Vista Mutual Insurance Services

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍽

The popularity of Medicare Advantage plans over the past decade is a trend worth paying attention to.

As more Americans enroll in these plans each year, it will be interesting to see how insurers respond – regarding pricing and benefits offered.

These plans could be a great option for seniors looking for ways to save money on healthcare costs without sacrificing quality care.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Knowing which type of insurance agent you want to work with is essential in getting the health coverage that best fits your needs and budget.

The best way to determine what type of agent you are working with is to ask questions. Agents should be truthful and transparent with you. Some helpful questions you may want to ask:

👉Are you a captive or independent agent?
👉What support do you provide if I enroll in a plan with you?
👉Is this your direct phone number or the number to a call center?
👉Are you compensated more if I enroll in this type of plan versus a different type of plan?

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Why the sudden surge in the popularity of Medicare Advantage plans?

One reason is that many Medicare Advantage plans offer lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare. Additionally, these plans often include extra benefits such as gym memberships or transportation services that appeal to seniors.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

An insurance agent or broker (the terms can be used interchangeably) can advise on which type of policy best suits your needs, help you compare quotes from different providers, and guide you through the enrollment process. All this is provided at no cost to the member. Insurance agents are paid by the insurance companies they represent.

Additionally, they know the regulations governing specific health plans and can assist with claims and billing.

Agents tend to either be captive or independent, meaning they work for one particular insurer or offer plans from multiple companies.

Medicare Advantage plans are a great, affordable option for many people with Medicare.

There are several types of Medicare Advantage plans, including HMOs, PPOs, and SNPs.

The cost and coverage for each plan will vary greatly, so it’s important to do your research and work with an agent experienced in Medicare plans in your area.

☎️To speak to a licensed agent, call (800) 398-8714.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage (sometimes called Part C) plans cover medical expenses not covered by Original Medicare.

It's important to understand some key differences:

👉Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare
👉Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare
👉Medigap plans don't include Part D, many Medicare Advantage plans do

Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans vary in many other ways as well. Speak to a licensed agent about what type will work best for your situation.



We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

If you’re unhappy with your Medicare Advantage plan, you may still be able to switch.

An experienced licensed insurance agent can be a great resource if you have questions about OEP or want to look at different plan options. Call (800) 398-8714 to talk to an agent now.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

OEP

Part A is sometimes called “Hospital” insurance because it covers many inpatient services.

📌Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, home healthcare, and hospice.

📌There are deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance amounts associated with these services.

👆Don't make this costly Medicare mistake.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Get help choosing a Medicare plan. Speak to an agent today at 800-398-8714.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Medicare Advantage plans continue to grow in popularity.

This may be because many Advantage plans include benefits such as hearing, dental, and vision, which traditional Medicare does not cover.

Learn more about Medicare Advantage by visiting VistaMutual.com or calling one of our agents at 800-398-8714.

Source: "Medicare advantage in 2022: enrollment update and key trends" (Freed et al)

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

We save our clients money and are available to assist them with their insurance all year.

Before enrolling in a plan, be sure you are working with someone you trust.

☎️ Speak to a licensed agent today by calling 800-398-8714.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

In Part 2 of this series, we look at Medicare enrollment periods and why it is critical that you don't miss them.

Click the link in our bio to read the article, or visit VistaMutual.com/blog

Medicare members, want to learn how you can get a no-cost membership? Come to one of the meetings we’re having at Diamond Hills gym to learn more.

Share this post with your friends!

Medicare Insurance Sales Meeting Dates and Times:
10/18 12-1 pm
10/20 10-11 am
10/25 10-11 am
10/27 10-11 am
11/3 12-1 pm
11/8 12-1 pm
11/15 12-1 pm

Informational Booth Dates and Times:
10/15 8:30-10:30
10/18 9-2
10/20 9-11:30
10/25 9-2
10/27 9-11:30
11/3 9-2
11/8 9-2
11/15 9-2

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

CMS released the rates for Medicare in 2023. Check out all the new rates by going to VistaMutual.com/blog.

Link in bio.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) begins on October 15th and continues until December 7th.

AEP is the time during each year when Medicare Advantage and Part D plan members can make changes to their plans.

Happy birthday to Vista Mutual agent, Burrell!

Save for later!

These dates are important because if you miss the AEP deadline, you may have to wait to change plans.

To read our blog post on important dates to remember for AEP, visit VistaMutual.com

Each year Medicare members can make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Part D plans during a period known as the Annual Election Period (AEP).

Visit VistaMutual.com to read the article.

Be sure to know these dates because if you miss the AEP deadline, you may have to wait to change plans.

Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts for a total of seven months.

You will have three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and up to three months after your birthday to enroll in Medicare.

Healthcare costs consistently rank among the highest household expenses. However, choosing a health plan is often complicated and confusing.

This series will look at costly mistakes to avoid when you are new to Medicare. Read the article at VistaMutual.com.

Insurance companies offering Part D plans must cover, at minimum, the standard benefit. Not all Part D plans will include all four phases.

Check your plan's Summary of Beneftis booklet for details about what your plan covers.

Each year, Medicare releases the standard benefit for all Part D plans. Insurance companies offering Part D plans must cover, at minimum, the standard benefit.

Swipe through to learn about the four phases of the Part D standard benefit.

Insurance companies offering Part D plans must cover, at minimum, the standard benefit. However, many companies offer benefits beyond what is required in the standard model.

Check out our blog post to learn more about Medicare's standard benefit for Part D plans at VistaMutual.com.

Many people try to find a Medicare plan on their own and find that it's a lot more complicated than they expected.

If you have questions about Medicare, get in touch with us today.

Give us a call at (800)398-8714.

Part D plans are administered by private health insurance companies that have a contract with Medicare.

Medicare does not offer Part D.

There are two ways to get Part D:

[1] from a stand-alone Part D plan

[2] from a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D