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medicare (12) News

Does Medicare Cover Basic Screenings?

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

Regular health screenings are one of the best ways to prevent disease and identify potential risk factors. Because of this, Medicare plans generally cover all basic screenings – and even some that are less common.

How to Know If You Need a Medicare Advantage Plan

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

When you’re newly eligible for Medicare, the options can be overwhelming. What’s the difference between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap? How do I know if I need a Medicare Advantage Plan, or if another plan is the right choice for me? At Twin City Underwriters, we’re here ...

hand dropping coins into a clear piggy bank sitting on a tabletop with money

What is IRMAA?

Blog Author: John Demko

If you've ever opened your Medicare statement and thought, “Why is my premium higher than someone else's?” you are not alone. Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare premiums aren’t always one-size-fits-all. For higher earners, there's a little-known surcharge that can impact your monthly ...

Medicare Prescription Deductibles: What You Need to Know

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

When comparing Medicare Part D plans, it’s important to consider all the details. Medicare prescription deductibles are one of the factors that will impact the overall cost of your plan. Here’s what you need to know about Part D deductibles.

Do Medicare Star Ratings Matter?

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

What are Medicare Star Ratings? Medicare star ratings rank Medicare plans from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. Any plan that has lower than 3 stars for three years in a row will be flagged as a “low performing” plan. Medicare will notify you if your plan reaches this threshold, but you will ...

7 Medicare Facts You May Not Know

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

When you’re enrolling in Medicare or choosing a new Medicare plan, it’s important to understand the options and process. However, we know that Medicare can be confusing! To make it easier, we’re sharing some lesser-known Medicare facts that will help you better navigate the system, courtesy of ...

Does Your Medicare Advantage Plan Offer Extra Benefits?

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

There are many health care services that are not covered by Original Medicare. These include vision and preventative dental care, hearing aids, and prescription drug costs, among others. If you need coverage for these types of care (as the majority of seniors do) you’ll need to pay out of pocket or ...

Why It’s Important to Review Your Medicare Plan Information

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7. This is when you can join a new Medicare plan or make changes to an existing plan. Unless you experience a qualifying event, this is the only time of year when you can change your Medicare plan. This is why it’s important ...

Understanding Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

What qualifies as durable medical equipment? What type of durable medical equipment (DME) is covered by Medicare? How much will DME cost me? These are questions you might have when figuring out which Medicare plan is right for you. We’ll answer those questions below – but if you need additional ...