9/23/2016

How To Choose The Best Medicare Supplement Insurance

By Carl Green


It is confusing when folks have to select a medical plan and is even more so when choosing a Medicare Supplement Insurance. These plans are also referred to as Medigap, Plans A through L, and Advantage. Their purpose is to cover expenses that regular Medicare does not. They take care of the medical costs that would otherwise be paid out of pocket.

To get health care and prescription coverage, there are private insurance companies that have been approved to offer various ways for folks to get coverage. The plan you choose affects your benefits, out of pocket costs, your ability to choose doctors, convenience, and the quality of care. The private companies are not an official part of the government program but they all must offer the same level of coverage.

The companies compete against each other for business. All of them offer the consumer sets of diverse benefits. The government requires 12 standardized coverage plans that they also regulate. The plans, labeled A through L, each provide different benefits. The companies use a variety of features and premiums to vie for your business.

The Medigap coverage does not decide what is covered and what is not, and do not belong to hospital or doctor networks. The gap plans are offered to pick up the costs that the government plan does not cover. These expenses include part A and B co pays and deductibles. Simply put, if an expense is paid by the insurance and there is a balance due gap coverage will cover it.

The cost for a Medigap plan will depend on what it will cover. The cost, or premium, of the coverage will increase according to the number of expenses it picks up. The plan that pays for the majority of uncovered expenses is plan F. This plan is also very popular. These gap plans can be found online using your zip code.

Using your zip code, search for the plans offered in your specific area. The search results will provide a list of companies and the coverage offered. Consumers can compare plans according to benefits and premiums. Folks can gather contact information for each of the companies listed. It is most important that you directly contact companies to gather specific information.

Every state guarantees the right of consumers to purchase Medigap policies for six months beginning the first day of their sixty fifth birthday month. You must be enrolled in Part B to be able to purchase Medigap coverage. In the six months, insurance companies cannot charge more or turn you down due to a pre existing health condition. After six months folks only have a guaranteed right under specific circumstances.

If you joined the advantage plan when you turned 65 and decided to change to the original plan within the first year you have a guaranteed right. However, if you are younger than sixty five and have the coverage due to a disability you do not have the same rights. It is best to speak with someone who is well versed in this type of coverage to make sure you have the right plan.




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