Medicare Supplement Plans are supplemental insurance plans that were created to cover the gaps in original Medicare. They’re offered by private insurance companies that are regulated by the state, and they operate similarly from state to state. You can choose between different types of Medicare Supplement Plans based on your needs and budget.
Medicare Supplement Plans Were Created To Fill In The Gaps In Original Medicare
If you have a Medicare supplement plan, it will help pay for out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by your Original Medicare plan.
Medicare supplement plans can help pay for prescription drugs, hospital stays and other covered costs. These plans are not free though as they generally require an annual deductible and/or coinsurance on some services (basically a percentage). They also have an annual maximum that usually can’t exceed what is allowed under original Medicare.
How Much Do You Pay For Medicare Supplement Plan
The cost of Medicare Supplement Plan is based on your age and the plan you choose. The older you are, and the more coverage you want under your policy, the higher your premiums will be. If you live in an area where health care is particularly expensive (like New York City or Los Angeles), expect to pay more for a supplement plan than someone living in another location. Also, if you choose a more expensive plan (one with more benefits) than another person who lives in the same area and has similar needs as yours, you’ll pay more than they do.
If you have a pre-existing condition, it might be possible to purchase Medicare supplement plans. If your plan covers you, they will be responsible for paying up to 100% of the benefits that are not covered by Medicare Part A or B.
However, there are conditions as well as time frames that must be met in order for this coverage to apply:
- You must have been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition prior to purchasing your plan.
- The diagnosis needs to have occurred within 6 months of when the policy was approved.
- You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during certain enrollment periods.
Some Medicare Advantage Plans are available during certain enrollment periods. All Medicare Advantage Plans are not available in all areas, states and counties. You must check with your state insurance department to see whether or not a particular plan is offered in your area.
Medicare Advantage plans do not have open enrollment periods like other types of health insurance policies do. The only time you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan is if you qualify for special circumstances such as loss of job or income change (for example, due to retirement). If this happens to you, contact the insurance carrier that currently holds your supplemental policy and request an application for coverage under their Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP).
As you’ve seen, Medicare Supplement Plans are designed to provide coverage for out of pocket costs not covered by original Medicare. They can be a great option for people who want extra security when it comes to paying for health care expenses or someone with a pre-existing condition that prevents them from enrolling in other types of plans. Check here to know more.