Medicare Supplement Plans in Iowa

What is a Medicare Supplement plan?

Like the rest of the United States, a Medicare Supplement plan in Iowa helps pay for certain expenses not covered by Original Medicare. This may include costs like deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance that come with Medicare Part A and Part B.

In addition to helping with certain cost-sharing expenses, Medicare Supplement plans may also include coverage for other costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as the first three pints of blood, overseas emergency medical care, and Medicare Part B excess charges.

The type of coverage depends on the plan type. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement plans available, and each plan varies in terms of the amount of coverage. Each plan type is designated by a different letter, from letters A through N.

Also known as Medigap, Medicare Supplement insurance comes with a separate monthly premium, in addition to the premium for Part B. These plans are designed to be used with Original Medicare, and you must remain enrolled in Part A and Part B to get your hospital and medical coverage. Medicare Supplement plans can't be used to pay for Medicare Part C costs; they only work with Original Medicare.

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan in Iowa

There aren't regular enrollment periods for Medigap; you may enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Iowa at any time after you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

However, the best time to get Medicare Supplement coverage is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is the six-month period that starts automatically once you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, you can enroll in any Medigap plan with guaranteed issue, meaning that insurance companies cannot require medical underwriting or deny you coverage based on your health. If you have disabilities or medical issues, you'll generally have the most plan options available to you if you enroll with guaranteed-issue rights.

After your Medigap Open Enrollment Period has passed, you may be subject to medical underwriting before signing up for a Medigap plan. Insurance companies can charge higher monthly premiums or even deny coverage completely based on your medical history and current health status. Once you're enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan in Iowa, renewal of the plan is generally guaranteed as long as you keep paying your monthly premiums.

Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan in Iowa

Beneficiaries in Iowa can choose from a number of different types of Medicare Supplement plans. Medigap coverage can be especially helpful if you see the doctor frequently and have a lot of out-of- pocket costs; most of the 10 Medigap plan types cover the Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment in full, and the rest cover a percentage of the cost.

When shopping for an Iowa Medicare Supplement plan, it is a good idea to start by finding the plan type that best meets your needs. From there, you can shop around to find that plan at the lowest premium; since benefits are standardized within each lettered category, the biggest difference between Medigap plans of the same letter type is usually the cost.

Need help finding Medigap coverage that may work for your needs? Contact eHealth today for personalized assistance with your Medicare coverage.