Did you know that more than 1 million people in Tennessee are enjoying the benefits of Medicare health plans?
Here are a few facts regarding 2019 Medicare enrollment in Tennessee according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:
Please note that not all plans are available in all service areas. It depends on the terms and renewal of contracts between private insurance companies and Medicare.
The first step to choosing the best Medicare health plan is to understand the options you have. Even if you have a few years before you turn 65 or you already have a health plan in place, exploring your options is always a good idea.
All U.S. citizens qualify for Medicare Health Plans. Additionally, people who have had a permanent legal U.S. residency for five continuous years are also eligible to apply.
Below are the requirements you must fulfil to qualify for a Medicare health insurance plan.
After qualifying for the Original Medicare Health Plans, you can easily apply for Part C and D. To avail full benefits, make sure that the health plan/s you choose along with your desired services are available in your service area.
With Medicare Advantage Plans, you get the basic benefits of the Original Medicare plan as well as complimentary privileges. In return, you have to pay for copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. The good news is that the premium is lower with these plans as compared to the standard Medicare plans.
With HMO, beneficiaries get access to a network of healthcare providers at reduced rates. This allows for great flexibility by eliminating the need for scheduling appointments. However, if you consult with a professional outside of the network, your insurance company may not pay for your expenses. Please note that all beneficiaries are required to get a referral from their primary healthcare provider to be connected with a specialist.
With PPO, you get to choose the healthcare provider of your choice while enjoying greater flexibility. While getting your primary care provider’s reference is optional, doing so ensures much lower rates. Just like HMO, PPO also has a network of medical professionals and so, consulting with an out-of-network doctor will result in extra expenses.
Let’s make it clear that the enrollment process is quite simple. If you’ve signed up for social security, you automatically become eligible to apply for a Medicare Health Plan. If not, you can simply call Social Security or get yourself enrolled through the website.
Typically, you can sign up during the following enrollment periods.
The O’Neal Insurance Group is at your service!
Our insurance professionals are well-equipped with valuable information and resources to help you make a well-informed decision. We’ll ensure that you choose the best health plan today for a stress-free tomorrow!
