Medicare Plans in Charleston, West Virginia
If you live in Charleston, West Virginia, or surrounding areas and are new to Medicare, you need to know your options. At Songer Benefits, various Medicare Advantage, prescription drugs, and Medigap plans are available.
Depending on your medical situation, you can get the most complete coverage through a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan in West Virginia. Enrollment in any of the Medicare supplements needs eligibility for Medicare; we can help you at Songer Benefits.
You become qualified at age 65. Your initial open enrollment period for Medicare begins three months before your birth month and continues for three months after.
This is not to be confused with Medicare open enrollment or the annual enrollment period, an annual opportunity from October 15 to December 7. You can reassess your insurance coverage and make changes if needed during this time.
Assume you’re under 65 but enrolled in Medicare because you’re getting Social Security benefits. In this matter, you can get covered on your 25th month of disability with the state. Once your Part B benefits are compelling, your seven-month window will begin.
Medigap Charleston, West Virginia
There are “gaps” in Original Medicare coverage options or items you must pay because Medicare usually does not. These are typically deductibles and copays you’re responsible for, but Medicare leaves other costs. This is where a Medigap plan becomes very relevant in most cases.
Costs covered by Medigap may include the following:
- Part B Deductible.
- Skilled nursing facility care.
- Medicare Part A deductible.
- Medical costs acquired while traveling abroad.
- First three pints of blood for a blood transfusion.
- Coinsurance and hospital costs after Part A’s deductible
- Part B excess charges (the difference between what a doctor can charge and the Medicare-approved amount)
- Hospice care.
Some Medicare plans to cap the out-of-pocket expenses involved in medicare coverage.
Open enrollment for Medicare Supplements started the first day you are 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B and ends six months after. This is usually the best time to purchase a Medigap Plan because you can enroll without having to answer health questions, and it’s a guaranteed issue.
You can enroll in a Medigap plan soon after you enroll in Part B. However, you’ll be susceptible to health questions following open enrollment.
Call Songer Benefits to confirm your eligibility if you’re under 65 but enrolled in Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Charleston, West Virginia
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must cover everything Original Medicare does. They also offer dental, vision, hearing, and well plans (such as gym memberships). Some Advantages include other benefits like prescription drugs, adult day care, rides to doctor’s offices, etc.
Many times, Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium, meaning there’s no additional expense.
There are several Medicare Advantage plans available in Charleston. For more information, give our agents a call at Songer Benefits.
Medicare Part D Plans In Charleston, West Virginia
Medicare plans in Charleston do not cover medications (Part D) — unless you have a separate medication plan.
Every RX drug plan must provide a standard level of coverage that Medicare implements.
Part D policies feature a list of covered medications, referred to as a formulary. If the provider changes the formulary, they must send you a notice of doing so.
There are multiple prescription drug plans available in Beckley. If you need assistance finding one that covers all the medications you need, call Songer Benefits.
