Medicare Supplement Center Blog

Medicare Supplement Coverage and Part D

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

If you are on Medicare Part A and Part B and have a Medicare supplement policy the time is approaching to review your Part D for 2011. Part D has been extremely helpful to millions of Medicare recipients and is an important part of your insurance coverage in addition to a Medicare supplement plan. There are three ways for you to do that Call Medicare (800-633-4227) and give a Part D specialist your RX list. A representative will find a plan for you and enroll you over the phone immediately. ** This is what I recommend** Contact SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) and set an appointment. Medicare can provide you with a local SHIP telephone number....

Your Medicare Supplement Policy Review

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:29:00 EST

Have you reviewed your Medicare supplement insurance lately? Insurance rates change regularly. This is true of your property and casualty insurance as well as your Medicare supplement insurance. Fortunately, like property and casualty insurance, you can change to another Medicare supplement insurance company any time you want. There are no Annual Election Periods you have to work in or around. But be aware that when you change you may be subject to underwriting. In most cases, you are not guaranteed issue. Why do Medicare supplement rates increase? Medicare supplement rates increase due to your age if you have an attained age policy....

Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue Rights

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:28:00 EST

Many seniors are losing their employer group health coverage or union coverage. This employer group health coverage could be in the form of retiree coverage or COBRA coverage. For some, the loss of employer group coverage is because the former employer is looking for a way to save money. Others may be losing their employer group coverage due to retirement or the retirement of a spouse. When this coverage ends, the insured has certain rights in the area of purchasing a Medicare supplement. These rights are provided by law to help the individual obtain Medicare supplement coverage....

Medicare Supplement Quotes

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:10:00 EST

Why should you get at Medicare supplement quote? Medicare supplements are standardized by the government, so it does not matter which private insurance company you buy your Medicare supplement from, each letter plan offers the same basic benefits from company to company. Therefore, it's easy to compare premiums from one Medicare supplement insurance plan to another, and decide which will be the best deal. Also, getting Medicare supplement quotes from many different Medicare supplement insurance companies gives you a good idea of the market, so you can determine, on average, what you should be paying for your Medicare supplement....

Choosing a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:17:00 EST

In order to simplify the process of choosing a medigap insurance plan, I've listed 4 plans for you to consider. #1. Plan F #2. Plan G #3. Plan N #4. Plan F+ (high deductible plan F) PlanF: The plan F is the most comprehensive medigap insurance plan. Plan G: The plan G policy has been an alternative to the plan F policy for some who have had a Medicare supplement insurance plan such as a plan F and looking to reduce insurance premiums. Plan N: This is a new medigap policy that has only been available since June of 2010....

Medigap Health Insurance Helps Provide Peace of Mind

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST

Medigap heath insurance helps provides Medicare beneficiaries with peace of mind. Most medigap policies, also know as Medicare supplements, provide coverage for Medicare Part A and B deductibles, co-insurance, and excess charges. Medigap coverage can also include skilled nursing coverage, foreign travel insurance and hospice benefits. Specifically, how does medigap insurance help provide you with peace of mind? With a medigap plan, you can reduce your out-of-pocket cost if faced with medical bills. Consider Medicare Supplement Plan F. Plan F covers all your Medicare Part A and B deductibles, coinsurance, and excess charges....

Medicare Supplement Premiums

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:50:00 EST

When shopping for a Medicare supplement policy, you will probably encounter some big differences in the Medicare supplement premiums offered by different companies. There are several reasons for this. The type of policy influences the price. If the policy is a Community-rated plan, the same premium is charged to all who have the Medigap policy. The premium amount is not determined by your age. If the policy is an Issue-age policy, the Medicare supplement premium is determined by the age of the person when the policy is purchased. The price never goes up except due to inflation and other possible variables....

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:09:00 EST

Many Medicare Beneficiaries have a Medicare supplement plan F. The reason is the simplicity and functionality. Some agents describe plan F as hundred percent coverage. I would say the best way to describe plan F is that it covers all deductibles and co-pays associated with part A and part B of Medicare. That is the simplicity. The functionality is if you budget premiums for a plan F you don't have to budget monies for doctor visits or hospital stays. This keeps it nice and simple....

