 65 years old ( over $7,000 per year as of 2020, whereas nearly every other company is charging 65-year-old enrollees less than $2,000 per year for Plan A).

What is the Medicare age in Virginia?

In Virginia, 14 percent of Medicare beneficiaries (more than 200,000 people) were under age 65 as of 2017. The majority of the states have enacted rules to ensure access to Medigap plans for disabled enrollees under age 65; Virginia joined them with legislation that was signed into law in 2020 and will take effect in 2021. ...

How many insurance companies offer Medigap plans in Virginia?

Medigap plans are sold by private insurers, but they’re standardized under federal rules and regulated by state laws and insurance commissioners. There are 37 insurers that offer Medigap plans in Virginia as of 2020.

What percentage of Medicare beneficiaries are disabled?

In Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi, 22 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are disabled and under age 65. At the other end of the spectrum, just 9 percent of Hawaii’s Medicare beneficiaries are eligible due to disability.

How many people are on Medicare in Virginia?

Nearly 1.5 million residents are enrolled in Medicare in Virginia; 15 percent are under age 65 and eligible due to a disability. Fewer than one in five Virginia Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. All counties in Virginia have Medicare Advantage plans available, with plan availability ranging from 15 plans in Culpepper ...

What are the benefits of Medicare Advantage?

In some cases, you may be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that covers alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and even acupuncture. In addition, your plan may include other comprehensive benefits such as: 1 Counseling to manage life changes, conflict resolution, and grief in both individual and group sessions that would not otherwise be covered under Original Medicare. 2 Enhanced disease management services for people with serious or chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. 3 Bathroom safety devices and safety counseling for individuals at risk for falls. Your plan may also cover a comprehensive in-home safety assessment to help minimize the risk of injury and falls at home. 4 Temporary home meal delivery for up to four weeks following surgery or inpatient hospital stay 5 Personal emergency response system to notify emergency personnel in the event of fall or other medical event. 6 Telemedicine or other remote health services, including a nursing hotline; in some cases, you may also qualify for remote monitoring devices. 7 Transportation assistance to get you to and from covered health care appointments. 8 Wigs for hair loss following chemotherapy for cancer.

Does Medicare cover chiropractic care?

In some cases , you may be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that covers alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and even acupuncture. In addition, your plan may include other comprehensive benefits such as:

Do you have to pay a deductible on Medicare Advantage?

Keep in mind that there may be annual limits and restrictions on these additional Medicare Advantage benefits, and that you may need to pay a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance amount when you access them. If these benefits are important to you, check your plan documents before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Do you lose Medicare Advantage benefits if you switch?

Under federal law, all Medicare Advantage plans must include, at a minimum, all the benefits included in Original Medicare, except for hospice care, which is still covered under Medicare Part A. You do not lose any benefits if you enroll in or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. However, you may be able to enroll in a plan ...

Is Medicare Advantage available?

There are many different Medicare Advantage benefits available depending on the plan you choose. Because these plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare, they can offer extra benefits not available under Original Medicare. Find affordable Medicare plans in your area. Find Plans.

Does Medicare cover eye exams?

Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams or prescription eye glasses except in certain limited situations. However, depending on where you live, you may have Medicare Advantage benefits for routine vision care, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses. Dental care.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs?

Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, but be sure to read your plan documents to understand what medications are covered, if any, and your financial responsibility for covered medications, since this can vary greatly from plan to plan.

What is Medicare Advantage?

It provides basic provisions for hospital and medical costs under its Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage, often referred to as Medicare Part C , is an alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans are provided by private health insurance companies and bundle together the coverage in Parts A and B and typically include coverage for expenses not included in Original Medicare, such as prescription drugs and vision and dental services.

How does an HMO work?

With an HMO plan, you access your Medicare benefits through your plan’s network of hospitals and physicians. You’re generally required to choose a primary care doctor who provides the majority of your health services and refers you to specialists in your plan’s network for services outside of their scope of care. In most cases, HMOs are the most cost-effective options, but these plans have little flexibility. If you get health care services outside of your plan’s network, you generally pay the entire bill unless it was an emergency situation.

Is PFFS a HMO?

PFFS plans aren’t as common as HMO and PPO plans, and only a limited number are available in Virginia. Each PFFS plan has its own terms and conditions for how much the plan pays out for services and how much you pay. The plan can be used at any provider who agrees to the plan’s payment terms. Some plans have networks of health care providers who agree to always accept the plan’s terms, and providers who aren’t part of the plan’s network can opt to accept or decline the coverage on a case-by-case basis.

