You can fill out an online quote form at www.medicaresupplementcenter.com to obtain rates. When you receive an email back with a quote comparison and you have decided with an agent what plan to go with, then an easy application is submitted to the insurance company. There the medigap policy is underwritten in a few days.

When purchasing Medicare supplement insurance, an agent would be very helpful. An agent would help with the underwriting process because they are familiar with companies’ guidelines. Agents can help with the comparisons of the Medicare supplement rates and benefits of medigap plans offered by insurance companies. Seniors covered under Medicare Parts A & B find that Medicare supplements provide outstanding protection.

It is not that great being on Medicare when you see that Medicare Part A has a 2009 deductible of $1,068 and Medicare Part B has a $135 deductible in 2009, then it pays 80% of the Medicare approved expenses. Now this is where Medigap insurance (Medicare supplement coverage) comes in and is very beneficial. A medigap policy like Plan F or J that covers the Medicare Parts A and B deductible as well as the 20% of Medicare Part B expenses can be purchased by a senior. Combine Medicare plus a Medicare supplement plan and your out of pocket expense could be little to nothing.

Effective June 1, 2010, there will be 11 new Medicare supplement plans, also known 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).

Medicare supplement plans being eliminated are Plans E, H, I and J. At Home recovery and preventative care benefits will no longer be included in Medicare supplement plans. Medicare supplement Plan G will have 100% coverage for excess charges rather than the 80%.

Medicare has two new items to add to Medicare supplement insurance plans. One of those is Hospice which will be part of the basic benefits. So it will be included on all Medicare supplements. Plans M and N will be offered. Higher cost sharing but at lower premiums are what these plans will offer.

To obtain more info or questions please contact the Easy Medicare Advantage Team at info@ezmedicareadvantage.com

categories: Medicare,Insurance

Medicare supplemental (Medigap) has twelve standard plans. These plans help pay some of your costs in the original Medicare plan and some of the health care costs that the original Medicare does not cover.

Each standard plan, labeled “A” through “L,” offers a different set of benefits, fills different “gaps” in Medicare coverage, and varies in price. The basic benefits for Medigap plans K and L are different from the basic benefits offered in plans A through J. These plans are designed to have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.

When you have a Medicare Advantage Plan such as a Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) you do not need Medigap coverage. If you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, you have different standard Medigap plans to purchase.

All Medigap plans must cover certain basic benefits. These basic benefits are as follows: Medicare Part A Coverage: * Coinsurance for hospital days 61-90 ($267 in 2009) and * Coinsurance for each day 91-150 ($534 in 2009) (up to 60 days in your lifetime) * Cost of 365 extra hospital days in your lifetime, once you’ve used all Medicare hospital benefits Medicare Part B coverage: * Generally, all coinsurance and co-payment amounts after you meet the $135 (in 2009) yearly deductible for Medicare Part B * The first three pints of blood

Plans F and J also have “high-deductible” options. In 2009, if you choose the high-deductible options on Medigap plans F and J, you will first have to pay $2,000 in health care expenses before the plan pays anything. This amount can go up every year. High-deductible policies have lower premiums, but if you get sick, your costs will be higher.

Similar services as in plans A through J include the basic benefits for plans K and L. However, the cost-sharing for the basic benefits is at different levels. Because of inflation the annual out of pocket limit increases every year.

In addition to the A-L standard Medigap policies, Medicare Select is a type of Medigap policy that can cost less than standard Medigap plans. However, if you enroll in Select, you can only go to certain doctors and hospitals for your care. Check with your states insurance department to find out whether or not Medicare Select policies are available in your state.

Health plans approved by the federal government and run by private companies are called Michigan Medicare Advantage Plans. These are referred to as Medicare Part C. This is not supplement insurance and you must follow rules set by Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Plans provide benefits equal to those in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Advantage Plans can charge different co-payments, coinsurance and deductibles for the services. All Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that the original Medicare does.

Vision, hearing, dental and health and wellness programs are additional benefits that may be offered in the Michigan Medicare Advantage Plans. Prescription drug coverage is covered in most plans for an additional cost.

Many times, the premiums or the cost of services (co-pays and deductible) can be lower than they are in the original Medicare or the original Medicare with a Medigap policy. Medicate Health Plans charge different premiums and have different costs of services, so it is important to check with the plan before you join.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – Offers low to no co-payment for doctor office visits and no deductibles. However, you are required to receive a referral from your Primary Care Doctor before seeing a specialist, and to receive full benefits, you are must use doctors and hospitals that are within your network.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) ” These plans also offer low co-payments usually slightly higher than those of an HMO but also allow freedom of choice when choosing a doctor or hospital as long as they are part of their network.

The Private Fee for Service (PFFS) has more flexibility. They allow you to pick any doctor or hospital because there is no network. Doctors and hospitals must accept the plan’s conditions before they treat you, except in an emergency.

The most popular option is the Medical Savings Account. A high deductible health plan with a medical savings account is combined in this plan. The government puts money into this account. You can use this to pay your deductible or other out of pocket medical expenses such as dental or eyeglasses.