Supplement Medicare is a policy that covers those medical expenses on a beneficiary's bill that Medicare itself does not. When it comes to payment for a medical procedure, Medicare pays 80% of the medical bill; and Medicare supplement pays the remaining 20% and if at all any additional payment is required then, the beneficiary needs to pay it off as an out -of -pocket expense. To date there are 12 Medicare supplement plans ranging from A to L. These provide different types of coverage. All these plans fall under the Medigap title and thus known as Medigap plans.
To sign up for Supplemental Medicare, the following procedure must be followed:
- Private companies sell Medigap plans. Hence, the premium too is a bit high. These plans may prove expensive for persons who do not need their policies very often throughout the year. However, for those who need hospitals and doctors more often, these plans may prove to be beneficial. It is for this reason that a person wanting to go for Medigap, should list down all the medical services that, he/she requires annually. Then one should work out, how many of those medical expenses are paid by Medicare and how much does he/she have to spend as out-of-pocket expenses.
- As mentioned above, there are 12 types of Medigap plans ranging from A to L. These plans provide different types and levels of coverage, that Medicare originally does not provide. Hence, one must look out for the Medigap plan/s that provides maximum to the type of medical expenses that are incurred by him/her. It is important to know which Medigap plan provides coverage in the area one resides in, as some Medigap plans do not provide coverage in certain geographical areas. It is also important to know which companies (Medigap providers) offer, which plans. One can derive all this information from the state department of insurance.
- Since the federal government standardized Medicare Supplemental plans in 1992, the benefits offered by the plans will not change regardless of which Medigap provider sells them. If something varies, among what different Medigap Providers have to offer, it is, the cost of the plans (premiums) and the quality of customer service. Hence, one must look at which plan provides maximum coverage and which provider offers the plan/s at the most affordable and reasonable rates. Once one decides which provider suits him/her best, the provider will guide him/her through the procedure for enrollment.
Aanya, is an expert commentator on Medigap and Medigap plans [http://www.emedicare.net]. Visit her website [http://www.emedicare.net] for more information about how to sign up for supplemental medicare.
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