Claeys Group Insurance Services, LLC | Tyler, TX

Claeys Group is a trusted financial and retirement planning agency in Tyler, Texas, specializing in Life Insurance, Medicare Supplements, and Annuities. Visit us online at https://www.claeys.group/

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Complete Travel Insurance Guide

Complete Travel Insurance Guide Do you have plans for Summer travel? The summer is the most popular season for destination-traveling among US residents. This may be due to Summer Vacation that most schools employ in the US. Also, the weather is less-likely to affect travel conditions. Many things can happen before your departure or when traveling. You can fall sick, for example, and have to cancel your trip. You could lose your baggage, or your possessions can be damaged while on a trip. Such incidences can be frustrating, and they can cause considerable monetary loss. Travel insurance provides a financial safety net to ease the pain of travel interruptions. Many companies that sell travel packages and tickets allow their customers to purchase travel insurance. Some policies can even extend coverage to rented property like cars. Read on to learn more! Types Of Travel Insurance Coverage ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Medicare Open Enrollment Guide

Medicare Open Enrollment Guide Medicare Open Enrollment period kicks off October 15 and continues through December 7. During this time-frame, most Medicare beneficiaries can make necessary changes to their health and drug coverage options. If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period in October or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, now is your only chance to enroll for Parts A and B this year. Medicare Open Enrollment Period Reevaluating Medicare annually can be essential in many ways, allowing you to ensure that it still meets your healthcare needs and compare options which might better fit into your budget and coverage requirements. READ ALSO: How to Apply for Medicare in Texas Medicare plans often vary in costs, coverage limits and benefits from year ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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How to Apply for Medicare in Texas

How to Apply for Medicare in Texas This article discusses how to apply for Medicare in Texas and gives an overview of the Medicare application process for Texans. Over 4.4 million Texans currently enroll in Medicare, the federal health insurance program designed for people 65 or over. People younger than 65 with qualifying disabilities such as end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may also qualify. Original Medicare provides several choices for coverage options, from Parts A through D to Medicare Advantage plans administered by private insurers that combine coverages into packages administered by them. There are also optional plans available such as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans and Medicare Supplements as supplementary options. Eligibility Over 4.4 million Texans currently benefit from Medicare, the federal ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Your Best Medicare Option: Supplement, Advantage Plan, or Employer Coverage?

Your Best Medicare Option: Supplement, Advantage Plan, or Employer Coverage? How would you feel if your insurance agent told you he has a medical insurance plan for you that is an 80 / 20 plan (meaning, you just pay 20% of the medical costs) and has a monthly premium of only $164.90? In today’s market, you would consider that a good deal, right? And you might feel that having to pay only 20% of your future medical costs is a good risk for that premium. Medical Coverage that Risks You $60,000?!!! But suppose you buy that plan and then discover that, in a worst case scenario, your risk could be as much as $60,000 in a calendar year! How would you then feel about that plan?! That “plan” describes Original Medicare. (For more specifics on Original Medicare, see my blog post, How Does Medicare Work?) ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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An Overview of the Different Parts of Medicare

An Overview of the Different Parts of Medicare Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is free for most people who qualify, depending on their or their spouse's work history and/or income levels. Individuals with higher incomes may have to pay a premium for Part A coverage. Part B provides coverage for doctor visits and outpatient services as well as durable medical equipment and some home health services. An insurance deductible must be met and there is a monthly premium attached. Medicare Part A Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, home health care and end-of-life hospice services as well as a portion of doctor services, outpatient care and medical equipment costs. Part B (which covers doctor visits, X-rays and lab tests) is optional but most people choose to enroll; monthly premiums depend on how much Medicare taxes were paid ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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New Prior Authorization Requirements for Texans on Medicare

New Prior Authorization Requirements for Texans on Medicare New Prior Authorization Requirements for Texans on Medicare: What’s Changing and How to Protect Your Care Prior authorization (often shortened to “prior auth” or “preauth”) is the insurer’s “green light” that certain services are medically necessary before they are performed or paid. For many Texans, this year brings two big shifts: Original Medicare (Part A/B) is expanding prior authorization in Texas for certain outpatient surgery-center procedures, and Medicare Advantage plans must meet tighter federal rules for how fast they decide prior auth requests—and how transparent they are about the process. Below is what’s changing, who it affects, and practical steps to avoid delays. Original Medicare Prior Auth for Certain ASC Procedures If you’re on Original ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement?

