Can your client get help paying for their Part B premium?

Don’t forget about programs that might help. They may need to apply if they meet the following requirements:

• Medicare Savings Program 2013 Income Limits
• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program (Program helps pay for: Part B premiums only)
• Individual monthly income limit* $1169
• Married couple monthly income limit*$1571

Resource limits for the QMB, SLMB, and QI Medicare Savings Programs are $7,080 for one person and $10,620 for a married couple.


Go to http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html for more information.

CMS has announces the amounts for Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles

CMS has announced today the amounts for Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles:

•    Part A Premium will be $426 per month, a $15 reduction over the 2013 amount (for those who actually pay Part A premiums)

•    Part A Deductible will be $1216 per benefit period, a $32 increase over the 2013 amount

•    Part B Premiums will be unchanged at $104.90 for individuals below the $85,000 individual income level.  Premiums for individuals above this level also are unchanged.

•    Part B Deductible remains unchanged at $147

See the full  CMS press release at:

http://cms.hhs.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases-Items/2013-10-28.html

OEP/AEP 2014 - Same Benefits….BUT NEW SERVICES???

As the Medicare Advantage program matures we are experiencing a flattening of the various benefits offered by carriers. Why? A Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits.* The amount of money paid to the carriers is generally a set amount and the benefits they provide only have so much flexibility based on the carrier’s negotiated payments to the various medical providers.

What we at Senior Marketing Specialists are seeing is a true uptick in the services (not to be confused with Part A and Part B benefits) designed and provided by the carrier to help the Medicare recipient stay healthier and give agents a competitive advantage. This includes items like: Silver Sneakers, 24 Hour Nurse Hotline, Vision and Dental Discounts. The one service that stands out is UnitedHealthCare’s HouseCalls. UnitedHealthCare’s HouseCalls program is allows the carrier and the Medicare recipient to:

• ·      review the member's health conditions
• ·      answers health-related questions,
• ·      identifies potential health issues,
• ·      and suggests specific topics the member may want to discuss with their primary care physician.

Call Senior Marketing Specialists today to find out how UnitedHealthCare’s HouseCalls program can help your clients and increase your sales this 2014 OEP.

(This article was written by Philip Warren of Senior Marketing Specialists.)

*http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans/medicare-advantage-plans.html

Making Medicare Documents Work for You! Medicare and Diabetes:

Many questions arise as to what is covered by Part B and what is covered by Part D. The simple flier that is linked to below shows what is covered.  This also brings up an important topic about the products available to those with diabetes, like special needs Medicare Advantage plans.

http://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11410.pdf