Medicare Supplement Shopping

Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

Many seniors live on a fixed income. How can you lower your monthly costs? One way is to shop around for a more affordable price on your Medicare supplement coverage. The standardization of Medicare supplement policies (also known as Medigap policies) makes this easy. If you have Plan G Medicare supplement insurance, you can call an agent that deals with many companies and get a Plan G quote from other companies and make and easy comparison. Is now a good time for you to shop for new Medicare supplement insurance? Many companies give you a 12 month rate guarantee....

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:03:00 EST

Under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act it is my understanding that these are some changes that might affect folks on Medicare that have Medicare supplements as an option. · Medicare advantage payments from the government to the insurance companies will freeze in 2011 at 2010 levels. o That results in plans increasing premiums, reducing the number of counties they are offered in, and increasing co-pays for the Medicare beneficiary....

Medicare Supplement Coverage - Plans M and N

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:51:00 EST

On June 1, 2010, the new Modernized Medicare Supplement Plans will begin to be sold. Since Medicare supplement plans were standardized in 1992 there has not been a great deal of change to the plans. Plans K and L were added but do not seem to have made a significant difference in the market. Many believe Plans M and N which will be added as a Part of the Modernized Medicare Supplement Plans will make a difference. Particularly, Medicare Supplement Plan N. Let's look at the highlights of the two plans. The Medicare supplement coverage under Plan M will feature 50% coverage of the Part A (Hospitalization) deductible. In 2010 the Part A deductible is $1,100....

New Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans M & N

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:53:00 EST

The new Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) provides much needed new coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries looking for additional coverage – beyond what their Medicare Parts A & B cover. The new options come in the form of two new Standardized Medicare Supplement insurance plans – M & N. We are expecting these plans will be very affordable for many people because they allow more cost sharing with the policyholder in the form of co-pays at the doctor’s office (Plan N) or only covering 50% of the Medicare Part A deductible (Plan M)....

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans will be Grandfathered

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:39:00 EST

The 2010 Modernized Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans can have effective dates as early as June 1, 2010. The previous Medicare supplement insurance plan designs will no longer be available at that time. Policyholders will naturally be wanting to know how this will effect their Medicare supplement coverage if they already have a Medigap insurance plan. The answer is that the Medigap insurance plans sold prior to June 1, 2010 will be grandfathered. Those insureds will not be required to buy one of the new Modernized Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, nor will they be switched to one of the new policies....

Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue Rights

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST

Will your Medicare Advantage Plan be around in 2010? Some Medicare Advantage Plan members will be involuntarily disenrolled from their current plans since some plans will end as of 12/31/09. What does this mean for the Medicare Advantage Plan members? For some this change presents a great opportunity to purchase a Medicare supplement policy without going through any underwriting. If a person's Medicare Advantage Plan leaves Medicare or stops providing benefits in an area of coverage, that person can apply for a for Medicare supplement coverage without answering any health questions....

Medigap Policies Can Be A Smart Purchase

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST

Being on Medicare is great, right? Well, yes and no. Being on Medicare is great because the monthly premiums can be affordable. Many people get Part A automatically when they turn 65. They do not have to pay a monthly payment called a premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working. The Part B premium may be low compared to what an individual health insurance policy would cost for someone that age and there are no exclusion for pre-existing conditions with Medicare....

Medicare and Hospice

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST

Medicare Part A includes Hospice as a benefit. Medicare Part A beneficiaries are entitled to hospice benefits if they are terminally ill and have less than six months to live. Hospice benefits include doctor services, medical equipment and supplies, and nursing services among other things. In 2011, Medicare Part A has a $1,132 deductible. The beneficiary is responsible for this deductible. Medicare Part B has a $162 deductible and then Medicare pays 80% and the beneficiary generally pays the remaining 20%. These costs can be covered by a Medicare supplement policy....

Medicare Supplement Policies Are Easy to Buy

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST

Are you interested in buying a Medicare supplement policy for the first time or replacing your current Medicare supplement plan? Medicare supplement coverage is easy to purchase. Rates can be obtained by completing an online quote form like the one found at www.medicaresupplementcenter.com. Once you receive an email back with a quote comparison and decide with an agent what plan makes the most sense for you, a simple application is then submitted to the insurance company where the medigap policy is usually underwritten in only a few days. An insurance agent can be very helpful when purchasing Medicare supplement insurance....

