Chronic conditions present special health care needs. Medicare recognizes this and provides options to optimize your health outcomes. If you have been newly diagnosed or are in ongoing treatment for cardiovascular or heart conditions, Diabetes, lung disorders, or other major illnesses including renal or liver disease, neurological disorders, severe mental health conditions, or HIV/AIDs, you do not have to wait for Open Enrollment to change your plan.
If you are already on a Supplemental, aka Medigap, plan, new or evolving medical conditions can be taken in stride. Your plan covers all contingencies, including specialty care for chronic conditions and is accepted anywhere in the US where Medicare is accepted. The key to obtaining the lowest cost Medigap plan is to enroll at the time of initial Medicare enrollment when no underwriting is performed, regardless of past or current health conditions. The plan cannot increase your premiums due to the cost of claims, nor can you be cancelled unless you fail to pay your premium on time.
Most Supplemental plans are age-based, meaning that you will see an annual increase which is based on the average cost of all participants that are your age. However, if you wish to join six months or longer after initial enrollment in Medicare, you will be subjected to underwriting, where the price will be based upon your medical history, and, while rare, your application may be denied.
If, instead, you participate in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare offers Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs), which feature tailored benefits, coordinated care teams, and targeted prescription drug coverage for specific severe or disabling conditions, often offering lower cost condition-specific medications. These plans often also include allowances for healthy foods, OTC products and specialized medical supplies. Barry county offers two participating C-SNP plans, and Calhoun County offers three.
Your plan is always your choice, and we can help educate you so you can choose what works best for your specific situation.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), formerly known as MMAP, has offices in every Michigan county. Call today! Statewide number: 800-803-7174. You can also call your local Area Agency on Aging or Commission on Aging for an appointment. We’re located there throughout the state and the entire country. SHIP is a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service provided to you via local, state, and federal grants.