Medicare Supplement Plan – Is It Right For You?

A Medicare Supplement Plan G helpful site, sometimes also called Medigap, is an individualized insurance plan that will help to pay for some of your medical care costs that Medicare does not cover. This can include deductibles, coinsurance and out-of Pocket expenses. In order to be considered for a Medicare supplement plan you must be aged 45 and older and have been receiving Medicare for at least five continuous months.

Medicare supplement plan

Some examples of these are the Part A and B Medicare insurance plans. They cover hospitalization, doctor visits, and some prescription drugs. Plans C through J provide additional coverage for routine doctor visits and some medications. The Medigap Medicare supplement plan that I speak of is called Medigap Simple. It only covers out-of-Pocket expenses such as copays and coinsurance.

Most plans come with a 12-month open enrollment period. During this open enrollment period you can request various quotes for coverage. You do not have to go through the formal process of enrolling in Medicare as it is handled by the insurance companies. There is no need to get your Medicare card as you will never receive one once you begin to enroll in any Medicare supplement plans.

With Part A you will get a monthly primary benefit and various Medicare supplement plan to choose from to fill in the remaining gaps. Medicare part A coverage is voluntary, so it is not necessary to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Parts B and C are mandatory minimum coverage for anyone over age 65. If you were once covered by Medicare Parts A or B then you automatically become eligible for Medicare Parts C and D upon enrolling in a supplemental insurance plan. There is no open enrollment period for these Medicare options.

Medicare Advantage Plans covers items that are not covered under the original Medicare program. If you are currently covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to enroll in Medicare Parts A or B, you must first cancel your current health insurance policy. After you have canceled your old policy, visit an authorized Medicare outlet and enroll in the new Medicare supplement plan. Medicare Part A and Part B will cover you completely, even if you do not choose to participate in the plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans can be customized to meet your needs. To find out more about choosing an Advantage Plan and enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, talk to a licensed Medicare advisor. For questions about enrollment in Medicare Advantage Plans, including questions about eligibility for different benefits and restrictions, talk to a representative at a private company that sells Medicare supplement policies. Medicare is a great program, but is not for everyone. Know what your options are and what you need to know before deciding whether or not to buy a Medicare supplement policy.