Medicare Supplement plans are also referred to as Medigap plans. The term is interchangeable but is describing the same type of plan. A Medicare Supplement is a plan offered by private insurance companies that helps cover the Medical Benefits not covered by original Medicare A and B.
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Medigap plans in Connecticut (Also called Medicare Supplement) confuses many people but it is actually very simple to understand once you understand the key points. This post is intended to provide a general overview of “Medigap” to help consumers make an educated decision when choosing one. We will start with the basics of the things you need to know about Medigap plans and then touch on the basics.
HOW A MEDIGAP PLAN WORKS:
The first thing to understand is how a Medigap plan works. A medigap plan works as a secondary coverage to Medicare A and B (also called original Medicare). Original Medicare parts A and B provide coverage for Medical Services. In general, original Medicare coverage 80% of medical costs. The Medicare supplement plan covers what original Medicare does not. As a result, medical providers will bill orginal Medicare and the cost share (patient responsibility) is then sent over to the Medigap company.
WHAT MEDIGAP COVERS:
Medigap plans will only provide coverage on benefits that original Medicare covers to some extent. If Medicare does not provide any coverage for a procedure, the Medigap plan also will not provide coverage (There are some exceptions to this). There are a number of different plan in CT with plans A – M offered. Each lettered plan covers a different percentage of the costs that original Medicare does not cover. Some plans cover everything that Medicare doesn’t such as Plan F. Others only cover 75% such as plan L.
Supplements in the state of Connecticut are standardized which makes life much easier when choosing a plan. This means that they plans can not vary in the benefits they provide. For example, if you purchase a Plan F supplement, the coverage will be the same regardless of the company you choose. The only difference will be in the monthly cost of the plan. Some companies will add additional, value added benefits such as Silver Sneakers or other programs but the mandatory coverage must be the same for every plan.
Medicare Supplements do not cover drugs. If you want drug coverage, you must purchase it separately. (Called a Medicare Part D plan or “PDP plan)
WHO CAN BUY A MEDIGAP PLAN:
Medigap plans are guaranteed issue in CT. This means that you can enroll in any available plan regardless of your health or age. The only requirement is that you are on Medicare A and B. If you are willing to pay the monthly premium, you can have a plan. For people age 65 and older, the price is the same for everyone regardless of how old you are. (Example: If the AARP plan N costs $152.00 a month for a 65 year old, it costs the same for an 85 year old) People on Medicare under the age of 65 are also eligible for a supplement but they can have fewer choices if they are under the age of 50.
POPULAR PLANS AND COMPANIES:
Medigap comes down to plan type and price. If one company offers a plan L Medigap for less than the other companies, you should go with the one offering it for the least. Benefits are standardized so they can not be cutting out any benefits. They just have the best price. Having said that, the more popular plans over the last 24 months are Plan F, Plan N , Plan L and High Deductible Plan F. United AARP and Anthem BCBS currently have the lowest costs in CT which makes it easy to find the lowest cost company once you determine which supplement you want.
ABOUT MY AGENCY AND HOW I CAN HELP YOU:
My agency (Crowe and Associates) is independent and is based in Brookfield CT. The agency is A rated with the BBB and I have been in this business for 14 years. We are contracted to sell just about every Medigap plan in CT including, AARP , Anthem BCBS, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, Aflac, etc…. The companies pay me commission directly and I charge my clients nothing. I sit down with clients (in person, over the phone or by email) and help them determine which plan is going to work best for them. I also let them know if a new company comes out with the same Medigap they have at a lower price. I can help you understand Medigap and help you determine which plan is best for your specific situation. Feel Free to call my office at 203-796-5403 or email me at Edward@Croweandassociates.com
Medigap plans in Connecticut (Also called Medicare Supplement) confuses many people but it is actually very simple to understand once you understand the key points. This post is intended to provide a general overview of “Medigap” to help consumers make an educated decision when choosing one. We will start with the basics of the things you need to know about Medigap plans and then touch on the basics.
HOW A MEDIGAP PLAN WORKS:
The first thing to understand is how a Medigap plan works. A medigap plan works as a secondary coverage to Medicare A and B (also called original Medicare). Original Medicare parts A and B provide coverage for Medical Services. In general, original Medicare coverage 80% of medical costs. The Medicare supplement plan covers what original Medicare does not. As a result, medical providers will bill orginal Medicare and the cost share (patient responsibility) is then sent over to the Medigap company.
