I recently researched how my company, Xpress Healthcare, can help Senior Citizens in the USA who are on Medicare. For those who don’t know what Medicare is, it is a hospital and healthcare benefit plan offered to those 65 years and better. Throughout our lives, we pay into the Medicare fund, so when we reach 65, we will qualify for the benefits.
Medicare is a very good plan, however, it does not cover all aspects of healthcare all the time. During my research, I found that Medicare recipients have no dental, vision or hearing coverage. They have to pay out of pocket for these expenses, which do tend to increase as we grow older.
Medicare also does not pay for prescriptions needed by those on Medicare. Anyone who is on any type of maintenance medication for hypertension, high cholesterol or any other drugs knows how expensive they can be. There are many people who simply do without their medications, because they cannot afford them, thus jeopardizing their health.
There are Medicare Supplement plans available for seniors, which vary in price depending on the coverage they provide. Even with the supplements, if someone’s prescriptions exceed a certain dollar amount, there is a break in their prescription coverage. That break ends either at the beginning of the following year or when the member’s prescriptions reach a much higher out-of-pocket amount. We are talking about several thousand dollars here. Sadly, many seniors require several medications and do, therefore, reach that gap in coverage, often referred to as “the donut hole.”
Coming back to how my company’s discount benefit plans can help those on Medicare. We actually have two excellent plans that can save them a great deal of money.
Our Premium Plan offers discounts on dental, vision, hearing, medical supplies (like wheel chairs, oxygen), prescriptions and vitamins. The plan is only $19.95 per month for our member and their immediate family. So, if both a husband and wife, for instance, are on Medicare, it will only cost them a total of $19.95 per month for this plan.
Our second plan that can offer savings for seniors is our Lifestyle Select Plan. This plan offers some amazing savings on Life Lock® Identity Theft Protection, Pet Care, Roadside Assistance, Legal Access and a Cash Back Rewards Mall. This plan too is only $19.95 per month per family.
Seniors have often built more wealth and have higher credit limits than many younger people, but they’re less likely to guard their identity. So they are frequently targets of identity thieves. Unfortunately Seniors are also less likely to report a case of identity theft than their younger counterparts for fear that their families or caregivers may deem them incapable of handling their own affairs and try to take control. Identity thieves are well aware of this, so they take advantage of it as much as possible. With Life Lock® Identity Theft Protection, they are far more secure and less likely to become victimized.
Many seniors, of course, have pets, like the general population. Many are living on limited budgets, and Pet Assure, part of our Lifestyle Select plan can save them hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
Roadside Assistance is also a part of our Lifestyle Select, and since some seniors would be unable to change a flat tire, or taking trips to see their grandchildren, they may need help along the road, this too is a great feature for them.
Our legal assistance program can be invaluable to seniors who may be revising or writing new wills, selling their homes to move into a smaller one or a senior facility. Our Legal discounts offer nine free services for some of the most commonly used legal services. There are pre-negotiated discounts on other services.
Everyone can benefit from the Cash Back Rewards program. Since many seniors have health issues preventing them from shopping, this could be beneficial to them. In addition, everyone today is trying to save money, and the Cash Back Rewards Mall offer savings at hundreds of online stores.
I am so glad that Xpress Healthcare offers these two programs. Of course, they can help anyone at any age, but for Senior citizens on Medicare, they can be of ever greater benefit.
