Medicare Supplement Facts

Q. With a Medicare Supplement policy, do I have a list of doctors and hospitals I must use?

A. Medicare Supplements allow you to go to any doctor or hospital in the United States as long as they accept Medicare unless it is a Select plan, which specifies the hospitals you can go to.

Q. What about RX coverage?

A. That can be obtained through a Medicare Part D program. Please ask for our help!

Q. What is the most popular Medicare Supplement Plan?

A. The most popular plan is probably Plan F. Plan F covers all the deductibles and all the coinsurance. If it is a Medicare approved expense, the insured will pay nothing. Also very popular is Plan G. The main difference is this Medicare Supplement does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible.

Q. What is an Open Enrollment Period?

A. Once you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, you begin your six month Open Enrollment Period.

Q. What kind of preventive services are covered by Medicare?

A. Medicare Part B covers diabetes and cardiovascular screenings, cancer screenings (Mammogram, colorectal, prostate) and some vaccination shots. This is only a partial listing.

Q. Should a person purchase a Medicare Supplement if one already has group insurance through an employer?

A. One should not spend money on a Medigap policy unnecessarily. Try to avoid being double covered. An agent can help you understand if a Medicare Supplement would put you in that position.

 

Footnote: For additional information please refer to publication 10050, "Medicare and You 2008" available from the US Government at www.medicare.gov