What's New in 2011

2011 Medicare Update

Each fall Medicare announces its deductibles and copayments for the following year. In addition to the 20 percent of expenses generally not paid by Medicare, deductibles and copayments are standard hospital/medical charges for which the customer is responsible. The increases are effective Jan. 1, 2011.

The biggest increase is an additional $32 for the hospital Part A deductible that your customer must pay for each hospital confinement that begins a new benefit period. The HDF and F+ high deductible amount did not change and remain at $2,000 for 2011 - the third year in a row.

	2010	2011
Hospital Part A Deductible for first 60 days	$1,100	$1,132 ($32 increase)
Copayment for days 61-90	$275 per day	$283 per day ($8 increase)
Copayment for days 91-150	$550 per day	$566 per day ($16 increase)
Medicare Part B Annual Deductible	$155	$162 ($7 increase)
Annual Deductible HDF and F+	$2,000	$2,000 no change
Plan K annual out-of-pocket limit	$4,620	$4,640 ($20 increase)
Plan L annual out-of-pocket limit	$2,310	$2,320 ($10 increase)

We are updating our Medicare Laptop Sales Presentation and other marketing materials to reflect these changes for 2011.

November 15th until the end of the year is an active time for Medicare Supplement sales, so keep the following in mind, and, remember, you can sell NOW for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

From Nov. 15th to Dec. 31st, Medicare Advantage members may switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare. Once on Original Medicare, they will be in the market for a Medicare Supplement. Starting in 2011, this annual period will change to Oct. 15th to Dec. 7th.
Beginning in 2011, from Jan. 1st through Feb. 14th, Medicare Advantage members may drop their MA plan and switch to Original Medicare. Once on Original Medicare, they will be in the market for a Medicare Supplement. During the time period, MA members may NOT switch to another Medicare Advantage plan.
Many Medicare Advantage plans did not renew or terminated for 2011. Thousands of MA members in those plans must switch to a new MA plan or return to Original Medicare for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2011. Those who return to Original Medicare will be in the market for a Medicare Supplement.

Returning to Original Medicare and purchasing a quality Medicare Supplement can be a great solution to their coverage concerns. No increase in the HDF and F+ deductible is another good reason to promote this to prospects when the plan is appropriate.