Consumer Posts

December 2024: Adding on to Medicare

Medicare covers a lot, but not everything. For example, Medicare doesn’t cover most dental, vision, and hearing care, including hearing aids. It also doesn’t cover most non-emergency transportation or care […]

October 2024: Medicare and Immigration Status

Did you know that you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for Medicare? Between the growing number of older immigrants in the U.S. and the unique […]

November 2024: Medicare Preventative Care

Preventive care is the care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. Medicare Part B covers many preventive services with no cost-sharing, as long as […]

August 2024: Common Fall Open Enrollment Notices

Common Fall Open Enrollment Notices You can make changes to your Medicare coverage each year during Fall Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 to December 7. Around September, you will […]

July 2024: Cost Savings Programs

Cost Savings Programs Below is information on programs that can help you save on your Medicare costs. To learn more about these programs and receive help with applications, contact your […]

May 2024: Preparing for Future Healthcare Needs

Preparing for Future Health Care Needs Many people assume that their family members would automatically be able to make decisions about medical treatments if they were to become incapacitated. However, […]

June 2024: New to Medicare

New to Medicare Medicare is the federal government program that provides health insurance to those age 65 and older or those under 65 with certain disabilities or chronic conditions. If […]

March 2024: Part D Coverage Phases

Part D is Medicare prescription drug coverage you get through either: A stand-alone Part D plan Part of your Medicare Advantage Plan The cost of your Medicare Part D-covered drugs may change […]

February 2024: Ending Care Appeals

Ending Care Appeals: If you are receiving care in a hospital or non-hospital setting and are told that your Medicare will no longer pay for your care, you have the […]

January 2024: What’s New in Medicare?

Part A: Hospital Insurance Part A premium   Free if you’ve worked 10 years or more $278 per month if you’ve worked 7.5 to 10 years $505 per month if […]

December 2023: Part D Appeals

Dcember 2023: Part D Appeals Part D appeals at a glance: If your plan won’t cover your medication, you can appeal the decision. The process is the same whether you […]

November 2023: Choosing Doctors and Other Providers

November 2023: Choosing Doctors and Other Providers Depending on your coverage, you will have different considerations when choosing health care providers like doctors, hospitals, or medical equipment suppliers. Let’s review […]

October 2023: Protecting Yourself from Marketing Violations

October 2023: Protecting Yourself from Marketing Violations During Fall Open Enrollment, you will likely experience more marketing from private Medicare plans, like Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans. Companies […]

Sept 2023: Fall Open Enrollment Period

September 2023: Fall Open Enrollment Period Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 and is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare […]

August 2023: Medigap Policies

August 2023: Medigap Policies Medigap Policies Medigaps are health insurance policies that offer standardized benefits to work with Original Medicare (not Medicare Advantage). They are sold by private insurance companies. […]

July 2023: Medicare and Transportation Services

July 2023: Medicare and Transportation Services   Medicare covers emergency ambulance services if: It is the only safe way to transport you You are on the way to or back […]

April 2023: Talking with Your Doctor

April 2023 Speaking to Your Doctor It is important to work with your doctor to get the best health care possible. Below are tips for building an effective relationship with […]

March 2023: Medicare and Home Health Care

March 2023 What does Medicare Home Health Care cover?  Home health care includes health and social services that you receive in your home to treat an illness or injury. Medicare […]

February 2023: Medicare Enrollment Periods

Medicare Enrollment Periods How to enroll in Medicare Parts A and/ or B Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare. For example, you should be automatically enrolled in Medicare if you are […]

November 2022: Medicare and Military Benefits

Medicare works with other forms of insurance in different ways, depending on the other insurance. Some people are eligible for multiple types of health insurance, including Medicare and military benefits, […]

October 2022: Changing Part D Plans

Changing Part D Plans Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, is the part of Medicare that covers most outpatient prescription drugs. Part D is offered through private companies either […]

November 2021: Medicare Coverage of Vaccines

Vaccines covered by Medicare Part B Medicare Part D covers most vaccines and immunizations, but there are certain vaccinations that are covered by Part B: Flu shots Medicare covers one […]

September 2021: Fall Open Enrollment Period

Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 and is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage. You can make as many […]

May 2021: Medicare Cost Assistance Programs

What is the Medicare Savings Program? Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are state programs that assist you with paying your Medicare costs. To qualify for a MSP, you must meet your […]

April 2021: Medicare and Changes in Residence

Moving within state If you have Original Medicare, notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your move to update your address. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Part […]

February 2021: Getting Healthier Together

Connexion would like to help you to get healthier in 2021 by offering our complimentary online health community, which incorporates principles of the Blue Zones methodology. Our private Facebook Group […]

