How To Make Medicare My Primary Insurance

I Have A Medicare Supplement Plan And Am Moving Out Of State

In many cases, you can stay with your current Medicare Supplement plan even if youre moving out of state as long as you stay enrolled in Original Medicare. Medigap benefits can be used to cover costs from any provider that accepts Medicare, regardless of the state.

You can also choose to switch to a different Medigap plan offered in your new location, but keep in mind that if you dont have guaranteed-issue rights, you may have to pay a higher premium for that coverage or be rejected if you have health problems. Guaranteed-issue rights are special protections you have in certain situations to buy Medigap insurance in these situations, Medigap insurance companies cant deny you coverage or charge you higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions*.

If you have a Medicare SELECT plan , you may have guaranteed-issue rights to purchase a different Medigap plan if youre moving to a different state, or if youre moving within the same state, but out of your Medicare SELECT plans service area. In this situation, youll have a guaranteed-issue right to:

• Enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan from your current Medigap insurance company that provides the same or less coverage than your current Medicare SELECT plan. If youve had your Medicare SELECT plan for less than six months, your plan may require medical underwriting.
• Enroll in any Medigap Plan A, B, C, F, K, or L that is offered in your service area from any Medigap insurance company.

Medicare And Veterans Benefits

You can also use your veterans benefits alongside Medicare. As a veteran, you have healthcare coverage through a program called TRICARE.

Once you reach age 65, youll need to enroll in Medicare to keep using your TRICARE plan. Medicare and TRICARE work together in a unique way to cover a broad range of services. The primary and secondary payer for services can change depending on the services you receive and where you receive them.

For example:

• TRICARE will pay for services you receive from a Veterans Administration hospital.
• Medicare will pay for services you receive from a non-VA hospital.
• Medicare will be the primary payer for Medicare-covered services and TRICARE will pay the coinsurance amount.
• TRICARE is the primary payer for services not covered by Medicare.

Medicaid Or Medicare Savings Programs

Medicare beneficiaries with limited income or very high medical costs may be eligible to receive assistance from the Medicaid program. There are also Medicare Savings Programs for other limited-income beneficiaries that may help pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. There are specified income and resources limits for both programs. Contact your local county Department of Social Services or SHIIP to apply for one of these programs.

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Common Situations Of Primary Vs Secondary Payer Responsibility

The following list identifies some common situations when Medicare and other health insurance or coverage may be present, and which entity will be the primary or secondary payer.

1. Working Aged and Employer Group Health Plan :

• Individual is age 65 or older, is covered by a GHP through current employment or spouses current employment AND the employer has less than 20 employees:Medicare pays Primary, GHP pays secondary
• Individual is age 65 or older, is covered by a GHP through current employment or spouses current employment AND the employer has 20 or more employees :GHP pays Primary, Medicare pays secondary
• Individual is age 65 or older, is self-employed and covered by a GHP through current employment or spouses current employment AND the employer has 20 or more employees :GHP pays Primary, Medicare pays secondary

2. Disability and Employer GHP:

• Individual is disabled, is covered by a GHP through his or her own current employment AND the employer has 100 or more employees GHP pays Primary, Medicare pays secondary

3. End-Stage Renal Disease :

Please see the ESRD page for more information.

4. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 the law that provides continuing coverage of group health benefits to employees and their families upon the occurrence of certain qualifying events where such coverage would otherwise be terminated.

5. Retiree Health Plans

6. No-fault Insurance and Liability Insurance

7. Workers Compensation Insurance

Employer Or Military Retiree Coverage

If you or your spouse has an Employer Group Health Plan as retiree health coverage from an employer or the military , you may not need additional insurance. Review the EGHPs costs and benefits and contact your employer benefits representative or SHIIP to learn how your coverage works with Medicare.

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Primary And Secondary Insurance Rules

When you have two forms of health insurance coverage, your primary insurance pays the first portion of the claim up to your coverage limits. Your secondary insurance may pick up some or all of the remaining costs.

However, you still might be responsible for some cost-sharing. For example, its a mistake to think your secondary insurance will kick in and cover the deductible attached to your primary insurance. Instead, you likely will be responsible for covering the deductible.

You also may be responsible for copay and coinsurance fees.

