Choosing a Supplement Plan
If you've decided on Original Medicare instead of a Medicare Advantage plan, you may come across extra costs.
But there's a way to lower what you'll pay with Original Medicare. You can add a supplement plan.
Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, provides coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn't cover. But supplement plans don't cover Part D prescription drugs or routine dental, vision or hearing services such as exams and hearing aids.
With these supplement plans:
- You'll pay a monthly premium to a private company. But you'll be better prepared for unexpected expenses.
- Some of your benefits will go beyond the limits of Original Medicare.
- You can go to any doctor that accepts Medicare.
When to buy a supplement plan
- The best time to enroll in a supplement plan is when you are first eligible for Medicare. During this time you can buy any supplement or Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. The company must also sell you a supplement plan at the same price as those with good health.
- Please be aware that there are changes to some supplement plans. For plans with coverage starting on or after Jan. 1, 2017, you can only get Plan C if you’ll no longer be insured because you’ve become eligible for Medicare or you’ve lost your coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. If you’re under age 65, you can only get Plan A if you’ll no longer be insured because you’ve become eligible for Medicare or you’ve lost your coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You’ll need to meet these requirements and apply for these plans.
- You can also buy a supplement plan outside of the initial open enrollment period. If this is the case, you may be denied a supplement plan or pay more if you have health issues. Companies can use medical underwriting to determine your eligibility and premiums.
- You can also apply during a special enrollment period. Under some special circumstances you can buy a supplement plan without medical underwriting. Also known as the guaranteed issue period, these are times when you lose your insurance because you moved out of the area your insurance company covers, or if the insurance company drops its coverage.
