Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
A "Medicare Supplement Insurance" policy (Medigap) is private health insurance designed to supplement Original Medicare. A Supplement plan helps pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover (like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles) -- the "gaps" in Medicare coverage. If a person has Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amounts for covered health care costs. Then the Medicare Supplement policy pays its share. Some policies will include coverage for things Medicare won't cover, such as eye & hearing exams, gym memberships, etc.
There are 10 Supplement Plans to choose from in most states, and the plan benefits are standardized. A Plan F or G has the same benefits regardless of the Carrier or the State. However, the cost of these plans is not standardized, and different Carriers can charge different premiums.
Supplement plans are not the same as Medicare Advantage Plans (part C). With a Supplement Plan, you stay with Original Medicare as your primary coverage, and you have the freedom to choose any doctor who accepts Medicare patients throughout the United States. Medicare Supplement plans don't require referrals to see Specialists or prior authorization for services.
You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan when you turn 65 and enroll in Original Medicare Part A & B. You do not have to wait for any Open Enrollment Period to buy a Supplement. Still, you might have to answer health questions, and your acceptance is not guaranteed. The best time to buy is during the six months after both turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare Part A & B or losing your Employer Group coverage. You'll be guaranteed acceptance with no health questions asked.
Please get in touch to get all your questions answered:
Medicare Supplement Facts
- Medicare Supplements are also called Medigap plans.
- Supplement plans allow you to choose any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare.
- Must be enrolled in Medicare Part A & B.
- Provided by private Insurance Companies.
- Helps cover all or some of the gaps left by Medicare.
- All Supplement Plan benefits are standardized, and the plans are guaranteed renewable yearly.
- If you enroll in a Supplement Plan, you cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Many Carriers offer various discounts.
- Supplements are for one person only.
- Plans don't offer drug coverage, so enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan.
- There is no open enrollment for Supplements, only for Part D.
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