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Medicare Part B Great Lakes IL

Medicare Part B Great Lakes IL

Covers Your Doctors' Visits and Home Health Services in Great Lakes

This covers doctors’ visits, services provided by doctors while in the hospital, ambulance rides, outpatient procedures, durable medical equipment (things like oxygen machines, CPAP devices, blood sugar monitors, diabetic test strips, etc.), and a very small number of prescription drugs (which are often extremely expensive). These include drugs typically administered by a doctor, particularly those drugs used in the treatment of cancer, chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, or infusion therapy. You must pay a monthly premium for Part B, normally right out of your Social Security check. If you are on Medicare in Great Lakes, IL but not yet drawing Social Security, you must pay your Medicare Part B monthly premiums directly to the federal government.

Part B also covers home health services (but not custodial care), preventive screenings and counseling, outpatient physicals, occupational and speech therapy, mental health, x-rays, and lab tests. It basically covers (almost) everything Part A does not, with the exception of retail prescription drugs, which are covered under Part D.

Medicare Part B Excess Charges And How To Avoid Them in Lake County

What are excess charges? Well, first, let’s briefly outline how doctors in and around Great Lakes get paid if you have Original Medicare (Medicare Advantage is different).

The vast majority of doctors and hospitals across the country accept what’s called “Medicare Assignment.” In plain English, that means Medicare says they’ll pay the doctors and hospitals a certain amount for a procedure or a doctor’s visit, and those doctors and hospitals essentially say, “Okay.” These folks are then “participating” in Medicare. In return, they’re not allowed to bill the patient any additional amounts over the deductibles and coinsurance necessary under Original Medicare. If a doctor, hospital, or other facility does not accept Medicare Assignment (non-participating), they can still bill Medicare, get paid that same amount outlined by Medicare, and then bill you an additional 15% above and beyond what Medicare paid them. This is called the Medicare Excess Charge. Yes, Medicare allows this. Of course, doctors and hospitals in Great Lakes, IL that opt out of Medicare altogether can bill you whatever they want.

The excess charges only apply to physicians or items billed under Medicare Part B.

Eight states have laws prohibiting Medicare Part B excess charges:

  1. Connecticut
  2. Minnesota
  3. Ohio
  4. Pennsylvania
  5. Rhode Island
  6. Vermont
  7. Massachusetts
  8. New York

 The financial exposure to excess charges is an oft-cited reason Medicare insurance agents and companies use to sell certain types of Medicare Supplement plans. Some Medicare Supplement plans cover the potential 15% upcharge for Medicare Part B excess, and of course, usually charge higher premiums for plans that cover this possibility. Medicare Advantage plans don’t normally have to deal with this because they don’t allow excess charges to be billed for providers in their networks and will usually cover them if you have a PPO and decide to go out of network.

Part B Excess Charges And Using Insurance To Prevent Them if You Live in Great Lakes, IL

Only two Medicare Supplement plans cover Medicare excess charges, and one of them is no longer available for people in Illinois who turned sixty-five on or after January 1, 2020. People who turned sixty-five before that date may still have access to this plan called Medicare Supplement Plan F. The other is Medicare Supplement Plan G, which is essentially the new replacement for Medicare Supplement Plan F now that it’s going away for people who turn sixty-five after 2020. The only difference between the two is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible. Plan G does not.

The other option? Get a Medicare Advantage plan. You don’t have to worry about the Medicare Assignment question because the insurance companies contract providers who already accept Medicare Assignment. Even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan that allows you to go outside of the insurance company’s network, such as a PPO or an HMO-POS plan, you most likely won’t get charged Medicare Part B Excess Charges. If you have questions, call your Medicare insurance company.

Is it worth a few extra bucks in premiums to get a Medicare Supplement plan that covers these excess charges? At Chicagoland Medicare, we say yes. Medicare Supplement Plan G is the only one that covers these, and it’s the most popular, best-selling Medicare Supplement plan you can currently buy. If you already have a Medicare Supplement Plan F (again, no longer able to be sold if you became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020), that covers the Medicare Part B excess charges, too.


Related Services: Great Lakes, IL Medicare Dental Plans, Medicare Supplement in Great Lakes IL, Great Lakes IL Medicare Agents Near Me, Medicare Advantage Great Lakes Illinois, Medicare Prescription Coverage in Great Lakes Illinois, Medicare Part A in Great Lakes IL, Great Lakes IL Medicare Broker

Medicare Part B Nearby: Medicare Part B Lake Bluff IL, Medicare Part B North Chicago IL, Medicare Part B Green Oaks IL, Medicare Part B Park City IL

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We're here to help with Medicare Part B

Are you turning 65 or eligible for Medicare in Great Lakes, IL? Look no further! Chicagoland Medicare is here to help you navigate the maze of Medicare options and find the perfect plan for your healthcare needs. As your local Medicare insurance agency, we provide personalized service, expert advice, and access to a wide range of Medicare plans. Plus, did you know that Great Lakes, IL is home to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, the largest training center for the U.S. Navy? So, just like the dedicated sailors there, let us guide you through the seas of Medicare and ensure smooth sailing to the healthcare coverage you deserve! Sign up for Medicare in Great Lakes, IL with Chicagoland Medicare today!

Still need help?
Contact your local senior health insurance resource in Illinois.

Senior Health Insurance Program
800-252-8966
Illinois Department on Aging One Natural Resources Way, #100
Springfield, IL 62702