Medicare offers many online resources to help with health insurance choices.
As the relative or friend of someone elderly or a licensed insurance agent in Florida, you may find yourself helping an elderly person choose health insurance. You should have knowledgeable about the individual's health conditions and medical needs. You'll need a basic understanding of Medicare and the options for Medicare Part C --Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Part D -- prescription plans and Medicare Supplemental plans. Medicare and the Florida Office of Insurance offer may resources to help choose insurance plans.
Instructions
1. Meet with the elderly individuals you are helping choose health insurance. Ask if each individual is in good health and if she has any medical problems. Ask for a list of prescription medication she is currently taking and how often she visits the doctor. This information will help you understand how much health insurance coverage they may need.
2. Visit Medicare's website to use the Medicare Advantage comparison tool. This tool allows you to help the elderly input information such as their Florida zip code, current insurance needs and list of medications. The tool will analyze what insurers offer Medicare Advantage plans in their Florida neighborhood. You can work with the elderly to compare each plan's features and cost.
3. Suggest the elderly consider a Medicare supplemental policy to supplement their Medicare Part A and B health coverage based on their insurance needs. Visit the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and locate the page entitled "Medicare Supplement Sample Rate Search". You can access Medicare supplemental rates, frequently asked questions and a consumer guide to Medicare Supplemental policies in the state of Florida.
4. Call the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation's consumer helpline at 877-693-5236 to inquire about health insurance options for the elderly in Florida. Representatives can assist you be explaining information about Medicare eligibility, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program and information about Florida laws and insurance for the elderly.
5. Gather the information about available Medicare Advantage and Supplemental plan options and compare plan features, costs and availability against the elderly individual's healthcare needs and budget. Advise her on what you think she may need. For example, if she is in reasonably good health, she may not need a Medicare Supplemental policy with extensive coverage.
Tags: Florida Office, Florida Office Insurance, health insurance, information about, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part, Office Insurance
