The main reason someone would consider attending a seminar is to compare plans and get the best Medicare Advantage plan for their circumstances. But these Medicare meetings are generally put on by agents representing only one company.
Full Answer
Should I attend a Medicare seminar?
When you attend a seminar, keep in mind that they are usually hosted by an agent or representative for a company, and have a product to sell. As helpful as the speaker may be in explaining how Medicare and your coverage options work, it is important to think about how they may be biased towards their product or their company.
How do I choose the best Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage seminar?
If you are interested in learning specifics about Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans, you should choose a sales seminar. Sales seminars can go over all of the same information as educational seminars, as well as the details of Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans.
Why is it important to know how people qualify for Medicare?
It’s important to know the different ways that people qualify for Medicare so you can help current and former employees and their dependents anticipate their eligibility for Medicare so they can make timely and appropriate decisions about their enrollment. 2.
Do you have additional questions about enrolling in Medicare Advantage or supplement?
If you have additional questions about enrolling in our Medicare Advantage or Supplement products, our experts will be able to answer specific questions at the end of each presentation. Register below, or call us at 1-800-262-BLUE (2583) (TTY: 711) 7:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m., seven days a week (excluding holidays).
What is a Medicare workshop?
Educational seminars cover topics related to Medicare like eligibility, when and how to enroll, and how to determine your Part B premiums. They may also include general information about your options for other coverage.
What changes are coming to Medicare in 2022?
Changes to Medicare in 2022 include a historic rise in premiums, as well as expanded access to mental health services through telehealth and more affordable options for insulin through prescription drug plans. The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans dropped while access to plans grew.
What happens if you don't choose a Medicare plan?
If you don't switch to another plan, your current coverage will continue into next year — without any need to inform Medicare or your plan. However, your current plan may have different costs and benefits next year.
What do most people choose for Medicare?
More than twice as many people enrolling in Medicare choose traditional Medicare over a Medicare Advantage plan.
What will Medicare cost in 2023?
CMS finalizes 8.5% rate hike for Medicare Advantage, Part D plans in 2023. The Biden administration finalized an 8.5% increase in rates to Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, slightly above the 7.98% proposed earlier this year.
Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?
If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.
Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?
Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)
Do I need Medicare Part D if I don't take any drugs?
Do I need Medicare Part D drug coverage if I don't take any prescriptions? En español | If you don't have other drug coverage that's considered “creditable,” meaning at least as good as Part D, the answer is yes.
At what income level do Medicare premiums increase?
For example, when you apply for Medicare coverage for 2022, the IRS will provide Medicare with your income from your 2020 tax return. You may pay more depending on your income. In 2022, higher premium amounts start when individuals make more than $91,000 per year, and it goes up from there.
What percent of seniors choose Medicare Advantage?
[+] More than 28.5 million patients are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, according to new federal data. That's up nearly 9% compared with the same time last year. More than 40% of the more than 63 million people enrolled in Medicare are now in an MA plan.
What are the top 3 Medicare Advantage plans?
The Best Medicare Advantage Provider by State Local plans can be high-quality and reasonably priced. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and United Healthcare earn the highest rankings among the national carriers in many states.
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage plan?
AARP/UnitedHealthcare is the most popular Medicare Advantage provider with many enrollees valuing its combination of good ratings, affordable premiums and add-on benefits. For many people, AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans fall into the sweet spot for having good benefits at an affordable price.
Why do people attend Medicare seminars?
The main reason someone would consider attending a seminar is to compare plans and get the best Medicare Advantage plan for their circumstances. But these Medicare meetings are generally put on by agents representing only one company.
What is Medicare seminar?
Most seminars related to Medicare are primarily focused on Medicare Advantage plans. These Medicare meetings are held primarily as informational events designed to educate you about Medicare Advantage.
When does Medicare Advantage end?
Medicare Advantage Plans with a January effective date can be applied for during the Annual Enrollment Period which begins October 15th and ends December 7th.
Does Medicare seminar come with meal?
But Medicare seminars no longer come with a meal. You may be served snacks and a beverage but not a meal. Any gifts given cannot have a value greater than $15 and must be given to everyone. Any gift cannot be readily exchanged for a cash equivalent.
When is Medicare seminar 2021?
15 Tips for Hosting an Educational Medicare Seminar. June 15, 2021. An educational Medicare seminar is a great way to establish credibility and reach new prospects in your community.
What is the best day to do a seminar?
The general rule of thumb is the best days to hold a seminar are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our target audience is people who are 4-6 months away from turning 65, and most of them are still working.
What is an educational seminar?
