Michael Sams Helps Couple Save $960 On Medigap Plan G

Agents here at Sams/Hockaday will typically evaluate your current Medigap, or Medicare Supplement, insurance on an annual basis. However, there’s one exception: rate increases.

We expect Medigap plans to have rate increases – that’s just part of having health insurance. However, after about 3-4 years of rate increases, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

Those rate increases start adding up, so we try to save you money by doing some homework and shopping the market. That’s exactly what agent Michael Sams just did for Michael and Marie, a couple that has been with Sams/Hockaday for four years.

Finding a More Competitive Plan G

Michael and Marie had experienced enough rate increases to warrant shopping around for a more competitively priced Medigap plan.

In order to purchase a new Plan G, you must be able to pass medical underwriting questions. Both Michael and Marie were healthy and could pass those health questions.

Without changing their coverage at all, Michael was able to apply for another company that could collectively save them $80 per month on their Plan Gs.

Michael and Marie were able to save $960 per year on the household by finding a lower cost Plan G! And remember – their coverage did not change at all.

We Do the Homework

We don’t just sell Medigap insurance from one company – we’re a broker, meaning we have access to dozens of companies! That allows us to compare prices to get you the most competitive pricing. Our ability to compare pricing is how Michael Sams was able to save Michael and Marie nearly $1,000 per year in Plan G premiums.

Learn more: Why You Want Your Insurance Agent to Be a Broker, Not Captive

Instead of doing that kind of research on your own, let us do the homework for you! Finding the best company and price available is our specialty.

If you think you’re overpaying for your Medigap plan and believe you could pass health questions, please call us!

Can I Pass Health Questions?

Michael and Marie were able to save so much on premiums because they could apply for a different Medigap company. However, Medigap companies require you to pass a set of health questions first. If you can’t pass them, you’ll be declined.

While different companies have different health questions, this is a good idea of the kinds of health questions you’ll be asked:

• Are you dependent on a wheelchair or any motorized mobility device?
• Are you currently hospitalized or in a nursing home?
• Have you ever been medically diagnosed or treated for congestive heart failure, unoperated aneurysm, defibrillator, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cirrhosis, Parkinson's Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, kidney disease requiring dialysis, renal insufficiency, Addison's Disease, any condition requiring a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant, any condition requiring an organ transplant, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC), or have you tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
• Have you been diagnosed or treated for diabetes that requires the use of insulin?
• Have you had diabetes with complications (such as retinopathy, neuropathy, or heart problems)?
• Has your diabetes been treated with medication that has changed over the past 12 months because it wasn’t working?
• In the past 3 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for alcoholism or drug abuse? 
• In the past 3 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, anemia requiring repeated blood, transfusions, or any other blood disorder?
• In the past 3 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for internal cancer, melanoma, Hodgkin's Disease, hepatitis, or disorder of the pancreas?
• In the past 2 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for enlarged heart, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, peripheral vascular, arterial disease, neuropathy, or amputation caused by disease?
• In the past 2 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus, or connective tissue disorder?
• In the past 2 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis with fractures, Paget's Disease, arthritis that restricts mobility or the activities of daily living, or any lung or respiratory disorder requiring the use of a nebulizer or oxygen or 3 or more medications for lung or respiratory disorder?
• In the past 2 years, have you been diagnosed or treated for 3 or more medications for any lung or respiratory disorder and currently use tobacco products?
• Within the past 12 months, have you been advised by a medical professional to have treatment, further evaluation, diagnostic testing, a surgery that has not been performed, or do you have pending test results?
• Within the past 12 months, have you had surgery for a heart attack, artery blockage, or heart valve disorder?
• Within the past 12 months, have you been medically diagnosed with wet macular degeneration and have taken or are currently receiving injections?
• In the past 12 months, have you had a pacemaker implanted?
• In the past 12 months, have you had a seizure?
• Was your last blood pressure reading higher than 175 systolic or higher than 100 diastolic?

In general, if you answer yes to these kinds of questions, you can’t qualify for coverage. However, don’t get discouraged right away – there are some companies that are more lenient for certain conditions, and we still may be able to help you.

Here are a few articles that provide more information for passing underwriting for certain conditions:

• Can I get a Medigap Plan If I Have Diabetes?
• Can you get insurance with COPD?
• Can I get a Medicare Supplement insurance plan if I’m overweight or obese?

Find Out If You Can Save On Your Medigap Premiums

If you have a Medicare Supplement, you should know that all plan types are standardized. Your coverage is identical no matter which company you purchase insurance from. 

There’s no harm in making sure you have the best price on your Medigap plan, so give us a call or schedule an appointment today! During COVID-19, we’re doing phone and video chat appointments, and you can schedule that right from our website.

NEW in 2020! Retirement Planning Seminars at the Sams Ranch

Are you entering into the world of Medicare and retirement? Saddle up – this one’s for you!

Medicare is confusing for almost everyone Michael talks to. Some people educate themselves for years and still can’t wrap their head around Medicare Part D drug plans. There are 26+ choices and the ever-mysterious penalties that are based on the “national base beneficiary premium” which just so happens to change every year…

It’s confusing. That’s why for the first time, Michael is offering a free, 1-hour seminar at his brand new family ranch. He is very proud of what he's built there and can’t wait to share it with the community. Even if you think you’ve got it all figured out, use this seminar as an excuse to visit the beautiful Sams Ranch!

On the first Tuesday of every month at 6pm starting in August 2020, you’re invited to come on out to shovel out the manure of Medicare! (Just kidding, no physical effort required!)

✓ Bring your spouse

✓ One hour long

✓ No sales pitch – this seminar is educational only!

✓ He'll be covering Medicare and retirement planning in plain language

Michael has been focused on serving our central IL community for over 15 years and would be honored if you’d attend this educational seminar.

There will be a hand sanitizer station at the entrance and face masks are optional.

There are a limited number of seats at each seminar, so please save your seat here: https://www.samshockaday.com/lp/retirement-planning-seminar-at-sams-ranch