Introducing our new website!

I'm pleased to introduce Mutsko Insurance Services's brand new website. Click here to check it out at http://mutskoinsurance.com

Our newest feature gives you the ability to get online insurance quotes from me. Just click on the Online Quote link and fill in your information. I'll shop around and present you with up to three different choices of the best insurance plans to fit your needs. It can be a great time and money-saver for you.

While you're visiting the site, please sign up for our free quarterly newsletter. It's quick and easy to do. If you want to see a sample of the information that is contained in the newsletters, you can read some of the previous issues on the website.

Let me know how you like our new website. And, if you have any suggestions on improvements we can make, please let me know.

Get all your Medicare questions answered.

To help bridge any Medicare information gaps, I will be presenting 90 minute informational sessions called,  "Getting Started with Medicare."  Please register for one of the following classes:

 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Mentor Library – Garfield Room

 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

8215 Mentor Ave.

Mentor, OH 44060

440-255-5700

 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Andover Library

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

142 W. Main St.

Andover, OH 44003

440-293-6792

For a complete list of other class dates and times, visit www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars or call Mutsko Insurance Services at 440-255-5700.

 

Sessions are educational only: no specific insurance products or prices will be discussed.  Some fee may be required by individual locations. Pre-registration is required.

 

Don't guess about your health insurance. Get the facts. Plan to attend one of my classes before you need to make important decisions about Medicare

How Can I Get Vision and Dental Coverage Under Medicare?

Dental and routine eye exams for eyeglasses or contact lenses are not covered by Original Medicare.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Vision and Dental Coverage.         

Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C) offer the same coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B, plus a number of additional benefits that Original Medicare does not offer. Dental and vision care is often included in Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Supplements May Have Vision and Dental Coverage Options.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (Medigap) are insurance plans that can help pay for costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Some Medicare Supplement Insurance plans offer discounts or additional dental and vision benefits.

Considering Your Choices. It’s important to research the Medicare options that are available to you. Call me to set up an appointment today and I’ll help you find the plan that’s most suitable for you. Call 440-255-5700 or email me at lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com

 

Facts on Health Care Exchanges (Obamacare) and Medicare

The Health Insurance Marketplace, often referred to as Obamacare, does not affect people on Medicare. The New Health Care Exchanges are specifically for people who do not have affordable health insurance or cannot be covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

To my policyholders who have individual health care coverage with me . . . I will be contacting each of you in November or December during the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period to review your coverage. We will discuss your current insurance plan and the options you now have with the Health Care Exchanges (Obamacare.) I have received comprehensive training on all the new health insurance options open to you and will explain the impact of health care reform when we talk.

If you or members of your family would like more information, call me at 440-255-5700.

What to do if your Advantage Plan is no longer available

Is your plan still available in your county?

Some popular Medicare Advantage Plans are being discontinued in Lake and other Ohio Counties. Please read your Annual Notice of Change carefully to make sure yours is not one of these.
If it is, there is no need to panic. Call me at 440-255-5700. I’ll help you find a comparable plan to suit your needs. You have until December 7 to shop around and switch to different Advantage plan.

While you’re checking, look to see if your current plan has made significant changes in other areas of coverage including:
-       Co-pays
-       Out of Pocket Costs
-       Prescription Costs & Formularies
-       Doctors in your network

If you find changes, call me and we'll figure out if there's a plan that's more suitable for you.
As an independent agent, I represent many of the most respected insurance companies in Ohio and I will shop around and help you find the best plan, premium and company based on your needs. You never pay a dime for my services.

Please review your Annual Notice of Change, today. If you have elderly family members or friends, please help them review their plans, too. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call me if you have questions and we’ll set up an appointment to do a Medicare review together.

Are you baffled by Medicare?

Got questions on Medicare?
Find health insurance baffling?

Please join me for

Getting Started with Medicare
Morley Library
Thursday, October 17, 2013
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
814 Phelps St., Painesville, OH 44077

We will spend an hour and a half delving into Medicare and what going on Medicare will mean for you.
This class is free, but we request you pre-register by calling 440-255-5700 to make sure we have enough materials for everyone who attends.