March 2022: Medicare Coverage of Preventive Services

Is this preventive service covered at 100% by Medicare? Preventive care is the care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. Medicare Part B covers […]

January 2022: What’s New In Medicare

 Part A: Hospital insurance   Part A premium   Free if you’ve worked 10 years or more $274 per month if you’ve worked 7.5 to 10 years $499 per month if […]

January 2021: What’s New In Medicare

 Part A: Hospital insurance   Part A premium   Free if you’ve worked 10 years or more $259 per month if you’ve worked 7.5 to 10 years $471 per month if […]

Nov 2020: Medicare Coverage of Skilled Therapy

What should I know about Medicare’s coverage of skilled therapy? Skilled therapy are services that are reasonable and necessary to treat illness or injury, performed by or under supervision of […]

Oct 2020: Fall Open Enrollment

Fall Open Enrollment We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. We look forward to supporting you during Fall Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 through December 7, and is […]

Sept 2020: The NW Connexion Challenge Begins!

Over two thousand people in the Northwest have signed up to take the Northwest Connexion Challenge, which starts Tuesday September 1st. We encourage Connexion customers to join because who couldn’t […]

June 2020: We Would Like To Hear From You

At ASR/Connexion, we have been thinking about our customers and attempting to factor in all the influences in your life that affect your health. How do we care for the […]

May 2020: Updates on Medicare Coverage For Coronavirus

CMS has amended the guidance to reflect additional information and flexibilities regarding Medicare coverage for Coronavirus. Some of these changes are a result of legislation, while others are decisions made […]

April 2020: Medicare Coverage For Coronavirus

During this unprecedented time that the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted all of our lives, please remember that Connexion is here to support your Medicare needs. Our team of specialists is […]

February 2020: Premium-Related Appeals Copy

What is the Part B late enrollment penalty (LEP) and how can I appeal it? For each 12-month period you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B, you will have to pay […]

March 2020: Medicare and Employer-based Coverage

What is the difference between primary and secondary coverage? When you have Medicare and another type of insurance, Medicare will either pay primary or secondary for your medical costs. Primary […]

December 2019: Complaints and Grievances

What is a Grievance? A grievance is a formal complaint that you file with your plan. If you are dissatisfied with your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan […]

January 2020: What’s New in 2020?

  Happy New Year everyone! At Connexion, we’re particularly excited for 2020 because we’re working hard on some exciting new projects that will help us serve our customers better in […]

October 2019: Open Enrollment is Here!

2020 Open Enrollment is Here! Fall Open Enrollment opens today and runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the time of year when you can make changes to […]

January 2019: What’s New in 2019

  Part A Premium Free if you’ve worked 10 years or more $240 per month if you’ve worked 7.5 to 10 years $437 per month if you’ve worked fewer than […]

February 2019: Medicare Enrollment Periods

When can I sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B? If you are already receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board at the time […]

March 2019: Emergency Care

  How does Medicare cover emergency room services? If you have Original Medicare, Part B covers emergency room services anywhere in the U.S. Emergency room services are typically provided when […]

July 2022: Long-term Care and Medicare

Excluded from Medicare Coverage:  Long-Term Care, Dental, and Vision   Long-term care and Medicare Long-term care (LTC), also called long-term services and supports (LTSS), refers to a range of services […]

June 2022: Medicare Coverage of Hospice Care

What is the Medicare hospice care benefit? Hospice is a program of end-of-life pain management and comfort care for those with a terminal illness. Medicare’s hospice benefit offers end-of-life palliative […]

April 2019: Medicare Coverage of Hospice Care

What is the Medicare hospice care benefit? Hospice is a program of end-of-life pain management and comfort care for those with a terminal illness. Medicare’s hospice benefit offers end-of-life palliative […]

July 2019: Medicare Savings Programs

What are the Medicare Savings Programs? Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), also known as Medicare Buy-In programs, are state programs that assist you with paying your Medicare costs. These costs include […]

October 2021: Understanding Medigap Plans

What are Medigap Plans? Medigaps are health insurance policies that offer standardized benefits to work with Original Medicare (not Medicare Advantage). They are sold by private insurance companies. If you […]

August 2019: Medigap Plans

What are Medigap Plans? Medigaps are health insurance policies that offer standardized benefits to work with Original Medicare (not Medicare Advantage). They are sold by private insurance companies. If you […]

September 2019: Fall Open Enrollment

Fall Open Enrollment You can also listen to the podcast on this topic here. Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, and is the time of year when […]