Stay with the Major Carriers for Dependability 

Inexpensive quotes for temporary insurance are everywhere. However, unless you’re dealing with major carriers, like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, you may not be getting the dependable coverage you expect. Why? For starters, there are so many insurance companies competing for your business, many of them are not reputable. Remember, anyone can promise to deliver benefits at a low price, but when it comes time to collect on those promises, some companies simply cannot deliver. 

Stay with household names you know and trust and ensure you deal only with solid, stable and reputable insurance providers. These are the major carriers-  the companies that have been providing quality benefits for decades and will continue to do so for years to come. 

Use the Internet as a Resource 

The internet is an easy and convenient resource for finding and comparing temporary health insurance plans. Use it to your advantage by making use of valuable information. Learn about temporary insurance and get the details on specific plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois has an informative website where you can learn about SelectTEMP, the company’s short term plan that covers many of the most costly health care services. 

Expect Comprehensive Coverage  

Temporary coverage does not mean that you must sacrifice benefits. Short term insurance is designed to help families who find themselves temporarily without coverage. Most policies offer inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and hospital services, emergency care, office visits, diagnostic services and even prescription drug coverage. 

With come policies, like SelectTEMP from BCBS of IL, there’s even flexibility with out-of-pocket expenses, so you can customize the perfect short term plan to fit your medical needs as well as your budget. With one to six months coverage, it’s easy to find the perfect temporary solution for families in transition. 

Health insurance is a necessity for families. With the cost of medical care rising daily, even one trip to the hospital without insurance can ruin you financially. Luckily, there are qualities, dependable temporary health insurance plans available in Illinois that can help families get the coverage they need during times of transition. Use the internet as resource for finding quality solutions, stay with the names you know and trust for dependable coverage you can rely on and customize the perfect plan for yourself and your family.

New Annual Enrollment Period

For the 2012 benefit year, Medicare made some pretty important date changes that impact everyone. First, the Annual Enrollment Period starts earlier and ends sooner than in 2011. For 2012, Annual Enrollment begins on October 15^th and ends on December 7^th. This is an important date to make a note of as Annual Enrollment is the designated time when you can enroll in or change a Medicare Advantage plan or Prescription Drug Plan, or return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Remember, you do not have until December 31^st as in 2011 to enroll. If you miss Annual Enrollment, you may not be able to receive benefits.

In addition, Medicare is mailing out the Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Benefits earlier as well. Make sure to check your mailbox as you should receive these documents earlier than last year. Also, the “Medicare and You” booklet should be coming earlier as well. This booklet is a helpful resource and handy to have for quick answers to many common questions.

Special Enrollment Period

In efforts to promote improved quality of Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans, in 2012, you’ll have the chance to enroll in or switch plans outside of the traditional Annual Enrollment Period. Eligible plans must have an overall quality rating of five stars. This means that any time during the year, you can switch to a five star plan.

Here’s another change involving Medicare Advantage plans that may impact your decision to buy or not to buy. As of 2012, they are prohibited from having higher cost sharing requirements for critical services like chemotherapy, skilled nursing and other services. In addition, administrative expenses and profits have been reduced, forcing many providers to rethink if they are going to continue offering Medicare Advantage plans.

Prescription Drug Coverage

There are also some increases you should be aware of for Part D coverage. The deductible increased $10 from $310 to $320. In addition, the coverage limit increased from $2,840 in 2011 to $2,930 in 2012. Maximum out-of-pocket expenses increased from $4,550 to $4,700. While in the donut hole, Illinois residents will still receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs and a 14 percent discount for generic drugs.

Plan G Benefits

Medigap plans are standardized, meaning every Plan G has to offer the same benefits regardless where you purchase it. This makes comparison shopping easier and also, means you only have to familiarize yourself once with the plan’s benefits.

Regardless of who sells it, Plan G pays for your Part A deductible and coinsurance, a full 365 days extra coverage for hospital care after Medicare coverage ends, Part B coinsurance and the first three pints of blood, foreign travel emergency care, 80% of Part B excess charges above Medicare approved amounts and the copayment for a skilled nursing facility. Under Plan G, you are responsible for paying your Part B deductible and home health care is not covered.

Medicare Select

With Plan G, you also have the option of purchasing Medicare Select. This plan includes the exact same benefits as standard Plan G but for less money. You save money by agreeing to use participating hospitals and physicians. It’s required you live within a thirty mile radius of Medicare Select hospitals, but with one of the largest networks in the state, it’s pretty convenient. You choose your own doctor and you can still go to any hospital for emergency care-even out of network.  

