Zent Senior Health Insurance

No Indiana Medigap Birthday Switch

The Medicare Birthday Rule is a regulation that allows certain Medicare benficiaries to change their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance policies around their birthday without medical underwriting. But, Indiana does not allow for that change like some other states do.

In Indiana, in most instances, Medigap plans are medically underwritten outside of such as your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a special guaranteed issue event.

In Indiana you typically can apply anytime to change you Medigap plan, but the insurer can ask health questions and potentially deny coverage or charge more based on your health.

You might have a guaranteed issue right only in limited situations, such as:

o You’re within 6 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B (Initial
Medigap Enrollment Period).

o Your current plan ends or stops providing coverage in your area.
o You leave a Medicare Advantage plan within 12 months of
joining it for the first time.

Don’t confuse the rules for switching Medigap plans with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP, January 1–March 31) or the Annual Election Period (AEP) (October 15–December 7) — but these apply to Medicare Advantage and Part D, not Medigap.

Let me know if you want guidance on changing plans or help comparing Medicare Advantage vs Medigap options in Indiana.
Gary

I RETIRED. NOW WHAT?

OK, the word “Retired” caught your eye. I am easily into my seventies and still working, not as aggressively as I once did, but still working. I used to tell people that I still work because I didn’t know what I would do if I didn’t, which I think is true. But probably the bigger part is that I (we, my wife works, too) need the income to keep doing the things we want to do and buy things we want (within reason).

So, although I haven’t really “retired”, I might not be experiencing what many of you are, those who are fully retired. You can take what I am going to say with a grain of salt but take it anyway.
Being retired takes away the excuses for not getting tasks done that you told yourself you didn’t have enough time to do before retirement. The list might start with things like:

• Comparing car insurance pricing
• Comparing house insurance pricing
• Comparing medical insurance pricing
• Researching and learning how to invest
• Connecting with old friends and family
• Learning a new language
• Learning to dance
• Painting the house
• Etc, etc, blah, blah

The point is you now have the opportunity to get things done you have put off. Really? Then why isn’t the list getting shorter (much)? In my opinion, if you procrastinated before retirement, you will do the same after retirement.

I am not going to lecture you on how to become a non-procrastinator (it’s easy to talk big), but think on these sayings:

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”
“It is more mentally tiring to think about what has to be done, and all the things that might go wrong, than it is to physically do the job.”
“The longer you put something off, the closer you get to a period of consequences.”
“The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action.”
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
“Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.”
“The trouble is that you think you have time.”
“Hoping drains your energy. Action creates energy.”
“Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.”
“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.”

Books on procrastination:
The Art of Taking Action by Gregg Krech
The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
The More You Do The Better You Feel: How to Overcome Procrastination by David Parker

I would love for you to share your thoughts.

Be wise in what you think, what you do and how you share. - Gary

Medicare?

Navigating Medicare insurance can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone in this process. It is perfectly normal to have questions and uncertainties. Asking for help is a wise decision. Remember, many people have faced the same challenges and have successfully found plans that meet their needs. There are professionals and community resources ready to guide you step by step. You deserve clarity and peace of mind about your healthcare options, and every question you ask brings you closer to the coverage that’s right for you. Stay patient with yourself and know that support is always available when you need it.

Gary Zent
317 374-5186
Zentsenior.com

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

You can't have both, so you must choose wiselyAnyone who's ready to sign up for Medicare has a lot of decisions to make. But one decision is especially important—should you choose Medicare Advantage or use Medigap to supplement your Original Medicare plan?

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Original Medicare provides good basic health coverage, but it pays only about 80% of approved costs for hospitals, doctors, and medical procedures and usually doesn't cover prescription drug costs or such things as routine dental care.1
• Medigap supplemental insurance plans are designed to fill Medicare Part A and Part B coverage gaps.
• To avoid penalties and gaps in coverage, most people should sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) within the seven-month window that starts three months before the month they turn 65 to three months following their 65th birthday.2
• Medicare Advantage, also referred to as Medicare Part C plans, often include benefits beyond Medicare Parts A and B. Private, Medicare-approved health insurance companies offer these plans.
• Although Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is optional, if you don’t get it either as a stand-alone plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan, there may be financial penalties if you need to buy a policy later on.
• Consider plan costs, plan doctors, convenience, your lifestyle and travel plans, your health, and any additional benefits in making your Medicare coverage choices.

If you qualify for Medicare and don't know where to start, I can help you with your decisions about Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance and Prescription Drug Part D plans as well as dental, vision and hearing coverage.

Gary Zent Senior Health Insurance
Zentsenior.com
317 374-5186

Bad Habits Why are some seniors so darn healthy?

Er… what if you prefer not to ‘deck the halls?’There’s a palpable There’s a palpable pressure to be festive this month. But what do you do if you are feeling disengaged, overwhelmed, had a recent loss, have strained family relationships, or feel the need to withdraw from all the togeth...

Living alone, happily ever after Did you know that some 27% of Americans aged sixty or better are living alone? That’s is an unusually high number compared to the rest of the world.

Letting go of stuff Purging, cleansing, down-sizing, de-cluttering… whatever you call it, getting rid of stuff can be difficult when it comes to the things you hoped to pass on to your family. And yet, seniors our age are finding out that o...

Experience has shown that a lot of people don't know what specific Medicare coverage they have. If they have a Medicare Advantage policy, they don't know if it is a HMO, PPO, HMO-POS, etc. They might even have a Medigap policy and are confused by the ads they see on TV, which are overwhelmingly for Medicare Advantage. Please, if you have any doubts or questions, let me help you.