WHAT MEDIGAP COVERS:
Medigap plans will only provide coverage on benefits that original Medicare covers to some extent. If Medicare does not provide any coverage for a procedure, the Medigap plan also will not provide coverage (There are some exceptions to this). There are a number of different plan in CT with plans A – M offered. Each lettered plan covers a different percentage of the costs that original Medicare does not cover. Some plans cover everything that Medicare doesn’t such as Plan F. Others only cover 75% such as plan L.
Supplements in the state of Connecticut are standardized which makes life much easier when choosing a plan. This means that they plans can not vary in the benefits they provide. For example, if you purchase a Plan F supplement, the coverage will be the same regardless of the company you choose. The only difference will be in the monthly cost of the plan. Some companies will add additional, value added benefits such as Silver Sneakers or other programs but the mandatory coverage must be the same for every plan.
Medicare Supplements do not cover drugs. If you want drug coverage, you must purchase it separately. (Called a Medicare Part D plan or “PDP plan)
WHO CAN BUY A MEDIGAP PLAN:
Medigap plans are guaranteed issue in CT. This means that you can enroll in any available plan regardless of your health or age. The only requirement is that you are on Medicare A and B. If you are willing to pay the monthly premium, you can have a plan. For people age 65 and older, the price is the same for everyone regardless of how old you are. (Example: If the AARP plan N costs $152.00 a month for a 65 year old, it costs the same for an 85 year old) People on Medicare under the age of 65 are also eligible for a supplement but they can have fewer choices if they are under the age of 50.
POPULAR PLANS AND COMPANIES:
Medigap comes down to plan type and price. If one company offers a plan L Medigap for less than the other companies, you should go with the one offering it for the least. Benefits are standardized so they can not be cutting out any benefits. They just have the best price. Having said that, the more popular plans over the last 24 months are Plan F, Plan N , Plan L and High Deductible Plan F. United AARP and Anthem BCBS currently have the lowest costs in CT which makes it easy to find the lowest cost company once you determine which supplement you want.
ABOUT MY AGENCY AND HOW I CAN HELP YOU:
My agency (Crowe and Associates) is independent and is based in Brookfield CT. The agency is A rated with the BBB and I have been in this business for 14 years. We are contracted to sell just about every Medigap plan in CT including, AARP , Anthem BCBS, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, Aflac, etc…. The companies pay me commission directly and I charge my clients nothing. I sit down with clients (in person, over the phone or by email) and help them determine which plan is going to work best for them. I also let them know if a new company comes out with the same Medigap they have at a lower price. I can help you understand Medigap and help you determine which plan is best for your specific situation. Feel Free to call my office at 203-796-5403 or email me at Edward@Croweandassociates.com
AARP Plan N Supplement has a preferred price point in Maryland and is a good option for Medicare recipients as a result. Other companies offer the Plan N but AARP currently prices it at the best rate which ranges from $85.00 a month to $105.oo a month depending on county.
For those not familiar with it, plan N covers all medical expenses with 3 exceptions. 1- It does not pay the Medicare Part B deductible of $144.00, 2- You can be billed a maximum of $20.00 for physician services and tests, 3- you pay $50 for ER visits. Everything else (including inpatient hospital) is covered in full.
Plan N is a good option for those that want to keep Medicare primary in order to have access to more providers. Plan N also eliminates the risk of any large copays for major services. Plan N would be a good consideration for those with a Plan F supplement or those whom have a Medicare Advantage plan and would like to consider a Medicare supplement instead.
Feel free to call our office or email Ed Crowe if you have any additional questions or would like to apply for Plan N.
Ed’s cell 860-992-4494
Email: Edward@Croweandassociates.com
AARP has released the average rate changes for 2013 in the State of Connecticut. This includes rate increases for current and grandfathered plans such as Plan J supplement. Rates have been maintained well by AARP/United Healthcare which has resulted in very low increases for some plans and no increases for others. AARP Rate Change CT
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized in Connecticut which means that there are no variations in benefits in a supplement regardless of the company offering it. The only difference is the premium of the plan. If a consumer is looking to purchase a plan F supplement, the only thing they need to be concerned with is the price. The benefits are identical from company to company.
I would like to dispel some common misconceptions with Medicare supplement plans (Also called Medigap) Medicare supplement plans DO NOT have a network. You may go to any doctor that accepts Medicare. Medicare supplement do not have drug coverage, you need to purchase a part D plan in order to obtain drug coverage. Medicare Supplements are secondary to Medicare. When you go to the doctor or hospital, you show them your original Medicare card and that is what they will bill. The supplement will pick up the costs that original Medicare does not cover. There is not any Medical underwriting in the state of Connecticut if you are turning 65 or if you have had continuous coverage for a retirement plan, a different supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Please feel free to call or email with any questions.
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