Erickson Financial Services, Inc. &
Emmett J. King, LLC
Colorado Health Insurance Broker & Group Benefits Adviser
Colorado Medicare Supplement Plans
Erickson Financial Services, Inc. assists seniors and the early disabled with help finding an appropriate Medicare Supplement Plan.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for people who have become disabled and eligible for Social Security Disability (SSDI). It pays for much of your health care costs, but not all. Because there are gaps in Medicare coverage, there are two programs available to seniors to help mitigate out-of-pocket costs:
- Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Medicare Advantage
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medicare Supplement Insurance is supplemental insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the "gaps" in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Outpatient and Doctor Visit Coverage).
You are guaranteed issuance of a Medicare Supplement without medical underwriting only once in your lifetime. The qualifying events for guaranteed issue are as follows:
- The open enrollment period during the first 6 months in you are both age 65 AND enrolled in Medicare Part B.
- 24 months after obtaining SSDI AND obtaining Medicare Parts A & B.
- After enrolling into Medicare Part B AND terminating coverage from an employer-sponsored group health plan
- Anytime within 1 year after the first time enrolling onto a Medicare Advantage Plan (the trial period)
Medicare Supplement Plans do not include prescription drug coverage, so it is important to consider purchasing a standalone Prescription Drug (Part D) plan in addition to your supplement.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans are an alternative to Original Medicare Parts A & B paired with a Supplement. Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is available to anyone who has Medicare Parts A and B, and can be purchased once a year during the annual open enrollment period (Oct 15th through December 7th) or when you first become eligible for Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans are similar to traditional health insurance, with copayments for inpatient and outpatient services, and Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage. There are quite a few Medicare Advantage Plans to choose from in Colorado, with monthly rates ranging from $0 and up.
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
It is important to consider purchasing a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, even if you don't currently take any prescriptions. This is because Medicare will assess a penalty down the road if you choose not to buy Part D when you are first eligible, and then buy it later on when you need it. There are a wide variety of prescription drug plans available ranging in price from approximately $16/mo and up. Your broker can help you find the most affordable plan that covers your current prescriptions. Simply contact our Medicare Specialist for assistance.
Medicare and Dental Coverage
Erickson Financial Services offers a large variety of Standalone Colorado Dental Insurance Plans for Seniors. Please contact us for recommendations!
Are You Confused about Medicare Coverage?
Emmett King is our experienced Medicare Specialist. He is available to answer all of your questions about Medicare and to help you interpret the overwhelming onslaught of brochures and flyers that are often sent to Medicare eligible individuals.
