our services
Healthcare & Medicare
Our experience will help guide you to the right plan!
Healthcare & Medicare services
Having dental and vision insurance before and throughout retirement could be the right option for you.
We help individuals and families find the best dental coverage available to them. Most of our plans have the option to add vision coverage to the benefits at a low monthly cost. If you are currently without dental coverage or want to see if there is a plan with richer benefits and/or lower premiums, please contact us today.
For those individuals who are members of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association (ARTA), you are eligible for discounted premiums through our office. If you are a retired teacher, or thinking about retirement, contact us and see how you can keep your dental and vision benefits – without waiting periods.
We offer dental and vision plans through Delta Dental of Arkansas and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas. Vision-only plans are available through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Our experience in Medicare will help guide you to the right plan for you!
Most people age into Medicare at age 65. Others, however, begin receiving Medicare disability at a younger age. Prior to the start of Medicare coverage individuals need to educate themselves about the benefits of Medicare, the gaps in Medicare, and the steps they need to take before Medicare benefits begin.
Our team of agents can educate you about your options as well as find plans that best fit your individual circumstance. Don’t try to navigate the waters alone. Contact our office today and let us provide assistance to you. The best decisions are made once you have all the facts.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that was created to help Americans age 65 or older, and certain disabled persons, to pay for medical care.
Medicare is divided into four parts: Parts A, B, C, and D. Part A covers part of inpatient hospital insurance, Part B covers part of medical services by doctors, Part C is Medicare Advantage plans and Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage.
When do I become eligible?
You become eligible for Medicare on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. People who are disabled or suffer from end-stage renal disease may become eligible for Medicare before age 65.
When should I apply?
If you’re already retired and receiving Social Security benefits, you don’t even have to apply for Medicare Part A and Part B. You’ll automatically get a Medicare card in the mail when you turn 65. If you are not already retired or do not qualify for Social Security benefits, you will have to file an application for Medicare Part A and B coverage. You can apply for Medicare Part A and B coverage online or at your local social security office.
What is a supplement?
A supplemental policy is private health insurance that is designed to supplement original Medicare. The policy will pay for some of the health care cost “gaps” that Medicare doesn’t cover. If you have Medicare and you select a supplement, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare approved amounts for covered health care. Your supplement pays its share and you pay monthly premiums whether you become sick or not.
What is an Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage options, also known as “Part C,” allows people who are eligible for Medicare to choose to enroll in option plans called Medicare Advantage. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B before enrolling in Medicare Advantage. Private insurers offer the plans that have varying copayments and premiums that start at $0 per month. Many plans require you to visit specific doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers.
What plan is best for me?
Without knowing your health or financial needs, we can’t know what plan is best for you. Your options are: (1) Standalone Medicare (2) Medicare and a Group Plan (3) Medicare with a Supplement, and (4) Medicare Advantage Part C.
From reviewing original Medicare (Parts A and B) to understanding Medicare supplement insurance plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and stand-alone prescription drug plans (Part D), we are here to help at no cost to you. To compare the different company plans and rates, feel free to call us and we’ll be glad to show you the plans in your area.
Individual Health Insurance can help protect you from potential risks and allow you to take care of yourself.
No one plans to get sick or hurt. However, at some point in your life, you are most likely going to need medical care, and without health insurance you are taking a great financial risk. Having a good health insurance policy protects you from catastrophic medical costs and most of the time provides for free (or reduced cost) preventative care such as vaccines and screenings.
Our team of professionals can help you select the best health care plan for yourself and/or your family. Whether you need something short-term or for an indefinite amount of time, we can help. If you are an active or retired school employee, each fall we can help you understand your options prior to Open Enrollment in October.
Open enrollment for individual health insurance in Arkansas is November 1 through January 15 of each year. During this time you may change or enroll in health coverage. You may also enroll into health insurance if you experience a qualifying event such as birth, adoption, involuntary loss of coverage or marriage.
This type of insurance can greatly improve your peace of mind as you age.
According to www.cancer.org, it was estimated that in 2014 there would be 1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed and 585,720 cancer deaths in the United States. The website goes on to say that cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the United States.
A visit to www.theheartfoundation.org will tell you that this year more than 920,000 Americans will have a heart attack. And according to www.strokecenter.org, stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Each year approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke.
Even with health insurance, a diagnosis of cancer, a heart attack or a stroke can prove to be costly. Most people don’t stop and consider that there are deductibles to meet, co-insurance amounts to pay and other costs, such as travel expenses and lodging. That’s why we offer low-cost lump sum cancer, heart and stroke insurance plans.
For those individuals who are members of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) you receive discounted premiums through our office. If you are a retired teacher, or thinking about retirement, contact us and see how you can keep protecting yourself (and your family) against the high costs associated with cancer, heart attacks and strokes.
*We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.
