Medicare Supplements and Health Plans

Medicare is Health Insurance for People 65 or Older*

Domingo & Associates represents all major Medicare carriers and plans. To learn more, read below. Contact us to help find the right carrier or plan.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for seniors (people 65 years old and over). There are many parts and plans, but Medicare Parts A & B are earned throughout your work life.

*In some cases, Medicare is for people under 65 with certain disabilities or for people with end-stage renal disease.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Part C is also know as Medicare Advantage.

• Part B Give Back
• Over-the-Counter Allowance
  
• Food Cards
  
• Vision, Dental and Hearing
  
• Transportation
  
• Some Also Include Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
  

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Part C

Medicare Advantage Plans (called “Part C” or “MA Plans”) are offered by private companies which are pre-approved by Medicare. These private companies must follow the rules set by Medicare.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare, but will get your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan. Generally, you’ll get services from a plan’s network of providers. In all types of Medicare Advantage Plans, you’re always covered for emergency care and for urgent care.

These plans must cover all of the services that original Medicare covers (except hospice care). Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan. These types of plans are not supplemental coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, such as:

• Vision Coverage
• Dental Care
  
• Hearing Services
  
• Health and Wellness Programs
  
• Transportation
  
• Some Also Include Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D).
  

Domingo & Associates is one of the few General Agencies in Louisiana to represent all major Medicare Advantage Plans.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

It helps cover

• Cost of Prescription Drugs
• Run by Medicare-Approved Drug Plans that Follow Rules Set by Medicare
• May Help Lower Prescription Drug Costs and Help Protect Against Future Cost Increases

Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare. Even if you don’t take many prescriptions now, it’s very important for you to consider joining a Medicare drug plan.  If you decide not to join a Medicare drug plan when you’re first eligible and you don’t have other “creditable” prescription coverage or don’t get extra help, you will likely pay a late enrollment penalty.

If you are a veteran and receive drugs through the VA, or if you are covered under an employer group plan, than you have what’s known as “creditable coverage.” There are no penalties in these specific cases.

To get Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), you must join a plan run by an insurance company or by a private company that’s pre-approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and coverage, and depending on where you reside there may be as many as 25 different options from which to choose. Each plan has different premiums, co-payments, medication coverage, and formularies (a defined list of covered prescriptions).

Making an incorrect choice could have dire consequences and could cost a lot of extra money each year, so deal with an experienced company that provides unbiased information with an integrity guarantee. That’s us. Domingo & Associates. Experienced in Louisiana Medicare since 1995.

Medicare Supplements

Medigap Policies

Original Medicare pays for many (but not all) healthcare services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Plan is sold by private companies and can help pay some of the healthcare costs that original Medicare does not cover (such as: co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles). Medicare Supplement Plans are also called “Medigap Policies.”

Every policy must follow Federal and State laws that are designed to protect you. However, it must be clearly identified as “Medicare Supplement Insurance.” Insurance companies can only sell a “standardized” policy, which is identified in most states by letters “A” through “N.”

All Medicare Supplement Plans offer the same basic benefits, but some may offer additional coverage, so we will help to make sure you choose the one that best meets your needs. Different insurance companies may charge different prices for the same exact plan, so it is important to accurately compare prices.

At Domingo & Associates, we explain the differences between Medicare Supplement Plans and we can also help you get the best price. All you have to do is contact us to schedule a free consultation.