Medicare Overview   Back to Article Main

Medicare is the health care system setup by the federal government for use by persons over the age of 65. Certain people with disabilities can become eligible for and enroll in Medicare prior to age 65 if they meet specific criteria. Basic Medicare is comprised of two components, Medicare A and Medicare B. Medicare A & B will only cover a portion of your medical expenses. It is necessary to enroll in a supplement and standalone prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantange plan to fill the gaps and provide complete health insurance coverage.

At Christopher Madden Associates we find the majority of clients do not have a clear understanding of how Medicare works. Understanding the relationship between Medicare, supplements, prescription drug plans and Advantage plans is extremely important as this will be your health-care system for the remainder of your life. Our experience has been that many clients make poor coverage elections based on this lack of understanding.

Some clients maintain their medical coverage from their place of Employment thinking it must be good insurance since it was a retirement benefit. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. In many cases, these are major medical insurance plans designed for people in the under age 65 market. These plans leave you with higher deductibles and co-insurances. In this scenario, it is often better to drop these plans and enroll in something specifically designed to work in conjunction with your Medicare A & B.

Many agencies offer only one type of Medicare product and present it to their clients for enrollment. We disagree with this position as Medicare supplementation is not a one size fits all situation. At Christopher Madden Associates our number one priority is making sure you understand the complex relationship between Medicare, supplements, Advantage plans, and prescription drug plans. We educate you on how the different components work together. This knowledge is imperative in making the right selection for your Medicare coverage.

Our agents are knowledgeable and informed. We take our time with each client and guide you through the process so you can be assured you have the right coverage to offer quality, affordable health-care for your retirement years. Contact a Christopher Madden Associates agent today for assistance in assessing your options for Medicare coverage. The decision is important.