Medicare Supplement Insurance

Also known as Medigap Plans

Medicare Supplement Plans are health insurance plans sold by private insurance companies to fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare Plan coverage. These Medicare Supplement plans are also known as “Medigap policies.”

Most people who have Medicare, own a Medigap policy. Medigap plans are offered through dozens of Health Insurance Companies around the country. The prices vary tremendously for the exact same plans from different companies. The only way to make sure you get the best price for the plan you want, is to read all of the information in all of those envelopes your geting in the mail, or simply Click here for a fast, free, no obligation, price comparison.

  • In 1997 Medicare Standardized all Medicare Supplement Plans. There are currently 10 plans A-N available. Most people have C, F or G.
  • Since all plans are standardized, you can easily compare prices from different companies and be confident that you are getting the same thing.

Medicare Supplement Pros

  • Medigap Insurance is accepted at every doctor and hospital that accepts Medicare, so you can keep using your doctor.
  • Medigap Policies are “Guaranteed Renewable”. You can never loose the coverage as long as you continue to make the premium payments.
  • Generally there are no co-pays or deductibles, so other than your premiums, you rarely have to pay any additional money throughout the year.
  • Medigap Insurance plans do not have networks and no referrals are needed.
  • If you move to another city or state, your Medigap policy moves with you.
  • Medigap plans are standardized (A-K) so you can compare prices from one company to another and always know you are comparing the same exact coverage. (Plan F with one company is “IDENTICAL” to Plan F with every other company)

Medicare Supplement Cons

  • The costs vary greatly. So if you haven’t compared rates in a year or two, you could be paying hundreds of dollars too much each year. This is where Southern Senior Care can help. We get you the lowest cost supplement available, that still provides complete coverage.
  • You pay the monthly premium even if you never visit a doctor or hospital during the year.
  • Since 2006, no Medigap policy includes Prescription coverage, you need a separate Part-D plan.
  • Medicare supplements don’t include preventive Dental or Vision coverage.

Representative List of Medicare Supplement Providers

  • Aetna
  • Aflac
  • Bankers Life
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Continental General
  • Continental Life
  • Lincoln Heritage
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • New Era
  • Royal Neighbors
  • Sterling Investors Life Insurance
  • United Healthcare
  • United American
  • United World Life
  • And many others. Please Contact Us for the latest information.

Best Time to Get a Medicare Supplement Policy

Everyone has a period of time called a Medigap “Open Enrollment Period”. Your OEP starts on the first day of the month that you are both 65 AND you have enrolled in Medicare Part-B, and runs for six months.

It is during this time that you want to get your Medicare Supplement insurance because you are guaranteed to be accepted to any Medicare Supplement you choose at the best rates available. You do not have to answer any health questions during your OEP and you are not penalized for using tobacco during this time.

Most people enroll in Medicare Parts A & B when they turn 65. If you look on your Medicare Card (the red, white, and blue one) you will see Medicare Part A and the effective date you enrolled at the bottom of your card. If you have also enrolled in Medicare Part B, you will see that listed along with the cooresponding date right under Part A.

Even if you have already purchased a Medicare Supplement, you can still change to another one during your six month OEP and you will not have to answer any health quesions. After your OEP ends, you can still change your Medicare Supplement plan any time you want to as long as you can answer the qualifying health questions that are on every Medicare Supplement Application. Click here for a list of the most common qualifying questions.

“I have never had to pay anything”

We hear this every day. If you have a Medicare Supplement Policy, chances are you never have to pay anything at the doctor’s office or hospital. That is the way Medicare Supplement Policies are supposed to work.

If you talk to friends who say they have co-pays and deductibles, chances are they have a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are Medicare Health Plans that usually include co-pays to doctors and hospitals for their services. Medicare Supplements do not.

If you have a Medicare Supplement, then your doctors and healthcare providers send the bills to Medicare; Medicare pays their part, then sends the balance to your Medicare Supplement Company, and they pay what Medicare does not. Every Medicare Supplement plan follows the same exact rules. If Medicare pays, they MUST pay.

Your two most important goals in choosing a Medicare Supplement plan are: 1) Always choose a reputable company and 2) find the lowest premium possible.