Step 1 - How to Find Guide: This Page Helps You Find
Health Care Plans
that Meet Your Needs in 4 Steps
Getting Started with Finding Health Care Plans
» It will take some time. Many observers say it will take 4 or 5 hours to find plans and then compare them. You'll need to understand some new terminology, understand different ways the information is presented, and then combine them to help make a good choice for you and your family.» Learn some of the terminology. Health insurance uses specific terms in describing benefits and costs. It's useful to understand them as you search through various plans. Click here to read the Nov 2011 issue of Consumer reports on "How to Choose a Health Plan."
» Write down some of the facts you learn. Download a Consumer Reports Plan Costs and Coverage worksheet to make notes as you go along.
4 Steps to Finding Health Care Plans
» First :: Download the Benefits Team tracking sheet.Download and print the attached healthcare tracking sheet to log the healthcare plans that meet your needs. There's room for data for both Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans.
» Second :: Find other Medicare Advantage plans.
Visit medicare.gov and enter your ZIP code. Follow the on screen instructions, step by step. There's a handy instruction sheet from a state health insurance department that provides insight into the options you have: click here for the instructions. Note: many Medicare Advantage plans combine prescription drug plans with healthcare. You don't need to enter your drugs to find Medicare Advantage healthcare plans initially. But see web site the link [Step 3 - Rx Plans] for help on finding alternative drug plans. Medicare has a comprehensive guide to Medicare Advantage: (Medicare and You 2010).
» Third:: Find Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans.
Medigap plans are private insurance plans that have low or no deductibles. Many of them do not have copayments for services. These premiums can be more expensive than Medicare Advantage plans because of these benefits. The plans are standardized so choices are often made based on premiums, which can vary widely between insurance companies. Medicare says:
"As you shop for a Medigap policy, keep in mind that different insurance companies may charge different amounts for exactly the same Medigap policy"
State insurance sites often have a “Medigap rate comparison shopping guide.” Use the [Help in Your State] web site link to find telephone numbers and websites for the state you live in.
Medicare has a comprehensive guide with many explanations on how to view and select Medigap plans (Choosing a Medigap Policy).
» Fourth :: Go on to the Benefits Team link [Step 2 - How to Compare]
| SPECIAL NOTE ON DEPENDENTS: If you are new to dependents, you need to be sure that your spouse/dependents health insurance status before you decide to sign up to leave Alcatel-Lucent. CALL THE BENEFITS HELP LINE FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
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