California Senior Health Insurance
Explore Your Options
There are many Senior Health Insurance options available for those living in California. Whether you choose a Medicare Supplement Plan and Prescription Drug Plan to supplement your basic Medicare or you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan as your primary insurance – you should understand all of your options. That is what MySeniorHealthPlan.com is here for. We review your options and take your individual circumstances into consideration. However, let us give you the basics on Senior Health Insurance in California.
In California, you will have the choice between Medicare Supplement, Prescription Drug Plans, and county specific Medicare Advantage Plans.
Medicare Supplements (also known as Medigap) are policies owned by private insurance companies. These are state specific policies but are available nationwide. In general, a Medicare Supplement policy is designed to help cover the costs basic Medicare does not cover. They are often paired with a Prescription Drug Plan since they do not include prescription drug coverage. A great resource to review when helping you choose a Medicare Supplement Plan is: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap
If you are electing to enroll into a Prescription Drug Plan but need Extra Help paying for your prescriptions, visit http://www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/ for more information. Prescription Drug Plans are state specific. If you move from California to another state, it is important to notify MySeniorHealthPlan.com so we can assist you with enrolling into a different Prescription Drug Plan available in your destination state. The Prescription Drug Plan premiums and what is covered can change on a yearly basis. Therefore, it is important to take advantage of MySeniorHealthPlan.com’s free plan analysis every Open Enrollment Period.
If you decide to enroll into a county specific Medicare Advantage Plan such as an HMO or PPO, this will become your primary insurance instead of your basic Medicare. These, like Prescription Drug Plans, are area specific and can change every year. Therefore, if you move counties or want to take advantage of a yearly analysis during an Open Enrollment Period – please contact MySeniorHealthPlan.com so the adequate changes can be made. There are 58 counties in California, and many of these counties have multiple MAPD options. This gives you a plethora of options, and in some counties, there are even $0 premium MAPD options. For more information on what is available in your county, contact MySeniorHealthPlan.com today.
MediCal is the state of California’s Medicaid health care program. This helps pay for a variety of medical services for those with low income and limited resources. To apply for MediCal please visit http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/ApplyforMedi-Cal.aspx. If you qualify for both Medicare and MediCal you may be eligible for a Medicare Special Needs Plan. For more information on these plans and benefits, contact MySeniorHealthPlan.com.
Covered California is the state of California’s health insurance exchange in which individuals under 65 years old can find affordable health insurance for themselves and their families. This was created after the legislation put forth in the Affordable Care Act mandating health insurance for all. Covered California does not provide assistance for the Medicare eligible population, only those under 65 and not Medicare eligible. For more information on Covered California, visit http://www.coveredca.com
Senior Resources:
Apply for MediCal: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/ApplyforMedi-Cal.aspx
Apply for Extra Help: http://www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/
California Department of Insurance: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/