Click here for other class dates, times, and registration information http://www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars
(These events are only for educational purposes and no plan specific benefits or details will be shared.)

Premiums. Co-Pays. Co-Insurance. Do you understand these Medicare Terms?

 Here's some information to help you understand the terms used to describe your Medicare costs.

 

(reposted from Medicare Made Clear)

Whether you get your Medicare benefits through Original Medicare or through a Medicare Advantage, you are likely to have some out-of-pocket costs. The key is to understand upfront what you will be charged for and how the amount you are charged is determined. With this information, you can start to estimate what you might pay out-of-pocket with different plans you might be considering during Medicare Open Enrollment.

 

Here is a brief explanation of the main ways that Medicare shares the cost of your care with you.

• Premium – This is a fixed amount you may have to pay, usually monthly, to participate in a Medicare Advantage or other private Medicare health plan. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you also pay a premium to Medicare. Part A is premium free for most people. Some Medicare Advantage plans do not have a premium.

• Deductible – This is a fixed amount you must pay for your medical care before Medicare or other insurance pays. Deductibles apply during a calendar year, and the amount can vary among private Medicare plans of the same type. With Original Medicare, Part A and Part B each have a deductible. Some plans may not have a deductible.
•  
• Copayment – Also known as a copay, this is a fixed amount you pay for a service or product at the time you get it. With a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D), for example, you might pay a $10 or $20 copayment each time you fill or refill a prescription. 

• Coinsurance – This is what you pay when the total cost of a service or product you receive is split with your plan. It is a percentage. For example, Medicare Part B might pay 80% of the cost for a visit to your doctor, and you would pay 20%.

Both Original Medicare private Medicare plans use these cost-sharing methods. But each plan has its own terms and conditions, so it’s important to read the plan material carefully.

 

Got Questions on Medicare or the new Heath Insurance Marketplace?

You're not alone! 

With the introduction of the new Health Insurance Marketplace coming almost at the same time with Medicare Open Enrollment, it's no wonder so many people have questions. The good news is that we have time to get all your questions answered before open enrollment closes on December 7 for Medicare. Call me at 440-255-5700 or email me at lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com and we'll talk.

If you're turning 65 or going on Medicare for the first time, please attend Getting Started with Medicare.. This class is designed to make Medicare easy to understand for those new to Medicare or
those who want a refresher on it.

In all, I will presenting Getting Started with Medicare at more than a dozen locations in the coming weeks. Here's a link to all my upcoming classes:

http://www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars. 

You'll find classes conveniently located in Lake, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Summit and Lorain Counties.

Health Insurance Facts - Some Key Dates

There are some key dates you'll want to mark on your calendar:

• October 1, 2013: Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period begins
• January 1, 2014: New Health coverage can start
• March 31, 2014: Open enrollment ends

Medicare recipients have a different set of Open Enrollment dates. These are

• October 1, 2013: Medicare Open Enrollment period begins
• December 7, 2013:  Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends
• January 1, 2014:  Medicare changes go into effect for 2014

Medicare Late Enrollment Premium Penalties

It pays to enroll on time. 

When you become eligible for Medicare, it is important for you to sign up for Part A, Part B and Part D during your Initial Enrollment Period or you may be subject to penalties. 

Medicare Made Clear explains the penalties as follows:

“Part A Enrollment Penalties

Most people are eligible for Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D at age 65. Coverage for Part A is usually available without having to pay a monthly premium as long as you or your spouse worked and paid taxes for ten years. If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A, then it’s especially important to sign up during your initial enrollment period to avoid a possible 10% penalty on top of your monthly premium. You would have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years you were eligible for Part A, but didn’t sign up for it.

Part B Enrollment Penalties

Part B charges a monthly premium. The amount that you pay is based on your income and tax-filing status. You will need to sign up when you are first eligible to avoid an additional 10% of your Part B premium for every 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, but didn’t sign up for it. Usually, you will have to pay the monthly penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. You can delay enrollment in Part B without penalty if you quality for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Part D Enrollment Penalties

One way to avoid having to pay Part D penalties is to sign up for a Part D drug plan as soon as you become eligible. Or, you can delay enrolling in Medicare Part D without penalty, but only if you have had other prescription drug coverage at least as good as Medicare. This is known as credible coverage. If it’s been more than 63 days since you’ve had creditable coverage, then the penalty may apply. For each month you delay, you may have to pay an additional 1% of the average premium per month. You will pay that penalty for as long as you’re enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan.”

