Medigap Plan D

If you didn’t know, there are some serious holes in Medicare coverage.

These gaps in coverage could cost some Medicare enrollees thousands of dollars in medical bills. For anyone living on a fixed income, these costs can easily break your retirement nest egg. You’ve worked for years to build up those savings, don’t let medical bills and hospital expenses ruin your retirement dreams. Maybe you want Medicare supplemental plans in Georgia, we have information for you.  

If you don’t like the idea of having inadequate healthcare, you can buy additional protection to work with your Medigap protection. These plans can help plug the leaky coverage of Medicare.

There are ten plans you can pick. A through N.

Medicare Supplement Insurance is a standard type of insurance which is regulated by the government. A Medigap Plan F is the same regardless of carrier.

Medicare supplement plan D is an option that many people are deciding to take for their Medicare supplemental insurance needs.

What Plan D Does Not Cover

Because Medigap plan D is one of the more comprehensive of the Medicare supplement plans it is easier to list what it does not cover in conjunction with your traditional Medicare coverage.  The first of the two gaps is the Medicare Part B deductible of $147.  This means for any out-patient services, like a doctor’s office visit, you will have to pay the first $147 each year.  Finally you are responsible for any excess charges that are above the Medicare Part B recommended amount.  This means if you go to your doctor, have already paid the Part B deductible, and that office chooses to charge $25 more than the Medicare recommended amount for a service, then you are on the hook for the $25.  Other than these two gaps in coverage you are completely covered for any other health services you might need.

Why Consider Medicare Supplement Plan D

There are certain Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that may be better than others for certain individuals. As with other types of insurance coverage, this will depend in large part upon the person’s coverage needs, as well as their premium budget.

For instance, Medigap Plan D may be a good fit for those who may be seeking a “middle ground” between a non-comprehensive and a highly comprehensive Medicare Supplement Insurance offering. This is because Medigap Plan D provides coverage for many out-of-pocket expenses that are associated with Medicare Parts A and B, yet it does not offer benefits for expenses such as the Medicare Part B excess charges or the Medicare Part B deductible.

It is important to note that Medicare Supplement Plan D is not the same thing as Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D is the prescription medication coverage that is offered directly via Medicare, whereas Medigap D is a Supplement Insurance plans that provides additional benefits that can fill in the coverage gaps that are not provided by Original Medicare.

When considering which of the Medicare Supplement Insurance options may be right for you, you’ll need to look at all of the factors.

It can also make a difference in the premium that is charged - as can the insurance carrier that you choose. Although all of the benefits that are offered by Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are identical, the premium are not, and in some instances, the amount can vary greatly. Therefore, be sure that you compare several different insurers prior to moving forward with your purchase.

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance is a type of coverage that can help to pay the costs of the items that Original Medicare - Parts A and B - does not cover. These plans are offered by private insurance carriers and not directly through Medicare itself - which is why the premiums that are charged can differ from one plan to another. Because Medicare Supplement Insurance fills in many of Medicare’s coverage holes, it’s also known as Medigap.

If you decide to buy a supplemental plan, you’ll have ten options. Each of them has additional coverage, but some have more than others.

Let’s start by looking at the smallest plan, Medigap A:

• Medicare Part A’s coinsurance and hospital expenses, up to an additional 365 days after Medicare’s benefits have been exhausted
• Medicare Part B’s coinsurance / copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Medicare Part A’s hospice coinsurance / copayment

Every other plan will have the same protection as Medigap A, but they will add on the coverage. For instance, Medigap Plan D provides the following benefit options:

• Medicare Part A’s coinsurance and hospital expenses, up to an additional 365 days after Medicare’s benefits have been exhausted
• Medicare Part B’s coinsurance / copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Medicare Part A’s hospice coinsurance / copayment
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coinsurance amount
• Medicare’s Part A deductible
• 80 percent Foreign Travel Emergency - up to the plan’s limits

There are other Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that are more and less comprehensive. For instance, Medicare supplement Plan F provides even more benefits, such as the addition of coverage for Medicare Part B’s deductible, as well as coverage for Medicare’s Part B excess charges. There is also a high-deductible option for those who may want very highly comprehensive coverage, yet without having to pay a high premium. This plan offers a high deductible (in 2015, this amount is $2,180). Once this deductible amount has been paid by the enrollee, the plan will begin paying out its benefits.

Other Medicare Supplement Insurance plans may pay 100 percent of certain charges, but will require coinsurance or copayments. As an example, Medigap Plan N will pay 100 percent of the Medicare Part B coinsurance, however, certain office visits may require a $20 copayment from the plan’s enrollee, and an emergency room visit that does not result in the enrollee being admitted to the hospital may also require a copayment of up to $50.

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance

It is also important to know when the right time is to enroll in Medicare Supplement. This is because it can make a difference in the price that you pay for coverage. The best time to initially enroll in a Medigap plan is your initial open enrollment. This is the time frame when you initially turn age 65.

During this period of time, when you enroll in a Medigap plan, you cannot be charged a higher rate of premium - nor can you be declined for coverage altogether - due to an adverse health condition. Therefore, with that in mind, it is essential to apply during this six month initial open enrollment time period. It will also ensure that you don’t have to break your bank to get the insurance. If you have already missed the six-month window, don’t worry. You can still apply and have a good chance at being accepted in a Medigap policy. Sure, you might have to pay a little more for your policy, but you can’t put a price on the peace of minding knowing you can afford any services or treatments you’ll need in the future.

For individuals who have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), enrolling for Medicare Supplement Insurance can be especially important during this period of time. This is because you can otherwise be subject to medical underwriting, and could even be denied for coverage altogether due to this condition if you wait too long to enroll.

Where and How to Obtain the Best Medigap Plan D Premium Quotes

When seeking premium quotes for a Medigap Plan D insurance policy, the best route is typically to work with either a company or an agency that has access to more than just one insurance carrier. This way, you will be able to directly compare the premium prices that are being charged in an unbiased manner - and you can then better determine which plan will work the best for you, and for your budget.

Because there is a great deal of information about Medigap protection and even about Medicare itself - you may find that you have some questions along the way. If so, we can help. Our experts can walk you through any of the questions or concerns that you may have that can assist you in determining which of the Medigap plans may best fit your specific needs. Call us at 800-790-1049.

There are many variables to consider when it comes to choosing a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy. When it comes to understanding these plans, it helps to have an ally on your side. We can help in walking you through what these types of plans do - and do not- cover so that you can be more assured as you make your policy choices.

If you are ready to get supplemental protection, give us a call or fill out the quote form on the side.