FirstCommunity Health News
Mon, Feb 8, 2021
FirstCommunity Answers Your Medicare Questions.
This month, we’ll explore topics like Medigap supplemental insurance and switching from Advantage Plans – some of our most commonly asked Medicare questions.
Sun, Jan 31, 2021
Welcome to the No-Cost Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise Program!
We are so pleased to tell you that FirstCommunity Health Plan is offering the Silver&Fit program at no cost to you.
Tue, Dec 8, 2020
Are Medicare Supplement plans worth it? The answer is unequivocally YES.
Because we have many options for covering the gaps, there is no need to run around without supplemental coverage.
Thu, Nov 5, 2020
Choosing the Right Medicare Plan During Open Enrollment
During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) October 15 through December 7, you can re-evaluate your current coverage (Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plan) to make sure you’re enrolled in the plan that best fits your needs.
Fri, Oct 9, 2020
Choosing a Medicare Plan During Open Enrollment
Choosing a Medicare plan is an important, but difficult decision. This choice could determine your health for years to come and save (or cost) you hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.
Mon, Sep 14, 2020
Is a Medicare Supplement Right for You? Do your homework. Read the fine print.
Don’t be fooled by plans that sound too good to be true.
Tue, Sep 1, 2020
Local Hospital. Local Health Plan. Together for a Healthier Community.
Why FirstCommunity and Huntsville Hospital are working hand-in-hand to bring seniors the affordable Medicare Supplement.
Wed, Jul 22, 2020
Avoid These 6 Common Medicare Mistakes
If you’re 65 or older, you likely depend on Medicare to pay most of your health care costs. It’s easy to think that all you have to do is sign-up, but enrolling is only the first step in managing your Medicare benefits. Make a mistake and you could be paying for it for years.
Mon, Jun 15, 2020
Reducing The Cost Of Insulin And Improving Healthcare For Our Nation’s Seniors.
Under President Trump’s leadership, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is announcing that many Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans have applied to offer lower out-of-pocket insulin costs to seniors for the 2021 plan year.
Mon, May 11, 2020
Choosing a Medicare Plan During Open Enrollment
Choosing a Medicare plan is an important, but difficult decision. This choice could determine your health for years to come and save (or cost) you hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.
Wed, Apr 15, 2020
Stress and Coping during COVID-19
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stressful for everyone. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
Fri, Mar 6, 2020
Our lower premiums are raising eyebrows in the Shoals area.
As FirstCommunity Medicare Supplement consolidates rates for all nine counties, seniors have more plan options and opportunities to save money.
Tue, Feb 18, 2020
Long-term care remains biggest expense for Medicare beneficiaries
Long-term care remains the largest out-of-pocket (OOP) expense for Medicare beneficiaries, and the percentage of those OOP dollars almost doubled (18% to 32%) between 2010 and 2016, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis.
Tue, Jan 21, 2020
Narrow Physician Networks for Medicare Advantage Plans
One of the biggest trade-offs between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare is that Medicare Advantage plans have a more limited network of doctors and other providers.
Wed, Dec 18, 2019
How Medicare will impact you in 2020
One of the great things about Medicare is that it covers existing medical conditions, regardless of whether you chose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Wed, Dec 11, 2019
Can I change from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Supplement and when can I make that change?
During certain times each year (yearly enrollment periods for Part C (Medicare Advantage) & Part D (Prescription Drugs) you can make changes to either of those for the following year.
Wed, Nov 6, 2019
Making Sure Your Plan Meets Your Needs
Your health care needs are a key factor in any Medicare decision, from your current health status, ongoing conditions or to your desire to keep a favorite doctor.
Wed, Oct 16, 2019
2020 Medicare coverage changes
Medigap plans C and F, that cover the Part B deductible, will no longer be available for purchase by newly-eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Tue, Oct 1, 2019
Get ready for Medicare’s Open Enrollment
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is just two weeks away.
Mon, Sep 9, 2019
How to Choose the Right Medicare Plan
Open enrollment season starts on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.
