Choosing a preferred Medigap plan is instructive for accessing complete healthcare services that are not covered by original medicare.
Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement plans, are designed to cover out-of-pocket costs that are excluded by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
How to Use your Medigap Plan
- Enroll in a Medigap plan: You can enroll in a Medigap plan during your initial enrollment period, which is the 6-month period that starts the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. Equally, you can enroll in a Medigap plan during a special enrollment period or during the annual Medicare open enrollment period.
- Understand your Plan: Medigap plans are standardized and identified by letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N), each with its own set of benefits. You can review your plan’s benefits to understand what services are covered and how much you will have to pay out-of-pocket.
- Power of Medicare card: Leverage on your medicare card to access your chosen Medigap plan. When you go to the doctor or hospital, you will use your Medicare card to receive medical services. While medicare will pay its portion of the costs, the Medigap plan will also pay its portion of the remaining costs.
- Pay your Premium: You will need to pay a monthly premium for your Medigap plan in addition to your Medicare Part B premium.
- Accept claims: Your healthcare providers will submit claims to Medicare, and then your Medigap plan will pay its portion of the remaining costs.
What Are the Different Forms of Medigap Plans?
Medigap plans, otherwise known as Medicare Supplement plans, are standardized and identified by letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N), each with its own set of benefits.
CAVEAT: It’s noteworthy that not all Medigap plans are available in every state, and the costs of each plan depends on the insurance company. You are hereby advised to review the benefits and costs of each plan before enrolling in a Medigap plan.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs, so you may need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan to get prescription drug coverage.
Additionally, Medigap plans do not cover long-term care or vision, dental, or hearing services. To learn more about Medigap plans, watch the MedicareOnVideo series. You can contact us directly at 1-877-855-3484.
