Medigap Supplemental Insurance Plans

Medicare is a good basic health coverage program for the elderly, which helps eliminate some of the high cost of medical care. However, while Medicare covers a lot of the health care costs it does not cover all the costs which is where the Medigap insurance comes in. What is Medigap Insurance? Medigap insurance is insurance you buy from a private insurance company that is licensed to carry this type of insurance. Like other types of insurance, you pay monthly premiums to the insurance company for this additional insurance. In order to get Medigap insurance you must have both Medicare part A and part B but cannot have a Medicare Advantage policy or have a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan. Your Medigap insurance premium must be paid in addition to the premium you pay for your Medicare part B. In addition, Medigap insurance only covers one person, so if both you and your spouse have Medicare and want Medigap insurance, you both must carry a policy, and both have to pay premi

Medicare and Medigap are health insurance plans sponsored by the federal government.  Being regulated by the government means that there is not a lot of leeway.  Much of Medicare is standardized and is the same throughout the United States however, Florida is unique. The state of Florida is one of four states that allows the pricing of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans to be based on the age of enrollees.  “Issue Age” standard states that your Medicare Supplement rates cannot increase every year as you age.  The price can fluctuate because of normal inflation which on average is between three to four percent each year. Medicare enrollees also have the option to enroll in Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare and the addition of supplemental insurance.  Only 3 out of 10 Medicare participants choose Medicare Advantage.  Most participants choose this option especially when they are on a limited, fixed income.  The state of Florida has a rate higher rate of enrollment

As people get older and become eligible for Medicare, they may be concerned about which parts of their health care costs will be covered and which parts they will be completely responsible for.  This is especially true when it comes to coverage for mental health, as those visits can become quite expensive over time. Medicare Part A does cover mental health care, but each inpatient service will require the patient to pay their deductible.  There is also a coinsurance charge for any days of hospitalization past sixty, and no one will receive benefits for over one hundred and ninety days of mental health hospitalization in their lifetime. Medicare Part B will cover outpatient mental health services, but there is a deductible that everyone is required to meet as well as copays.  However, one mental health screening is allowed each year at no cost to the patient. At this point, many seniors will be wondering how they will be able to afford to pay for their medical bills, but that is w