General Medicare Articles

Articles, guides and FAQs on Original Medicare and Medicare process topics

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Medicare Supplement vs Advantage: Costs and Coverage Differences

December 12, 2019

Original Medicare – Part A and B – still stands today, but alone it is not enough for most beneficiaries. Many members expand their coverage by enrolling in a Medicare plan. Currently, there are two options available: Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) and Medicare Advantage. These plans assist in covering non-covered expenses beneficiaries must…

Inpatient and outpatient care costs with Medicare

December 12, 2019

You may find yourself facing a hospital stay, but the experience can be much worse when it comes with a case of bill shock. Make sure you understand how costs vary for inpatient and outpatient hospital stays and what you can expect to pay. Inpatient vs Outpatient: Differences The amount you’ll pay for hospital services…

5 Things to know about your Medicare card

Original Medicare: Part A and Part B

December 9, 2019

Original Medicare basics Starting the Medicare process can be overwhelming. To help you understand what to expect during the Medicare decision-making process, let’s start with the basics. Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the Federal Government. Mostly offered to those 65 years of age and older, Medicare has over 63 million beneficiaries across…

INFOGRAPHIC: 7 Tips Before Starting Medicare

December 5, 2019

If you’re approaching Medicare eligibility, start here. This infographic can get you up to speed on everything you need to know before starting Medicare.

agents with headsets working on computers

Benefits of working with a UMA agent

December 5, 2019

With so many Medigap plans to consider and countless Medicare Supplement Insurance companies to compare, choosing the right coverage can be difficult. Fortunately, finding and purchasing a Medigap plan is easier with the help of a Medicare Supplement Insurance agent. Here are five reasons to consider working with one. 1. You’ll understand all your options…

How traveling affects Medicare coverage

December 5, 2019

If you’re planning a trip this year, it’s important to know your Medicare insurance options so you can stay safe, prepared, and relaxed while enjoying your travel. As a general rule, healthcare while abroad is not covered by Original Medicare—but Medicare Supplement insurance often covers travel insurance. Learn more about how to stay covered while…

Medicare Supplement Insurance

5 Conditions Medicare Covers

December 4, 2019

Medicare makes medical goods and services more affordable for eligible Americans. However, there are well-known gaps in the coverage. This can lead many Americans to mistakenly believe their own medical conditions won’t be covered. Here are some health conditions covered by Medicare that may surprise you. Don’t worry if you have one of these pre-existing…

Seven questions to ask before Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

5 things to know about the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

December 3, 2019

Medicare’s Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is an essential part of starting your Medicare coverage. Whether you plan to retire at 65 or not, it’s important to know about IEP to set yourself up for success in the future. Here’s what you should know: IEP is your time to enroll in Medicare parts A, B, and…

The Switch: Shopping trends in Medicare’s AEP

The Switch: Shopping trends in Medicare’s 2018 Annual Enrollment Period

July 31, 2019

As your trusted Medicare advisors, we stay up to date with trends to give you reliable information and provide clear guidance through Medicare. Using recent Deft Research data on Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, Lauren Guinta, vice president of sales at UMA, found some noteworthy trends regarding the current state of senior health. She highlights some…

Medicare's Extra Help Program

What is Medicare’s Extra Help Program?

March 5, 2019

Basic health care is the right of all Americans. Those who cannot afford to pay for their health care may qualify for a low-income subsidy under the Medicare Extra Help program. Read on to understand more about this subsidy and its qualification requirements. What is the Medicare low-income subsidy? The Medicare Low-Income Subsidy helps Medicare…