GoMedigap » texas medicare supplement http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog Medicare Supplement Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:22:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Medicare Supplements and Foreign Travel http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplements-and-foreign-travel http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplements-and-foreign-travel#comments Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:31:13 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=973 Continue reading →]]> So how does your Medicare and supplemental coverage work when you are abroad?

While Medicare itself has coverage outside of America in only a few select circumstances, Medicare Supplement foreign travel emergency does provide some coverage when you travel outside of the United States.  (Please note that according to Medicare, “outside of the United States” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Somoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. )

Medicare Suppplement Plans C, D, E, F G, H, I, J, M, and N cover 80% over certain charges abroad which are deemed medically necessary once you have met your $250 yearly deductible.  These plans will cover emergency medical care if it occurs within your first 60 days of your being outside of the United States and does have a  $50,000 limit.   Also be aware that while Plans E, H, I, and J are no longer sold, their coverage will still hold true if you currently have one of these plans.

It is of utmost importance to consider not only your health but also your health coverage before you vacation outside of the U.S.  For more information, please contact a trusted agent and/or visit www.gomedigap.com.

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplements-and-foreign-travel/feed 0 Medicare Supplement Enrollment Timing http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplement-enrollment-timing http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplement-enrollment-timing#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:05:13 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=971 Continue reading →]]> Buying health insurance can be a daunting task for anyone.  However, if you take the time to check out all of your options, you should be able to navigate the process with ease. 

Medigap plans are relatively easy to comprehend as there are limited number of plans from which to choose. The question that many people have is whether they should go ahead and get Medigap plans 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 are some reasons why:

Medigap plans are immediately available to anyone who is eligible for Medicare coverage. These plans 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. Once 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 can never get it back. You never know what will happen later in life, so it is always better to be prepared.

 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.

 You simply need to take the time to see which plans best suit your needs and then go from there to choose the one that works for you. Once you have chosen a plan, you can contact any private insurance company that offers the plan you need to get a free quote. Make sure that you shop around, because every company is allowed to set their own premiums and you need to find the best deal that you can.

 When it comes to Medigap plans, it is always better to get them sooner rather than later. Later might come sooner than you think, and you might lose your eligibility before you are able to get a policy. Take a moment to check out Medicare supplements and see which ones best suit your needs or might help you out in the future.

 For more information on Medicare supplement insurance and Medigap plans, visit www.gomedigap.com.

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplement-enrollment-timing/feed 0 Medigap Claims http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medigap-claims http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medigap-claims#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 14:02:47 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=949 Continue reading →]]>

There are many different types of insurance.  It can sometimes be overwhelming.

There is life insurance, long term care, group health insurance, individual health insurance, dental insurance, auto insurance, renter’s insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and, of course, Medicare Supplemental insurance (also known as Medigap.)

One question which we often receive from our clients is about the nature of  Medicare Supplements and how to tell their doctors to file their claims.  Well, Medicare supplements are exactly that… supplements.  Medicare Supplements do not replace Medicare, and if you are covered by a Medigap policy, you should instruct your physician that your Medicare Supplement policy is a secondary to Medicare.  Once the doctor understands this, his staff should be able to successfully and efficiently file your claims.  The claim should first go to Medicare so that Medicare may pay its due portion, then it will be sent to the Medicare Supplement company.

For more information on Medicare and Medicare supplements, please feel free to contact a qualified agent or visit www.gomedigap.com.

 

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medigap-claims/feed 0 Medicare Supplement Plan F http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplement-plan-f-2 http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplement-plan-f-2#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 22:53:28 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=947 Continue reading →]]> There are many different Medicare Supplement plans that have varrying levels of coverage.  Medicare Supplement Plan F is one of the most popular plans.

Medicare Supplement Plan F provides coverage for Medicare deductibles, co-pays, and excess charges.  An excess charge is the difference between what a doctor or provider charges and the amount Medicare will pay.   A Plan F basically provides you with 100% medical coverage for anything that is covered by Medicare.

This plan will help protect you from additional out-of-pocket expenses should you need treatment that exceeds what Medicare will approve. 

For more information, please visit www.gomedigap.com.

 

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplement-plan-f-2/feed 0 Considering a Medicare Supplement? http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/considering-a-medicare-supplement http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/considering-a-medicare-supplement#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 22:35:21 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=945 Continue reading →]]> There are many issues to keep in mind when you are considering Medicare Supplement insurance.  Luckily there are only a limited number of plans and the coverage of each is made standard per the federal government.  Still, with all of the new information about Medicare and its surrounding policies bombarding you, it is quite easy to become overwhelmed.  And, when it comes to choosing the best provider, the process may prove to be even a little more challenging. Here really are some few tips for both parts of the process.

When you are looking to purchase a Medicare Supplement, you need to consider the coverage you currently have.  This consideration will greatly narrow down the choices that you need to make for your supplement plan. If you have coverage with Medicare, certainly, there is no need to pay for it twice.

Additionally, you should look into choosing a trustworthy plan first, then you should figure out which providing insurance company to purchase it from (based upon price, customer service, perks, or whatever else you may value.) 

It is also very important that you browse all around and get quotes on different Medicare Supplements.   One very convenient place to find quotes is on the internet.

For more information on Medicare Supplement insurance, contact a trusted agent or visit www.gomedigap.com.

