Medicare covers a lot of your healthcare needs, but it does not cover everything. This is where a supplemental Medicare insurance plan (or Medigap) can be used. It covers the costs that Original Medicare leaves behind, so you don’t have to face surprise bills.

Below, this Supplemental Medicare agency in Boone Grove, Indiana is going to explain everything you’ll need to know about Medigap — including the basics of how Medigap works, when to enroll, and how it complements your other coverage.

The basics of a Medigap plan

A Medigap plan helps you pay for the costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. These are the bills that usually come straight out of your pocket, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.

For example, if Medicare covers part of a doctor’s visit, Medigap can cover the remaining costs. With healthcare costs climbing higher every year, many people find it reassuring to have that extra protection.

Original Medicare, which includes Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical care, will still be your main coverage. It pays for most of your essential healthcare needs.

The issue is that there are gaps in what it covers. That is why many people who are 65 and enrolled in Parts A and B decide to add a supplement. It balances out the uncertainty of not knowing how high your medical bills could go.

When is the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan?

One of the most important things to know is that you have a special enrollment window when you first turn 65. Your open enrollment starts on the first day of the month you turn 65, assuming you are also signed up for Medicare Part B.

During these six months, you have a guaranteed right to buy a Medigap plan. No insurance company can deny you coverage or increase your price because of your health.

If you are under 65, you don’t automatically get the same guaranteed rights unless you lose other health coverage. Some states do require insurance companies to offer Medigap to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to a disability, but not all of them. If you are in this situation, check the rules in your state to see the available options for you.

Your local Supplemental Medicare agency in Boone Grove, Indiana can help you apply during your open enrollment period. You will have the most choices and the best prices during this time. If you wait too long, you may face higher costs or even be denied coverage.

Using Medigap alongside other coverage

A Medigap plan does not cover dental or vision care, long-term care, private nursing, hearing aids, or eyeglasses. If you want coverage for those, you will need a separate plan.

When it comes to how Medigap works with your other coverage, think of it as a helper. Medicare is your primary insurance that pays its share of your medical bills first. Then, your Medigap plan pays its part of the leftover balance. This can include deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments.

If you have more than one type of coverage, things can become slightly more complicated. For example, if you still have insurance through an employer or a union, Medicare will usually decide which plan pays first and which pays second. Even then, Medigap usually stays in the role of filling the gaps.

For people who are generally healthy and rarely visit the doctor, a Medigap plan may not seem necessary. But for someone who has regular doctor visits, ongoing treatments, or frequent hospital stays, Medigap can really help. It can take away the stress of unpredictable bills and give you peace of mind knowing that most costs are already taken care of.

If you have more questions, you can always reach out to your local Supplemental Medicare agency in Boone Grove, Indiana.

Looking for a Supplemental Medicare Agency in Boone Grove, Indiana?

Are you ready to get in touch with a Supplemental Medicare agency in Boone Grove, Indiana that can help you understand your options? If so, Senior Care Insurance Services is here for you. We work with top-rated Medigap insurance companies and will help you select the best plan for your health needs and financial situation. Contact us today.