Are recent events tempting you to test drive any of the Medicare Advantage plans in Santa Clara valley? It seems more and more doctors are shying away from traditional Medicare (original Medicare Part A and Part B) in Santa Clara valley. There is a buzz about reports that Sutter/ PAMF (Palo Alto Medical Foundation- formerly Camino […]
Navigating Medicare with Stanford or Sutter/PAMF Accessing Stanford or Sutter/Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) with your Medicare has become progressively more challenging in recent years. However, it’s not impossible. Schedule your Free 15-minute Telephone Consult Gone are the days of purchasing a Medicare policy and keeping it forever. The dynamic Medicare market in the Bay […]
This Sutter PAMF Medicare Article has been updated on October 9, 2024 for 2025 plans Big news for Medicare beneficiaries who are counting on having Sutter Palo Alto Medical Foundation Medicare options: We are closing out a tough year in the bay area medicare market, and we all wonder, will 2025 be better or worse? […]
People are leaving Medicare Advantage We are expecting large numbers leaving Medicare Advantage and returning to original Medicare this (AEP) season. Frankly, people are just “done with it,” after last season’s plan closures. Popular providers, such as Stanford and PAMF / Sutter dropped out of plans in 2024, and it appears more volatility is on […]
Is Blue Shield and Blue Cross the Same? Blue Shield of California is not the same as Anthem Blue Cross. In fact, their Medicare Supplement (aka “medigap”) products compete directly against one another. By most estimates, Blue Shield of California is the market share leader for the number of medigap (medicare supplement) insurance policies issued […]
Blue Shield of California has announced its intention to withdraw Plan G Inspire from its Medicare Supplement Insurance offerings, potentially as soon as January 1, 2025, pending regulatory approval. This move follows their decision to stop accepting new Plan G Inspire applications back in April. An Unforeseen Change to Plan G Inspire As an agent, […]
Retiring and Making the Switch To Medicare Are you preparing to retire and leave your employer-sponsored health insurance and make the switch to Medicare? This transition can be daunting, but understanding the steps involved can make the process smoother. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide you through retiring and enrolling in Medicare. (Read this article […]
Under normal circumstances, you may Apply for Medicare Part A and even Part B (only) at a local Social Security Administration office. Since appointments are limited, consider applying online: You can apply for Part A and Part B at ssa.gov/benefits/medicare and until recently, via telephone appointment: In some situations, it may still be possible to schedule […]
Choosing The Best Medigap Plan G What’s all the Buzz about Plan G and its “medigap cousin,” Plan G Extra? For persons turning 65 on or after January 1, 2020, Plan G replaces the hugely popular Plan F. Early feedback is Plan G is just as popular as before, and now, in 2024 there are […]