Insurance Agent Forum

[al3]

What carrier might write an F or G for a 59 year old woman on Medicare A/B disablity?

I thought Guarantee Trust would but they are not licensed for health in CA.

Any ideas of a carrier for me to call and perhaps get an appointment with?

Thanks,

Al

[midwestbroker]

Go to the CA department of insurance website. They have a link to a page for pricing medigap policies in that state.

If she just got her Part B within 6 months, she is guaranteed issue. Otherwise, you will have to go through underwriting (unless there is a clause in that state).

Hope this helps!

[al3]

Originally Posted by midwestbroker

Go to the CA department of insurance website. They have a link to a page for pricing medigap policies in that state.

If she just got her Part B within 6 months, she is guaranteed issue. Otherwise, you will have to go through underwriting (unless there is a clause in that state).

Hope this helps!

I'm not so worried about pricing as I am about just finding a carrier to write someone under 64 (or 63, I forget the age for Medicare). By law, from what I understand, they don't have to write med-sup for anyone under age, but above is guaranteed issue. I don't mind doing the leg-work if I can simply learn what carriers actually write med-sups in CA... and that's the list I can't find. I'll call them all if I can find out who to call!

PS: The woman is my wife. Now that I'm a licensed (but inexperienced) agent I should be my first customer and my wife should be my second. I'm going to drop my BC PPO plan and get myself an HSA plan with Assurant (who just appointed me) but they don't seem to have anything that woud work for a Medicare elig. person who has been on the program for five years now (both of her hips were replaced because of arthritis which she has in her knees and ankles and spine making her very 'mobility challanged.' (Please no "hearts and floweres" sympathy here, she walks (slowely) with a cane, drives a car (with handicap parking permit) and is doing OK). I had her on BC but they never paid much of anything so I dropped her coverage when Part D kicked in (we have Humana for that).Thanks for your help guys. I'm still learning here.

Al

[midwestbroker]

If your wife cannot get a Medigap policy, I would look into a Medicare Advantage plan.

You should get a book in the mail listing all the different carriers in your area, and more then likely, get a mailbox full of insurance company ads (since Nov 15 is the next enrollment period).

Try this site

http://www.calmedicare.org

[al3]

Originally Posted by midwestbroker

If your wife cannot get a Medigap policy, I would look into a Medicare Advantage plan.

Try this site

http://www.calmedicare.org

Thanks for the help. I'll check out the Advantage plans but my wife (a 25 year ex-surgical RN) is very particular about her docs and is not a big fan of HMOs where the clerks make the med. decisions and not the docs. However if there is a PSO that has all her docs it might be worth considering.

BTW if you ever want to find out who the best surgeons are in your area go to the OR in the hospital and ask one (or more) of the RNs or techs whom he/she would have cut them open. THEY KNOW, believe me... they KNOW! Also ask them who they would choose as an anest. You ARE allowed to choose your own... just takes a phone call.... most folks dont know that...and they also don't know that the anest actually has more to do with keeping you alive than the surgeon does. Ask any OR nurse who they like. What is 'good'? Often 'good=fast'. The shorter the time you are on the table the less gas you take, less stress you have, etc. A good surgeon is a fast surgeon. "Ask a nurse."

Hope this helps. At this point in my insurance career its about the only help I can give anyone!

Al

[midwestbroker]

Look into PFFS (Private Fee for Service) Medicare Advantage Plans. They do not have a set network. As long as the provider takes Medicare and is willing to bill the insurance company for service (usually the same rate that Medicare bills at), they are in.

That is a good tip about talking to the nurses! Thanks!