Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance
This high level overview and will not address every situation that a Medicare beneficiary may find them self in. This short primer is meant help you understand the different parts of Medicare and how they work, or don’t work, together. The following information can also be found in the Medicare and You Handbook.
Anthem Blue Cross of California Medicare Advantage dual eligibility with Medi-Cal Special Needs Plans May 30, 2015 This guidance is generally applicable for all health insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans for dual eligible beneficiaries. Dual Eligibles (Duals) are individuals who are entitled to benefits from both the federal Medicare and state-run […]
There are certain situations where Medicare will pay for your health care services after another insurance plan pays first. There are also situations where Medicare will pay for your health care services, but you will have to pay them back after an insurance settlement reach after an accident you are involved with that is not […]
2015 CMS PDP Training Prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries can be confusing. Under different health care scenarios some drugs may be covered by Part A, Part B or Part D of Medicare. In addition, many Medicare beneficiaries may be unaware that they might qualify for extra help to pay for their medications. The Centers […]
Since the beginning of 2015 through April 17th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued over $2 million in penalties on Medicare Advantage plans across the United States. Of the twelve Medicare Advantage plans cited for non-compliance, one had their enrollment activities suspended while the rest were issued civil money penalty. All […]
On October 29th, 2014, Chinese Community Health Plan (CCHP) was notified that they were being put on immediate imposition of intermediate sanctions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Medicare sanction was triggered by what the CMS auditors concluded were severe violations in the Chinese Community Health Plan Medicare Advantage (MA-PD) plans offered in […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid released their reimbursements rates for Medicare Advantage plans by each county in the United States. Commonly known as the capitation rate, the table shows what Medicare pays to a private Medicare Advantage plan each month for each beneficiary enrolled in the health plan. The lowest reimbursement is in San […]
A five star Medicare Advantage will be paid $890 in Sacramento County, $947 in San Francisco County, $951 in Los Angeles County and $856 in San Diego County per month by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for each enrolled member. The data and calculations that go into determining the monthly reimbursement or capitation rate for Medicare […]
Individuals who recently acquired Parts A and Part B of Original Medicare may find they have to pay more per month than their existing ACA health plans. Under the ACA rules, once someone accepts Medicare, they must exit any ACA health plan they purchased through the exchange and the tax credits that make it affordable. […]
When searching for supplemental health benefits like dental and vision insurance, be cautious of paying additional fees or joining membership associations tied to the insurance. VSP vision insurance, Delta Dental and AARP all have marketing agreements that mandate the purchase of an association membership or one-time fee. These associations may offer little value to the member and only serve as another revenue stream for the issuing company.
