2025 Medicare Advantage Plan Changes
We are beginning to take 2025 certification courses from all the Medicare Advantage carriers that we use. Although we will not know actual 2025 plan details for sometime yet, we expect that all insurance carriers will have significant plan changes. More than likely, premium rates will increase, and some benefits will decrease. Why such a gloomy…
Many PA Medicaid Recipients Losing Eligibility in Spring 2024
Back in January 2020, when the COVID pandemic started, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE). As a part of this PHE, anyone on Medicaid was allowed to stay on Medicaid without any income requirements until the end of the month in which the PHE ended. During this time, Medicaid recipients did…
Medicare Options
Medicare can become effective as early as the first of the month in which you turn 65. You can apply 3 months before that date. Medicare Part A has no cost and Part B costs $170.10 (more at higher incomes). Because Medicare has lots of gaps and no prescription drug coverage, you need to purchase…
UPMC/HIGHMARK Medicare Network Changes in 2019
As of June 30th, members of Highmark Medicare Advantage plans will no longer have in-network access to UPMC doctors and hospitals. This means that anyone concerned about losing access to their UPMC providers needs to look at their options during the 2019 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. The AEP runs from Oct 15th – Dec 15th,…
Simplifying Medicare: Medicare Advantage vs Medigap
As you or a parent/loved one approaches age 65, you will be inundated with information about Medicare. We, at Kennon Insurance, can help you narrow down your options without reading all of these very complicated brochures. You can enroll in Medicare as early as the first of the month in which you turn 65. Medicare…
Fall Enrollment Periods for Medicare and Individual/Family Coverage
Fall Enrollment Periods for Medicare and Individual/Family Coverage Enrollment season is upon us. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15th – Dec 7th. During this time, you can change your Medicare Advantage plan, your Medigap plan or your Part D coverage. We currently have rates and plan benefit changes for 2018 Medicare options.…
Understanding Medicare Part B Rising Premiums
You might have been hearing about a possible rate increase for some Medicare subscribers. There have been a number of very confusing newspaper articles over the last several days. Unless some sort of political deal is struck over the next few weeks, about 30% of Medicare beneficiaries will receive significant Part B rate increase for…
Will Health Care Reform Close the Medicare Donut Hole Coverage Gap?
Right now, Medicare Part D coverage applies to the first $2,970 of retail prescription drug costs for a Medicare recipient with a Part D plan. This included the portion paid by the recipient in the form of deductibles and coinsurance/copays as well as the portion covered by the insurance company. Once the recipient hits $2,970…
What Is Going To Happen With UPMC And Highmark?
Currently, UPMC and Highmark have an agreement through December 31, 2014. This means that any Highmark member (except those with Community Blue) will be able to use all UPMC facilities and doctors at in-network rates through the end of 2014. In June, UPMC announced that, because of Highmark’s recent acquisition of the Allegheny General/West Penn…
