What is Medicare?
Did you know Florida Blue Medicare has been helping Floridians in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and the rest of South Florida for 76 years and serving Medicare beneficiaries for more than 27 years?
We recognize that when it comes to health coverage, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.”
Backed by our years of experience and know-how, we can help you navigate through the complexities of your Medicare health care and prescription drug options.
As one of Florida’s oldest and largest health plan providers, we’re focused on providing personal attention to the people we serve.
When you enroll with Florida Blue Medicare you also get Cronin Insurance as your agent. We are local and accessible in person and by telephone.
We are here to give you personalized service and help you find the plan that’s right for you, at a price you can afford.
In addition, we have 22 Florida Blue Medicare Centers across the state offering educational, health & wellness events and additional services. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, Florida Blue members have had access to their providers through Telehealth services for virtual doctor visits..
Medicare is a Federal program that helps seniors 65 and older, and people with certain disabling conditions pay for their medical bills. Original Medicare does not pay all of your medical bills. It has deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. It also does not pay for Prescription Drugs.
When an American turns 65, they are eligible for Medicare. You are eligible to apply for Medicare during a 6 month enrollment period- 3 months prior to your birthday and 3 months after without any penalty like an increased surcharge. Medicare becomes effective on the first day of your birthday month.
Original Medicare is made up of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B and does not include prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Part A covers you when you’re in the hospital, or if you need skilled nursing, hospital care, hospice or other home health services.
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary and preventative services such as your doctor and outpatient visits, ambulance services, Durable Medical Equipment, Outpatient mental health, and preventive services.
Some things to know about Original Medicare:
- • In order to get Part B, you must enroll and most likely will have to pay a premium.
- • Part B monthly premium for beneficiaries can vary each year depending on your income.
- • You will have access to any doctor or provider that accepts Medicare patients.
- • Medicare Supplement insurance and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) may be needed to help fill some of the gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, and decide to enroll in Part B later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B.
What is a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan?
A Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan works together with Original Medicare to cover costs Original Medicare doesn’t pay. Items like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays can be paid by these plans. With a Medicare Supplement plan, you can usually use any doctor or hospital you want without worrying about being “In Network”.
Two things to keep in mind about Medigap plans.
You need to pay for these plans over and above what you are paying for Medicare Part B.
And Medicare Supplements do not cover Prescription Drugs.
Medicare supplement plans are all standardized and purchased from private insurance companies, like Florida Blue Medicare, and there are varying coverages to choose from.
In most cases, a Medicare Supplement plan does not have a provider network. Medicare must approve and pay before the Medicare Supplement plan provides payment.
If money is no object and you want to see any doctor or any hospital you choose (as long as they accept Medicare), this might be the plan for you. You can enroll in a Medigap plan with no medical underwriting provided you enroll during the 6 month enrollment period.
What are Part D Prescription Drug Plans?
Now we are going to talk about Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs), which are only offered by Medicare-approved private companies or organizations, like Florida Blue Medicare. Since Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drug costs, Part D plans were created to help people who choose to stay on Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan, to be able to afford prescription drugs they may need.
There is another way to cover Prescription Drugs than a stand alone plan you have to pay extra for.
What is Part C or a Medicare Advantage Plan?
What are Part C or Medicare Advantage plans?
• They are health plans offered by private health insurers like us, Florida Blue Medicare, that contract with Medicare.
• Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans (MA), combine all the benefits that Original Medicare covers for Part A and Part B, and usually offer additional benefits and services like dental, vision, hearing, and a gym membership.
• And… most Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D prescriptions drug coverage and are referred to as MAPD plans. • All of Florida Blue Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage!
A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan is all your health care and prescription drug coverage rolled into one plan!
Florida Blue offers $0 premium HMO plans where you take advantage of their strong network of doctors, hospitals and other health providers.
And if the HMO is too restrictive for you, Florida Blue also offers a $0 premium PPO plans with in and out of network coverage.
Contact Cronin Insurance for all the details.
Whether you are looking for a Medigap plan, a stand alone Part D Prescription Drug plan or a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan, Florida Blue has a plan for you.
One call to Cronin Insurance can get you started on your path to a healthy future.
Low rates, choice of companies and personal advice, Cronin Insurance is the Wise Choice.
