subject: Medicare Supplement Insurance For Seniors [print this page] Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Insurance as otherwise known, is to see some changes in 2010. This is private insurance provider cover for the costs not covered by federally funded Medicare. Medicare is the health insurance program for Americans and permanent residents aged sixty-five or above and those who are disabled or are suffering from certain illnesses. Only those eligible for Medicare are eligible for such policies.
Medigap policies may offer benefits in addition to those related to Medicare. If you are covered by certain other medical coverage programs, supplemental policies are not offered in this regard. They also are not applicable to long-term and private nursing care, dental health, hearing aids and vision care. State laws require that insurers who offer policies in your state are licensed to operate and offer policies permitted to be sold in the state. These policies are renewed each year automatically and covers one individual per policy.
Medicare Supplement Insurance policies have standardized benefits that are easy to compare and range from Plan A to Plan N. However, insurers have no obligation to offer every one of the standardized plans. Before the 2010 changes, Plan A had to be offered, if any other plan was offered. From this year, Plans C or F must also be offered along with Plan A.
Every plan has a different combination of what is covered. For eligibility, there must first be enrollment in Part A and B of Medicare. Amongst them, Plan A offers the least amount benefits and costs less than the others. Plans E, H, I, and J will no longer be offered from June 2010 for new eligible individuals. There are two new plans, M and N. In Plans A, B, C, D, F, and G the benefits offered will no longer be the same for the newly eligible. The Medicare Part A Hospice coinsurance for outpatients is to be covered from June 2010 in Plan K and Plan L to varying degrees. Plans K, L, and N require payment of a part of coinsurance and copayment for Medicare Part B with some premium reduction. Other plans pay in full Part B coinsurance and copayment amounts.
All plans offer certain common benefits. Beyond that, the provisions may be different. For instance, in Plans C to D, F and G is foreign emergency coverage is a provision. This coverage extends to what is provided by Medicare in the United States.
There is a Part A deductible in a few plans. A Part B deductible is available in others . Part B doctor charges are covered in full in plan F and eighty percent in Plan G. Two plans offer some coverage for recovery costs at home. In some plans, a lower premium means a deductible that is higher. The basic benefits may be similar in some in plans; but, their cost-sharing may vary.
Premiums may differ between plans offered by different companies even if the benefits are not different. Insurers cannot deny for a preexisting condition, if the plan is bought in the first half year of Medicare enrollment. Claim forms may need to be filed if your physician or medical care facility does not file.
The methods used to calculate premiums as well as annual inflation adjustments by Medicare change the amount charged annually. The methods according to which a premium is calculated are what is known as issue age, attained age and community rate base. An issue age premium is according to the age when purchased with only changes due to inflation adjustments. Premiums rise with age under the attained age. Community rate premiums are same for all in the same region. It is advisable that you select the plan for the best fit according to the benefits offered and then purchase the plan offered by an insurer charging the lowest available premium.
by: Richard Landers.
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