Starting in April and through out 2018, Medicare is preparing to stop using Social Security numbers for identification and will send new cards to patients with random Medicare ID numbers.

Medicare cards use your Social Security number followed by a letter to identify you. This presents a real threat to your identity if the card is ever lost or stolen. The move is required by a law enacted two years ago to discourage identity theft.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated its web page to help health care providers prepare for the change. The agency plans to begin mailing the new cards with Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) in April 2018. During a transition period through 2019, providers can use the MBIs or health insurance claim numbers (which are based on Social Security numbers) on transactions such as billing and claims.

The 2015 law, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, requires CMS to re-move Social Security numbers from Medicare cards by April 2019. The new Medicare cards using a random set of numbers, will eliminate the need to take such safeguards, and provide seniors peace of mind that they won’t need to worry about this threat to their identity any longer.

Medicare Insurance Broker Agent Escondido, CA

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Heather and Justus “Jay” Gray with Just Us Insurance
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Original Medicare Doesn’t Cover Everything !

Original Medicare helps you get the coverage you need, but you should expect to pay some of the costs. Many people enroll in additional insurance coverage to help them pay for the cost and benefits that aren’t covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B. That is why you need to know the difference between Medicare Supplements Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Medicare Advantage Plans: ( Medicare Part C )

Medicare Advantage Plans are run by private companies. In San Diego, you have heard of United Health Care, Humana , Care1st, Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Scan, etc, these companies offer Medicare Advantage Plans you can choose from. They combine coverage for certain hospital costs, doctor visits and most include part D coverage at no additional cost. In most plans you choose a primary doctor  and your doctor has access to specialists within their group.  Many plans offer additional benefits not offered by Original Medicare  for example, Vision, Dental, Hearing , Transportation, Chiropractic, and Gym Memberships.
Although you continue to pay your Part B premium, many Medicare Advantage Plans offer low or even $0 monthly cost. Now all plans also offer Out –of pocket limits of amounts you spend on medical cost. ( Remember the unlimited 20% your responsible for on Part B costs?) There is one health question that can keep you from being eligible. ‘ Do you have end stage renal disease?’ If that is NO, you’re in ! Each year you have a chance to change your coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period ( AEP) which starts October 15 and runs through December 7th.

Medicare Supplement Plans:

Are also called Medigap plans as it helps you cover some or all the costs that Medicare Parts A and B don’t cover. The nice part is you can see any doctor in the country as long as that doctor participates in Medicare, they will take this plan. For the freedom of seeing any participating doctor, the higher the premium. Remember you still keep paying your Part B premium and with a Supplement Plan, your Part D premium is separate and not built in like most Medicare Advantage Plans are. When you turn 65, you have a guaranteed issue in a Supplement Plan and are ‘Guaranteed Renewable’. That means the policy renews automatically  from year to year as long as you pay the Premium on time.

Justus “Jay” Gray Certified Insurance Broker Phone: (760) 822-3385 Toll Free: 877-777-7055 Fax: (909) 752-7470 License #: CA: 0e05290 E-mail: Jay@INSR4U.com

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Heather Gray Certified Insurance Broker Phone: (619) 933-9517 Toll Free: 877-777-7055 Fax: (909) 752-7470 License #: CA: 0J171816 E-mail: Heather@INSR4U.com