If you don’t sign up for Part A and or Part B (for which you must pay premiums) when you are first eligible, you can sign up between January 1–March 31 each year. Your coverage will begin July 1. You may have to pay a higher Part A and/or Part B premium for late enrollment.”

If you have questions about enrolling, give me a call at 440-255-5700 or email me at lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com and ask me about timely enrollment and how it can save you a lot of money at a later time.

Health Insurance Marketplace opens on October 1

On October 1, the Health Insurance Marketplace opens for business.

This means that people who up until now could not get affordable health care through their Medicaid, Medicare or their workplace, will be eligible to buy health insurance on their own without any worries of being turned down.The health coverage they purchase through the Marketplace will go into effect on January 1, 2014.

The enrollment period closes after March 31 of 2014 unless there is a major life event like relocation to another state changes to one's income or changes in family status. There will be a penalty for failing to have any kind of health insurance in 2014. The penalty in 2014 will be $95 per adult or 1 percent of adjusted family income, whichever is higher. The penalty will increase to $695 or 2.5% of income in 2017. 

People enrolling will have a choice of four levels of insurance:  platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Platinum will have the highest premium but the lowest out-of-pocket expenses. Bronze will come with the lowest monthly cost but the highest possible out-of-pocket costs. 

Remember, the new Health Insurance Marketplace does not affect Medicare or those on Medicare. The Marketplace is specifically for people who do not have affordable health insurance or cannot be covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

I will be posting regular updates on this topic. Please send me your questions and I'll do my best to answer them here. Send them to lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com.

Medicare will NOT be affected by the Health Care Marketplace

The massive advertising campaign directing consumers to sign up for the new Health Care Exchanges, often referred to as “Obamacare,”  has confused many Medicare recipients. Here’s the bottom line . . .

People on Medicare do NOT need to do anything with the Marketplace during Open Enrollment. The Health Insurance Marketplace that starts in October, 2014 is designed to help people who don’t have any health coverage.

Medicare benefits are not changing under the Health Care Marketplace. Medicare’s Open Enrollment isn’t part of the Marketplace.

Julie Bataille, spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said, “We want to reassure Medicare beneficiaries that they are already covered, their benefits aren’t changing and the Marketplace doesn’t require them to do anything different.”

Medicare and the Health Care Marketplace

Seniors are asking some good questions about the new Health Care Marketplace and how it will impact them. The questions I hear most often are:

“Do we have to sign up like some people are saying?”
and
“Does the new program change my Medicare or my Medicare Advantage plan?

Frankly, the government hasn’t been very clear about seniors and the new national health care program. This is because the Health Care Marketplace will not influence how people age 65 and older and younger people with disabilities already on Medicare access health care.

“We want to reassure Medicare beneficiaries that they are already covered, their benefits are not changing and the marketplace doesn’t require them to do anything,” said Michele Patrick, Medicare’s Deputy Director for Communications.

Medicare beneficiaries will still have some decisions to make this fall. You should review your Annual Notice of Change information when you receive it this month. Seniors can change to a Medicare Advantage Plan, change their current plan, choose a Prescription Drug plan or buy supplemental Medigap plan during the Annual Open Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7.

If you have questions on any of this, please contact me at 440-255-5700 or 888-951-6201 

Medicare Changes Diabetic Supplies Program

In recent weeks, Medicare introduced a new national program that changes who and how much they will pay toward your diabetic supplies. It may mean changes for you the next time you go to replenish your testing supplies and equipment.

Beginning July 1, 2013 Medicare will pay the same amount for supplies, whether you buy them at a store or have them delivered to your home. Mail-order suppliers will need to be purchased from Medicare contracted mail-order suppliers.

If You Buy Diabetes Supplies from a Mail-Order Supplier

It’s important to find out whether your current mail-order supplier is a Medicare contract supplier. If it is, then that’s great. You can just keep on as usual. If your mail-order supplier is not contracted with Medicare, then Medicare will not cover what you buy. You need to find a contracted mail-order supplier that sells the strips you use.

