Securing health with a Medicare supplement

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A person's health should be first priority. Before investing in properties and other material things, a person should first secure his or her own health. As the old saying goes, health is wealth, and it is only right for a person to have provision for medical concerns that might arise.

On top of the government-endorsed Medicare, a person can avail of a Medicare supplement policy that will cover medical expenses that go beyond the standard provision. This supplementary plan is especially beneficial to citizens who are 65 years old and above. In applying for a supplementary insurance, a policyholder is required to present a Medicare card, current insurance card (if available), checking account information, and in some cases, a list of the applicant’s medications.

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When shopping for the right policies, one should consider the option that won't require out-of-pocket expenses, especially during emergency situations. In many cases, there are supplementary insurance products that cover payment for foreign travel emergency care. Additional hospitalization days that go beyond the original Medicare allowance can also be availed.

Those who are looking for the right supplementary insurance can choose the plan that matches their age, medical history, and residence. They should also take note of all the benefits and the premiums offered by these plans. When it comes to applying for a policy, individuals should keep in mind that they can renew their enrollment yearly as long as they pay the premiums on time.

State Mutual Insurance is a legal reserve mutual insurer that provides Medicare subscribers supplementary health insurance coverage. It sees itself as a national insurer with a commitment to community service and the health security of American citizens. Visit this website for more information about the firm.

Because youth isn’t forever: Insurance options for young adults

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Insurance options are not very attractive to most young adults. This is because they are brought up in a culture where mostly need-oriented consequences make sense. Insurance, in general, is a pre-need engagement. Truly, there is a lack of urgency suffered by the youth. Young adults have to be reminded that they have options, because they will get older and they will inevitably face more challenges.

Employer-sponsored health insurance coverage is a viable option. There are various possible occurrences during the working years. The employer who owns a company may be able to bring in more benefits because it is a business entity, compared to the individual bringing them in on his own.

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Variable investments offer the flexibility of both security and earnings. This is best taken during the young adult years because this period is when they are most qualified and less at risk. This is the time where they can get the best price for a future need.

Savings and retirement is truly the icing on the cake for young adults. The energy and dynamism of a person will inevitably come to settle. This is simply the natural order of things. An older person gets affected in terms of health, and movement becomes limited. Stress will be less bearable, and so travel and relaxation become more of a need. Young adults should have a good look at savings and retirement options early on.

When young adults make sense of how the future is going to be, it is not hard to imagine the inevitable realities.

State Mutual Insurance is currently a national insurer for Medicare Supplement Insurance. For more information on insurance options, please visit their website.

Medicare Supplement Insurance and pre-existing conditions: Windows of coverage

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A pre-existing condition is a health condition that has been diagnosed prior to the beginning coverage date of a healthcare insurance policy. This is no problem for subscribers to Original Medicare, as this typically does not discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions.

However, pre-existing conditions influence the approval of Medicare Supplement Insurance for applicants, as private companies offer the latter. Moreover, state and national laws give private insurers the right to refuse those with pre-existing conditions, and they can decide in-house on the guidelines and other stipulations governing the treatment of applicants with pre-existing conditions.

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On the other hand, there is such a thing as a Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a six-month duration accorded to those who have turned 65 years of age and enrolled in Medicare Part B to subscribe to any Medicare Supplement Insurance of their choosing. During this window, private insurers cannot refuse policies to those with pre-existing conditions. Neither can they demand higher premiums.

While this window is a generous accommodation, private insurers also reserve the right to delay the coverage of pre-existing conditions for six months, in a process known as a “look-back period” or “pre-existing waiting period.” This means policyholders wait before costs for treatment of priorly diagnosed health conditions can be reimbursed.

It is important to be aware of such windows of coverage to adjust expectations and to make the most of Medicare Supplement Insurance.

Delos Yancey III is the president and CEO of State Mutual Insurance, a legal reserve mutual insurer headquartered in Rome, Georgia. For more information on Medicare Supplement Insurance, visit this

Facts and stats about Medicare that people should know

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Medicare is a social insurance program in the United States that has been around for half-a-century. As a program administered by the government, Medicare is financed through taxes and premiums which people pay for, mainly through employment. Here are a few notable facts and figures people ought to know about Medicare in the United States:

• There are over 52 million people in the United States with Medicare. Out of that number, more than 43 million are 65 years old and older, while the remaining are below 65 and/or disabled.

• A little under 500,000 Medicare users are End-Stage-Renal-Disease, or ESRD patients.

• Around 98.5 per cent of the elderly have health care insurance today.

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• A fourth of Medicare users have an estimated yearly income of below $14,000, while five per cent rake in over $93,000 a year. Half of Medicare beneficiaries earn below $25,000 annually.

• Generally, everyone over 65 years old, who has lived (legally) in the United States for five years can have Medicare. Disabled persons under 65 are also eligible, as long as they also have Social Security Disability benefits or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefit.