An educational seminar is completely educational – no marketing or sales activities are going on . You're not talking about any specific plans, and you're not handing out any promotional or marketing materials. Finally, you are definitely not enrolling anyone in any plans during an educational seminar.
When you're standing up in front of an audience, do you need some experience?
When you're standing up in front of an audience, you need some experience in order to confidently present the material and answer questions. Nothing deflates your credibility faster than getting a question and not knowing the answer.
Register for a Seminar
Select from one of the following dates to join a live online or in-person seminar hosted by one of our Medicare experts. If you have additional questions about enrolling in our Medicare Advantage or Supplement products, our experts will be able to answer specific questions at the end of each presentation.
Watch an Online Seminar Anytime
Watch our pre-recorded, in-depth seminars about our Medicare Advantage plans, Original Medicare & Medex Supplement plans, and Prescription Drug plans, led by Sue Flanagan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Get to know your Medicare Advantage Plan (for existing members)
Welcome Medicare Advantage plan members. Learn what your Medicare Advantage plan has to offer and the online tools available to get the most out of your plan.
How long do you have to enroll in Medicare?
However, the law only allows for enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and premium-Part A (Hospital Insurance), at limited times: 1 Initial Enrollment Period – a 7-month period when someone is first eligible for Medicare. For those eligible due to age, this period begins 3 months before they turn 65, includes the month they turn 65, and ends 3 months after they turn 65. For those eligible due to disability, this period begins three months before their 25th month of disability payments, includes the 25th month, and ends 3 months after. By law, coverage start dates vary depending on which month the person enrolls and can be delayed up to 3 months. 2 General Enrollment Period – January 1 through March 31 each year with coverage starting July 1 3 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – an opportunity to enroll in Medicare outside the Initial Enrollment Period or General Enrollment Period for people who didn’t enroll in Medicare when first eligible because they or their spouse are still working and have employer-sponsored Group Health Plan coverage based on that employment. Coverage usually starts the month after the person enrolls, but can be delayed up to 3 months in limited circumstances.#N#People who are eligible for Medicare based on disability may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period based on their or their spouse’s current employment. They may be eligible based on a spouse or family member’s current employment if the employer has 100 or more employees.
How long is the initial enrollment period for Medicare?
Initial Enrollment Period – a 7-month period when someone is first eligible for Medicare. For those eligible due to age, this period begins 3 months before they turn 65, includes the month they turn 65, and ends 3 months after they turn 65. For those eligible due to disability, this period begins three months before their 25th month ...
How long do you have to wait to get Medicare if you have ALS?
People under 65 are eligible if they have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or certain Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits for at least 24 months. If they have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), there’s no waiting period for Medicare.
What is a SEP in Medicare?
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – an opportunity to enroll in Medicare outside the Initial Enrollment Period or General Enrollment Period for people who didn’t enroll in Medicare when first eligible because they or their spouse are still working and have employer-sponsored Group Health Plan coverage based on that employment.
What is the goal of a Medicare visit?
According to Medicare.gov, the goal of the visit is to develop or update a personalized prevention plan, “designed to help prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk factors.”.
Who is the least likely to get a wellness exam?
Out of the rather small percentage of eligible patients who are participating in annual wellness visits, they found that non-white patients with higher medical risk who were dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid were the least likely to receive an annual wellness exam.
Does Medicare pay for a comprehensive exam?
Medicare does not pay for the comprehensive exam that most people think of when they think of “physical.”. Another potential problem with the annual wellness visits, Dr. Ganguili notes, is that many patients end up with unexpected medical bills from what they thought was a free checkup.
Is a wellness exam required for Medicare?
Is the Medicare Wellness Exam Mandatory? Medicare covers a “Welcome to Medicare” visit and annual “wellness” visits. While both visit types are available to Medicare recipients, recipients aren’t required to participate in either visit type to maintain their Medicare Part B coverage.
There Are Two Different Kinds of Seminars
- Before signing up for a Medicare seminar or workshop, you need to make sure you’re going to the right kind. There are two types to choose from. Depending on the information you are looking for, you will need to decide to attend an educational seminar or a sales seminar. Educational semina…
You Still Need to Shop
- When you start Medicare, you get an Open Enrollment Period. This period is very valuable, as it is the time that you will have the most options available to you. While the information you receive at a seminar can be helpful, don’t squander this period by signing up without shopping around first. You should compare plans and carriers to ensure that you’re getting the best coverage and rate. …
Think Twice Before Paying
- Most Medicare seminars are free; in fact, many will have food and beverages to thank you for coming! There is a wealth of information and advice about Medicare available free of charge from trusted sources online, including the Medicare website. If you are considering attending a seminar that has a fee, ask yourself what are you getting that’s worth the cost? Nothing on this website s…