AboutR. Gene Ramsay Expertise I can answer questions from people regarding health, life, and supplemental insurance. I can also answer certain annuity questions,
long-term care, medicare, vision, dental, group products, individual
products, and certain carriers. Another area would be general discussion on an individual basis to determine need and help individuals make the right decisions for them. I can also field questions from other insurance
providers about carriers I represent so we can do some business together and I am also willing to offer my thoughts on certain issues they may be having
with clients/customers, etc.
Experience
Past/Present clients I would prefer not to divulge current clients without their consent to do so.
Question QUESTION: Gene, I will turn 65 on June 18, 2009. I have been on a PFFS advantage plan since 2004 due to my health disability. I am told that I cannot get out of this pffs plan until the end of the year. I have read that when I turn 65 I have a qualifying event so that I can get a medicare supplement which I think would be more beneficial to me as I get older. I think there is a 6 month period that this can be done, my question is when does the 6 months start, someone just told me that it was 3 months before and 3 months after my birthday. If this is correct then I will not be able to switch plans, can you please help as soon as possible and thanks very much.
ANSWER: Jarvey,
Congrats on the achievement coming up.
You have given me some good basic information, but Medicare supplements and other Plans are fairly extensive. You also have the disability you mentioned and I am not sure what that entails so the info you have given me is pretty basic in relation to the answer I would normally give because I am not sure exactly where you are or what supplements you are looking at. I can say this...if you are talking about a Medigap policy then here is what it says: "After a Medigap policy has been in force for 6 months, benefits may not be denied or limited on the basis of preexisting conditions. Preexisting condition may not be defined more restrictively than a condition for which medical advice or treatment was given by a physician within 6 months BEFORE the policy was in force. This tells me only something about your preex stipulations that would possibly pertain to your disability.
As for the enrollment period, I am not sure the plan you are looking at so I have no idea, but I do know that Medicare Plan B must be enrolled before the month in which they are 65 and should take effect July 1 and if you wait you can enroll again January through March but benefits will not take place until July of the same year. Your best bet would be to call the carrier directly that you are looking to purchase this from and ask them the enrollment options. I will also say this, there should be no reason you not switch plans as it is before your 65th birthday officially. I am not aware of Medicare plans where your enrollment has this sort of set up.
I am not sure if you have looked into this either, but if you are permanently considered disabled then Social Security Disability could help also.
I wish I could help you further on this but with the limited nature of your description I can only assume a few things to try to help.
Hope any of this helps.
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QUESTION: Gene, I've been on a Private pay for fee service thru Today's options since 2004. This is a medicare advantage plan and I have asked them to let me disenroll so that I can go back on original medicare A&B and then add a supplement insurance such as Anthem plan F. Today's options has refused to let me out of their plan until the end of this year, that's the way their plan is setup. If this is correct then Medicare says my timetable is 3 months before and after my 65th birthday which is June 18, this would mean that I am outside the timetable and since I am on disability no insurance company wants to insure me without probably 500 to 600 dollars per month. This is why the 6 month period is so special as at this time I am told that they have to waive your health status and let you join as if you had good health. I hope this gives you more information that will allow you to help me if you can, please help and thanks very much
Now, this is from the state of Georgia and if you read just a little into it, it states you can enroll and be covered (if I have my dates right) by July 1 since you are not 65 yet:
Just remember, there are insurance professionals where you live who can really help you. You should contact them by phone to get these stipulations in writing and also to see if there are any suggestions they can make to get you to your benefit eligible period. You are one month away, so it should not be that difficult for them to assist. Calling and getting an AGENT who deals in Medicare for your state will be your best option for this period. All I can really do from here is provide information to you while days pass by that you need someone working for you to get what you need.