Changes to Medicare Supplement Policies

Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 EST

Effective June 1, 2010, there will be 11 new Medicare supplement plans, also know as Medigap plans, to choose from. These plans will include plans A, B, C, D, F, high-deductible F, G, K, L, M and N (If you already have a Medicare supplement insurance, your coverage will not be affected). Plans E, H, I, and J are being eliminated from the Medicare supplement policies. In addition, the At-home recovery and preventative care benefits will no longer be included on Medigap policies. Plan G Medicare supplement policies will have 100% coverage for excess charges instead of 80%. Medicare has two new creations to add to Medicare supplements insurance plans....

Replacing Your Group Policy With a Medicare Supplement

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Many seniors review their health care coverage at the end of the year. At this time of year, some companies make changes to their insurance plans for retirees. Sometimes these changes can make Medicare supplement insurance policies attractive. The changes companies may result in higher monthly premiums, higher deductible, or maybe both. For many seniors, a medicare supplement policy might make sense due to the cost and the degree of coverage since the out of pocket can be very low. One important thing to take into consideration when leaving group insurance is RX coverage....

Seniors Review Health Insurance

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

At this time of year, many seniors review their current health insurance to see if a Medicare supplement policy would be a good idea. Seniors that have retired and have insurance through their previous employer are finding out about changes to their health insurance. Not all the changes are favorable. Many include higher premiums and higher deductibles. When the premiums and/or deductibles get too high, Medicare supplement policies combined with Part D coverage become attractive. One important factor to consider before leaving group coverage is what you might be gaining or losing in RX benefits....

Time to Shop for a New Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

November 15th is coming up and many seniors with Medicare supplement insurance believe that this is the time (November 15th - December 31st) they can change to another medicare supplement policy (medigap policy). This is true and false. True, you can look for and apply with another medicare supplement company between November 15th and December 31st. False, if you thought this was the only time of the year you can change Medicare supplements. Medicare supplement insurance can be changed at any point during the year although you may be subject to underwriting and not guaranteed issue....

2009 Medicare Part B Premium

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

Good news for Medicare recipients! For the first time since 2000, the Medicare Part B premium will be the same in 2009 as the previous year for most seniors. Individuals making $85,000 or less or couples making $170,000 or less will pay $96.40/month. This is good news for seniors with Medicare supplement insurance since every dollar matters. Having a Medicare supplemental policy combined with Medicare Part A and Part B is a great way for senior to insure their health. Like almost everything else, premiums increase a little each year on an individual's Medicare supplemental policy so any cost savings helps....

Mediare Part A and Part B Plus Medicare Supplement Insurance

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST

Seniors may be concerned that once they get on Medicare their insurance coverage will decrease in benefits. When you combine Medicare Part A and Part B with Medicare Supplement Insurance you will find great insurance coverage for your medical bills. For example, Medicare supplement coverage found on a Plan F covers all the Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles and covers generally the 20% of Medicare Part B charges not covered by Medicare (as well as 100% of all excess charges). How can the coverage improve unless you were paid to go to the doctor or hospital! The only piece missing is a Part D (prescription drug plan) to the Medicare and Medicare supplement coverage....

Medicare Supplements See Lower Rate Increases

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST

Good news for Medicare supplement policyholders! According to a PRNews press release on August 12, 2008, Aon Consulting Worldwide surveyed more than 70 leading health care insurers. Part of the survey focused on Medicare supplement rate increases. The result was that rates were projected to increase 7.3%. This is good news since a year ago the rates were increasing 11.2%. Rates can be expected to increase. But there is a way to potentially lower your Medicare supplement rate. How? By shopping around. Contact an agent, which can easily be done over the internet, and get current Medicare supplement quotes....

Seniors Reach Medicare Part D 'Doughnut Hole'

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST

A Kaiser Family Foundation study released in August said that in 2007 about 3.4 million Americans enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan reached the doughnut hole. The 3.4 represents 26% of the Medicare Part D enrollees in 2007. Also, 22% of Medicare Part D enrollees stayed in the doughnut hole for the remaining part of the year while the remaining 4% reached the catastrophic level. Many seniors combine Medicare Part A and Part B with Medicare supplement coverage for their health insurance and find the addition of a Part D plan very beneficial. Medicare Part A and B combined with a Medicare supplement gives great flexibility in doctor and hospital selection....

