1. Independent Advisors

We provide truly independent advice, meaning we are not tied to any single insurance provider. This independence allows us to present a range of Medicare plans, focusing solely on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. With unbiased guidance, you can be confident that our recommendations are based on what works best for you—not on commissions or sales targets.

2. No Hidden Fees for Services

One of the biggest advantages of working with us is the transparency around costs. Our consultation and plan selection services are provided without hidden fees, making sure you understand every aspect of your plan without worrying about extra charges. This open approach builds trust and ensures that you’re only paying for your selected Medicare coverage—no surprises.

3. Yearly Review of Your Plan

As healthcare needs can change over time, we offer an annual review of your plan. This yearly assessment helps you stay informed about any updates to your current coverage, new plan options, or adjustments that might benefit you based on your evolving healthcare needs. With this proactive approach, we help you keep your Medicare coverage in sync with your life changes, so you’re always getting the best possible care for your situation.

By choosing LV Medicare Advisors, you’re not only securing the right Medicare plan for today but also ensuring ongoing support and guidance into the future.

Medicare Advantage, sometimes known as “Part C,” is something of a catch-all choice for those who are ready to sign up for Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers in conjunction with the Medicare program, and can provide you with additional health insurance coverage.

What’s in them?

In addition to signing up for Medicare Part A (hospital stays) and Part B (medical coverage), Medicare Advantage plans offer their subscribers extra features. This frequently, but not always, includes the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.¹

In some cases, Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for areas not normally offered within regular Medicare plans. This can include dental, hearing, and vision insurance.¹

What are the rules?

Medicare pays for a fixed amount of your health care to the company offering your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Beyond that, each MA plan requires different out-of-pocket fees. Those fees can vary from plan to plan.¹

Depending on your plan, you may have different rules you need to follow when seeking a medical referral to get treatment from a specialist or if you are seeking non-urgent care (even from health care providers within the plan).

It’s also important to remember that rules, requirements, and features may change from year to year. It will be important to make sure that those changes line up with any treatment that you need.

What about my prescriptions?

While most MA plans offer Part D coverage for prescription drugs, some don’t. One example would be for Medicare Medical Savings Account plans. In cases where the plan can’t or chooses not to offer prescription drug coverage, you may have the ability to join a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, depending on the type of plan you enroll in.¹

You will likely have a number of questions and concerns as you examine your options for Medicare Advantage plans. Discuss these with a trusted financial professional who can help you make choices that may best fit your lifestyle.

1. Medicare.gov, 2022

Lehigh Valley Medicare Advantage Plans

When you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare if you:

1. Either receive or qualify for Social Security retirement cash benefits
2. Or, currently reside in the United States and are either:
   1. A U.S. citizen
   2. Or, a permanent U.S. resident who has lived in the U.S. continuously for five years prior to applying

How you enroll at age 65 depends on whether or not you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits. Also, there are circumstances in which someone may become Medicare-eligible at age 65 but defers Medicare enrollment without future penalties—for instance, if an individual has qualifying insurance from an employer.

How much you have to pay for your Medicare coverage depends on your work history (i.e. if and how long you have paid Medicare taxes). Everyone owes a monthly premium for their medical insurance (Part B). Most people with Medicare get their hospital insurance (Part A) premium-free.

For questions regarding Medicare eligibility, call the Medicare Rights Center’s free national helpline at 800-333-4114 or contact Lehigh Valley Medicare Advisors.

© 2022 Medicare Rights Center. Used with permission.

Bethlehem Medicare Advisors

Allentown Medicare Advisors

Easton Medicare Advisors

Medicare and Medicaid are two separate, government-run programs. They are operated and funded by different parts of the government and primarily serve different groups.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65+ or under 65 and have a disability, no matter your income.

Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.

If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible), you can have both. They will work together to provide you with health coverage and lower your costs.

Also know that while Medicare and Medicaid are both health insurance programs administered by the government, there are differences in covered services and cost-sharing. Make sure to call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact your local Medicaid office to learn more about Medicare and Medicaid costs and coverage, especially if you are a dual-eligible.

© 2022 Medicare Rights Center. Used with permission.

Let's break down the basics. Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, understanding the different parts of Medicare is critical, as this government-sponsored program may play a role in your future health care decisions. Parts A & B are the two components of Original Medicare. There are two components. In general, Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility costs, hospice, lab tests, surgery, and some home health care services. One thing to keep in mind is that, while very few beneficiaries must pay Part A premiums out of pocket, annually adjusted standard deductibles still apply.^1,2 Many pre-retirees are frequently warned that Medicare will only cover a maximum of 100 days of nursing home care (provided certain conditions are met). Under the current Part A rules, you would pay $0 for days 1-20 of care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). During days 21-100, a $203 daily coinsurance payment may be required of you.^1,2 Knowing the limitations of Part A, people need to look for other choices when it comes to managing the costs of extended care. Part B covers physicians’ fees, outpatient hospital care, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and other offerings not covered by Medicare Part A.²

Part B does come with some costs, however, which are adjusted annually. The premiums vary, according to the Medicare recipient’s income level, but the standard monthly premium amount is $174.70 for 2024, and the current yearly deductible is $240.²

Sometimes called “Medicare Part C,” Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are often viewed as an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. MA plans are offered by private companies approved by the federal government. Although these plans come with standardized minimum coverage, the amount of additional protection offered can differ drastically from one person to the next. This is due to unique provider networks, premiums, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket spending limits. In other words, comparing prices and services offered from different vendors may be the best way to find a Medicare Advantage plan that works for you.³

Part D: Prescription drug plans. While Medicare Advantage plans often offer prescription drug coverage, insurers also sell federally standardized Medicare Part D plans as a standalone product to those with Medicare Part A and/or Part B. Every Part D plan has its own list (i.e., a “formulary”) of covered medications. Visit Medicare.gov to explore the formulary of approved drugs for your Part D plan as well as their prices, organized by tier.^3,4

In fact, Medicare.gov is a great place to start all your research. Once there, you’ll find answers to your most common questions and more information on the different Medicare plans offered in your area.

1. CMS.gov, 2022
2. Medicare.gov, 2024
3. Medicare.gov, 2024
4. Medicare.gov, 2024

Lehigh Valley Medicare Part C

Lehigh Valley Medicare Part D

Medicare’s prescription drug benefit (Part D) is the part of Medicare that provides outpatient drug coverage. Part D is provided only through private insurance companies that have contracts with the federal government—it is never provided directly by the government (unlike Original Medicare).

If you want to get Part D coverage, you have to choose and enroll in a private Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage (MAPD). Enrollment is optional (though recommended to avoid incurring future penalties) and only allowed during approved enrollment periods. Typically, you should sign up for Part D when you first become eligible to enroll in Medicare.

Whether you should sign up for a Medicare Part D plan depends on your circumstances. You may have creditable drug coverage from employer or retiree insurance. If so, you don’t need to enroll in a PDP until you lose this coverage. Also, some people already enrolled in certain low-income assistance programs may be automatically enrolled in a Medicare drug plan and receive additional financial assistance paying for their medicines.

©2022 Medicare Rights Center. Used with permission.

Lehigh Valley Medicare Part D