What about Medicare in North Central Washington?

 Suzie Health Solutions has been assisting people in Wenatchee and surrounding counties going on ten years. We make it easy as possible because this is a life changing moment. Suzie takes her time during enrollment and answers questions through the year making her high in demand. She does take appointments and people have set them as far out as five years. We do not charge fees. 

To enroll in Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is 65 years or older, or have a qualifying disability or end-stage renal disease. Yes, if you have a Permanent Resident Card (I-5551) then you can qualify for Medicare!

To quote or set appointment here.

We do assist people in office for an initial enrollment or receive forms to activate Medicare B from a delayed start. You can enroll in Medicare online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and other personal information. Once you have enrolled, you will receive a Medicare card in the mail.

It takes about three weeks to receive a Medicare Card once the application has been entered and accepted. If you are already receiving Social Security and automatically enrolled then you should receive your Medicare Card about two months prior to your 65th birthday. 

Your initial enrollment is special. You can enroll in Medicare during the seven-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. It allows for a guarantee issue allowing a person to enroll regardless of preexisting conditions. The initial enrollment can be delayed without penalty if you have qualified coverage such as a health plan through an employer. 

Medicare offers four different types of plans: 

1. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) 
2. Medicare Advantage (Part C) 
3. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
4. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

Original Medicare covers hospital and medical expenses. This enrollment is done through the Government. The penalty for not enrolling in Medicare when you are first eligible is a 10% increase in your Part B premium for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but did not sign up for it. This penalty will continue to be applied to your Part B premium as long as you have Part B coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans have been around since the mid-1990s. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 allowed private health insurance companies to offer Medicare Advantage plans, which are an alternative to traditional Medicare. These plans are designed to provide additional benefits and services to Medicare beneficiaries. Since then, Medicare Advantage plans have grown in popularity, with more than 22 million people enrolled in 2019. Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide the same benefits as traditional Medicare, but they may also offer additional benefits such as vision.

Medigap plans have been around since the 1960s. The first Medigap plans were created in 1966 as part of the Medicare program. These plans were designed to help cover the gaps in Medicare coverage, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. In 1972, the federal government began regulating Medigap plans, setting standards for the plans and requiring insurers to offer them. In 1990, the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act was passed, which provided additional coverage for Medicare.

 Medicare Part D plans were first introduced in 2006 as part of the Medicare Modernization Act. The plans are designed to provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. The plans are offered by private insurance companies and are subsidized by the federal government. The plans vary in terms of cost, coverage, and formulary. Beneficiaries can choose from a variety of plans, including those that cover generic drugs only, those that cover both generic and brand-name drugs, and those that cover only brand-name.

The penalty for late enrollment in Medicare Part D is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium times the number of full, uncovered months you were eligible but not enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan.

Suzie Health Solutions is a full service enrollment center focused on Life, Apple Health, Health Insurance, Dental, Vision and Travel Insurance. 

At our Wenatchee office, we are can also assist with homes, autos, and business insurance plans. To provide you with a one office solution for your insurance needs. 

To quote or set appointment here.