Medicare...
easy as a walk on the beach.
Want to learn more?
why do we do what we do?
about us
About a decade ago, my parents turned 65 and went through the painful process of figuring out what to do about their Medicare coverage.
So many annoying phone calls, mounds of advertisements, multiple visits from different insurance agents... it was overwhelming! As I helped them through the process, I realized just how difficult and confusing Medicare can be to understand. I thought:
We BELIeVE
everyone should be able to easily understand their medicare options.
Brian Dillard,
President/CEO
This is why I started Midwest Medicare. Our dedicated team of Certified Medicare Advisors are always ready to help navigate the challenging maze of Medicare. Licensed by the CMS compliant Certified. We represent virtually every Medicare option available. We are truly a "One Stop Shop" for all your Medicare needs.
"There has to be a better, easier way to go through this process."
Our mission is to educate you on the Medicare process and guide you to confidently find the right plan. No obligation appointments available and there is NEVER a fee. Our service is always 100% free.
meet the teaM
"Medigap"
medicare
supplements
prescription
drug plan
Part D
Part C
medicare
advantage
Part A - Part B
original medicare
Understanding The Basics
medicare 101
original medicare
What is Part A (Hospital Insurance)?
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
You usually don't pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. This is sometimes called "premium-free Part A." We can help you understand if you qualify, and if not, how much your premium would be.
- How much does Part A cost?
- How do you get Part A?
- What does Part A cover?
When you're first eligible for Medicare (Age 65), you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up for Part A. There are other Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) as well - such as: Newly Retired, Move in or out of a coverage area, and Loss of work insurance to name a few.
Part A - Part B
Part B
Part A -
In general, Part A covers:
Hospital care, Skilled nursing facility care, Nursing home care (as long as custodial care isn't the only care you need), Hospice, and Home health services.
learn more about
original medicare
Part A - Part B
- Part B
What is Part B (Medical Insurance)?
Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
- How much does Part B cost?
The standard Part B premium amount in 2020 will be $144.60 (or higher depending on your income). If you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
- How do you get Part B?
- What does Part B cover?
Some people get Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) automatically and other people have to sign up for it. In most cases, it depends on whether you’re getting Social Security benefits. If you are not getting these benefits, then you'll need to go to the Social Security Office in your area to sign up, or you can sign up on-line at ssa.gov
In general, Part B covers 2 types of services:
Medically necessary services: Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.
back to medicare 101
prescription drug plan (PDP)
What is Part D (Prescription Drug Plan)?
PDP's are plans provided by Medicare approved private companies which are paid by the government to administer your PDP benefits. Part D generally covers certain prescription drugs prescribed by your doctor.
- How much does Part D cost?
- How do you get Part D?
- What does Part D cover?
Your actual drug plan costs will vary depending on the drugs you use, the plan you choose, whether you go to a pharmacy in your plan's network, whether the drugs you use are on your plan's formulary, and whether you get Extra Help paying your Medicare Part D costs. Part D is likely the most misunderstood portion of Medicare. Our Certified Medicare Advisors are standing by to help.
Enrollment is not automatic. You have to sign up for a PDP and you must already be enrolled in Medicare Parts A &/or B. You can search for a plan directly on Medicare.gov or seek help from one of our licensed Certified Medicare Advisors. Our goal is to educate you on the Medicare process and guide you to confidently find the right plan. No obligation appointments available and there is NEVER a fee. Our service is always 100% free.
Each Medicare drug plan has its own list of covered drugs (called a formulary). Many Medicare drug plans place drugs into different "tiers" on their formularies. Drugs in each tier have a different cost.
Part D
back to medicare 101
original medicare
Part A - Part B
What is Original Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:
-People who are 65 or older.
-Certain younger people with disabilities.
-People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD).
Medicare is run by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Enrollment and funding for Medicare is provided by The Social Security Adminstration.
learn more about
Part A
learn more about
Part B
medicare advantage (ma)
Part C
What is Part C (Medicare Advantage)?
