You can enroll in a MEDICARE Health or Part D prescription drug coverage in the privacy and safety of your home.
Online here on this site, over the phone or have a free confidential and private in home personal appointment.
O'Neal Insurance Group can guide you through the diverse and sometime confusing maze that can be original Medicare and advantage health plans that are available in your state.
Medicare is one of the oldest federal health insurance programs available to new Medicare beneficiary and individuals with disabilities in the great state of Alabama.
By November 2018, more than a million residents in Alabama enrolled in original Medicare. This accounted for at least 21% of the state’s population and the numbers have kept growing since then.
These numbers indicate that Medicare is one of the most popular health plans in Alabama. Not only does it give residents medical security, but it also provides them with a versatile range of options to choose from.
This, however, can get confusing for anyone who is signing up for a health plan for the first time. It’s why we’ve decided to breakdown the essential elements of Original Medicare Health Plans to make things easier for you.
Aetna, Cigna, GTL, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare MEDICARE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS IN ALABAMA:
It doesn’t matter if you’re over 65 or about to age into medicare because it’s your birthday and it is just around the corner―everyone should have basic knowledge about their Medicare health plans available in Alabama. Even if you’re already enrolled in a Medicare health plan due to a disability, you could still benefit from supplemental solutions that maximize your health coverage.
Luckily, Medicare offers multiple health plans and carriers to fit your needs like Aetna, Cigna, GTL, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare .
The standard health plan covers hospital care, inpatient care and home health care (offered in special circumstances). The plan also includes medical care in a hospice environment and a skilled nursing facility.
For this plan, you’ll receive coverage for hospital expenses that are deemed essential to your health by a doctor. These include a semi-private room, nursing services, meals, and medications.
This health plan covers specialist care including outpatient care, preventive care, and special medical supplies/equipment (e.g, wheelchairs). It also covers home health care during special situations.
Many residents in Alabama enroll in Part A and Part B as a combo healthcare plan to cover their hospital and medical insurance. Both plans don’t cover custodial care, dental care, and prescription costs.
Unlike other Medicare health plans, this one is managed by private insurance companies that collaborate with Medicare. The plan covers everything that the Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) offer along with supplementary benefits. These include dental care, eye checkups, fitness classes and more.
The supplementary plan covers out-of-pocket expenses and additional services that aren’t always included in an Original Medicare plan. These benefits include coinsurance, copayments, and, deductibles.
The plan covers prescription coverage that aligns with your healthcare and treatment plans. The list of drugs included in this coverage may vary. Beneficiaries have to buy standalone Medicare Part D plans that are compatible with their Original Medicare health plan. They can also enroll in Medicare Advantage plans that include Part D coverage.
The best idea is to select a healthcare plan that fits your medical needs. We can guide you through the process and recommend cost-effective alternatives during your consultation.
The eligibility of Medicare health plans depends on your U.S citizenship. If you are a U.S citizen or have a permanent legal residency for a minimum 5 years, then you can apply for an Original Medicare Health Plan.
Each benificiary must meet these standards:
Anyone who is enrolled in Part A and B plan is eligible for a Part C or Part D plan. Also, make sure that you live in the service area for the plan you’ve enrolled in.
Hint: Medicare disability includes permanent physical and mental impairment that requires continuous treatment.
Many residents in Alabama also sign up for Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplemental insurance plans. Both plans cover out of pocket costs associated with original Medicare and have their own co pays, deductibles, and coinsurance. These are, however, generally lower than Original Medicare.
Medicare in Alabama is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Enrollment is handled by Social Security which may deduct premiums for Part B from the beneficiary’s Social Security benefits.
The Alabama Department of Insurance regulates insurance companies in Alabama. Insurers offer Medical Advantage plans and Medical Supplemental Insurance plans. If you have a complaint with your insurance company, you should report directly to the Department of Insurance.
Original Medicare is not always enough to cover your medical expenses. This is where Medicare Advantage comes in.
Some of the more advanced plans also cover transportation to health care providers and gym memberships.
The two most commonly available Medicare Advantage plans include:
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a network of healthcare providers who provide reduced rates for members. This means if you visit an out-of-network specialist, your insurance company won’t cover the costs of medical care and you will have to foot the bill yourself.
HMOs give increased flexibility to beneficiaries in cases of emergency since they won’t have to wait to get a doctor’s appointment. Members of HMO are required to gain a reference from their Primary Care Provider before they can see a specialist.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) offers more flexibility to enrollees when it comes to choosing their own specialists and doctors. It is optional to get a reference from a primary care provider, although your rates might be low if you do so. PPOs also have a network of providers, seeing a specialist outside of the network will result in out-of-pocket costs.
Residents of Alabama who have both Medicaid and Medicare may become eligible for a Special Needs Plan (SNP). These plans have networks that function like an HMO or PPO.
Enrolling for Medicare in Alabama is relatively simple. Beneficiaries who have already signed up for Social Security will automatically enroll in Medicare without additional steps. Those who do not receive Social Security will have to enroll through the website or by calling Social Security.
If your employer provides health benefits, you can still enroll in Part A.
There are three enrollment periods to sign up for Medicare:
Example: If you turn 65 in April, the period will start from January through to July. This is a 7-month long period that starts three months before you turn 65.
Beneficiaries who didn’t sign up because of group coverage will receive special enrollment that lasts for 8 months after your coverage ends.
Eligible residents can sign up for Medicare from January to March every year. Thecoverage will start on July 1.
It is worth noting that eligible residents who fail to sign up for Part B during their initial enrollment may incur a late penalty of 10% for every year they wait.
The penalty will last for the duration of Medicare.
At O’Neal Insurance Group, we have in-depth knowledge about Original Medicare Health Plan in Alabama. We can help you evaluate the best options that suit your specific medical needs and special circumstances.
Best of all, we provide these services for free with no charge for your consultation.