Thu, Aug 8, 2019
2020 Medicare Supplement Changes: No New Plans C and F
Learn what the Congressional change means for your Medigap plan
Mon, Jul 8, 2019
Medicare Advantage: How Robust Are Plans’ Physician Networks?
One of the biggest trade-offs between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare is that Medicare Advantage plans have a more limited network of doctors and other providers.
Mon, Jun 17, 2019
Do more medicare beneficiaries enroll in traditional Medicare their first year?
While enrollment in Medicare Advantage has grown rapidly over the past decade, the majority of Medicare beneficiaries choose to enroll in traditional Medicare during their first year on Medicare, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
Mon, Apr 15, 2019
Why seniors prefer talking to a “real person” about Medicare.
FirstCommunity has been providing high quality, affordable Medicare supplements to nearly 4000 “ 65+ boomers” in the nine county region we serve.
Mon, Apr 1, 2019
Some Surprising Risks of Medicare Advantage Plans
Are you considering signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan? A growing number of seniors are choosing these private insurance plans, which typically offer low or zero premiums – and sometimes more services – than traditional Medicare.
Fri, Mar 1, 2019
Addressing The Top 6 Fears Of Women Over 60
We have lived with change and uncertainty our entire lives; in fact, it is one of life’s few constants. You would think we would be used to it by now, but we aren’t.
Fri, Feb 8, 2019
More Choice for our Seniors - Why Baby Boomers Love Plan G
FirstCommunity is all about choices for seniors and we think you’ll like this latest addition.
Tue, Jan 15, 2019
Changes coming to Social Security in 2019
If you are collecting Social Security benefits now or still paying into the system, these changes will affect you.
Tue, Dec 4, 2018
Some Surprising Risks of Medicare Advantage Plans
Are you considering signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan?
Sat, Dec 1, 2018
Retirement Strategies for Low Income Seniors
If you or a loved one doesn’t have enough money to meet basic needs, you need to know about programs that can help. When the most immediate needs have been met, it also makes sense to look at your next steps.
Mon, Nov 26, 2018
Staying Up-to-date with your vaccines
When it comes to seniors staying up to date on vaccinations, not all seniors adhere to the schedule.
Wed, Nov 21, 2018
Could Pumping Iron Help You Live Longer?
Research shows strength training may decrease cardiovascular risk and premature death for older adults.
Fri, Oct 26, 2018
FirstCommunity to offer Plan G for January 2019
FirstCommunity is all about choices for seniors and we think you’ll like this latest addition.
Mon, Oct 1, 2018
Why 70 is the new 50
As we enter the latter half of the 2010s, baby boomers will crack an important age – 70. However scary that number may sound to you, it’s something to be excited about. After all, 70 is the new 50.
Wed, Sep 19, 2018
Pitfalls of Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans may sound enticing. Many offer $0 premiums, but the devil is in the details.
Fri, Aug 31, 2018
Want to make changes to your Medicare plan options?
With Open Enrollment approaching, it's the right time to make changes to your Medicare plan.
Wed, Aug 1, 2018
Why FirstCommunity Medicare Supplement?
Seven reasons why you should choose FirstCommunity.
Tue, Jul 17, 2018
Medigap Vs. Medicare Advantage: Which Is Better?
Medicare.gov will give you hundreds of pages of explanation, but luckily, the basics of the program aren’t difficult to grasp. However, the devil is in the details.
Wed, Jun 27, 2018
10 surprising facts about Medicare
More than 55 million Americans rely on Medicare for their health care coverage. But the rules are complicated, and what you don’t know can hurt you.
Fri, Jun 1, 2018
New Medicare cards have no Social Security number – what you need to know.
New cards aimed at reducing identity theft among seniors.
Tue, May 1, 2018
When to enroll in Medicare and Get a Medicare Supplement
Based on the somewhat confusing rules of Medicare enrollment, many seniors mistakenly believe that signing up for a Medicare Supplement is similarly complicated.