Medicare Advantage is a bundled benefits plan provided by Medicare approved private companies which are paid by the government to administer your Medicare benefits. These plans "look and feel" more like the traditional plan you may have had at work such as an HMO or PPO plan. You must already be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- How much does Part C cost?
You may pay a monthly premium for your MA Plan. You may also pay a copayment or coinsurance for covered services. These plans have annual maximum out-of-pocket costs. Once you reach a certain limit, you’ll pay nothing for covered services for the rest of the year. Your out-of-pocket costs are typically lower in an MA plan. This option may be more cost effective for you.
- How do you get Part C?
Enrollment is not automatic. You have to sign up for a MA and you must already be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B. You can search for a plan directly on Medicare.gov or seek help from one of our licensed Certified Medicare Advisors. Our goal is to educate you on the Medicare process and guide you to confidently find the right plan. No obligation appointments available and there is NEVER a fee. Our service is always 100% free.
Enrollment is not automatic. You have to sign up for a MA and you must already be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B. You can search for a plan directly on Medicare.gov or seek help from one of our licensed Certified Medicare Advisors. Our goal is to educate you on the Medicare process and guide you to confidently find the right plan. No obligation appointments available and there is NEVER a fee. Our wwwservice is always 100% free.
- What does Part C cover?
A Medicare Advantage plan covers everything that Original Medicare covers - PLUS it typically includes Part D drug coverage (MAPD) - AND many include additional benefits such as dental, vision, Silver Sneakers (gym membership), and hearing.
back to medicare 101
What is Medicare Supplement Insurance ("Medigap")?
Medicare Supplement Insurance is a policy provided by Medicare approved private insurance companies. These policies are designed to work along side with your Original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you have Original Medicare and a "Medigap" policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then, your "Medigap" policy pays its share.
- How much does a Medicare Supplement Policy cost?
- How do you get a Medicare Supplement Policy?
- What does a Medicare Supplement Policy cover?
Monthly premiums for your "Medigap" Policy can vary based on your age, gender, tobacco use, and location. Any standardized "Medigap" Policy is guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems. This means the insurance company can't cancel your Medigap policy as long as you pay the premium. However, the monthly premium amount does increase each year.
Enrollment is not automatic. You have to sign up for a policy. You can do a search for a plan directly on Medicare.gov or seek help from one of our licensed Certified Medicare Advisors. Our goal is to educate you on the Medicare process and guide you to confidently find the right plan. No obligation appointments available and there is NEVER a fee. Our service is always 100% free.
Enrollment is not automatic. You have to sign up for a policy. You can do a search for a plan directly on Medicare.gov or seek help from one of our licensed Certified Medicare Advisors. Our goal is to educate you on the Medicare process and guide you to confidently find the right plan. No obligation appointments available and there is NEVER a fee. Our service is always 100% free.
"Medigap" policies help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover like Copayments, Coinsurance, and Deductibles. Generally, "Medigap" DOES NOT cover prescription drugs, dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses.
Understanding The Basics
medicare supplement insurance
"Medigap"
back to medicare 101
Understanding The Basics
medicare 101
If you move in or out of a Plan's service area, you have a
2-month window to make neccessary changes.
Losing or dropping coverage opens a 2-month window for enrollment after the month your coverage ends.
When turning 65, you have a
7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) surrounding your birthday.
ANNUAL ENROLLMENT IS October 15th - December 7th.
However, you may qualify for a SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (SEP):
turning 65?
retiring or
lost coverage?
did you move?
enrollment
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
OPEN ENROLLMENT IS January 1st - March 31st.
For MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN enrollees ONLY:
Part C
medicare
advantage
Part C
medicare
advantage
Part C
medicare
advantage
OR
Part A - Part B
original medicare
enrollment
-Robert C.
