C-HALL Corporation

C-HALL'S 7 STEPS IN MAKING THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT CHOICE!

Medicare Supplement insurance plans represented by C-Hall Corporation are designed specifically to fill the gaps in Medicare's payments, working with Medicare to protect you against a number of health care costs.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Those individuals who are affected by HMO withdrawals may qualify for Guarantee Issue Coverage from Plans A, B, C and F, which are available for individuals age 65 and over.

It's all about CHOICES --- CALL C-HALL TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS with the Medicare Supplement Plans --- 303-671-9777 or 800-279-8035.

It is suggested that you follow C-HALL'S 7 STEPS IN MAKING THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT CHOICE to determine which Medicare Supplement Plan makes the most sense for you. (It is possible that the outcome may well indicate that an HMO, if available, fits you best.) We have selected four well-positioned companies and compared their cost/benefits, as it pertains to your situation. This includes factors such as gender, age, and whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker, as well as, where you live.

HMOs that were offering "Medicare Risk" programs are feeling the pinch of rising costs and reduced government reimbursement. As a result, beginning January 1, 2000, those HMOs that remain in Colorado will be charging a monthly premium (except for Kaiser's basic plan), raising their co-payments and trimming benefits. The question is which way to turn, transfer to another HMO or choose to be independent and select a Medicare Supplement.

(Check your State for specific information.)

Consider these choices when deciding between an HMO and an independent Medicare supplement before deciding if an HMO is right for you:

• Do you want to choose your own doctors and hospitals?
• Do you want to be the one who decides when to go to a specialist?
• Do you like going to a specialist prior to a General Practitioner?
• Do you want the ability to select the plan that is right for you?

(If you want the above freedom, an individual Medicare supplement may be your best choice.)

Step 1 - It is important to evaluate the financial ratings of the companies offering Medicare supplements:

Step 2 - Do you want an "Issue Age" or an "Attained Age" independent Medicare supplement policy?

Another factor to consider is how Medicare supplement premiums increase over time. Most policies use "Issue Age" rating or "Attained Age" rating systems which increase their costs. "Issue Age" rated policies do not automatically increase each year based on one's birthday, but will usually increase in cost due to health care inflation, Medicare deductibles and their company's claims payment experience.

"Attained Age" systems automatically increase rates on each birthday, on health care inflation, Medicare deductibles, and claims experience. "Attained Age" policies are often cheaper at younger ages but can significantly increase in later years.

Step 3 - Is medical underwriting required?

• Outside the 6-month open enrollment period at age 65, most companies require applicants to fill out a health questionnaire.
• Underwriting will not be required if you have been dropped from your HMO plan and decide to transfer to a new Medicare-supplement, before the end of the year. (Check your specific State for details.)

Step 4 - Does your plan have pre-existing condition exclusion?

• Some companies may not pay for treatment of a specific health problem for up to six months. After this period, the policy will cover these expenses. Others will pay for treatment immediately. Be sure to check with each company as to their benefits.
• If you are transferring from your current HMO before the end of the year, you are exempt from this clause. (In Colorado, the plans you can transfer directly into include A, B, C, and F.) (Check your specific State for details.)

Step 5 - Does a Medicare supplement provide for direct billing?

• Doctors and hospitals are required by law to send their bill directly to Medicare. They are not required to bill Medicare supplements separately.
• A few companies have a direct billing service that has the doctor and hospital bills sent directly to the Medicare supplement company. This eliminates the hassle and inconvenience for individuals to deal with claim forms and the claims filling process. Direct billing can be of real value for frail adults who may forget to resubmit the unpaid balance, not paid by Medicare, to the Medicare supplement company.

Step 6 - Does your Medicare supplement plan have a discount drug program?

• As a free additional benefit, some Medicare Supplement providers are offering a discount card for prescription drugs.
• The discount drug program is an extra value meant to reduce the cost of medications.
• It is a good idea to check if the discount program is a mail order program or can you obtain discounts at your local drugstore or supermarket.

Step 7 - Compare the premiums of the "A through J" plans. Compare value to costs. Consider the various options as they apply to your situation.

(Note: Premium amounts shown are for illustration purposes only. The contract and specific rates for each state will be the final agreement on premiums and billing methods.)