The following are some frequently asked questions about our new service, the Allsup Medicare Advisorsm.
1. What is the Allsup Medicare AdvisorSM?
The new Allsup Medicare Advisor is a one-of-a-kind service designed to help those with disabilities select the Medicare options that best fit their needs.
The Allsup Medicare Advisor:
• Provides objective and unbiased Medicare assistance that is NOT affiliated with any insurance plan;
• Educates you on the benefits of choosing a Medicare Advantage plan;
• Allows you to prioritize your health care needs and coverage preferences;
• Identifies and assesses options available to you in your local area;
• Provides cost information such as premiums, co-pays and coverage limits; and
• Assists you with the Medicare Advantage enrollment process.
2. How does the Allsup Medicare Advisor service work?
Our service begins with collecting your information and identifying your unique Medicare coverage needs.
Based on your preferences, the Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available to you are evaluated and narrowed down to the best possible options. You are then sent an easy-to-use, plain-language report which includes a:
• Overview of your responses with a detailed listing of your provider, prescription drug and other preferences;
• Comparison of the three plans that best meet your stated preferences;
• Summary of next steps to be taken by you (for example, selecting and enrolling in a MA plan); and
• An explanation of future events (for example, changes in plan benefits) that may require a new MA review.
Once you become fully aware of your options, we also assist you with the actual enrollment process itself.
3. Why are Medicare Advantage plans so important for those who have a permanent disability?
The rules for traditional Medicare supplement insurance make it difficult for those with disabilities to acquire such extra coverage (known also as Medigap policies).
Medicare Advantage plans, however, are required to accept almost all Medicare beneficiaries since medical history cannot be a barrier to enrollment. These plans also may offer additional benefits not covered by traditional Medicare, such as dental care, hearing and vision screening, prescription drug programs and other services that would otherwise only be covered by a Medicare supplemental policy and Part D (prescription drug) insurance.
Also, Medicare Advantage plans (which include Medicare Parts A and B) usually end up being less expensive than a Medigap policy.
4. How does an Allsup Medicare Advisor evaluation help with selecting a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan?
Our service uses Allsup’s expert Medicare knowledge to help you make an informed choice when reviewing and selecting from possibly dozens of MA plans. Specifically, Allsup continues to help our Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) customers by offering an unbiased analysis of the MA options available to them based on personal preferences and needs, providing them guidance in understanding their options and assisting in the enrollment process.
5. What if I have certain doctors I want to continue to see?
If continuing to see certain doctors is important to you, we make every attempt to find Medicare Advantage plans that will allow you to keep your preferred healthcare providers. An Allsup Medicare Advisor specialist will work with you to identify and resolve any particular coverage requirements you may have.
6. Is it necessary to review my Medicare Advantage (MA) plan every year?
We suggest you review your existing MA plan annually to make sure it is still the best plan for you. In particular, you should have your MA plan options reviewed by Allsup under the following circumstances:
• You move outside your plan’s coverage area;
• You spend a good deal of time traveling outside your current plan area;
• Your current plan decides to no longer be a part of the Medicare program after the year is up; and
• Your health situation changes (examples: taking more prescriptions drugs, more frequent hospitalizations or you develop a greater need for medical equipment like oxygen).
Disclaimers: Allsup does not provide tax, legal, investment, insurance, financial planning or medical advice or counsel under the Allsup Medicare AdvisorSM and related services. You are responsible for making all decisions with respect to the products and services you utilize under the Allsup Medicare AdvisorSM, including but not limited to selecting a Medicare Advantage plan that best matches your needs, and for obtaining any personal tax, legal, investment, insurance, financial planning, medical or other advice or counsel that you believe is necessary or advisable with respect to such products or services.
The analysis and results produced by Allsup Medicare AdvisorSM are heavily based on the information provided by individual subscribers to the service. As such, Allsup assumes no liability resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or invalid information provided by Allsup Medicare AdvisorSM subscribers. Subscribers are also solely responsible for coordinating their Medicare coverage with any benefits and health insurance coverage offered through an employer or otherwise.