Medicare Supplement (MediGap)

Medicare Supplement plans or “Medigap” plans are insurance coverage that is provided by private health insurance plans to fill in the gaps where Original Medicare ( Medicare part A and Part B) leaves off. They help to pay for out of pocket costs such as the 20% not covered by Medicare Part B, as well as copays ,deductibles and coinsurances that you would have to pay otherwise.

In most states there are Medicare Supplement insurance options available and they are in a standardized format. This means that regardless of which plan you choose the benefits will be exactly the same, as long as it is in the same plan category. Each plan category is assigned a letter usually A-N. But some plans like E,H,I and J are no longer available to be sold. The insurance companies who offer these plans do not have to offer every single plan  and they are able to pick and choose which letter plan they would like to offer.

These “Plans” are different from Medicare “Parts”. The plan A through a Medicare supplement is very different from Medicare Part A that is offered through Medicare.

 Basics of Medicare Supplement Insurance benefits

Every level of Medicare supplement plan has different benefits, but each letter plan is standardized and identical regardless of which insurance company provides them. The plan A is always the same if you are in Texas or if you are in California. Only in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are Medicare Supplement plans options different from the rest of the country. Although Medicare Supplement plans do not have to cover benefits like dental , vision, hearing aids and long term care, many of them do. Additionally Medicare supplement plans must cover a least a portion of the following benefits:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance costs up to 365 more days after Medicare Benefits are exhausted
• Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or Copayments
• First three pints of blood

Medicare Supplement Costs

Even though the benefits for the Medicare Supplement plans are the same, there monthly costs can vary from plan to plan. Insurance companies are able to charge different monthly premiums based on the companies marketing plan. So it is important to look at what are the costs for your desired plan from one company to another. Companies may be able to price there plans in three main ways

• Community non age: These plans charge the same rate regardless of a person’s age.
• Issue Age: These plans premiums change based on the age when somebody first enrolled into the plan. The younger they enrolled the lower the cost of the premium 
• Attained age:  similar to issue age plans, these plans premiums are based on the age somebody is when they first enrolled, but continue to increase in price as a person gets older.

Enrollment into a Medicare Supplement Plan

  In order to enroll into a Medicare Supplement plan you must first be enrolled into both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. The best time to enroll is during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period, which starts the first day you are enrolled into Medicare Part A and B  and lasts for six months. During this time the Medicare Supplement insurance company cannot deny your application or raise your rate based on your previous health conditions. You have what is called “guaranteed issue right” to enroll into a Medicare Supplement plan. Once your initial six month period has expired you will still be able to enroll into a Medicare Supplement plan but the insurance company will be able to deny or raise your monthly premium based on your previous health conditions. Additionally if you are under the age of 65 and qualify for Medicare Part A and B you may have a higher charge than people who are ageing into Medicare for your Supplement coverage.

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This website and its contents are for informational purposes only. Nothing on the website should ever be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult with your medical provider regarding diagnosis or treatment for a health condition, including decisions about the correct medication for your condition, as well as prior to undertaking any specific exercise or dietary routine.

We are the Covered California Enrollment Center, your place to get free assistance with your health insurance plan. We can assist you to sign up, enroll and update your private health Insurance, Covered California plan, Medi-Cal, Obamacare and Medicare insurances. Our California agency is certified by Covered California, to assist you in-person, over the phone or online in English and Spanish. 

We specialize in individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement (MediGap plans), Medicare Prescription Drug plans (Part D), as well as, Dental and Vision coverage. We can help you get enrolled into health insurance plans, compare healthcare options, provide required health coverage tax documents and review the plans that best fit your budget and healthcare needs.  

Call us today at 844-367-6555 for free assistance over the phone, visit our website at www.EnrollSocal.Com to make an appointment at our California Enrollment Centers Serving San Diego County, Los Angeles County and Imperial County.