Medicare Part D Premiums Increase in 2009

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST

Many seniors have great health insurance coverage by combining Medicare Part A and Part B with a Medicare supplement plan and a Medicare Part D plan. Like everything today, prices are on the rise for Medicare Part D plans in 2009. The good news is that the Medicare Part D 2009 premiums are 37% lower than what was anticipated when Part D plans were introduced. The average 2009 rate has increased to $28 per month. This is $3 more than the 2008 average....

Medicare Supplements: How they work

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST

In order to have a Medicare supplement, a person must also have coverage under Medicare Part A and Part B. The Medicare supplement picks up where Medicare leaves off. Medicare Part A (hospitalization) has a deductible and additional costs for extended hospital stays. Part B has a deductible and then generally covers 80% of medical costs. Medicare supplement coverage depends on which of the available plans you choose....

Change Medicare Supplements Any Time of the Year

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST

Medicare supplements can be changed during the year at any time. There is not a certain time period designated for changing to another Medicare supplement, although you may be subject to underwriting and not guaranteed issue. If you have received a rate increase during the year or would like to shop around to see if you can get a different plan or less expensive plan you are always free to do so. Be aware that insurance companies can underwrite. You will probably be asked to complete an application including health questions, but for many people this is not difficult....

Future of Medicare Advantage Plans

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Baucas Tackles Cuts in Subsidies for Medicare Advantage Montana Senator Max Baucas, Chairman of the US Senate Finance Committee, wants to reduce funding of Medicare Advantage Plans. Why? Because a government study showed that insurance companies on average were being paid an additional 13% above the cost of traditional Medicare. What would be the result of this? There are several things that could happen. One is that once the funding is reduced, insurance companies might withdraw from the Medicare Advantage market since it will become less profitable. Another natural result would be higher premiums for Medicare Advantage insureds....

High Deductible Options

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

Medicare supplements have a high deductible option on Plans F. On this plan, a person with Medicare Parts A and B can choose a plan with a deductible of $2,000 in 2011. The benefit for the insured is lower premiums. Often the premiums are half of what they would have been if the standard Plan F had been chosen. Obviously, the downside is more financial responsibility on the part of the insured. With a high deductible plan, the insurance company does not start paying until the insured has met the deductible....

Getting Medicare Part D

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST

Medicare Part D plans can only be purchased through private companies. Between November 15th and December 31st each year is the Annual Election Period which allows you to sign up for the first time if you have put off purchasing a plan or change plans if there is another one you prefer. One of the best resources for finding the plan that best meets your needs is on the Medicare website (www.medicare.gov). On the website, you can go in and enter your RXs and the website will rank the plans for you based on cost providing you with very detailed information like premiums, copayments, what kind of cost you should expect each month, contact information, etc....

Medicare Supplements & Departments of Ins

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EST

Your state's department of insurance website can be very helpful in getting Medicare supplement information. Often they even provide you with rate information. Sometimes the information is accurate and other times it is a little out of date, but it can a good starting point. You may need to look for a listing of consumer publications which could provide rates or some states even have handy tools that allow you to enter in your zip code and it will list out rates. Keep in mind the rates may not be kept up to date but they do provide some help in knowing generally how much you can expect to pay....

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan J

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:00:00 EST

Plan J is no longer offered as a Medicare supplement. Plan J did have RX coverage included but when Medicare Part D became available, insurance companies could no longer include RX coverage on these plans because the Part D coverage was superior. Starting in 2005, Plan J no longer offered RX coverage. Until June 1, 2010, Plan J was sold without RX coverage and had basically the same benefits as Plan F with the addition of Preventative Care and At-Home Recovery. As of June 1, 2010, Plan J cannot be sold, but if you have a Plan J you can keep it because your policy is grandfathered. Plan F is now the plan offering the closest coverage to what Plan J did offer....

Dallas Morning News Article - Medicare Advantage Plans

Tue, 01 May 2007 12:00:00 EST

Below is an excellent article on the subject of Medicare Advantage Plans everyone should consider. Handle with care Seniors signing up for private Medicare could discover gaps in their coverage 12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 By BOB MOOS / The Dallas Morning News bmoos@dallasnews.com Effie Hubbard thought she had signed up for a private Medicare plan that would ease her worries about paying for health care. MILTON HINNANT/DMN Merlin Jones found that his wife's Medicare Advantage plan did not include prescription coverage or home health services for Ruby, who has Alzheimer's. Instead, it only gave her headaches....