• There are four parts to the benefits – hospital or hospice insurance, medical insurance, Medicare advantage plans, and prescription drug plans. To pay for Medicare, some costs such as premiums and Medicare supplements have to be paid out-of-pocket.

Delos H. Yancey III is the chairman, president, and CEO of State Mutual Insurance, a company that provides Medicare Supplement insurance with community service as its main goal. He is a Certified Financial Examiner, a Certified Insurance Examiner, and a fellow of the LIMRA Leadership Institute. For more on insurance and Medicare supplement, visit this website.

Just married: Health insurance advice for young couples

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In today’s world, nothing stays affordable, may it be food, land, or especially health care. The high demand for medical treatment is pushing healthcare providers into increasing prices for their services. This makes health insurance increasingly vital in one’s list of expenditures.

There are numerous health insurance companies in the market as of the moment, with each offering multiple products and a wide range of package designs. If one is new to health insurance, for example, young couples, then things can become quite confusing because one wouldn’t know which coverage plan to get. The lack of information or knowledge is definitely dangerous, as it could lead to either underinsurance or over-coverage and unnecessary expenses.

For young couples to get the best health insurance plans for their situation, multiple things must be considered. First, they must determine if their employer offers insurance. Companies, depending on their compensation package, often provide health coverage in the form of HMO plans, which can greatly reduce an employee’s need to buy a personal policy from the open market.

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It is also noteworthy to consider choosing a health insurance plan that is federally-qualified and has high deductibles with a health savings account. This way, routine preventive care measures such as physical examinations, vaccinations, and screening tests won’t incur the young couple with additional costs.

For couples with a pre-existing condition (such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, or even scoliosis), getting health insurance might pose a challenge as premiums are generally higher. However, they might be able to acquire insurance from a special high-risk pool. There are over 34 states in the United States that offer this kind of health insurance policies to those with health problems.

Based in Rome, Georgia, State Mutual Insurance offers Medicare Supplement or Medigap, an extra health insurance that covers healthcare costs not covered by Original Medicare. For more about the company and its services, visit this website.

When's the right time to buy a Medicare supplement

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There are instances Medicare might not be enough, especially with regard to the health concerns of senior citizens. Much thought must be given in selecting a supplementary insurance that will cover the expanded needs of a senior citizen.

Buying a supplementary insurance from a mutual insurance company could be a practical option especially for those who would want to receive dividends or to save up for policy premiums in the future. Since a mutual insurance company’s policyholders also serve as part owners, an individual can find a tailor-made policy that covers all needs concerning treatment, medication, and other benefits in accordance to the state’s laws.

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To maximize a Medicare supplement insurance, it is best if an individual over the age of 65 applies as soon as he or she has been deemed eligible. Though most companies wait for an open enrollment period, there are also insurance firms that accept applications year round. Unlike in the usual policies, an applicant no longer has to wait for days before the policy takes effect. Once approved, the insured person may start using the benefits of his or her chosen policy.

Caring for an individual’s health doesn’t need to be complicated. By choosing the right policies, senior citizens can reap the advantages of supplementary healthcare as soon as they are approved.

State Mutual Insurance is a national insurance company which operates in over 41 states, including the District of Columbia. As a pioneer in the consolidation of the life insurance industry, the company’s focus is to help senior Americans achieve a sense of security, with products designed specifically for their benefit. Get to know more about their processes and policies on this website.

Beyond Medicare supplements: The State Mutual Insurance difference

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Established in 1936, State Mutual Insurance has been owned by its policyholders and run for their benefit for the entirety of its history. It is a legal reserve mutual insurer, headquartered in Rome, GA, and conducts business in 41 states and the District of Columbia. At present, the company's primary product is Medicare supplement insurance, a standardized insurance plan that covers for key costs not included in Medicare.

Over the many decades of its operation, the company has remained true to its roots, notably in being dedicated to community service, following its founding by a group of friends. The soul of the business is in providing both quality and competitively priced products and outstanding service to its policyholders. It has an exemplary record of disbursing benefits. Since 1985 it has paid approximately:

• $198,000,000 on dividends or 88% of earnings,
• $178,000,000 on death Benefits, and
• $307,000,000 on other Living Benefits.

At present, it has more than $392 million worth of assets, of which almost $30 million are surplus.

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Today, State Mutual continues to give its policy holders competitive rates by reducing company expenses and improving efficiency and service. It has transferred most of the administration of its policies to its Florida-based operational center, which handles everything from policy underwriting and issue, policyholder service, and claims payment.

Furthermore, the company has an electronic application process, which increases operational efficiency and reduces processing cost. The savings from the streamlined process are then passed along to applicants.

Lastly, the company offers its products direct to consumers, eliminating costs traditionally associated with the sale of insurance policies.

The company is a registered member of LIMRA, LOMA, and the American Council of Life Insurers.

For more on the history of State Mutual Insurance and details on its coverage plans, visit this website.