{articletitle}

If you have VA health benefits and qualify for Medicare at age 65, you can be enrolled in both plans at the same time. However, Medicare and VA benefits do not work together. Medicare does not pay for any care that you receive at a VA facility. VA health care benefits typically only cover services received at a VA facility, and for Medicare to cover your care, you must visit a non-VA facility that accepts your Medicare coverage. Having coverage through both the VA health program and Medicare gives you wider coverage and more choices of where you can be treated.

Enrollment in the VA health care system is considered creditable coverage for Medicare Part D purposes. This means that if you are enrolled in VA drug coverage, you can delay Medicare Part D enrollment without incurring a late enrollment penalty (LEP). VA prescription drug coverage is at least as good as the Medicare Part D coverage

See more: https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/va-health-care-and-other-insurance

{articletitle}

The 2025 AHIP Medicare (+FWA) training is planned for release on June 24th. This means that the 2024 AHIP will no longer be available because taking the 2025 version will count towards the remainder of the 2024 selling season.

The full price of AHIP is $175, however you can receive a $50 discount if you wait for one of the carriers to release their 2025 product training that also offers the discount. In our past experience, the first carriers to release their product certifications the closest to AHIP are Aetna, UHC, and Humana (the national carriers). There is no discount code. You simply use the carrier certification link. We keep them organized per carrier on our website for your convenience and we will update them upon release.

See more: https://www.urlinsgroup.com/certification-links

New agent beware: Be careful that you don’t fall into the common trap thinking that a 2025 carrier product certification does the same thing as the AHIP and retroactively makes you ready to sell for 2024. Many carriers require you to do both selling years since they are different products. We mark those with an asterisk on our website.

{articletitle}

If you’re a green card holder but don’t meet work requirements, you can buy into Medicare only if you’ve lived continuously in the United States for at least five years.

How much do noncitizens pay for Medicare?

The charges are the same for citizens and noncitizens. If you or your spouse hasn’t paid Medicare payroll taxes for 10 years, the following premiums for Medicare Part A and Part B apply in 2024:

Part A (prorated)

• $505 a month, fewer than 30 quarters.
• $278 a month, 30 to 39 quarters.
• **Free,** if you or your spouse has worked 40 quarters or more.

Part B is the same cost as a US citizen.

Both Medicare and Medicaid programs are not available for undocumented immigrants under normal circumstances. Furthermore, while private insurance is available, undocumented immigrants cannot purchase healthcare from the Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA Marketplace). Medicaid benefits may be available to illegal aliens during an emergency, but even then, various restrictions apply.

Sources:

• Are Non-U.S. Citizens Eligible for Medicare?
• Social Security and Medicare Benefits for Immigrants | CitizenPath

{articletitle}

When does my client notify Medicare of a change of address?

Here are two common scenarios:

1. My client has 2 houses and goes back and forth to each of them throughout the year, which one can be considered his residence? Typically this is where they spend 6 months or more of their time and file their taxes.
2. My client is moving. When does the SEP start? Step 1 is to notify your plan of your move with your new address. This lets them know if you are still within the plan’s service area or not signaling to them to send CMS and you a letter for special enrollment period.

When is the SEP?

• If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for 2 full months after you move.
• If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus 2 more full months.

*Medicare Supplement Plan do not give a SEP when you move. The supplement will follow you to your new residence, but often times will be re-rated.

Learn more: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan/special-enrollment-periods