Two of the most popular choices for individual Medicare coverage are Medicare Advantage or Medigap insurance programs. Medicare Supplement Insurance (or also known as Medigap} is sold to be the second payer in a Medicare program. In order to become eligible for Medigap, you must already be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
Medicare advantage plans 2022 are sold in addition to Medicare Parts A and B. They cover items not covered by Medicare Parts A and B, as well as some items deemed necessary by the Center for Medicare Services. They can either be purchased through private companies or in Medicare Part D.
There are two primary types of medicare advantage plans – private and public. They cover the same items, the same doctor, and the same hospital services – just in different packages. Private medigap insurance plans generally offer a wider variety of covered services and covered conditions than do public plans. There is no Medicare Supplement Insurance program within the original medicare programs.
If you choose to participate in Medicare Supplement Insurance, you need to select a Medicare Part A and/or Part B provider. There are basically two types of providers – government or private. Government plans tend to be more expensive and therefore are not often used by individuals.
The government plans often have limited choices in terms of physicians and hospitals, however. Private medigap plans often provide more choices in physicians, hospitals and specialized procedures and at much lower prices than government plans.
Many people don’t realize that medicare advantage plans offer additional benefits besides coverage for Medigap services. You can also receive prescription coverage, vision care, hearing aids, transportation services, hospice and travel insurance.
In order to receive all of these extra services, you will usually need to enroll in all of them. Because they are not part of the Medicare programs, these additional services may not be available through all medigap insurance plans, so it’s important to read your coverage policy carefully.
There are other supplemental benefits that are not offered by every plan, and these are what you want to look for when you’re comparing quotes. You should also inquire about extra benefits that might be available, like vision care or prescription drugs not covered by your primary plan.
Another option is to enroll in Medicare part D, which offers prescription drugs, preventive care, mental health and durable medical supplies at a discounted rate. For many people, these additional benefits make choosing a medicare advantage plan worthwhile.
As you consider your options, remember that not all medigap policy plans are the same. The benefits and cost-effectiveness will vary depending on the type of plan you select. You will want to compare different companies and their rates, as well as how the benefits will be administered. With careful comparison and research, you can easily select the right kind of insurance plans for your needs.