Contracted suppliers must accept Medicare’s approved amount as payment in full for diabetes supplies. They can charge you only the 20% coinsurance, once you meet your deductible.

If You Buy Diabetes Supplies Locally

Some pharmacies and stores stock and sell diabetes test strips and other supplies. In this area, CVS and Sam’s Club accept the Medicare approved amount and can only bill you for the Medicare deductible or 20% co-insurance.  Other stores may charge you more than what Medicare will cover if they do not accept what Medicare pays as payment in full.

Be sure to ask the store or pharmacy you use how much you will be charged for diabetes testing supplies. If it is more than a 20% coinsurance, you may want to look for another place to buy supplies.

Want to know if your current provider is a Medicare contract provider?  You can check by visiting the Medicare.gov online Supplier Directory at http://www.medicare.gov/supplierdirectory/search.html or call the Medicare helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048.

The program is in effect in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. It applies only to people who have Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to contact your plan for more information.

Three Major Medicare Myths

Myth #1: Medicare is free.

If only this were true! Medicare is not free. Just like other health insurance plans, people on Medicare may pay premiums, deductibles, co pays and coinsurance out of pocket. What each person pays will vary, depending on their specific Medicare plan, coverage and how it’s used.

Myth #2: Medicare covers everything.

Medicare covers a lot, but not everything. For example, Medicare does not cover:
-         Long-term care
-         Home health care, unless you meet very specific requirements.
-         Regular dental, vision or hearing care
       
In addition, Medicare will not help with the cost of personal care such as help bathing, dressing, eating or using the bathroom.

It’s also important to know that most prescription drugs are not covered under Medicare Part A or Part B. If you want drug coverage, you need to buy a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that includes drug coverage. These plans are offered by private companies that are approved by Medicare.

Myth #3: Medicare and Medicaid are the same.

 

While both Medicare and Medicaid are government programs and both programs help people pay for health care, that’s where the similarities end.

Medicaid is for people with limited income and resources and is governed by the states.

For more information or a refresher to bring you up to date on the latest Medicare information, please join me for one of my upcoming “Getting Started with Medicare” classes.  I’ll cover all the basics. These classes are educational only and no plan specific benefits or details will be shared.

Call to register for one of these upcoming classes:

Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Andover Library
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
142 W. Main St.
Andover, OH 44003
440-293-6792

Monday, September 23, 2013

Willoughby Library
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
30 Public Square
Willoughby, OH 44094
440-942-3200 x3

Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Concord Community Center
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
7671 Auburn Road
Concord, OH 44077
440-6394650 – contact location for fee information

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Chagrin Falls Community Education
Class Location:  Chagrin Falls Middle School Library
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
342 E. Washington
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
440-274-5375 – contact location for fee information

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Mentor Senior Center
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
8484 Munson Rd.
Mentor, OH 44060
440-255-5700

Want to know what matters most to seniors?

Click here to find out what matters most to seniors, according to The United State of Health Survey:

http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/united-states-of-aging/2013-survey/USA13-Infographic.pdf

The survey results are in. Some may surprise you.

The second annual United States of Aging Survey results are in. UnitedHealthcare, USA TODAY, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) interviewed 4,000 U.S. adults for their views on and experiences with health preparedness, financial security, community support and technology use.

“The United States of Aging Survey has shown us for two years now that seniors are an optimistic group,” said Rhonda Randall, D.O., chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. “By studying seniors’ priorities, successes and unmet needs, we hope to identify the services, programs and infrastructure that best support older adults so that future generations of seniors can have this same sense of optimism as they age.”

In general, seniors are optimistic, but it seems the optimism differs based on a person’s health and financial situation. Below are a few highlights from the survey.
The survey found most seniors express little concern about the status of their health today. At the same time, many are not investing in activities that are important to help manage their health for the long-term. The survey also found:

• Although 6 in 10 seniors describe their health in the past year as “normal,” 65 percent of seniors report at least two chronic health conditions.
• A majority (84 percent) say it is not very or not at all difficult to perform regular activities independently.

