If you’re approaching your 65th birthday and starting to research options for Medicare, navigating through all of your new health care choices can be overwhelming. In addition to enrolling in a Medicare plan to meet your anticipated needs, you’ll also have to decide if a Medicare Supplement plan is right for you.

Senior Healthcare Team is here to help. Here are some things you should know when considering a Medicare Supplement plan.

WHAT IS A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN?

Medicare Parts A and B provide insurance coverage for health-related expenses, but they don’t cover all of the health care costs you may have. A Medicare Supplement plan, sometimes called “Medigap,” is a private insurance policy that can help pay for some of the health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover. This can include out-of-pocket expenses such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

With health care and out-of-pocket costs for Medicare participants on the rise, a Medicare Supplement plan can help set your mind at ease.

WHAT DOES A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN COVER?

Medicare Supplement plans are designed to help pay for the costs that you would normally pay out of your own pocket. But the costs and benefits will depend on which Medicare Supplement plan you select.

Here are some typical benefits offered by insurance plans designed to meet your needs and fit your budget. They include could:

Basic benefits to help with copayments for services covered under Medicare Parts A and B.
Provide the same benefits as Plan A but also pays your Medicare Part A hospital deductible.
Cover all out-of-pocket costs for medical expenses covered by your Medicare Supplement insurance.
Could include the same basic benefits as Plan F, including Part B excess charges and Foreign Travel Emergency coverage.
This option could have you pay a lower premium in exchange for taking on a small annual deductible and some copayments. It might cover your Medicare Part B copays, as well as your hospital deductible, copays and coinsurance.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN?

You can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan policy if you are age 65 or over and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. The one-time Open Enrollment period, which begins on the first day of the month an individual is 65 or older and enrolled in Part B provides for guaranteed issue. Individuals under age 65 eligible for and enrolled in Part B; are not eligible for guaranteed issue unless they have lost or are losing creditable coverage. In some states, Medicare Supplement insurance policies are available to people with disabilities who are under the age 65.

HOW DO I ENROLL?

To enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, contact Senior Healthcare Team today. Be sure you have your Medicare ID card ready. Your agent can help answer questions and determine which plan and pricing best meet your needs.

By David Lasman – “Ask Medicare Dave” | President – Senior Healthcare Team

wwww.SeniorHealthcareTeam.com | 866-333-7340

Selecting the right healthcare plan through Medicare can be overwhelming and downright stressful. Senior Healthcare Team is a nationwide resource that provides guidance and support about Medicare to seniors at no cost to them and helps them to choose the most suitable insurance plan tailored to their specific needs and budget. Our goal is to educate and empower our clients to make the best decisions regarding their healthcare and clear up the confusion of Medicare. At Senior Healthcare Team, we aren’t partial to any one insurance company. Our loyalty is to our clients and our mission is to provide them with the best healthcare options at the very lowest cost.