Does VA offer counseling for seniors?

In Virginia, seniors have access to the VA Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program. This program provides free, unbiased options counseling for Medicare-eligible seniors with counselors who answer questions about the state’s CCC Plus waiver program, Medicare and Medicare Advantage benefits, long-term care insurance, and prescription drug coverage. This counseling is administered at different locations throughout the state.

Do you have to choose a primary care provider for a PPO plan?

In most cases, you don’t have to choose a primary care provider, and the networks tend to be much larger than HMO networks.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs?

One of the biggest benefits of Medicare Advantage is that most plans include prescription drug coverage, which isn’t available under Original Medicare. HMO and PPO plans usually have this coverage included, but if not, you aren’t permitted to add this coverage via a Part D plan. PFFS plans may have this coverage, but you can add prescription drug coverage if yours doesn’t. SNPs always cover prescription drugs.

How much does Medicare cost in Virginia?

While many people qualify for premium-free Part A, the monthly cost can be as much as $471.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance, paying for hospital care, inpatient skilled nursing care for up to 100 days, hospice, and some home health care. Medicare Part B complements Part A by covering outpatient services, including doctors’ visits, medical equipment, and some preventative exams and screenings.

What can a counselor do for Medicare?

Counselors can help you with filing Medicare claims and appeals.

Does Medicare Advantage cover dental?

Many Medicare Advantage Plans include a prescription drug component and cover wellness programs and routine dental, vision, and hearing care. You must have Medicare parts A and B and live in a plan’s service area to be eligible for Medicare Advantage.

Does Medicare Part D have a deductible?

Medicare Part D requires a separate premium and has a deductible, copay, and coinsurance costs. These plans may cover different drugs, and your cost for each generic or brand-name drug can vary.

What is the Medicare Advantage rate in Virginia?

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicare Advantage participation in Virginia represents just 20% of eligible beneficiaries, while the national participation rate is 34% . Virginia ranks 38th in Part C membership, tied with Oklahoma, Montana and North Dakota. Medicare Advantage participation is far higher in Minnesota, ...

How long can you be on Medicare Advantage?

The period spans from 3 months before the month of one’s 65th birthday to 3 months after one’s birthday month.

What is a preferred provider option?

Preferred Provider Options provide greater flexibility for plan participants than a typical HMO. Under a PPO, members can seek care from any health care provider inside the network of preferred practitioners. Costs within the network are paid at plan rates, and coverage may be reduced or denied for nonemergency services delivered by non-plan providers. Monthly premiums for PPOs tend to be higher than premiums for HMOs, though beneficiaries are usually free to seek specialist care without the approval of a primary care physician.

When does Medicare open enrollment start?

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: From January 1-March 31 each year, anyone who is already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan, or disenroll and switch back to Original Medicare.

Does Medicare Advantage have a higher monthly premium?

Prescription coverage may cost Medicare Advantage beneficiaries a higher monthly premium, and costs at the point of sale can be higher, depending on the details of the seniors’ specific Medicare Advantage managed care plan.

Can seniors get Medicare in Virginia?

In Virginia, seniors have three main options for how they want to receive their Part C benefits, HMOs, PPOs and SNPs. Seniors who are eligible for Original Medicare in Virginia are free to choose a plan with the services and costs that best suits their need for coverage.

What are the programs that can save you money in Virginia?

Get EXTRA HELP with your Medicare Costs. There are programs in Virginia that can save you money: the Extra Help Program and the Medicare Savings Programs. You may qualify to get help paying for the Part D premium and/or your Part B premium.

What is the number to call for Medicare fraud in Virginia?

Using a team of trained volunteers, Virginia SMP provides outreach, counseling and education. Call 1-800-938-8885 to report suspected Medicare fraud or to receive fraud prevention materials. Watch and share this short SMP video to learn more and help others: https://youtu.be/LlqtkiyAoxs.

What is a vicap?

The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) is part of a national network of programs that offers FREE, unbiased, confidential counseling and assistance for people with Medicare.

Does VICAP sell insurance?

Counselors can also help with health care appeals, denials and identifying those eligible for low-income subsidies. VICAP counselors are not licensed to sell insurance. Counselors are trained and certified to help you understand and compare benefits, ...

Can a VICAP counselor sell insurance?

VICAP counselors are not licensed to sell insurance. Counselors are trained and certified to help you understand and compare benefits, assist with filing for benefits based on income and resources, and inform you of your rights.

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