The survey found the opportunities for health improvement are even greater among low income seniors and those with chronic health conditions. The survey also found:

• Low income seniors, in particular, report challenges in managing their health. Seventy-five percent of low income seniors with one or more chronic health condition face at least one barrier, such as lack of energy or money versus 53 percent of seniors overall.

The survey found that although most seniors are comfortable with their current financial situation, a majority of seniors express concerns about their long-term financial security. The survey also found:

• More than half (53 percent) of seniors are concerned that their savings and income will be sufficient to last the rest of their life.
• Forty-one percent of working seniors indicate Social Security will be their primary source of retirement income (compared with 23 percent of adults aged 18-59).

The survey found that while the majority of seniors agree that their community is responsive to their needs, many lack confidence that their community is prepared to the meet the needs of a growing senior population. The survey also found:

• Nearly three-fourths (71 percent) of seniors say their community is responsive to their needs versus 61 percent of adults aged 18-59.
• Only 1 in 2 (49 percent) seniors believe their community is doing enough to prepare for the future needs of the growing senior population (versus 45 percent of adults aged 18-59).

Naturally, people experience aging in different ways. To learn more on how other seniors experience aging or to get complete United States of Aging Survey results, visit http://www.NCOA.org/UnitedStatesofAging.
For more information, contact the Medicare helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048. If you have questions about Medicare Made Clear, call 1-877-619-5582, TTY 711, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

Resources

Medicare Made Clear talks about 2012 US of Aging results: Medicaremadeclear.com
United States of Aging Survey: National Council on Aging (ncoa.org)
Eldercare Locator: Resources and topics for healthy aging – Eldercar.gov

1200 Lake County residents to turn 65 before the end of 2013.

More than 1200 people in Lake County, Ohio will be turning age 65 and going on Medicare before the end of 2013. To help bridge any Medicare information gaps, I will be presenting 90 minute informational sessions called,  "Getting Started with Medicare,"  at the following locations:

 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Morley Library

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

814 Phelps St.

Painesville, OH 44077

440-255-5700

 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Fairport Harbor Library

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

335 Vine Street

Fairport Harbor, OH 44077

440-354-8191

 

For a complete list of other class dates and times, visit www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars or call Mutsko Insurance Services at 440-255-5700.

 

Sessions are educational only: no specific insurance products or prices will be discussed.  Some fee may be required by individual locations. Pre-registration is required.

 

Don't guess about your health insurance. Get the facts. Plan to attend one of my classes before you need to make important decisions about Medicare. 

Health care insurance issues will dominate this fall.

Even though it’s only July, I'm preparing for a very busy fall and winter. Consumers are likely to be inundated with confusing information on Healthcare Reform Exchanges and Medicare Open Enrollment as soon as all the issues are finalized.

That's where I can help you.

I will be selling both Private and Federal Health Care Reform Exchanges once they become available later this year. I have been trained and am prepared to counsel individuals and businesses on upcoming required options for health plans.

Whether you are looking for health care information for yourself, your family or your business, I can help. Please refer your friends or family who are looking for a reliable agent to help them navigate the maze of information on Health Care Reform and/or Medicare changes for 2014.  I’ll help them purchase the Health Care Exchange or the Medicare Advantage Plan that will best suit their needs.

 Call me at 440-255-5700 with your concerns and we'll arrange a time to talk.

There's No Family Plan with Medicare

The transition to Medicare often presents a dilemma for married couples who get their health insurance through the older spouse’s employer. When that spouse transitions to Medicare, the younger spouse, domestic partner and any dependents may be left without medical coverage.

If you and your spouse are in this situation, you have some considerations:

-          How many years will it be before the younger person becomes eligible for Medicare?

-          Does the younger spouse have access to a health plan through their employer?

-          Are there retiree health benefits from the spouse’s former employer that will cover the younger spouse? 

-          Does the younger spouse have a pre-existing condition that may be an obstacle to getting medical coverage.  (Beginning in 2014, an insurer can no longer discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions as part of the Affordable Care Act.)

