Taylor Thomas Saves Client Over $1,200 On Her Medicare Supplement

After 10+ years of rate increases on your Medicare Supplement, you might find yourself paying over $300 per month on your plan. That’s exactly what happened to Barb*, one of Taylor Thomas’ clients. 

The good news? Taylor was able to save Barb over $1,200 per year on her Medicare Supplement.

*Alias used to protect client’s identity

Switching Carriers Despite Health Conditions

Barb is 76 years old and just got a rate increase letter in the mail for her Aetna Plan F. She’s had this plan for many years, but her new premium was going to be $311 per month.

Note: If you become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, you can't purchase a Plan F. Read More

Barb does take several medications and has a few health conditions, so she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to pass underwriting to qualify for a less expensive Medigap plan.

However, Taylor suggested Blue Cross Blue Shield, which does not ask any health questions here in Illinois. That means Barb would automatically qualify for the plan, regardless of the medications she takes and the health conditions she has.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is a little bit different from almost all of the other Medicare Supplements offered in our area.

All Medicare Supplements are non-underwritten, meaning there are NO health questions – ever. Because of this, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is a really fantastic option for those who want a Medicare Supplement, but have a health condition that would prevent them from being accepted elsewhere.

In addition, as of May 1, 2019, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois now looks at tobacco vs. non-tobacco and male vs. female. So, if you use tobacco, you’ll be charged more, and the premium may also be a bit different depending on your gender.

At Sams/Hockaday, we’ve been offering the best Medicare Supplement options in Illinois for decades. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is a strong option, especially for those who have a health condition that prevents them from being accepted with another company.

Switching From Plan F to Plan G

Taylor found that Barb could save significantly on her premium just by switching from Aetna to Blue Cross Blue Shield. (Note: this isn’t always the case – we want to emphasize that Aetna is a great carrier, and everyone’s personal situation is going to be different.)

However, Taylor uncovered even more savings by switching Barb from a Plan F to a Plan G. The only difference between these two plans is a Plan G has a $198 deductible in 2020.

The final result? Barb’s premium is now $203.81 per month, saving her $107 each month!

While Barb does have a $198 deductible now, she is saving over $1,200 per year, so the deductible is a drop in the bucket compared to her new savings. 

Never Assume!

Taylor explains that sometimes, her clients assume they can’t switch companies because of health conditions.

“I always tell my clients that we can at least take a look at it. We have companies that don’t ask health questions, and it doesn’t cost you anything to see if we can save you some money,” she says.

This does vary by state, but if you’re in Illinois, rest assured that we do have options. It never hurts to reach out and ask.

Got a Rate Increase Letter? Let Your Agent Know

Finally, Taylor explains that while she does annual reviews with her clients, sometimes you’ll get a rate increase letter between those regular appointments.

“If you get a rate increase letter in the middle of the year, give me call and we’ll see what we can do!” Taylor says.

Agents don’t get those letters, so it’s always best to call and let us know! We do monitor rate increases as they’re announced, but always call your agent if your rates are going up.

You never know – you might be able to save over $1,200 per year like Barb!

About Taylor Thomas

Taylor has been serving local seniors at Sams/Hockaday & Associates since 2015. She is a Millikin University graduate and a life-long Decatur resident. She now services Dianne Renner and Jack Moore’s clients since they have retired.