To Buy A Medigap Plan Now Or Wait ‘Till Later?…

February 16th, 2010

 The question that many have concerning Medicare supplements is whether they should go ahead and obtain a policy when they ‘age in’ to the Medicare eligibility or if they should wait to see if they need it.

 You’ve probably heard the phrase “you snooze, you lose” before, and it can apply to this type of coverage as well.  Here’s why:

 Medicare supplement plans are immediately available to anyone who is eligible for Medicare coverage. They come in 12 varieties and can supplement any Medicare coverage to protect anyone from just about anything.

 However, anyone who doesn’t get one of these plans right away will need to beware.  If you develop chronic illness, you are not able to get Medigap plans.  Also, if you have or are diagnosed with a disease or chronic illness and drop your Medigap coverage, you cannot get it back.  

Medigap plans are affordable, even for those living on a fixed income. Since Medicare was never designed to cover every expense related to healthcare, it’s nice that the government offers these standardized plans to help out where they can.

When it comes to Medigap plans, it behooves you to get them sooner rather than later.  Later may come sooner than you think, and you may lose your eligibility before you are able to get a policy.

Finding a Medicare Supplement Provider

February 4th, 2010

With all of the confusing factors involved in your quest to secure a Medicare supplement, finding the company with which you would like to work should not be of concern.  Many different private insurance companies provide Medicare supplement plans regulated and standardized by the federal government.  The companies’ prerogative is simply that they can charge the premium rate they choose. 

This limit of coverage options makes your job much easier.  Once you have examined the 12 types of coverage that you can get, you can then find the companies that offer that coverage at affordable rates.

If you’re looking for the best deal, make sure to take the time to shop around and see what’s out there.

Remember:  No one can tell you which company is best.  Check each one out, compare their offerings, and then make a decision as to which one is best for you – both according to price and service.

Obtaining a Medicare Supplement Policy: Navigating the Confusion

January 27th, 2010

Searching for a Medicare Supplement Policy can be baffling for those who don’t know the essential facts concerning its coverage.

There are seemingly limitless combinations of Medicare supplement plans and providers from which you may choose!   However, once you’ve done some research (even just via the net!,) you should have no trouble choosing the one that is best for you.

The confusion for many who seek Medigap insurance stems from having to choose just one from all the choices available.

Medicare supplements have 12 plans (A – L.)

The first 10 plans are very similar.  This often causes many to question why there are so many. The final two, again are similar, but additionally have their slight differences.

Additionally (and similarly perplexing,) the initial four plans (A, B, C, and D) are often thought to be synonymous with Parts A, B, C, and D of Original Medicare. This can be a particularly huge point of confusion.

In the event you see something that stumps you while researching your supplement options, simply look it up and then go back to choosing the best policy for your needs.

For more advice and consultation, visit www.gomedigap.com or call a qualified Medigap agent.

Medicare Supplement Plan F: The Basics

January 22nd, 2010

Medicare supplement Plan F is very popular with those who seek coverage to supplement Original Medicare.

Plan F provides a great amount of coverage with virtually no out of pocket expense once the monthly premium amount is met.

The premium payments for Plan F coverage; however, are not uniform.  While the Medicare supplement plans are standardized by the federal government, the premium amounts are not.  Each state has different regulations on deductibles, co-pays, and other costs based upon the cost of living in that particular area. 

Medicare supplement Plan F has two forms:  a high deductible form and a low deductible form. 

  • The high deductible Plan F has a lower premium amount.
  • The low deductible Plan F has a higher premium amount.

The deductible is the amount that you need to pay before your coverage goes into effect. 

You should consider both forms of this plan and decide which is best for you.

The Medicare supplement Plan F has affordable premium payments, great coverage, and two deductible options so that you can get exactly what you need for your physical and financial health. 

For more information on Medigap Plan F and the other Medigap plans, please visit www.gomedigap.com or contact a qualified agent.

Save Money By Evaluating Quotes

January 19th, 2010

Living on a fixed income while trying to avoid and/or get out of debt is definitely not the ideal way to spend your golden years. 

Obtaining lower premiums for your health care expenses is a great way to commence your quest for a more financially sound future. 

Medigap costs should not be exorbitant (at least in relation to the cost of healthcare sans insurance.)  If you have done your research on different Medicare supplement plans and providers, you should be able to find a fair deal for the coverage you want. 

Medicare supplement costs differ from one person to the next.   Each of the 12 different supplement plans is rated differently, and private insurance companies set their premium prices according to their own guidelines which can be based on many different factors.

The best way to estimate the approximate cost for you to enroll with a Medicare supplement is to request quotes from different companies on the plan or plans you have chosen. 

Medicare supplemental insurance is unlike many other types of insurance in that there is an average, but it is not very indicative as it varies from person to person, state to state, age to age, medical history to medical history, etc….

To receive your free quotes visit www.gomedigap.com or contact a Medigap agent for consultation.

Comparison Shop to Save Money on Your Medicare Supplement

January 14th, 2010
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Many are of the misconception that because the government standardizes the supplement plans that their prices are also standardized.

Please be aware:  that is far from the truth. 

Private insurance companies charge different prices for the standardized plans. 

It is your responsibility to do the research to find the best deal that you can for the plan that you desire.

Insurance companies are privately held and can charge premiums for their Medicare supplement policies based upon their own guidelines for price setting. 

