Free Covid Test Kits!

Medicare has a new initiative that will cover up to EIGHT over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you.

Who’s Eligible?

Medicare will cover these tests if you have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Medicare won’t cover over-the-counter COVID-19 tests if you only have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance). However, you may be able to get free tests through other programs.

When Did This Program Begin?

This initiative started on April 4th, 2022, and continues until the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. People with Medicare Part B can get up to EIGHT free over-the-counter tests per calendar month, and can then get another set of eight free over-the-counter tests during each subsequent calendar month through the end of the COVID PHE.

How Can I Get These Free Covid Test Kits?

You can get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at any pharmacy or health care provider that participates in this initiative. Check with your pharmacy or health care provider to see if they are participating. If so, they can provide your tests and will bill Medicare on your behalf. A partial list of participating pharmacies can be found here. You should bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card to get your free tests, but the pharmacy may be able to get the information it needs to bill Medicare without the card.

I picked up eight free Covid test kits yesterday from my local Safeway pharmacy. The pharmacist placed the order in the morning, and I picked them up yesterday afternoon. On a personal note, the only thing I didn’t like is that the Flowflex test kits are made in China. I’d feel more comfortable if these kits were made in the USA.

NOTE: Some pharmacies also offer free N95 face masks.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Looking for a Great Dental, Vision, and Hearing Plan?

If you are looking for a dental plan, I would recommend that you consider Manhattan Life’s Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) insurance plan. This plan can be used for dental only, or a combination of dental, vision, and hearing.

There is an annual deductible of $100 and unlike most dental plans, there are no required networks; you can go to the dentist of your choice!

NOTE: If you go to a dentist that’s in the Careington network, it will stretch your benefit dollars, but that is up to you.

There are three policy year benefit options available: $1,000 per year, $1,500 per year, or $3,000 per year.

If you are between the ages of 65 to 74, the $1000 plan is $37.58 per month, the $1,500 plan is $49.67 per month, and the $3,000 plan is $64.42 per month.

If you are between the ages of 75 to 85, the $1000 plan is $43.17 per month, the $1,500 plan is $57.08 per month, and the $3,000 plan is $74.08 per month.

Unfortunately, these plans are not available for ages 86 and older.

These plans are guaranteed issue and guaranteed renewable for life. During the first year, the plan will pay 60% of the costs. During the second year, the plan will pay 70% of the costs, and during the third year and after, the plan will pay 80% of the costs!

NOTE: Sometimes these percentages are based on “usual and customary” costs, but I recently bought new hearing aids at Costco for $1,800, and Manhattan Life paid 80% of the actual cost of the hearing aids!

For dental coverage, there are no waiting periods for Preventative Services such as semi-annual exams, cleaning and x-rays. There are no waiting periods for Basic Services such as x-ray, fillings and extractions (other than full mouth). For Major Services such as bridges, crowns, full-mouth dentures or partials, full-mouth extractions, and root canals, there is a 12-month waiting period, which is normal.

For vision coverage, basic eye exams and eye refractions are covered immediately, but there is a six-month wait for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

For hearing coverage, hearing exams are covered immediately, but there is a 12-month wait for new hearing aids and existing hearing aid repairs. After the initial 12-month waiting period, you will be reimbursed for 70% of the cost of your hearing aids after you’ve met the $100 annual deductible. If you don’t get hearing aids until you’ve had your plan for three or more years, like I did, hearing aids are covered at 80%!

NOTE: Unlike many dental plans, the annual deductible is based on a policy year, not a calendar year. So your first year is 12 months from the date your policy begins. Most other insurance carriers use a calendar year deductible, so if your plan starts on November 1st, your deductible starts all over again on January 1st, etc.

How Do I Get More Information or Sign Up For Coverage?

Please click here to find out more or to sign up for the Manhattan Dental, Vision, and Hearing insurance plan! There are two plans to choose from. Select “Dental, Vision, and Hearing Insurance,” not “DVH Select!”

Medicare Part A and Part B Premium and Deductible Changes for 2023

On September 27, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs.

Medicare Part A Premium and Deductible

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health care services. About 99% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.

The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay if admitted to the hospital will be $1,600 in 2023, an increase of $44 from $1,556 in 2022. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible covers beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.

In 2023, beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount of $400 per day for the 61st through 90th day of a hospitalization ($389 in 2022) in a benefit period and $800 per day for lifetime reserve days ($778 in 2022). For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period will be $200.00 in 2023 ($194.50 in 2022).

Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible

Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A.

Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from $170.10 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible of $233 in 2022.

NOTE: If you have a Plan G Medicare Supplement, the Part B deductible that you are responsible for paying has been reduced from $233 to $226 in 2023.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Get Your Free “Medicare & You” Guidebook!

The new 2023 Medicare & You guidebook was recently released. It is an excellent resource with a lot of great information. Please click here to download your free copy!

Get Your Free Guide to Health Insurance Booklet!

The 2022 Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare is also an excellent resource for Medicare information. Please click here to download your free copy!

About Me

As an independent insurance agent, I work with ALL the major Medicare Supplement insurance carriers. I will shop around for you, EVERY YEAR, to find you the best Medicare Supplement rates!

If you have any questions or if you know someone that is turning 65 or would like to save money on their Medicare Supplement insurance, please don’t hesitate to let me know! There is no charge for my service!!!

For testimonials, please click here.

REFERRALS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!!

Thank you!

Ron Lewis
CA agent #0B33674
NV agent #3822123

Ron@RonLewisInsurance.com
866.718.1600 (Toll-free)
760.525.5769 (Cell)
www.MedigapShopper.com