Small Business Insurance Services Inc. is a Brokerage firm that has no allegiance to any insurance company. Our agents are also multi state licensed. We shop all major carriers for you so you always get the BEST plan at the LOWEST price. Each plan can be customized to fit your specific needs and budget. There are multiple ways for consumers to  purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance. However, the best way is to use an experienced Broker. Most especially since it costs nothing extra do so. This being the case, why not tap in to our expertise? If you prefer you can call us toll free @ (866) 724 7123 for a free no obligation Medicare Supplement telephone consultation from one of our multi-state licensed Brokers. Or, you can click on the quote link below and begin comparing plans by price and plan design. Be sure the "Senior Plans-Ages 65+" button is selected.

Unlike other Health Insurance sites, we will not call you unless you specifically request that we do. This being the case, please feel free to shop at your convenience. You do not need to enter your phone number to use our quoting engine. Once you decide on a plan you like, you can begin the application process by clicking the "apply now" links on the detail page of each of the products listed. Before you begin your quotes please watch our Medicare instructional videos below and read the Medicare information to learn about Medicare (parts A and B) Medicare Advantage (part C) and MediGap Medicare Supplements.

How to understand Medicare Plans:

Guide to Medicare Parts A and B:

Learn about Medicare Supplement or "MediGap" plans:

One of the most common questions we receive about Medicare supplement insurance is how it differs from a Medicare Advantage plan. Below are 5 basic differences for you to consider. In our view a medicare supplement insurance policy is the best option for seniors looking to fill in the gaps left by basic medicare. But you can review the information below and make your own decision.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

•  No Network Restrictions:  Any doctor, hospital, or other medical provider that accepts medicare must accept your medicare supplement insurance plan.  You can choose to see any doctor in any city when you want.

•  Easy To Compare Plans:  All medicare supplement insurance policy are standardized.  This means that you can be sure that plans from different companies all have the exact same coverage (plan designated by letter – C, F, N, etc…)

•  Stable Pricing:  While some companies have rate increases each year, the premiums for your plans remain fairly steady.  Especially if you work with an independent agent who can shop all the best companies for you.

•  No Restricted Enrollment or Change Deadlines:  With a medicare supplement insurance policy you can change your plan at any time for any reason.  You don’t have to rush around at the end of the year worried about getting stuck in a bad plan.  Of course health conditions play a factor when buying a new policy, but again a quality independent agency has multiple companies all with different underwriting guidelines.

•  You Can Cover 100% Of Out of Pocket Expenses:  With certain medicare supplement insurance plans you can cover every gap left my original medicare.  No co-pays, deductibles, or other shared costs.  This makes budgeting for your medicare care very easy.  All you pay is your medicare part B premium and your medicare supplement insurance premium and everything else is taken care of.

2011 Brings With It A New Medicare Plan.

This year, there will be a number of changes to existing Medigap/medicare supplement plans. Medicare Supplement Plans E, H, I, and J will be eliminated, and two new plans–Medicare Plan M and Medicare Plan N–will be introduced. Changes will also be made to the remaining Medicare supplement plans. Below is some general information on Medicare Plan N and what to expect from this new medigap plan.

About Medicare Plan N

Medicare Plan N will be introduced in June of this year. Medicare Plan N will offer similar benefits to Medicare Plan F. Medicare Plan N will also include a $50 co-pay for emergency room visits and a $20 co-pay for visits to the doctor. It is expected that the premium for Medicare Plan N will be approximately 70% of the premium of Medicare Plan F.

Medicare Part "D" and Prescription Drugs:

Paying for prescription drugs can be quite costly, which is why Medicare Part D was created as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (also known as the Medicare Modernization Act or MMA). Meant to help subsidize the cost of prescription drugs, Medicare Part D came into effect in 2006. Below is some general information on Medicare Part D and what to expect as a result of some changes in the future.

How Medicare Part D Works

Those who have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are eligible for Medicare Part D. There are two options for receiving Medicare Part D benefits. One can choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, or one can enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). Enrollment for Medicare Part D lasts from November 15 through May 15 of the following year.

