How to Run your California Medicare Quote

You can run a quote for Medicare options anywhere.  If only that made it less complicated!

We're going to break it down into 3 simple steps knowing that you can always reach out to us with any questions at no cost to you for our service (and zero obligation!).

Let's get started…it's actually a lot easier than you may think!

• The three steps to Medicare
• Traditional Medicare
• Medicare Supplemental insurance versus Advantage plans
• Part D for Medication
• Tips on Running your Medicare quotes

Let's get started.

The three steps to Medicare

Medicare is actually pretty simple.

For most people, they will have 3 main pieces.

• Traditional Medicare (Part A and B)
• Advantage or Supplement plan
• Part D

That's it!

There can be many different "parts" and add-on options but at its core, we have three main pieces to take are of.

Let's break these down separately.

Traditional Medicare

Traditional Medicare is composed of two pieces:

• Part A - think in-patient hospital
• Part B - think out-patient, doctor visits, labs, etc

 

Usually, Part A is no cost as you've paid into the system via payroll taxes during your life.

Part B generally requires a separate cost you pay to Social Security (monthly deductions or quarterly billings).

Part B costs depend on your prior income but there's a "standard" amount each year.

You'll need to "opt in" to Part B…or activate it with selecting it and payment.

Most people can sign up for Part A and B here.

 

Traditional Medicare works like an 80/20 plan after two separate deductibles for Part A and B.

Once you meet those annual deductibles, you pay 20% and Medicare picks up 80% of allowed expenses.

Obviously, the big issue is that 20% that Medicare is not picking up. It's not capped!

 

You won't want to take on this exposure in today's world and especially if we're over 65!

That then brings up the next big section…how to fill in these "gaps"...especially the 20%!

Medicare Supplemental insurance versus Advantage plans

There are two main ways to do this.

• Medicare Supplements (also called "Medigap")
• Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C)

 

This requires a whole separate discussion but here's the skinny and we're happy to walk through your situation…just pick a time to chat here.

If we were forced to boil down the differences with a timer going off..

Medicare Supplements work like PPOs plans you may know from prior before Medicare
Most Advantage plans work like HMOs

Here are the bullet points (but there's lots of subtlety):

Medicare Supplements

 

• See any doctors/hospital anywhere in the US that accepts Medicare
• Refer yourself out for most needs and more decision are made with doctors
• Monthly premium tends to be higher but generally very little out of pocket when sick or hurt (G plan as example)
• Does not cover medications (through pharmacy)

Advantage plans (the HMO flavor)

• Usually has doctor/hospital network we have to remain in based on where you live
• More health care decision making with the carrier and more "management" of care
• Generally low or no monthly premium and low copays when sick or hurt
• Most Advantage plans cover Part D or medications
• Can have additional benefits and add-ons beyond what Medicare covers

 

Really, it usually comes down to cost versus control over care and doctors after helping 1000's of people compare the two approaches.

Again…lots of moving pieces so it's probably best to jump on a call and walk through what's important to you.

One final piece!

Part D for Medication

Part D is a separate plan just for medications.

Most Advantage plans (MAPD) already include Part D so that will be taken care of. There are Advantage plans that don't cover Part D but they're less popular and generally only used when medications are already taken care of (VA, etc).

If you go the Medicare Supplement route, you'll want to also get a separate Part D plan.

It's best to enter your medications/dosages and then sort by "Total Estimated Cost" which takes into account monthly premium AND expected copays for your list of medications.

You can change Advantage plans and Part D end of each year worse case!

So…how do we quote all this??

Tips on Running your Medicare quotes

We make this instant, free, and easy above.

Here are tips by the plan type and of course, we're happy to run all this for you with just:

• zip code
• date of birth
• medication/dosages
• doctors/hospitals
• medi-cal status

Medicare Supplement

You can quote the major carriers for Medicare Supplements here:

 

One note, some of the carriers will add a $25/month New to Medicare discount for the first year if your Part B is new.

The rates shown will not include this so reach out to us. We'll quote all the major carriers side by side for you. We do it all day long!

 

Also, know that in California you have the Birthday Rule which allows you to change to the same or lesser plan around your birthday regardless of health!

We help people find savings all the time this way!

Medicare Advantage Plans

 

You can quote major Advantage Plan carriers here instantly:

Make sure to enter your doctors/hospitals and medications/dosages so the system will take this into account.

Chasing down doctors is tricky these days. We're happy to track this down for you as the online directories are still not great. It's half our job these days!

We recommend focusing on the following within plans that work with your doctors and medications:

• Star Rating - reflects how current customers feels about that plan. Aim for 4-5 stars if possible
• Max out of Pocket - reflects your exposure out of pocket for a year with really big bills
• Premium/Deductible - obviously, lower is better if the Star Rating and Max both align correctly

Again, there are lots of different options with Advantage plans (Part B Give Backs, Medi-Medi, Optional benefits, etc) so reach out to us. There's no cost for our assistance and we can run the quotes for you.

Finally, Part D

This is actually pretty easy.

Just enter medications/dosages and even favorite pharmacy.

 

Sort by "Total Estimated Cost" up top.

Voila! That takes into account monthly premium AND expected copays for current meds.

You can change Part D end of each year!

That's it!

We make all these tools available to you instantly and at no cost but our real benefit is experience.

Check out the Google reviews and reach out with any questions! You can always email or call but the best bet is to schedule a block of time to chat.

10-15 minutes on the phone and we can usually make the options so much easier to understand.

That's our job after all!