If you are seeking health insurance coverage for the 2021 calendar year and happen to be looking during the end of 2020 during open enrollment, contact The Mair Agency today. They have a team of fantastic Asheville, NC health insurance agents that can assist you in finding the right insurance plan to cover all your health needs in Buncombe County.
Asheville, North Carolina is a very important part of The Mair Agency landscape. Barbara Maneri is our exclusive health insurance agent in Western North Carolina and will assist those looking for coverage in this part of the state. Whether you are in Asheville, Waynesville or any part of the gorgeous western part of North Carolina, Barbara will be able to help you with your health insurance needs. She is open to any and all questions and can get you answers in an efficient manner. Having experience in the health insurance industry for many years, we are confident Barbara will be able to help you choose the correct Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina plan for you.
The population of Asheville has exploded from around 66,000 in 1999 to approximately 90,000 today. In the next few years, Asheville’s population will exceed 100,000. This is quite a change for those that grew up in Western North Carolina. Many locals can remember the days in which there were no outlet malls and the south part of the city was nothing more than a small airport. The times have changed.
If you are looking for a specific Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) health insurance plan for your family, remember that Blue Advantage and Blue Select are available in Buncombe County. In fact, all Western North Carolina counties have these two plans. You can find more at this link. Understand that different counties offer different plans for Blue Cross NC but Western NC counties are all the same. If you are looking for Charlotte health insurance you will find Blue Value and Blue Local with Carolinas HealthCare System.
As the top medicare agency awarded by Blue Cross NC, we are confident we can assist those looking for Medicare. Note that in 2020, residents of Buncombe County and many of the counties surrounding Asheville have the opportunity to sign up for Medicare Advantage with Part D with prescription drug benefits at zero ($0) premiums The counties that offer this opportunity include Macon, Jackson, Haywood, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Transylvania, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, Buncombe, McDowell, Burke, Catawba, Alexander. Reach out to us today to see if you qualify for $0 premium Medicare Advantage with Part D.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICARE
Medicare is complicated, to say the very least. The good news is our team at Mair Agency is here to answer any questions you may have about Medicare or health insurance in general. We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions about Medicare below but if you don’t see a question you have, we encourage you to reach out. We’re here to simplify the insurance process for Asheville residents.
What are the different parts of Medicare and what do they cover?
- Medicare Part A: Offered by the federal government, Part A covers hospital, skilled nursing facility, or home health care. You’ll likely be able to receive these benefits without paying a premium.
- Medicare Part B: Also provided by the federal government, Part B pays for doctor visits as well as other outpatient services. While it does come with a monthly premium, it’s optional.
- Medicare Part C: Known as Medicare Advantage, Part C is available through private insurance companies. It covers everything in Parts A and B plus extra perks like dental and wellness services.
- Medicare Part D: Part D is for prescription drugs and offered by private insurance companies. It adds prescription drug coverage to Parts A and B.
Is Medicare Part D required?
Medicare Part D is optional. But Medicare requires that you have some type of drug coverage that will cover as much as Medicare’s standard drug coverage. If you have it through a union or employer, for example, you don’t need to sign up for Part D. In the event you don’t have appropriate drug coverage, it’s a good idea to enroll in Part D when you can. Our Medicare experts can help you find the right Part D coverage for your particular health situation.
Who qualifies for Medicare?
If you’re at least 65, you’re eligible for Medicare, no matter your income or medical history, as long as you’ve paid taxes for at least 10 years. You may also enroll in Medicare if you’re younger than 65 but living with a certain illness or disability like ALS. Medicare is also available if you’re permanently disabled and have collected Social Security for at least two years or have a disease that requires a kidney transplant or dialysis.
When can I enroll in Medicare?
The Initial Enrollment Period is a great time to sign up for Medicare. This is the month you turn 65 or three months before or three months after. Another option is the Annual Enrollment Period, which is between October 15th and December 7th every year. There is also a Special Enrollment Period that can allow you to enroll as long as you meet certain criteria.
Is my Medicare plan set in stone?
Absolutely not! As you age and your health and circumstances change, you may need to modify your Medicare plan. Fortunately, you can do so during the enrollment periods we discussed above. Our Medicare experts will be happy to help you choose the right coverage for your new situation.