Supplemental Medicare insurance helps to cover "gaps" regular Medicare benefits don't. There's also deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance it can help pay for. These policies are often referred to as Medigap insurance and pay for services Medicare deems as necessary. Medigap plans differ and you'll want to see which plan would best suit your lifestyle such one with emergency care while in a foreign country.
All Medicare insurance companies are required to carry plan A but not plan B through L. If you bought a Medigap insurance policy before 1992, you may keep it.
You may not need a supplementalMedicare insurance policy if you have other insurance. Gaps in Medicare may already be covered if you have group health insurance at work or from a former employer.
This may include:
. Government or military plans
. The Medicare Advantage plan
. Medicaid if you qualify, or
. You are a member of the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program
The Medicare Advantage Plan
Medicare Advantage plans have a number of options which include "Managed Care Plans" such as:
. Religious fraternal plans
. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
. Preferred provider plans (PPOs) and
. Medical special needs plansOr Private fee for service plans (PFFS)
With a Medicare Advantage plan, you will not need a Medigap policy. If a Medicare Advantage plan is available in your area you can join if you have Medicare Parts A and B and are not suffering from end-stage renal disease.
These plans are administered by the Federal center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) You are given a handbook when youenroll that explains your rights concerning complaints and appeals process for denial of services. The handbook published by CMS is called Medicare and You. It describes Medicare insurance and health plan options. Every Medicare beneficiary is mailed a copy each year.
If you are still working another option isMedicare Select, which is a type of Medigap policy that can offer a lower price if you agree to use specific providers made available through your company.