Responsibilities Of Providers Under Msp

As a Part A institutional provider , you should:

• Obtain billing information prior to providing hospital services. It is recommended that you use the CMS questionnaire, or a questionnaire that asks similar types of questions and
• Submit any MSP information to the intermediary using condition and occurrence codes on the claim.

As a Part B provider , you should:

• Follow the proper claim rules to obtain MSP information such as group health coverage through employment or non-group health coverage resulting from an injury or illness
• Inquire with the beneficiary at the time of the visit if he/she is taking legal action in conjunction with the services performed and
• Submit an Explanation of Benefits form with all appropriate MSP information to the designated carrier. If submitting an electronic claim, provide the necessary fields, loops, and segments needed to process an MSP claim.

Please select Provider Services in the Related Links section below for more information.

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Can You Have Employer Coverage And Part D

When it comes to Part D, you can delay enrollment if your employer group insurance has prescription coverage. This is similar to Part B. Always compare your group insurance to what the cost of Medicare + Medigap + Part D would cost. Its cheaper to leave group insurance and enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan and Part D plan.

Medicare Secondary Claim Development Questionnaire

The Medicare Secondary Claim Development Questionnaire is sent to obtain information about other insurers that may pay before Medicare. When you return the questionnaire in a timely manner, you help ensure correct payment of your Medicare claims.

This questionnaire is mailed when a claim is submitted to Medicare with an explanation of benefits attached, a self-report is made by you or your attorney identifying a Medicare Secondary Payer situation, or an insurer submits MSP information to a contractor, or the BCRC. This questionnaire asks:

• If you have other health insurance or coverage based upon your current employment
• If you are receiving black lung benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or treatment for an injury or illness for which another party could be held liable, or are covered under automobile no-fault insurance and
• If you have other health insurance or coverage based upon a family member’s current employment.

You may access a sample Medicare Secondary Claim Development questionnaire in the Downloads section at the bottom of this page. Note that the questionnaire you receive may appear slightly different depending on the reason you are entitled to Medicare. If assistance is needed in completing the questionnaire, the BCRC should be contacted. For BCRC contact information, please click the Contacts link in the Related Links section below.

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Which Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Is Provided Under The State Of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program

Medicare related prescription drug coverage will be provided by Navitus Health Solutions through a self-funded, Medicare Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan called the Navitus MedicareRx plan. This plan is underwritten by Dean Health Insurance Inc., a federally-qualified Medicare contracting prescription drug plan. This affects Medicare-eligible participants covered under an annuitant contract enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program. As required by Uniform Benefits and IYC Medicare Plus, a supplemental wrap benefit is also included to mainly provide full coverage to State members when they reach the Medicare coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole.” But the supplemental wrap benefit will also provide coverage at other times when the EGWP does not, such as during the Medicare Part D deductible and the initial coverage phases. Dean has been contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services since 2006, when Medicare Part D was first implemented, to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to employer groups.

Your group health insurance premium already includes the cost of this benefit. There is no separate premium that needs to be paid for this Medicare Part D coverage. It is important that you read and understand the information presented on the Navitus MedicareRx plan description page. It is available online under the Available Plans page or on paper by calling ETF.

Responsibilities Of Beneficiaries Under Msp

As a beneficiary, we advise you to:

• Respond to MSP claims development letters in a timely manner to ensure correct payment of your Medicare claims
• Be aware that changes in employment, including retirement and changes in health insurance companies may affect your claims payment
• When you receive health care services, tell your doctor, other providers, and the Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center about any changes in your health insurance due to you, your spouse, or a family member’s current employment or coverage changes
• Contact the BCRC if you, or an attorney on your behalf, takes legal action for a medical claim
• Contact the BCRC if you are involved in an automobile accident and
• Contact the BCRC if you are involved in a workers’ compensation case.

Please select Beneficiary Services in the Related Links section below for more information.

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When Must I Apply For Medicare

State and Retirees only: Medicare Part AMost people become eligible for Medicare upon reaching age 65. Individuals who have been determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration become eligible after a 24-month waiting period.

If you or your spouse are actively working when you become eligible, you may want to consider enrolling in Medicare Part A as it may cover hospital services if your health plan denies them. There is no premium for Medicare Part A.

Medicare Part BThe requirement to enroll in Medicare Part B coverage is deferred for active employees and their dependents until the subscriber’s termination of their Wisconsin Retirement System-covered employment, through which active employee health insurance coverage is provided.