Medicare Deductible Changes

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST

Each year Medicare adjusts the Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B deductibles. These adjusts seem to reflect higher costs of providing health insurance coverage due to inflation and the rising cost of health coverage. The Medicare Part A deductible went from $1,100 to $1,132 in 2011. That is a $32 change (2.9%). The Medicare Part B deductible went from $155 to $162 in 2011. That is a $7 change (4.5%). Each year these deductibles seem to rise. Fortunately, a Medicare recipient can purchase a Medicare Supplement that will cover some if not all of these costs....

Switching Medicare Supplement Companies

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST

For many people, changing medicare supplement companies is a very simple thing to do. The first things a person would want to consider are the medicare supplement insurance plan designs and the monthly premiums. These should be compared with what the insured has through the current company. Usually, the reason a change is considered is because the insured has received a rate increase and wants to shop other options. If a plan is found where the benefits and monthly premium makes sense compared to the current medicare supplement, the next step is underwriting. Insurance companies often look back about two years at the individual's health history....

Medicare Preventative Services

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:00:00 EST

During the first six months an individual is on Medicare Part B, Medicare coveres a one-time preventative physical exam. What does the exam include? It includes a review of your health, information on preventative services you need like certain screenings and shots. The amount you pay is generally 20% of the Medicare approved amount after the Part B deductible....

Medicare Supplement Bill Payment

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 12:00:00 EST

If you have a medicare supplement, also known as a medigap policy, how is your doctor paid for the service provided? Medicare supplement insurance companies in most cases pay the doctor directly. This is the case if the doctor "participates" with Medicare. It would be advisable to have the doctor's office note on the Medicare claim form that you have a medicare supplement and want the doctor paid directly. You also want to be sure that the doctor has the right insurance company name and policy number. They may simply photocopy your insurance card....

Creditable Coverage and Medicare Supplements

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST

Medicare Supplements can have a six-month wait on pre-existing conditions, unless you have had at least six months of previous health coverage that can be considered "credible coverage". A pre-existing condition is a condition for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within 6 months before the effective date of coverage. In some cases, the Medicare supplement company can refuse to cover your out-of-pocket costs for these pre-existing health problems for up to six months....

Medicare Supplement Rates

Mon, 01 May 2006 12:00:00 EST

Attained-age. This means the medicare supplement rate increases as you get older. This may be each year or every 5 years (at age 70, 75, 80, etc.) for example. Often medicare supplement rate increases are very modest. Another component to rate increases is inflation. Companies sometimes adjust rates to address the rising cost of health insurance as well as inflation in the marketplace. Medicare supplements are also sold as issue-age policies. This means the premiums will not increase due to age. Obviously, as the group ages any necessary adjustments in premium are accomplished by an inflation adjustment....

Medicare Supplement Underwriting

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 12:00:00 EST

Individuals applying for a Medicare Supplement that are not in an Open Enrollment period or Guaranteed Issue period usually must be underwritten for an insurance company to provide medicare supplement coverage. What is underwriting like? Companies differ in how they underwrite. The primary part of underwriting on medicare supplements is the "Yes/No" part of the application. If the applicant can answer "No" to all the questions, the insurance company will usually provide coverage. Some insurance companies also do telephone interviews to go over the questions again and/or may ask for a list of RXs taken in the last 12 months to get additional information....

Medicare Part D Revisited

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 12:00:00 EST

Things are getting very busy regarding Medicare Part D. Insurance companies that sell Medicare supplements are getting their information out to medigap policyholders regarding the plans that they offer. Other companies are soliciting by mass mailings. What are the things you should remember? Here are a few: You are eligible if you have Medicare Part A or are enrolled in Medicare Part B. The first day you can sign anything is November 15, 2005. Coverage will not begin until January 1, 2006 at the earliest. If you wait until after May 15, 2006 to enroll, you will be penalized....