Tips for Buying a Medicare Supplement Plan

Regardless of which plan you ultimately choose, there are some strategies for making your experience more successful. Try to purchase during your Medicare open enrollment period because this is the time you can get covered even with a pre-existing condition. In addition, while cost is always an issue, try to think beyond price and compare companies on other criteria.

Remember, simply because providers must offer the same plans does not mean they are all reputable or dependable. And when it comes time to collect on your benefits, a low cost will not help you if the insurance company cannot deliver. Stay with the major names and get peace of mind in knowing you’re insured with a stable, reliable provider. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, for example, has been providing Medicare supplement insurance to folks just like you for years. Because they are dependable, they will continue to offer competitive prices and great benefits for years to come.

Consider Plan G if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to get the medical coverage you need with the freedom to avoid certain out-of-pocket expenses. Choose Medicare Select for even more cost savings and always look for a reliable provider when purchasing your plan.

Illinois Medicare 

In all states, Medicare is a federal government health insurance program designed for people over the age of 65 or those with specific disabilities. There are several “parts” of Medicare including Part A, B, C and D. Part A, hospital insurance, is provided to most Illinois residents for free as long as they worked and paid taxes. Part B, medical insurance, requires a monthly premium. Part C, otherwise known as Medicare Advantage, combines Part A and Part B with additional coverage not provided by Medicare. Part C is purchased through private insurance companies. Part D, prescription drug coverage, is also available through private insurers and is often included as part of the comprehensive package provided by Part C. 

Part of the costs for Medicare is funded by the people of Illinois who have paid taxes. In addition, there are deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses like coinsurance or copays. As a result, Medicare is generally only available to those Illinois residents who receive Social Security Disability Insurance as they have paid into the system for the majority of their working lives. However, you may enroll in Medicare even if you have not paid taxes as long as you are willing to pay for Part A. 

There are no income limitations and as a result, while most folks receive Part A for free, there is a monthly premium if you choose to receive Part B. Because Medicare is a federally run program, it is the same in every state and is run by the Health Care Financing Administration and the Social Security Administration of the federal government. 

Illinois Medicaid  

Unlike Medicare, Illinois Medicaid is a state funded program designed to help low income residents receive medical care. As an assistance program, medical costs are assumed by state and local tax funds. There is no age limit, and the program serves all Illinois residents who meet the requirements. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid recipients generally do not pay any part of medical costs, although there is sometimes a small copayment required. 

To be eligible for Illinois Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or legal alien residing in Illinois. For adults, the program is available to those whose income falls below a predetermined level. Illinois physicians are not required to participate in the program and as a result, it is sometimes difficult to find a doctor who will treat you. Medicaid is a welfare program run by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Human Services. A state-federal program, Illinois Medicaid is run according to federal guidelines. 

While there are some similarities between Illinois Medicare and Medicaid, they are not the same. Understanding the difference between these two program swill make it easier for you when you are ready to pursue benefits.  Benefits.  

Reassess Your Coverage Needs 

For many people, there’s no difference among health insurance plans. They need it, they buy it, they pay more. Unfortunately, for these folks, there are a lot of potential savings that are missed. To avoid overpaying , take some time to re-evaluate and separate the coverage you need from the coverage you don’t need. Doing this will help you more easily recognize the plan that’s right for you. 

If you’re young and healthy, you probably don’t need a traditional plan to get the benefits you expect. A high deductible plan lets you pay a lower monthly premium and be covered for anything catastrophic. Taking the time to reassess your needs will help you find the perfect plan that’s right for you and your budget. 

Stay With Major Carriers 

Believe it or not, the best rates for dependable, reliable coverage come from the major carriers. Reputable insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and others rely on a certain amount of business and can afford to offer competitive rates. Some of the newer companies may not have the same luxury with customers and as a result, cannot afford to offer discounted prices. Stay with the major carriers and get the rates you deserve with the coverage you expect. 

Look for Cost Saving Opportunities 

As is true with most cost saving opportunities, if you don’t look for them, you will most likely not find them. With health insurance, there are a variety of ways to save money that unfortunately, most people overlook. With Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for example, it’s possible to save money on premiums simply by using the doctors and hospitals in the network. With the largest network in the state and hundreds of providers to choose form, using the network services is easy and convenient. 

In addition, if you’re willing and able to increase your deductible, you can save tons of money on your monthly premium. For folks who visit the doctor infrequently, this is an easy way to save money. Plus, with a high deductible plan, you can avoid some out-of-pocket expenses altogether. That means when and if you do need to visit the doctor, you won’t have a copay. 

Saving money on health insurance is on everyone’s mind these days. You can avoid high cost Illinois health insurance plans in three simple steps. Take the time to identify the plan that makes the most sense for you, stay with the major carriers and look for money saving opportunities.