Part B Premium and Med Supps

[Justin Bilyj]

Would a person who earns enough for the government to pay their medicare part b premium be a good candidate for a med supp?

 

[InsureGuy5]

They are most likely what are referred to as a "Qualified Medicare Beneficiary." You should contact your State Dept. of Insurance or SS office before selling a Medicare Supplement. They might also be dual eligible for Medicaid.

 

[Professor Leads]

They are most likely what are referred to as a "Qualified Medicare Beneficiary." You should contact your State Dept. of Insurance or SS office before selling a Medicare Supplement. They might also be dual eligible for Medicaid.

Actually this would be SLMB, or Specified low income Medicare Beneficiary.

SLMB pays the part B premium only.

QMB would pay the Medicare co-pays and deductibles.

Someone with QMB would NOT need a Medicare supplement plan.
Someone with SLMB would be a candidate for a Medicare supplement plan.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Would a person who earns enough for the government to pay their medicare part b premium be a good candidate for a med supp?

Let's think about this for a second...they can't afford to pay the Part B premium, but they can afford to pay the Med Supp premium...

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

[Professor Leads]

Let's think about this for a second...they can't afford to pay the Part B premium, but they can afford to pay the Med Supp premium...

Yeah, that makes sense.

It does seem silly. I got a call from a lady today in this situation. She does not pay for part B ($96.40), but pays AARP $144 for Medicare supplement plan B.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

She does not pay for part B ($96.40), but pays AARP $144 for Medicare supplement plan B.

The taxpayers should take great comfort in this?

 

[jdeasy]

Actually this would be SLMB, or Specified low income Medicare Beneficiary.

SLMB pays the part B premium only.

QMB would pay the Medicare co-pays and deductibles.

Someone with QMB would NOT need a Medicare supplement plan.
Someone with SLMB would be a candidate for a Medicare supplement plan.

Full medicare/medicaid is a QMB Plus. A QMB and/or SLMB or even an LIS are all good candidates for a med sup if they can pay the premiums.

 

[Professor Leads]

Full medicare/medicaid is a QMB Plus. A QMB and/or SLMB or even an LIS are all good candidates for a med sup if they can pay the premiums.

Why would someone with QMB need a medicare supplement? Although, you are right it is not full Medicaid, like QMB+, it still pays 100% of Medicare cost-sharing. So, what would the supplement pay? And, would you sell a supplement to someone on QMB?

 

[jdeasy]

Why would someone with QMB need a medicare supplement? Although, you are right it is not full Medicaid, like QMB+, it still pays 100% of Medicare cost-sharing. So, what would the supplement pay? And, would you sell a supplement to someone on QMB?

A QMB does not get their deductables nor their 20% co-insurance paid. They might get a spend down, but, they still need help with what medicare doesn't pay. MA plans are great for these people, but, with the PFFS going away here and we don't have HMO or PPO plans, a med sup will be their only option for help. Now, most won't be albe to pay the premium, but, to answer your question, yes, I would sell a med sup to one if they could swing the premium or, as in the case of one of my clients, her son pays the med sup premium for her.

 

[Professor Leads]

A QMB does not get their deductables nor their 20% co-insurance paid. They might get a spend down, but, they still need help with what medicare doesn't pay.

QMB specifically pays part A and B premiums, plus deductibles and co-insurance. That is what it was designed to do.

If it doesn't, it is not QMB.