Get Ready for Medicare.. See 7 Helpful Tools and Ideas for NH Seniors!

by Stephen Donohue NH Medicare Insurance Specialist

If you are just getting started with Medicare- and you are looking for some information, here are 7 things that you can do:

1. Visit the MyMedicareMatters.org website.   ​This website is helpful for new seniors (and also people who have been on Medicare for a while). It is sponsored by the National Council on Aging and has some great tools. My favorite page on this site is the  MEDICARE CHECKLIST that outlines steps you should take 6 months, 4 months, and 3 months prior to your 65th Birthday.  (Here is a PDF of the MEDICARE CHECKLIST if you want to download it!)
2. Get your Annual Physical Exam- BEFORE you are enrolled with Medicare!  If you are on an employer sponsored plan - it is likely that the preventive care benefit you have NOW is RICHER THAN  preventive care covered by MEDICARE.  It is important to know that while Medicare DOES COVER PREVENTIVE CARE, the Medicare preventive care benefits are not as comprehensive. See Medicare's List of Preventive Care covered items here.
3. Consider your Options- Most seniors when initially are they are eligible for Medicare have 3 choices, If you need help comparing options, please give me a call 603-882-2909 I am happy to help!
   1. Still working? The best decision for someone who is currently working, or covered on a spouse's employer benefits is OFTEN  to REMAIN on the employer sponsored plan if the costs per paycheck and out of pocket costs are reasonable.  So most of our clients will KEEP their CURRENT EMPLOYER HEALTH PLAN  and defer electing Medicare Part B (Most people do take A because it's free!) 
   2. Original Medicare A & B, Plus a Part D RX plan PLUS a Medicare Supplement
   3. Medicare Advantage
4. Read the Medicare & You 2020 Handbook-  No one is asking you to memorize it!  But a review of it will help you better understand Medicare. You are able to read it online,  order one to be mailed,  or download the pdf here.
5. Attend a Seminar- Check your local senior centers, or libraries. Insurance brokers, insurance companies and other organizations offer no pressure Medicare Education seminars often.
6. Visit your Insurance Department Website Here in NH, the Insurance Department has a great publication called New Hampshire’s Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance . It lists the monthly premiums for all the NH 2020 Guide 2020-nh-guide_to_medicare-supplement-rates-dated_01.23.2020.pdfto MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS offered by 19 different insurance companies.
7. Meet with a Medicare Insurance Specialist- the favorite part of my job is meeting with seniors and helping them plan for Medicare. Often people are overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices, but after getting to know your situation, we are often able to help you narrow it down,  make your options easier to understand and more manageable.

Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company is a licensed insurance agency on Main ST in Nashua, offering all kinds of insurance to Seniors thought New England and the Northeast!

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