Grafton, IL
"medicare is so confusing. i didn't know who to trust until I met brian. he made the process so easy"
-Susan L.
St. Charles, MO
"Thank you! we are looking forward to our vacation with the money you saved us after reviewing our medicare options!"
-Mark W.
O'Fallon, MO
you saved me so much time and money! thank you for the professional and thorough way you reviewed my medicare options!"
Do you need to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan? Will you pay a penalty if you join a drug plan later? What will your prescription drugs cost under each plan? Are your drugs covered under the plan's formulary?
Do your doctors accept the coverage? Are the doctors you want to see accepting new patients? Do you have to choose your hospital and health care providers from a network ? Do you need to get referrals?
How much are your premiums, deductibles, and other costs? How much do you pay for services like hospital stays or doctor visits? Is there a yearly limit on what you could pay out-of-pocket for medical services?
Are you new to Medicare or need a plan review?
Here are 6 important needs to consider
when choosing the right
Medicare option:
Exams and hearing aids are not covered under Original Medicare. You may want to look at Medicare Advantage plans that include this vital benefit.
If you need coverage for eye glasses or contacts, you'll need more than just Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement policy,
Do you need Preventative or Comprehensive Dental Care? Original Medicare and Medicare Supplements do not provide this coverage.
plan premiums too high?
want to keep your doctor?
too much for prescriptons?
hearing aids?
vision coverage?
dental benefits?
Considerations
Still confused about Medicare? Our team of licensed Certified Medicare Advisors are always ready to help. If you have questions, we have answers! But we can't help unless you contact us. Give us a call at (636) 244-8222 or send us a message by filling out the information below and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.
reach out to us.
WE'RE REALLY FRIENDLY
meet the team
You can also contact any member of our team directly.
We'll be in touch soon!
Thank you!
meet our team of certified medicare advisors
brian dillard
Founding Member,
President/CEO, and
Certified Medicare Advisor
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x.1
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (636) 485-1125
brian@midwestmedicare.com
jan breheny
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x.707
Fax: (636) 277-9721
Cell: (314) 662-0026
brehenytj@cs.com
Brett Cann
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x.712
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (636) 290-2421
brettcann@midwestmedicare.com
Tracy dillard
Founding Member,
Marketing Director, and
Certified Medicare Advisor
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x. 714
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (314) 565-4519
tracydillard@midwestmedicare.com
drew hackmann
Cell: (314) 223-8513
drew.hackmann@yahoo.com
richard hellmann
Ofc: (314) 376-9937
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (314) 477-7383
hhighridge@sbcglobal.net
kevin klipsch
Ofc: (314) 583-0245
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (636) 547-3037
klipschkevin@gmail.com
tony lenggenhager
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x. 705
Fax: (314) 849-2570
Cell: (314) 753-5668
ajlenggenhager@gmail.com
Terri maples
Fax: (636) 226-4293
Cell: (314) 403-6827
terrirmaples@gmail.com
dick maschmann
dickmaschmann@yahoo.com
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x. 710
Fax: (314) 379-3580
Cell: (314) 757-9759
Morgan Messmer
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x. 706
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (314) 478-0714
morganmessmer@midwestmedicare.com
jacque schaefer
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x.700
Fax: (314) 894-4901
Cell: (314) 374-6265
jacque.dillardinsurance@reagan.com
ron weisguth
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x. 711
Fax: (314) 849-7448
Cell: (314) 283-4527
ronmidwestmedicare@yahoo.com
richard wolfe
Ofc: (314) 212-1404
Fax: (314) 212-1406
Cell: (314) 322-9637
richard@integrityinvestors.com
LYNDA MIDDEKE
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x.703
Fax: (636) 685-0024
Cell: (314) 607-4904
lyndamiddeke@midwestmedicare.com
debbie pape
Ofc: (636) 244-8222 x. 709
Fax: (314) 344-1197
Cell: (314) 640-3265
bridgetonmo@charter.net