When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement? When Can I Change? If you purchased a Medicare supplement that has experienced high rate increases, you may be looking at changing your Medicare coverage to save money. If so, your first question may be: When can I change my Medicare supplement? The answer to that question depends. By the way, here is a guide to getting the best Medicare supplement for you: Article Link: Which Medicare Supplement Is Best for You? I know, that sounds like a very political answer; but it is true. It depends on the type of change you want to make. If you want to change to a Medicare Advantage plan, you will need to wait until the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). However, if you want to change to another Medicare supplement, you can change anytime. Well, not quite. You can change anytime you can health ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Beware of Medicare Insurance Scams

Beware of Medicare Insurance Scams Medicare Advantage Commercials You have seen the Medicare commercials—again, and again, and . . . . But did you know many of them are full of misinformation? A number of them cite Medicaid benefits, not Medicare benefits, you might get by calling their phone number. They mention benefits such as getting $148 (or, older commercials, $144) per month put back into your social security check; free meals; a flex card (or healthy foods card); free transportation; $3,500 worth of free dental; etc. But these benefits are only available to individuals who qualify for Medicaid. (The $148 per month was last year’s Medicare Part B premium, which, this year, is $170.10. If one is on Medicaid, the state pays that premium; everyone else on Medicare has to pay that premium.) So, what will happen if you were to call the phone ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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IEP vs OEP vs AEP: Demystifying Medicare Enrollment Periods

IEP vs OEP vs AEP: Demystifying Medicare Enrollment Periods Turning 65 is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with important healthcare decisions. One of the most confusing aspects of Medicare is understanding the different enrollment periods. You may hear terms like IEP, OEP, and AEP used interchangeably, but they each serve a different purpose. IEP vs OEP vs AEP: Demystifying Medicare Enrollment Periods Missing the right enrollment window could lead to late enrollment penalties, delayed coverage, or having to wait months before making changes to your plan. This guide explains each enrollment period in plain English so you can confidently choose the coverage that’s right for you. ⸻ Why Enrollment Periods Matter Medicare doesn’t allow people to enroll or change coverage whenever ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Finding The Best Insurance Company for Your Medicare Supplement

Finding The Best Insurance Company for Your Medicare Supplement When it comes to finding the best insurance company for your Medicare Supplement, there are some key aspects to consider, which are outlined in the following post. The Best Insurance Company? From time to time, when I meet with prospective clients to help them get the best Medicare coverage for the lowest rate, someone will announce something like: “I have been told that [fill in the blank] is the best insurance company for a supplement.” Or, “My friend told me I need to get a Medicare supplement with [fill in the blank, again], because he has that [insurance] company and hasn’t had to pay any medical bills.” Interestingly, each time I hear that similar story, the insurance company changes. One time it might be United Healthcare, the next time it might be Aetna, then it might be Cigna, ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Life Insurance Buyers Guide

Life Insurance Buyers Guide Who really wants to think about dying? Buying life insurance means we must face our own mortality and that can be scary.  For anyone considering a life insurance policy to protect family and loved ones, we have created the Life Insurance Buyers Guide for . Life Insurance Buyers Guide Most of us push it out of our heads anytime the thought arises but ignoring it won’t make it go away. It is an emotional decision but one that we must make. When you understand how to buy life insurance, it becomes easier to face your fears and just get on with it. Read on because we are going to show you what to look for and how to get the best rates with the most coverage when purchasing life insurance. Who Needs Life Insurance? If you are married, have children or have others who may depend on you financially, you want to get life insurance. Even if you don’t have anyone depending on you ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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How to Protect Yourself in the Medicare World

