The Way Senior Policies Work
Posted by Emma MacNeilOct 18
There is a government health plan called Medicare that provides hospital, medical and surgical benefits to patients age 65 and older with certain illnesses. This coverage may not be able to cover all of your health care costs, so you have the option to purchase additional coverage through a private health provider called Medigap Insurance.
Many health insurance companies sell Medigap plans to help fill the gaps in the original Medicare coverage. This will help you by paying health care costs that arent fully covered by the basic Senior Plan.
Original Medicare and Medigap coverage share the costs of health care. If you are interested in obtaining a Senior plan, you must contact an insurance agent or company directly for rates. There are many plans you can choose from when seeking Supplemental coverage. Some pay 100% of the difference where some have deductible and co pays.
There are currently 12 different plans available, Plans A through L. Each plan has a different set of benefits. The premium varies based on plan design and company selected. All contributions and other costs for the coverage you select are your responsibility.
Once your basic plan pays for your benefits, the eighty percent that is left over can be paid by a Senior plan. Supplement plans are not meant to cover the out of pocket expenses like Medicare Advantage and HMOs and PFF plans do . Each company offers plans A through L. With these plans, you also have the option in choosing a SELECT plan. SELECT plans are a combined standard Senior Coverage plan along with a PPO plan which means you are restricted to a network of hospitals if you choose this route.
Some SELECT plans require that you pay a copay when you visit your regular Dr. SELECT plans do cover benefits provided in Medigap policies A through J, however you must select an in network provider to have benefits covered.
Medicare offer many plans through multiple companies. SELECT plans cover benefits provided in Supplemental policies A through J, only if you see and in-network provider. Many SELECT plans do require that you pay a co pay when you visit your physician.
Federal law does not require the sale of Senior plans to those under 65; however, some states have laws requiring Medicare insurance companies to offer Supplement policies to those who qualify for this because they have a disability.
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