Medicare Supplements Are Guaranteed Renewable

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:00:00 EST

Can your medicare supplement provider drop your coverage? If your policy was purchased after 1990, then no. The medigap policy is guaranteed renewable. The only way your coverage can be dropped is if you stop paying your premium, information you provided on the application was not truthful, or the insurance company goes bankrupt. If you were to lose coverage due to bankruptcy, there is protection for you. For those 65 and over, you have 63 days from the date your coverage ends to purchase Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C, F (including high-deductible Plan F), K and L. For those under age 65, you have 63 days to purchase Plan A....

Medicare Part D

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 12:00:00 EST

The initial open enrollment period for Medicare Part D is November 15, 2005 through May 15, 2006. Enrolling is a choice that each person that has Medicare Part A and B recipient can make. During the second half of 2005, Medicare will be providing a great deal of information to Medicare recipients regarding this coverage. Medicare Part D has a $250 deductible, then pays 75% of the next $2,000. At that point the Medicare recipient is responsible for all of the next $2,850. Once you have personally paid $3,600 ($250 deductible, $500 coinsurance, and $2,850) you pay 5% of additional drug costs and the plan pays 95%....

Medicare SELECT Plans

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 12:00:00 EST

Medicare SELECT Insurance Plans are available in many states. Although Medicare SELECT Insurance Plans can be in the form of any of the 11 standardized insurance plans, they are usually a Plan F SELECT. What differentiates SELECT insurance plans from Standard plans is SELECT plans have a list of specific hospitals that one can use (emergencies are generally exceptions) and get complete insurance benefits. When purchasing a SELECT insurance plan a person needs to consider the list of hospitals and also consider if one's current doctors use those hospitals....

Medigap Coverage of Pre-existing Conditions

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 12:00:00 EST

A condition for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within six months before the effective date of coverage is considered a pre-existing condition. Prior to purchasing a Medigap policy, one should know if the pre-existing condition will be covered by the policy. Some Medicare Supplements cover pre-existing conditions immediately. Some do not. An insurance company can accept an applicant and not cover the condition for up to no more than 6 months. This a "pre-existing condition waiting period"....

High-Deductible Medicare Supplements

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 12:00:00 EST

There is a Medicare Supplement insurance plan that comes in a high-deductible option. That is Plan F. This Medigap Insurance Plan with the high deductible option does not begin to pay until the insured has personally paid $2,000 in 2011. This deductible which can be raised each year. The advantage of the high deductible policy is that the premiums are lower. The disadvantage is that the policy does nothing until you have personally met the deductible. This could make the out of pocket cost much higher than if you had a standard Plan F if you had a lot of medical expenses....

Medicare Part A Benefit Period

Sun, 01 May 2005 12:00:00 EST

Medicare Part A in 2005 has a deductible of $912. That means the insured is responsible for the first $912 of inpatient hospital expense before Medicare will begin to pay. The bad news for the insured is that this deductible can occur more than one time during the year. This is one of the main reasons a medicare supplement is so important. All medicare supplements, with the exception of Plan A, cover this deductible. If the Medicare Part A deductible will be apply more than once during a year is based on a benefit period. The benefit period begins on the day the insured begins receiving inpatient hospital care which is approved by Medicare....

Medicare Assignment

Sun, 01 May 2005 12:00:00 EST

Assignment is an important word for the Medicare recipient. It refers to how the health care provider is paid. If a doctor accepts assignment, the doctor has agreed to always accept the medicare approved amount for each service provided as payment in full. Since Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare approved amount, that makes the insured responsible for the 20% balance remaining. All Medicare Supplements will cover the 20% balance after the deductible ($110 in 2005) has been met. Medicare pays the doctor 80% of the Medicare approved amount directly....

Medicare Part A and Part B

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 12:00:00 EST

What is the difference between Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B? Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient care. This includes skilled nursing access, but this is not to be confused with long-term care. Hospice and other home health care are part of Medicare Part A. Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It covers services provided by the doctor, physical and occupational therapy, some home health care, and very importantly outpatient hospital care. Some preventative services are also covered....

Open Enrollment Period

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 12:00:00 EST

The Open Enrollment period is the six-month period beginning on the first day of the month in which you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you are on Medicare under age 65, you will also have a six-month Open Enrollment period when you reach age 65. This period lasts 6 months. When did your period begin? Look at your Medicare card to see when Medicare did/will start. During the open enrollment is the best time to purchase a medicare supplement. Often people get confused regarding the terms medicare supplement and medigap. Medicare supplement and medigap refer to exactly the same type of insurance policy and are therefore synonymous....