Dr. David Belk in California says that seniors don't need a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy. He is dead wrong, and millions of seniors would disagree. Here, Chris Westfall, a 20 year agent, shows some examples of why seniors need supplemental coverage to original medicare.
Chris Westfall is licensed in 42 states as an independent Medicare insurance broker and has helped thousands of seniors across the country to determine the best value for their specific situation. Christopher does not work for any one insurance company and DOES NOT represent AARP plans. Instead, he offers the best value plans in the country.
See:
Christopher can be reached at 1-800-729-9590
Original story from:
Used with permission from the author.
Dr. David Belk:
FAIR USE: is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. Examples of fair use include commentary, search engines, criticism, parody, news reporting, research, teaching, library archiving and scholarship
I agree with you that having a Medicare Supplement plan is a must have..
But i disagree on the prices you talk about being $100 dollars to $120
dollars for your clients. Here in my part of NY the cheapest Plan F starts
at $261 from United Healthcare (AARP Program) all the way up to $567.72
from Bankers Conseco Plan F. This is for a Healthy 65 year old. I wish i
could get a plan for $100. Not going to happen in NY
+fishingseason This is a New York-only phenomenon. It is also very high in
FLORIDA. Just across the bridge in New Jersey, it costs less than 50% as
New York. This is because of all of the ridiculous regulations imposed by
the liberal legislature in New York requiring, for one, that an insurance
company must have its own office INSIDE the State of New York to do
business there. This is an undue burden that most good companies simply
will not due.
Is there a time limit after you go on disability or Medicare A & B that you
can enroll in a supplement? I know there is a window each year to change,
but want to know if there is a time frame limitation to enroll the first
time in a supplement.
+P Gillen Without health qualifications, yes, for only six months after
Part B starts. After that, you must qualify through health underwriting
which is very often difficult for those on disability.
Open letter to Doctor David Belk
You advocate people only having original medicare. To that
point. Part A deductible is 1288 in 2016. 60 days after leaving the
hospital it’s a new 1288. 3 – 4 part A deductibles are possible in any
given
year. More than 1 is not an irrational consideration. Part B deductible is
166
dollars per year. After this 20% is owed for each out patient surgery.
EVERY surgery
not to mention occupational therapy, doctor services and durable
medical equipment while admitted. What if there are multiple surgeries
in any given year? What about chemo? Whether part A or B coverage, this
is real expense we are talking here at 20%? Lastly, as people age into
medicare, that is the ONLY time that they can acquire a med supp in lieu
of medical underwriting. Said another way, after age 65, if they are
sick their only option for the rest of their lives may only be original
medicare or a medicare advantage plan with limited provider options and
more annual out of pocket.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/david-belk-md-alameda
Above is a cogent link. It appears that Doctor Belk, in our opinion, has
a preoccupation that borders on obsession to the point where it
alienates his patients.
We would humbly submit that any self respecting insurance broker should
share this post wherever possible as Doctor Belk has and continues to
share his opinions.
For some reason Doc. Belk has removed my posts from his thread about 3
times …
So what about when that person turns age of qualified for retirement, age
62 or 65+
+P Gillen If they’re not eligible for Medicare, they’re not eligible for
Medicare.
Medicare is available at age 65 or after someone has been on Medicare
Disability for 2 years.
Dude, you beat me to the punch! I just had a client e-mail me a letter that
he received from this Dr. Belk. I was about to do a video like this one. I
do not understand Dr. Belk’s angle? Why would he advise seniors to not get
a Medicare Supplement Plan? What is he gaining? Great video, I will share
this with clients as they bring this up. This guy is mailing this letter
out to people as well, I just don’t get it…I can tell your heated about
this, so am I. Again, great video as always!
Not only is the video by David Belk wrong, it is very irresponsible for a
man in his position to advise people to go without coverage. Great video
Chris.
ditto, ditto
Thank you, Chris, for standing up for seniors. It is highly irresponsible
for this doctor to mislead seniors as he is doing! That’s like saying don’t
buy fire insurance because your house is not on fire and most likely will
never be on fire! That works fine until tragedy hits!