Medicare Supplement plans or Medigap are plans that help one cover some of the costs left by Medicare plans. These plans are offered only by private companies, thus differ from the standard Medicare plans. One needs to be careful while selecting a supplement plan. Part A holders needn’t worry about a Medigap policy, but Part B holders can help you to cover some of the monthly premium, deductible or a co-pay .
For most supplement plans you must pay a monthly premium along with the premium you pay for Part B and are meant for a single user only. Eligibility for getting a Medigap are:
That one should compulsorily be enrolled in Original Medicare
- Your age must be more than 65
- You must be a Social Security disability insurance recipient for at least 2 years or must have been diagnosed with end-of-life care. If these pre-requisites are not met then you can get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
While opting for Medigap, remember the following points:
- It is illegal to have more than one Supplement plan simultaneously
- No one can force you to switch policies or cancel the existing one
- Medigap is in no way associated with any government enterprise.
- Medicare Advantage plan and Medigap cannot be combined together.
Other features of supplement plans include:
- International Coverage: If you frequently travel abroad then opting for a Medigap is value for money as your financial resources wouldn’t be strained in case of an international medical emergency. These plans also include the costs that are not included in either Part A or Part B. Plus whatever your need is, there is always a plan just for you.
- Affordable premiums. The supplement plan covers some of the expenses that are not present in your Medicare Plan. Choosing a plan with reasonable premium saves you money and ensures coverage of health.
Best Medical Supplemental Insurance Companies
Top 5 medical insurance companies are:
1.Cigna
Cigna provides top-notch medical facilities which are widely available. Apart from wide availability, it has affordable rates and a great choice as a supplement for those who have qualified Medicare.
2.Humana
Humana is a supplemental insurance company providing plans all over the country. It has policies for 9 plans out of total 10 some out of which have international coverage also.
3.Blue Cross Blue Shield
An umbrella corporation Blue Shield is an insurance provider which works through 30 insurance providers. If you are a resident of one of those states which have some restrictions regarding Medicare supplemental policies and are unable to find a suitable plan Blue Shield is most likely to give a coverage suiting your needs.
4.Aetna
Aetna supplementary policies are limited to some extents. Online coverage is not possible and one needs to contact the representative in person.
5.United Medicare Advisors.
If you still have any doubts or queries on Medicare supplement policies and are not sure which one is right for you United Medicare may be able to help you out and clear confusion regarding the enrolment process.