Alternative health insurance options for younger spouses do exist.  Click here to learn some of your options: http://mutskoinsurance.com/news

 

Free Report on Medicare Available Now

You can now download a FREE copy of my fact-filled Report, “Turning 65 – What You Need to Know About Medicare,” This report will help answer some of the most common questions about Medicare.

For your FREE copy, please visit my website at www.mutskoinsurance.com.

Ready to quit smoking? Medicare can help.

Medicare will help you stop smoking or using tobacco products. 

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers up to 8 face-to-face visits in a 12-month period for smoking & tobacco use cessation counseling. These visits must be provided by a qualified doctor or other Medicare-recognized practitioner.

Who's eligible?

All people with Medicare who use tobacco are covered.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount for the doctor's services, and the Part B deductible applies if you use tobacco and you've been diagnosed with an illness caused or complicated by tobacco use, or you take a medicine that’s affected by tobacco. In a hospital outpatient setting, you also pay the hospital a copayment.

If you haven't been diagnosed with an illness caused or complicated by tobacco use, you pay nothing for the counseling sessions if the doctor or other health care provider accepts  assignments. For more information, visit www.Medicare.gov for details.


Former Smokers . . .
 

If you are a former smoker, take a look at your old life insurance policies to see if they still list you as a smoker. You may save some money by letting them know you no longer smoke.

How to Report Suspected Medicare Fraud

Fraud happens when Medicare is billed for services or supplies that you never got. Fraud costs Medicare, and ultimately US taxpayers, billions of dollars every year. You can help stop fraud in two easy steps:

1. Review each Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) as soon as you receive it.

2. Follow up on anything you see that you don’t understand.

Medicare sends you a summary notice every three months, if you have Original Medicare. You can also see these documents online at MyMedicare.gov. You’ll need to register on the site. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a prescription drug plan, your plan sends you a monthly statement (EOB). Many plans also have member web sites where you can register to view your EOBs online.

Click here to read more on What to Look For

http://blog.medicaremadeclear.com/blog/bid/113346/How-to-Report-Suspected-Medicare-Fraud

Taken from article posted by Medicare Made Clear Blog.

Get Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

Are you one of the 2 million low-income Americans who qualify for help with prescription drug costs but have not applied for Medicare's Extra Help Program?

I was recently interviewed by Diane Suchetka who explains more about the program in her recent blog post on the TheFrugalPatient.com. Click here for details:

 http://www.cleveland.com/healthcare-savings/index.ssf/2013/05/medicare_extra_help_program_pa.html#incart_river

To apply or help someone you know apply, go to http://socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/ or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for an Exta Help Application

Will Medicare cover you when traveling outside the U.S.?

As you pack your bags for that out-of-country trip, there's one more thing you'll want to do. That's check your insurance coverage.

You may be surprised to learn that Original Medicare does not pay for health care services or supplies you get outside the U.S. except in very limited situations.

If your circumstances do not match the limited exceptions, you are responsible to pay the full cost to the health care provider. If your situation matches one of the allowable exceptions, you still pay the coinsurance or copayments and deductibles you would normally pay if you received these services or supplies in the U.S.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan, you may be entitled to additional coverage for health care services you receive outside the U.S. Advantage Plan coverage may vary so it's best to give your insurance agent a call and ask them about your coverage before you begin your trip.

For information on allowable exceptions go to http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/travel-need-health-care-outside-us.html or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Bon voyage!

Steps for Appealing a Medicare Decision

What you need to know

If you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan you have the option to file an appeal. You can file an appeal if you are denied one of the following:

• Your request for a health care service, supply, item or prescription that you think you should be able to get.
• Your request for payment for health care service, supply, item or a prescription drug you already got.
• Your request to change the amount you must pay for a health care service, supply, item, or prescription drug.

You can also appeal if Medicare or your Advantage plan stops providing or paying for all or part of an item or service you think you still need.

Where to begin?

If you are thinking about filing an appeal, talk to your doctor, health care provider or supplier. Ask them to provide any information that will support your appeal. Read your plan materials or contact your insurance agent or plan for details about your appeal rights. Medicare and all companies that provide Medicare Advantage plans are required to help you file an appeal.

