Getting Started
Medicare Supplement is another option that private insurance company is offer.
Supplement Plans
Gaps in healthcare coverage can lead to difficulty getting care or high out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Supplement Plans—also called “Medigap”—were created to help cover these gaps in Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Here’s how it works: Original Medicare pays its share first, and your Medicare Supplement plan helps pay the remaining costs based on the plan you choose.
Medicare Supplements are medical-only coverage and can be used nationwide, as long as the provider accepts Medicare. If your situation is considered an emergency by Medicare, exceptions may apply.
Types of Plans
Medicare standardized all Supplement plans in 1990, designating each type of plan with a letter. Medicare Supplement plan are named as follows A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, or N.
No matter which private insurance company provides the policy, plans with the same letter will offer the same benefits. The main difference between Medicare Supplement plans from insurance company to insurance company is premium. Based on the amount of coverage you want your Medicare Supplement plan to have, with other factors, will determine your premium. Beneficiaries should shop and compare plans to find the plan to meet their needs and budget.
Here are some items not covered by any Medicare Supplement Plan :
Application
Medicare Supplement plans don’t follow the same enrollment periods as other Medicare options. To join a Supplement plan, you must either have a Guaranteed Issue right or complete underwriting. Guaranteed Issue means the insurance company must accept your application due to certain life events. If you don’t qualify, you’ll go through underwriting.
Your first Guaranteed Issue window is your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment, which starts when your Medicare Part B becomes active and lasts for six months. For most people, this is at age 65, but if you delay Part B because you’re working, your enrollment window begins later.
Since rules can vary and several Guaranteed Issue situations exist, it’s important to review your options with a licensed Medicare agent as your enrollment window approaches.
Medicare FAQ's
You are eligible to apply for Medicare during your initial enrollment period which is a 7 month window. 3 months before turning 65, the month you turn 65 and 3 months after turning 65.
The easiest way to sign up for Medicare is online through SSA.gov or by Calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit your local Social Security Office.
If you are already receiving Social Security Benefits you will be automatically enrolled into Original Medicare, otherwise you will be eligible to enroll during your initial enrollment period that starts 3 months before your 65th birthday.
If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period you can sign up during the General Enrollment period that occurs every year January 1st through March 31st. Coverage becomes effective the month following your enrollment date.
Yes, there are penalties for not signing up for Part B of Medicare and will be added to your premium.
If you need a new Medicare card you can order a replacement card by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at the Social Security Administration web site. Make sure you have your Medicare number ready when you call.
Senior Benefits Consulting, LLC is a privately owned small business and is not endorsed by the U.S. Government or associated with any federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.
Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program
(SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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