While some companies base their premium calculations on fair market value, others just throw out a high amount hoping people will pay it.  And, quite unfortunately, many pay it!

Don’t allow your lack of knowledge on the subject to cost you your hard-earned money.  Start comparison shopping for your Medigap policy today.

Medicare Supplement Changes Coming Soon!

January 13th, 2010
The healthcare realm has changed greatly from the time of Medicare’s installation in 1965. People are getting less coverage than they may need from traditional Medicare. To counter Medicare changes, the federal government created Medicare supplements in the 1990s.

Medigap helps to cover those healthcare expenses that are not covered by original Medicare. However, Medicare supplemental insurance (along with Medicare) has not kept up with the times concerning the growing need for the public’s healthcare needs.

In June 2010, the federal government is getting rid of duplicate coverage by removing four of the 12 plans, remodeling a few of the remaining plans, and then creating two new plans that have lower premiums and different benefits. While the minutia of these changes is of less importance, you do need to understand what is happening to YOUR supplemental insurance.

Medicare supplemental insurance companies and the government are strategizing to inform the public and ensure that it is prepared for the changes to come. However, you should be proactive and start your research now so that you are not surprised by these imminent changes.

When researching, focus on the plan that you have and figure out what (if anything) is changing concerning your plan and others. You can find a bevy of information online that can be exceedingly helpful in your quest for insurance coverage.

You may also contact a provider about the imminent changes coming to Medicare supplements and how those changes may affect you. Be sure that you will be able to receive the coverage that you need and desire.

After implementation of the Medigap changes, people with policies that are discontinued will likely pay higher premiums and risk not being able to change to a different plan if they fail to act now.

Just as in most life situations, you should be prepared and ready for change. The same applies to Medicare and Medigap as your healthcare is of utmost importance.

Know Your Medicare Power

December 30th, 2009

Medicare Part A is the hospital insurance portion and seniors get this free if the individual or spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Medicare Part B is for individuals who enroll at 65 and it’s fairly minimal; for example, Medicare Part B was an average cost of $96.40 for 2009.

The cost for Medicare premiums is less than people were paying before they turned 65, and that is good news. The bad news is that Medicare does not cover all health care costs, but a lot of people tend to forget this point.

Most seniors need supplemental coverage to fill in the gaps for extra money they pay out for things not covered by Medicare. However, there are 12 different Medicare supplement plans – and so many Medicare insurers and HMOs to choose from – that not only is there a lot of variety and different prices, but the various options make it a bit easier to choose what will work for you.

To learn more about MedicareMedicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Medical Homes Good or Bad?

December 26th, 2009

So far, what we know about medical homes is that those who do qualify to take advantage of them will live in Medicare housing, where they will be seen on a regular basis by primary care doctors and other health care providers; such as social workers, therapists and nurse practitioners. Vermont has a medical care home model in operation and it seems to be providing “uniform standards for advanced primary care.” It’s not just Vermont that has implemented this kind of a model either, so have Maine, Colorado and Massachusetts. To make this new program work, it seems that Medicare will be joining hands with Medicaid, state and federal health care programs, and private insurers in states that will offer the medical home program.

If this is something that might be in your future, now is the time to start asking about how they work and how to qualify for residence in a home, should they come to your state. Based on Vermont’s example, medical homes not only save money, but are a real benefit for the residents in that they are able to get care they would not otherwise receive.

To learn more about MedicareMedicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Medicare Supplement – It’s Not a Foreign Language

December 17th, 2009

There is a confusing time that all senior citizens must endure. It is full of unexpected twists, turns, tunnels, and loops all complemented by confusing jargon. What is this maze? It is the task of becoming enrolled in Medicare and choosing a Medicare supplement policy to ensure future well-being.

Being unaware of the “when”s and “where”s of finding Medicare supplementary coverage will definitely increase your chances of making a poor decision which may hit you in the pocket book. Please take a moment to research Medicare, all of its components, and that of supplementary coverage. By doing your research, you can make an informed and better decision regarding your healthcare coverage and will be able to cut through that Medicare supplement maze in a jiffy.

As you become involved in a Medicare Supplement research, the most common point of confusion is the differentiation between “plan” and “part.” As a Medicare patient, Parts A and B refer to hospital and medical services respectively, while Part C is known as a Medicare Advantage plan and Part D is prescription drug coverage. These are, in essence, parts of your medical care that are covered.

Plans, on the other hand, refer to the levels of Part A and B coverage. There are 12 standardized plans put forth and regulated by the federal government which offer different deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, and premiums (the cost you pay each month for supplemental insurance.)

Another handy term to know is Medigap. Medicare supplement plans are also known as Medigap plans; they are one and the same. This can serve to confuse, but the words are interchangeable and both point to the 12 plans that you may choose to supplement your coverage under Medicare.

Co-pays and co-insurance are also usually the same, although some policies define them differently. Both refer to the expense that you pay out of pocket for your medical care.

Taking the time to learn all of the technical terms associated with Medicare and Medicare supplemental plans should allow you to navigate the maze of choosing one with ease. Simply allow yourself the time to decipher the meaning of these terms and apply those to your decision of a Medigap policy that will be the best for you. Rushing through this maze will cause some roadblocks in your future. Be prepared, be informed, and be sure to make the decision that will ensure your future health, longevity, and financial stability.

For more information on Medicare supplement insurance and Medigap coverage, visit http://www.gomedigap.com.