North Carolina Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans
Some of the carriers we represent in the state of North Carolina are Aetna, American Continental, Family Life, Forethought, Gerber, GPM Life, Loyal American, Sentinel, and United of Omaha.
Affordable Care Act:
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, North Carolina residents have more freedom and control over their health care choices. The Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare and helps seniors take charge of their health. The law provides important benefits such as free preventive services, free annual wellness visits, and a 50% discount on prescription drugs for Medicare recipients in the coverage gap known as the "donut hole." In 2012, seniors will continue to have access to Medicare Advantage and more affordable prescription drugs through Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (also known as Medicare Part D).
The Affordable Care Act is being implemented with partners across the country and, since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $63.5 million in new grant funding in North Carolina.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Carolina Department of Insurance say that for North Carolina residents in the year 2012:
- 100% of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan that does not charge a premium
- 30 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) available
- 93% of people with Part D have access to a plan with a lower premium than what they paid in 2011
- 41% of people with Medicare Part D get Extra Help (also called the low-income subsidy)
- 16 PDPs have $0 deductibles
- $15.10 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan
- $66.60 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan with coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap.
- 9 PDPs have a premium of $0 for people who qualify for Extra Help
Plan costs and coverage change each year, so all people with Medicare should check to make sure that their plan still meets their health needs and budget. There may be a Medicare health or drug plan available with better coverage or a lower premium in 2012.
"Extra Help" Program:
The Federal Government provides an extensive program for people needing financial assistance with the Medicare Part D program. Depending on your income and available financial resources. Medicare will provide "Extra Help" that may cover 85% to 100% of prescription costs and may also pay a part or all of your Medicare Part D premiums.
You qualify for "Extra Help" if you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B; you are a resident of one of the 50 states of the District of Columbia; and your combined savings, investments, and real estate are not worth more than $12,640 if you are currently single or not living with your spouse, or $25,260 if you are married and living with your spouse (this excludes the home you live in, vehicles, personal possessions, burial plots, irrevocable burial contracts or back payments from Social Security or SSI).
North Carolina Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for full "Extra H elp" will find that fewer Part D plans qualify for the $0 premium Low-Income Subsidy as compared to last year. In 2011, 10 Medicare Part D plans qualified for the $0 premium Low-Income Subsidy as compared to 9 Part D plans in 2012. Please note, if you received "Extra Help" in 2011 and your plan does not qualify for the $0 premium in 2012, you may be automatically moved to a new Part D plan that does qualify for the $0 premium. If this occurs, please check to be sure that your prescriptions are covered on your new plan. If they are not, you can switch to a plan which will cover your medications.
Medicare beneficiaries who are interested in qualifying for financial "Extra Help" with the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans should visit the Social Security Administration's website.
For City-Specific Medicare Plans, visit:
Charlotte Medicare; Raleigh Medicare; Greensboro Medicare; Durham Medicare; Winston-Salem Medicare; Fayetteville Medicare; Cary Medicare; High Point Medicare; Wilmington Medicare