If you have terminated employment, or are a surviving dependent, or a continuant and are eligible for coverage under the federal Medicare program, you must immediately enroll in both Part A and Part B of Medicare unless you are otherwise employed and have health insurance coverage through that employment. If you do not enroll for all available portions of Medicare upon retirement, you will be liable for the portions of your claims that Medicare would have paid beginning on the date Medicare coverage would have become effective.

If you do not receive the Medicare Eligibility Statement at least one month before your 65th birthday, please contact ETF.

Medicare Vs Private Insurance Premiums

The table below provides a general comparison of the costs of Medicare and private insurance. However, it shows the average monthly premiums for private insurance in 2019 and the costs for Medicare plans in 2021.

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What About Penalties Will You Qualify For A Special Enrollment Period To Enroll In Medicare Later

With group coverage, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. That means you can enroll in Part B after the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period. You have 8 months after group coverage ends to enroll in Medicare without paying a penalty. If youre interested in Medicare Supplement Insurance, you will also have a guaranteed issue right to buy for six months after you enroll in Medicare Part B.

If Medicare Coverage Is In Effect How Do I File Medical Part B And Pharmacy Claims

If Medicare is the primary insurance, your provider must submit claims to Medicare first. Once Medicare processes the claim, Medicare will send you a quarterly Medicare Summary Notice . Exception: If you are enrolled in the IYC Medicare Advantage plan, your provider will submit claims to that plan and they will send you an Explanation of Benefits .

IYC Health Plan Medicare:Many of the health plans have an automated procedure after Medicare processes the claim, through which the provider then submits it to the health plan for processing. However, some health plans require members to submit a copy of the MSN and, in certain circumstances, a copy of the provider’s bill. You should discuss with your provider if they will bill Medicare and your health plan on your behalf. Contact your health plan for additional information.

IYC Medicare Advantage:

IYC Medicare Advantage, offered by UnitedHealthcare, allows members to seek care anywhere in the United States and its territories. The benefits are the same in- or out-of-network. You can see any provider that accepts Medicare and is willing to treat you and bill UnitedHealthcare. When you visit your provider, you must show your health plan’s card. Your provider will submit your claims directly to the health plan. To request reimbursement for a covered service charge that you paid, send your receipt and a copy of your card to the address on the back of that card. Contact UnitedHealthcare for more information.

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Tips For Finding A New Doctor On Medicare

Looking for a new primary care physician can be a stressful experience, especially when youre leaving a trusted doctor. This makes finding the right provider all that much more important.

To find a doctor that will be good for you, consider researching any local providers covered by Medicare. Asking those similar in age and enrolled in Medicare could also help you find a local doctor that treats his patients with the utmost care.

Primary Care Doctors And Medicare: The Bottom Line

There are plenty of primary care doctors that accept Medicare, and many are likely located near you. To find them, you can consult the databases or ask around your local community. With your Medicare coverage, youll soon be in an office talking to a qualified doctor.

If youre ready to find quotes for primary care doctors that accept Medicare, you should enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to see what you could pay at other insurers.

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Are You Looking For Free Insurance Quotes

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• Most primary care doctors accept Medicare insurance
• Medicare also covers many specialty doctors
• Make sure youre prepared for your visit with a new doctor

When you first start your Medicare coverage, you may need to research primary care doctors that accept Medicare. Luckily, a wide majority of primary care physicians take the Medicare health insurance plan. You can likely find coverage for a variety of doctors who can provide treatment.

While youre looking for rates for primary care doctors that accept Medicare, why not enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to see what you could pay at other insurers.

Medicare Vs Private Insurance Costs

Making a direct cost comparison between Medicare and private insurance plans is challenging due to several factors, such as:

• Employers who provide private insurance plans may also pay for some or all of the monthly premium.
• Some people sign up for privately administered Medicare Advantage plans, which also vary in cost but may be more cost effective than original Medicare for some people.
• A Medigap policy cover costs such as deductibles and copays, but the monthly premium for Medigap policies varies.
• Medicare premiums only cover one person. However, private insurers may extend coverage to other family members, such as dependents.

Other factors affecting the cost of private insurance include:

• the age of the person
• where they live
• the benefits of the plan
• the out-of-pocket expenses

Generally, private insurance costs more than Medicare. Most people qualify for a $0 premium on Medicare Part A.

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