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	<title>Benefit Consultants</title>
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		<title>Is it too late to change my Medigap/Medicare Supplement for 2013?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[No, not at all.  Medicare Supplements are month to month contracts and are not governed by the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7 each year.  There is a lot of confusion regarding when someone is able to change from one Medicare Supplement policy to another. If you are 65 or older [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2013/02/is-it-too-late-to-change-my-medigapmedicare-supplement-for-2013/</link>
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		<title>BlueCross BlueShield of IL Changing Medicare Supplement Rates</title>
		<description><![CDATA[BlueCross BlueShield of IL announced a rate increase for most Medicare Supplement/Medigap customers effective March 1, 2013. In addition to the rate increase, changes have been made to the way BlueCross BlueShield of IL sets attained-age premiums. BCBSIL has switched from age bands to different rates for each age. In the past, BCBSIL had the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2013/02/bluecross-blueshield-of-il-changing-medicare-supplement-rates/</link>
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		<title>2013 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Released</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Find them here: http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/costs-at-a-glance/costs-at-glance.html]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2012/11/2013-medicare-premiums-and-deductibles-released-2/</link>
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		<title>New Medicare Therapy Restrictions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are on Medicare and need out-patient physical therapy, speech language pathology, or occupational therapy, you need to know the Medicare therapy caps. They can be found here.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2012/11/new-medicare-therapy-restrictions/</link>
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		<title>Over 65 and still working?  Your employer group health plan may not be your best option.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Most of us are having to pay something toward the cost of our group health plan these days. Whether it&#8217;s paying part of the premium or changing to a plan with higher deductibles and copays, almost everyone in a group plan is feeling the pinch in this struggling economy. There is another option for anyone [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2012/09/over-65-and-still-working-your-employer-group-health-plan-may-not-be-your-best-option/</link>
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		<title>Am I Paying Too Much for My Medicare Supplement?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We hear this question often. The answer is: very likely. If you haven&#8217;t compared Medicare Supplement rates in over a year, you may be paying more than you need to. New Medicare Supplement companies are being approved to sell in Illinois all the time, so it&#8217;s a good idea to review your options annually. Because [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2012/08/am-i-paying-too-much-for-my-medicare-supplement/</link>
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		<title>Important for Anyone Turning 65 and Staying on Employer Group Health Plan</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When most people turn 65, they automatically receive their Medicare card in the mail with effective dates for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B coverage. If you are going to be retiring and using your Medicare benefits starting on the first day of the month in which you turn 65, this is fine. However, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2012/05/important-for-anyone-turning-65-and-staying-on-employer-group-health-plan/</link>
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		<title>New Medicare Supplement/Medigap Rates in Illinois!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Enter your zip code in the box here and follow the prompts to see the lowest prices in your area!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2012/05/new-medicare-supplementmedigap-rates-in-illinois/</link>
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		<title>2012 Medicare Info</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Here are the Medicare changes for 2012:   2011 2012 Part A (hospital) Deductible $1,132 $1,156 Hospital Copay (days 61-90) $283 $289 Hospital Copay (days 91-150) $566 $578 Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance (days 21-100) $141.50 $144.50 Medicare Part B Monthly Premium* $115.40 $99.90 Annual Part B Deductible $162 $140 *for those not affected by the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2011/11/2012-medicare-info/</link>
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		<title>Can I negotiate my Medicare Supplement price lower?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I had a long conversation with a rep from a local newspaper today.  The subscription rate went up substantially, which didn&#8217;t make me very happy.  The paper&#8217;s customer service person immediately started negotiating the subscription price down to something I would accept.  While I like getting a good deal, the whole conversation was frustrating.  Haggling [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.bcmil.com/medicare_blog/2011/10/can-i-negotiate-my-medicare-supplement-price-lower/</link>
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