Trinity Clancy Medicare Broker’s Post

Transcript

Hello, this is Trinity Clancy, Medicare insurance broker. Did you know that there are? A few instances. Within Medicare, where pre-existing conditions can be a concern, and it's important to know, particularly before you sign up for Medicare, what those issues are so you can make the right decision on your Medicare plan. Ten years ago, in 2014, the Affordable Care Act was passed. And that. Health insurance program created significant changes in the health insurance market. For example, health insurance plans could no longer. Screen or prevent people from being covered for pre-existing conditions. And that carried over into Medicare as well. So a lot of people don't think about pre-existing conditions and how they might impact your coverage anymore. But there are still some instances where pre-existing conditions can be a concern. I'll start with the areas where there is no concern about preexisting conditions, and that is with original Medicare. Hospital and outpatient coverage Pre-existing conditions are covered no problem. Medicare Advantage plans. You are never asked health questions on an Advantage plan application, and you don't have to worry about pre-existing conditions being covered by Advantage plants. The same goes with Medicare prescription plans, and the same goes with Medicare supplements, but only when you are first eligible for Medicare the the year. That you turned 65? Or the year that you retire from employer coverage if you're over 65 and start Medicare. That is the only time you can get on a Medicare supplement without worrying about pre-existing conditions. Here's where pre-existing conditions can be a concern if you've been on Medicare for a year or more. And you want to get on a Medicare Supplement plan such as Plan G or Plan N, you're gonna have to answer 2 pages of medical questions. I had a gentleman apply for Medicare Supplement after being on a Medicare Advantage plan for a number of years and because of a specific medication he's taking and some health issues that he had in the past, his monthly premium for the supplement. Was raided up, which meant meant that he had to pay a lot more for his monthly premium. He was expecting to pay about $175 a month, and the company actually charged him nearly $500 a month because of his preexisting condition. In other cases, I've had people turn down for Medicare supplements. When they've applied. Because they have either something pending. For example one lady that I worked with she had some back issues and the doctor was trying some things to see if her back got better. If it didn't get better she was going to need back surgery and because there was a pending issue she was turned down for her Medicare supplement. So Medicare supplements are fine and no pre-existing conditions are are a concern the first year. Qualify for Medicare, but after that first year, preexisting conditions can cost you a lot more money or not be covered at all. A Medicare broker can help you find the right plan from the get go and take your pre-existing conditions. Into consideration from the get go. I had another client yesterday who talked with me who's in the in the middle of cancer treatment and getting chemotherapy and I signed him up for a Medicare supplement because ultimately his costs would be much lower on that supplement given the cancer treatment he was going through. So it's a good idea to consult with a broker, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.