Medicare Supplement Plans – What Are They?

1Medicare Supplement Plans offer certain benefits to Medicare beneficiaries that are not available through Medicare Parts A and B. There are often different Medicare Supplement Plans for specific conditions or all age groups. Some plans are guaranteed issues, meaning that Medicare will cover the cost if you need coverage, regardless of whether you are currently covered under Medicare Parts A or B. Other Supplemental Plans are guaranteed issues only for specific conditions, such as heart disease or cancer.

While there are no restrictions on when you can enroll in Medicare, it’s best to enroll in Medicare early so you can get the most benefits for the lowest out-of-pocket expenses. To help determine which Medicare Supplement Plans are right for you, it’s helpful to understand how the plans work. Medicare offers three different Medicare Supplement Plans – PPO, POS, and MRO. These plans provide wide-ranging benefits and coverage for a wide range of medical conditions.

There are several Medicare Supplement Plan N available to Medicare beneficiaries. The most popular plans are Part A and Part B. These two programs help cover doctor visits, hospital stays, and emergency services. You can choose from a wide range of plans for both types of Medicare. Some of the most popular Medicare Supplement Plans include Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Assurant Health, BCBS, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage Plans.

If you join Medicare Parts A and B before your Medicare age, you automatically receive a guaranteed issue for Medicare coverage. If you join Medicare Parts A and B later in life, you can choose from a host of additional options. Some additional options available to Medicare beneficiaries are the Medicare Advantage Plan and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Some other additional benefits include travel insurance, accident insurance, and prescription drugs.

In addition to basic coverage, some Medicare supplement plans offer specialized benefits to help cover out-of-pocket expenses. One such benefit is the ability to pay for vision care with a Medicare Part C premium. Another benefit is the ability to pay for chiropractic and physical therapy services. Most Medicare Supplement Plans will also cover hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and occupational health.

There are many Medicare Supplement Plan options available to adult recipients. Some of the most popular Medicare Supplement Plans include Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Assurant Health, BCBS, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap policies, the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and state-start Medicare option plans.

Medicare Supplement Plan options are available from regional agencies, pharmaceutical companies, private insurance companies, Medicare Parts A and B providers, and through state-start programs. Medicare Supplement Plans are not available in all states. If you qualify for Medicare, you can learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan options and enroll in a plan that is right for you by visiting the Medicare website.