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/considering-a-medicare-supplement/feed 0 Choosing Your Medicare Supplement Plan http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/choosing-your-medicare-supplement-plan http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/choosing-your-medicare-supplement-plan#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 22:01:03 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=941 Continue reading →]]>
Every senior citizen in the United States has the opportunity to receive medical coverage under Medicare.  However, Medicare will not cover all. This is why many seniors choose to purchase Medicare Supplement policies.

When choosing a policy or a set of policies, be sure to consider your long term budget.  You need to think about how much you can afford to spend on insurance now and in the future. Generally, policies that provide more coverage will cost more.  However, you can save money by shopping around and choosing the insurance company that offers the lowest costs on the plan you want.

With Medicare, doctors are allowed to charge you more than the amount that Medicare is willing to cover.  This is called a Part B Excess Charge.  If you visit doctors who frequently charge more than the amount of coverage Medicare provides you with, you may want to choose Medicare Plan G or Plan F which cover the Part B Excess Charges.

If you are a senior who loves to travel, you should find a plan that covers you during trips abroad.  For example, Medicare Plans N, M, G, F, D, and C all cover care that is received during foreign travel.

Choosing the right Medicare Supplements may take some time.  Be sure to start doing your research early so that you can be sure to make the best decision for you.

For more information, visit www.gomedigap.com or contact a qualified agent. 

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/choosing-your-medicare-supplement-plan/feed 0 To Supplement or Not to Supplement? http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/to-supplement-or-not-to-supplement http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/to-supplement-or-not-to-supplement#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 14:43:21 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=938 Continue reading →]]>
Why would one need to supplement their current insurance policy in the first place?  There are actually plenty of reasons, especially if your current coverage is original Medicare alone.
While Medicare does help to cover your health expenses, it also has co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, and sometimes excess charges.  Medicare Supplement policies (also known as Medigap policies) can help complete your insurance by filling in these holes you once had to fill.

Not many people these days have money to burn on prescriptions, medical procedures, and large deductibles.  For this reason, getting a plan to cover your gaps in the current insurance you have is of vital importance.  Knowing exactly where you need help is the first step to complete coverage.  Luckily, the internet is a great resource as are Medicare and certified Medicare Supplement agents.

For more information, visit www.gomedigap.com.

 

 

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/to-supplement-or-not-to-supplement/feed 0 How to Shop for Medicare Supplements http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/how-to-shop-for-medicare-supplements http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/how-to-shop-for-medicare-supplements#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 17:37:51 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=936 Continue reading →]]> Looking for a competitively rated health insurance policy can be confusing, complicated, and very time-consuming.  Luckily, looking for a Medicare Supplement policy does not need to be.

The federal government created 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans.  These plans are  for people who desire gap coverage for their existing insurance of original Medicare.  It does not matter which private insurance company you choose, there will only be those 10 plans from which to choose.  

Medcare supplemental coverage is sometimes the only way that some Medicare recipients are able to pay for their medical care, prescriptions, and other healthcare expenses.

There are many different resources out there that will help you to understand the plans that exist and how to choose the best one.  While dong research, be sure to look into the coverage levels for each of the 10 different plans and decide which looks to be the best fit for you.  Each private insurance company has the same 10 plans for Medigap coverage, but every one will have slightly different rates, allowing you to get the right insurance for the right price every time. 

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

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/how-to-shop-for-medicare-supplements/feed 0 Medicare Supplements Cover the “Gaps” http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplements-cover-the-gaps http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplements-cover-the-gaps#comments Mon, 09 May 2011 18:18:32 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=934 Continue reading →]]> Medicare Supplements are insurance policies that recipients of original Medicare may purchase to supplement their coverage under Medicare.  Medicare Supplements (also known as Medigap policies) are completely optional; however many who purchase them are very glad that they did as Medicare does not cover all co-pays, deductibles,etc….  Although one may not think that the little extra costs could not amount to too much, it really can (depending on how pricey the procedure is.)

Medicare Supplement policies are offered in the forms of several different plan letters with different coverage values.  However, each specific plan letter is standardized by the federal government (in other words a Plan F is a Plan F and a Plan N is a Plan N) regardless of the providing insurance company.  What will differ between insurance companies is the premium cost, the underwriting questions, and the service.

It is important to fully research your options before jumping into a plan that you do not completely understand.  While it is tempting to “just get it over with,” it is in your best interest to consult with Medicare, your physicians, the internet, and a qualified Medicare Supplement agent.

For more information, please visit www.gomedigap.com.

]]> http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/medicare-supplements-cover-the-gaps/feed 0 The Medicare Supplement Market http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/the-medicare-supplement-market http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/the-medicare-supplement-market#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 22:14:53 +0000 kristen http://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-supplement-blog/?p=932 Continue reading →]]> Many wonder when and how it is appropriate to purchase a Medicare Supplement policy… especially if they are first-timers in the market.

Well as long as you are sure to do your research on the different coverage levels of the different plans and also the pricing and service of different providing companies, you can’t really go wrong.  You can purchase your supplement through an agent in person or over the phone, or you can go with a broker in either situation as well.  Whatever makes you feel comfortable!

The main thing to consider when getting on a Medicare Supplement for the first time is to try to find one you can stick with for awhile.  Be sure to project your future needs and wants as well as what you can afford.

For more information on Medicare Supplement insurance, contact an agent or visit www.gomedigap.com.

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