The appeals process has 5 levels. If you disagree with the decision made at any level of the process, you can generally go to the next level. At each level, you'll be given instructions in the decision letter on how to move to the next level of appeal.

You have the right to appoint a representative to help you file an appeal.
 

Your representative can be your insurance agent, a family member, friend, attorney or doctor or anyone you choose to act on your behalf. One of the many benefits of having an insurance agent is having someone to act as your advocate. Your insurance agent knows you, your plan and the process for filing an appeal and provides this service at no additional charge.

If you have questions about any part of the appeal process, call 1-800-MEDICARE ((1-800-633-4227) or go to http://www.medicare.gov for more information.

 

Scammers taking advantage of confusion over Affordable Care Act

 

Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who is also the state's insurance director, is issuing a consumer alert after reports of scammers offering to help navigate consumers through the so-called health insurance exchanges.

 

Taylor says the scammers are trying to capitalize on confusion around the federal Affordable Care Act.

Open enrollment in the exchanges does not begin until Oct. 1. Taylor says marketing of plans offering coverage through the exchange hasn't started.  “No one from an official government program should be calling you requesting your personal information.  If you are contacted by a suspicious caller, do not provide your personal information, including your Medicare, Social Security and bank account numbers,” said Lt. Gov. Taylor.

Click to continue: http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Newsroom/Pages/05092013ConsumerAlertHealthReform.aspx

 

Madison YMCA added as new class location in June

Are you ready to Get Started with Medicare?  We've added a new class location in Madison. Please plan now to attend any of our upcoming classes for all the facts on Medicare:

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Lake County YMCA-East End Branch

6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

440-428-5125

 

Tuesday, May 21

Morley Library 

6:30 pm- 8:00 pm 

440-255-5700

Thursday, May 23
Mentor Senior Center
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
440-255-5700

Getting Started with Medicare will help prepare you for your transition to Medicare. Please share this information with friends who may be interested, too.

 

Pre-registration is required for all classes. Please call the specific location to register and for any additional details.

For the dates and times of additional classes, please visit my website at http://www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars

 

Free Guide to Turning 65 - What You Need to Know About Medicare

Are you interested in learning more about Medicare? 


I am currently offering a free report called, Guide to Turning 65. What you need to know about Medicare. 

You can download it from my website at www.mutskoinsurance.com.

This guide will help you become more familiar with Medicare and begin to answer many questions you may have. And if you still have questions, please contact me or attend an upcoming Getting Started with Medicare Class. We've recently added three new class locations for Lake County classes.



Morley Library

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

184 Phelps St.

Painesville, OH 44077

440-255-5700

 Mentor Senior Center

Thursday, May 23 2013

6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

8500 Civic Center Blvd.

Mentor, OH 44060

440-255-5700

 

Lake County YMCA-East End Branch
Wednesday, June 5, 2013

6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

730 North Lake St.

Madison, OH 44057

440-428-5125

 

 

Like Our Page

I'm currently trying to connect with all of my contacts through the social web. It would be great if you 'liked' Mutsko Insurance Services on Facebook or linked to us on Linked In so we can stay in touch.

To find us on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/MutskoInsurance 

To find us on LinkedIn, go to www.linkedin.com/in/lauramutsko

Laura Mutsko Achieves PPACA Certification on Health Care

I've recently achieved PPACA certification by NAHU. It probably sounds like one more insurance alphabet soup certification to you, but it's much more.

Here's what it means . . .  I'm taking critical steps now to prepare for the introduction of Health Care Reform later this year. I'm learning the the most up-to-date information on the key technical components of PPACA and am well prepared to counsel individuals and businesses on upcoming required healthcare changes and new options for health plans.

 Topics of study include:

• Implementing healthcare reform—overview and politics
• Grandfathered plans and the small-business tax credit
• Medicare Part D and non-discrimination rules
• Patient protection and changes to consumer-directed health plans
• Medical loss ratio requirements and tax implications
• W-2 reporting, summary of benefits, waiting periods, essential benefits and community rating
• Individual mandate, pre-existing conditions and rating reform
• Health insurance exchanges for individuals and small employers
• Employer pay or play
• Self-insured plans

It means that I'll be ready for your questions when Health Care Reform is introduced this fall.