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Typically, Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare Part A and Part B pay out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not cover. The payments apply to copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Privately owned companies offer Medicare supplemental insurance to fill the gaps Medicare does not cover. For this reason, the federal government and healthcare community often refer to this form of insurance as Medigap. Medigap beneficiaries will pay a premium to the private insurance company. These premiums are separate from those paid for Medicare Part B and D.
Ten Different Medigap Plans Are Available
The government has standardized each Medigap policy to contain the same general benefits regardless of where you live and which insurance company sells this supplemental product. There are ten Medigap plans available for the public to choose from. Letters represent each of the plans, including:
A, B, C, D,
F, G,
K, L, M, N
It is necessary to mention that Plan C and Plan F are no longer available if you turn 65 on or after January 1, 2020, and for some people under age 65. Compare the different Medigap plan benefits by viewing a chart on the official Medicare website.
What Else Does Medicare Supplemental Insurance Cover?
Medigap will cover pre-existing health conditions after six months. An insurance company cannot refuse coverage if you have six months of ongoing creditable coverage before buying Medigap insurance. Most Medigap plans cover emergency healthcare during the first 60 days of overseas travel, up to 80%, and an annual deductible of $250.
When Can I Buy Medicare Supplemental Insurance?
You are only eligible to buy Medigap if you have Original Medicare.
There is a limited time in which you can make this purchase. You will have a six-month window to acquire a Medigap plan. This Medigap Open Enrollment period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B and are 65 or older. Once this enrollment window closes, you may pay more for a Medigap policy or not be able to purchase a Medigap policy at all.
Be Aware of Fraud.
Please know that scammers exist and are trying to trick you into giving them sensitive information about yourself. What signs reveal someone is not a legitimate seller? Usually, these bad actors find a person’s name and address via a data breach. They create a sense of urgency by saying you will lose coverage immediately unless you give them what they want. They may suggest you are overdue on a payment, sign up for a new plan with lower premiums, and ask for your bank or credit card information. Another giveaway that a scammer is calling involves them asking urgently for your social security number and Medicare card number. They may even tell you to confirm one of these numbers that they have fraudulently acquired. Experts warn these numbers are extremely valuable to scammers because nefarious individuals use them to commit Medicare fraud and identity theft. Always err on the side of caution. The Center for Medicare Services recommends Medicare beneficiaries be vigilant of uninvited calls. CMS suggests you immediately hang up on uninvited calls from people you do not know who ask for your Medicare number or other personal information. Then, call 1-800-MEDICARE to inform them of the call. Please remember that if you are a Medicare member, then the agent who helped you join may call you. Be certain you write down and save the agent’s name and contact information to confirm it is the actual agent calling you.
Who Can I Trust To Find the Right Policy for Me?
Empower Brokerage partners with friendly licensed agents equipped with the knowledge and skills to explain your options and help you find coverage to meet your precise needs. Call Empower Brokerage at (888) 446-9157, where agents take joy in assisting people to be at rest with the right insurance plan.
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