How to Protect Yourself in the Medicare World We live in a scam-filled world. Evil people who attempt to scam money or “business” from others continually scheme to come up with ways to do so. Beware of Current Scams Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries In 2024, seniors in the U.S. face several Medicare insurance scams, each designed to trick them into giving away personal information or money. Here are some of the most common Medicare scams identified: New Medicare Cards: Scammers contact beneficiaries, claiming that new Medicare cards are being issued or that their current card is outdated. They may offer a new card with advanced features, like a chip, which Medicare does not provide. The goal is to gather personal information under the guise of "confirming identity". Cheaper or Better Plans: Fraudsters offer supplementary plans or drug coverage ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Changing Your Medicare Supplement Can Save You Money; Here’s How

Changing Your Medicare Supplement Can Save You Money; Here’s How Should I Change, and When? If your Medicare supplement has experienced high premium increases, or even if you have had your supplement for a few years, you may want to look at changing your Medicare coverage in order to save money. If so, your first question may be: When can I change my Medicare supplement? The answer to that question all depends on the type of change you want to make. If you want to change to a Medicare Advantage plan, you will need to wait until Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). However, if you want to change to another Medicare supplement, you can change anytime--that is, anytime you can health qualify for another supplement. While there is a proviso on that change, the good news is that you do not need to wait until AEP to ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Keys to Your Best Medicare Advantage Plan

Keys to Your Best Medicare Advantage Plan Today, we discuss the keys to your best Medicare Advantage Plan to help you find the best Medicare coverage. Keys to Your Best Medicare Advantage Plan ‘Tis the season. No, not Christmas season; instead, ‘tis the season to hear those Advantage Plan commercials. And it’s almost the season to shop Advantage Plans. If you are currently on an Advantage Plan, or if you are currently on Original Medicare (and, most likely, on a prescription drug plan), and are open to a “better deal,” then your shopping season is nearing. That “shopping season” is, technically, called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), and it lasts from October 15 through December 7. What You Can Do During AEP So, what can you do during AEP? During this Annual Enrollment Period, you can disenroll from an ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): What East Texas Seniors Need to Know

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): What East Texas Seniors Need to Know For seniors in Tyler, Longview, Marshall, and across East Texas, Medicare provides essential health coverage. But each year, Medicare beneficiaries have a limited time to make changes to their health and prescription drug plans. This window is called the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—and knowing how it works can help you save money and ensure your coverage meets your needs. What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period? The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 every year. During this time, East Texas Medicare beneficiaries can review their plans and make important coverage decisions. Any changes made during AEP take effect on January 1 of the new year. What Changes Can You Make During AEP? Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Medicare Supplement Premium Out of Control? What You Can Do About It

Medicare Supplement Premium Out of Control? What You Can Do About It The Challenge of Rising Premiums If you have a Medicare supplement, it is likely because you want great coverage and want to be able to choose your own doctors. Medicare supplements typically offer very good coverage with little or no out-of-pocket cost when you use your supplement. (However, see Which Medicare Supplement Best for You?) In addition, a Medicare supplement allows you to choose your own doctors (including specialists), which is an attractive feature to many. (Though your supplement will only work with doctors who accept Medicare, 91% of doctors work with Medicare.) While Medicare supplements have attractive features, one knock against them is the rising premium of supplements. Some insurance companies raise their premiums faster than others, meaning one ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency

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Which Medicare Supplement Is Best for You?

Which Medicare Supplement Is Best for You? What Are You Looking For? In some ways, the question, “Which Medicare supplement is the best?,” is like asking, “Which car is the best?” That question needs to be countered with, “Well, what are you looking for? Do you want a car that is reliable, or are you looking for comfort, or do you want great gas mileage, or would you like one that is a head-turner . . . ?” Notice the focus on you in this last series of questions. Whenever I meet with someone, I want to help and guide them toward the best for them. Thus, the better question is not, “Which Medicare supplement is best?”, but, “Which Medicare supplement is best for you?” This helps to narrow the field. (This article focuses on Medicare supplements; note that there are definitely differences between ...via Claeys Group Insurance Services - Tyler, TX Medicare Insurance Agency