Shopping During Medicare Annual Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15th and runs through December 7th.

Shop for Medicare RX and Medicare Advantage plans on our new YourMedicare website; click the button below:

DISCLOSURE  

Our first priority is helping you find the BEST Medicare plans that suits your needs and budget.   While our office is licensed with most of the Major A-rating insurance carriers in IL, we are not licensed with all carriers.   To see the entire list of carriers in IL, you can visit www.Medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare. 

In most areas of Illinois, there are 16 PDP plans; our office is licensed to sell 15. There is only one company (Envision and the Elixir RX) that we do not represent.

For MAPD plans, there can be anywhere from 44 to 47 plans depending on what county you live in.  Our office is certified to sell 37 out of 47 MAPD plans; CB Health Insurance represents Aetna, Centene, HCSC (BCBS of IL), Humana, UnitedHealthcare/AARP, and WellCare.  We do not currently represent Molina (1 HMO only in certain counties), Zing (3 HMO plans), Devoted (2 HMO and 1 PPO), ClearSpring (2 HMO plans). We are getting certified to sell Cigna plans for the 2024 enrollment period. (They currently offer 5 plans.) 

You're enrolled in Medicare and have some type of Drug Coverage.  Once a year during the annual open enrollment you can CHANGE your drug coverage.  This can be done from October 15th - December 7th each and every year.  The plan you chose to enroll in at this time, will go into effect January 1st after you enroll.  If you 'do nothing', your drug coverage should automatically renew.    The carrier offering the RX plan that you are currently enrolled in must send you a NOTICE OF CHANGE (NOC) every October 1st.  This will tell you what the new premium will be the following year and any benefit changes, such as an increase in deductible or copayments. 

You do have the option to SHOP during this time.   You can do this one of two ways:

1) Shop for a Stand-alone Part D drug plan

2) Shop for a Medicare Advantage plan with Prescription Drug Coverage; the acronym is MAPD plan, also known as Medicare Part C. 

Most people chosing Option #1 above, will pair a stand-alone Part D card with a Medicare Supplement, which helps fill the gaps that Medicare does not cover. However, the annual Open Enrollment for Medicare does NOT give you the option to change supplements no questions asked. Our office recommends you shop for supplements in the spring when the carriers pass along rate increases, unless you leaving an MAPD plan in the fall; then you will want to enroll in a supplement BEFORE switching your drug coverage to make sure you will be issued a policy. 

Our office can give you with either options. While we are licensed and certified to enroll people with a variety of companies, we are not licensed with all carriers in the state of IL. 

For a list of all carriers in the state, please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicar. 

Our office represents a number of carriers, including Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL, Mutual of Omaha, UnitedHealthcare®, Silverscript RX, WellCare and more. Contact us for info: 630-279-1739 or email info@cbhealthinsurance.com.

Medicare alone may not be enough coverage for some people.

There are deductibles for Medicare Part A or B insurance, and the 20% coinsurance on part B, which is unlimited. The deductible for hospitalization (Part A) is per occurrence, not per calendar year. So an individual that might have Medicare only, and who is hospitalized two times in a year, will be subject to the Part A deductible for each, separate hospitalization. Also if you have a large claim under Part B (outpatient services), Medicare pays 80% after the deductible and you will pay 20% of the approved claims. 

The good news is that we created this video below to learn more why

Medicare alone may not be enough coverage! Click the video to learn more!

Let's face it, Medicare can be confusing! Cathy and her staff can spend several hours just explaining the basics of Medicare. Between explaining Medicare options, helping pick a plan, and follow up calls to answer questions, we can spend many hours just helping one person pick the BEST plan to meet their needs.

We also have a YouTube channel where you can...

• Watch short, 5-10 minutes educational videos on different Medicare topics.
• Learn the basics of Medicare and
• Understand your choices and options
• Become Educated so you can make the BEST decision for your situation!

If you want true piece of mind that your Part A deductible and coinsurance will be covered, a Medicare supplement plan will do just that. A supplement, or Medigap insurance as it is sometimes referred to, will allow you the freedom to go to any provider that accepts Medicare in the US. You will not need to be concerned to see if a Dr. is 'in' the network; as long as they accept Medicare, you are good! 

NOTE: Those who may be on a limited budget and unable to afford a supplement, an RX Part D drug card, and pay for Medicare Part B premiums, may want to consider a Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug coverage - MAPD (Part C of Medicare). These plans include a drug card and many of the advantage plans offer extra benefits, such as dental and vision. These plans typically utilize a list of providers through an HMO or PPO; so be sure to inquire if your providers accept these plans. And of course, feel free to ask our staff about these plans and for assistance in looking up providers!

If you would like our assistance in purchasing a plan, please complete the form to be contacted about your options. And don't forget to watch our videos to learn more!

Submit your information, and our office will contact you about your Medicare Coverage options.

Note: This is a solicitation for insurance.

Outside of the Annual Medicare Open Enrollment, our office charges a fee to review your insurance options if you are not a current client with our office.  To review your current coverage, provide quotes for alternative Medicare Supplements, and discuss your overall Medicare needs including whether to consider a Medicare Advantage plan vs Med Supp and RX, please refer to the page "shopping for plans" on our website.