Changes to Medicare Part D – The Health Care Reform Bill

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010.  As expected, the health care form bill will affect Medicare coverage in a few ways. Original Medicare coverage (Part A and Part B) will remain untouched, but there will be some changes to both Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage.

In the case of Medicare Part D, the changes from PPACA are meant to close the so-called doughnut hole by the year 2020. The doughnut hole refers to the gap in coverage when a person spends more than $2,700 but less than $6,154. Between these two amounts, the person in the doughnut hole must handle all costs out of his or her own pocket.

This year, those who fall into the hole will receive a $250 rebate to assist with payments for prescription drugs. In 2011, those with Medicare Part D will also receive a 50% discount on name brand prescription drugs. Additional discounts will be covered over the next several years.

Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans:

Individuals who are eligible for Medicare will notice that there are certain gaps in medical treatment that are not covered by Medicare Plan A or Medicare Plan B. To cover these gaps, there are multiple options available, but it fundamentally comes down to a choice of a Medicare Advantage or a Medicare supplement insurance plan. When choosing between the two, you need to consider a number of different factors. Below are some general considerations for those deciding between Medicare Advantage plans and a medicare supplement plans.

What are Medicare Advantage Plans?

Once referred to as Medicare + Choice and Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage refers to health care plans provided by Medicare-approved private companies. Medicare Advantage plans will cover urgent care needs as well as emergency care needs. Medicare Advantage will also cover medical treatments in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), with the exception of hospice care (which is covered by Original Medicare). Extra coverage may be offered through some Medicare Advantage plans, such as prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D), dental care, eye care, and programs promoting health and wellness.

Medicare Advantage Plans may take the form of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, or a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan. There are also Special Needs Plans (SNP) available for those who have certain severe medical conditions or disabilities.

Should I Choose Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Plans?

The answer to this question will be determined by your health care needs. Medicare supplement plans allow more flexibility in that you can visit any doctor without the need for a referral. Medicare Advantage plans do not afford as much freedom since visits with doctors outside of your network are not covered. Cost comes into play when it comes to deciding between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement insurance policy as well. In general, Medicare Advantage is more affordable, though it does come at the loss of flexibility, which may be problematic for addressing certain health care needs.

Changes to Medicare Advantage – The Health Care Reform Bill

On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law. The provisions of this law not only apply to individuals, business owners, and health insurance companies, they will also have some effect on Medicare. While the PPACA will not require seniors to change their Medigap coverage, there are some changes that current and future Medicare recipients should be aware of. Below is a general look at some of the ways that the health care reform bill will alter Medicare.

Health Care Reform and Original Medicare Enhancements

While there will be no cuts for Original Medicare plans, there will be some enhancements in coverage as a result of health care reform. Medicare will start paying for wellness visits each year. As it stands at the moment, only a general check up is paid for when a person initially enrolls in Medicare.

Health Care Reform and Medicare Advantage Spending Cuts

Medicare Advantage will see a number of spending cuts as a result of the health care reform bill, amounting to $132 billion. These spending cuts will be phased in over a period of 10 years. There will also be a $40 billion reduction on Medicare payments for home health care and a $22 billion reduction on certain Medicare payments to hospitals.

Health Care Reform and the Medicare Part D Doughnut Hole

The health care reform bill aims to close the gap in Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. In the current program, coverage ends when $2,700 is spent on prescription drugs and resumes again once $6,154 is spent. All prescription drugs purchased between those two amounts must be handled out of pocket. This has been referred to as the doughnut hole.

This year, those who fall into the doughnut hole will receive a $250 rebate to help with payments for prescription drugs. In 2011, they will be eligible for a 50% discount on brand name drugs. These discounts would expand over the course of the next few years. It is projected that by 2020, an estimated 75% of prescription drug costs will be covered.

Health Care Reform and the Medicare Payroll Tax

Individuals earning more than $200,000 a year and couples earning more than $250,000 a year will experience a 0.9% increase in their Medicare payroll tax. Beginning in 2013, individuals earning more than $200,000 a year and couples earning more than $250,000 a year will also experience a 3.8% surtax on investment income.

Still have questions? Call us toll free @ (866) 724 7123 for a free no obligation Medicare Supplement telephone consultation from one of our multi-state licensed Brokers. Remember, it costs you nothing more to use a Broker.