If you rarely get sick and only see the doctor once a year, do you even need Medigap? It can seem unnecessary to spend money on extra insurance that you barely use. But you might not be seeing the full picture.

Below, this Medicare Supplement broker in Highland, Indiana is going to explain why it’s wise to enroll in a Medigap plan even when you are feeling healthy today.

Does Medicare cover everything you need?

Original Medicare (both Parts A and B) covers many basic health needs. It will pay for your inpatient hospital care, doctor visits, lab tests and preventive services. But it does not cover everything.

For example, Medicare does not cover long-term care in a nursing home or routine dental and vision care. There is also no yearly limit to how much you may have to pay out of your own pocket. If you need a major surgery or a long hospital stay, your share of the costs can get very expensive.

This is where Medigap can be useful. It covers those bills that Original Medicare does not fully pay for.

Can’t you just wait and get Medigap when you need it?

Many healthy people think that they can buy a Medigap plan whenever they need one. But Medigap works around timing.

When you first sign up for Medicare Part B, you get a one-time six-month Medigap Open Enrollment period. During this time, you can buy any Medigap plan you want, and insurance companies must accept you without asking any questions. But once that window closes, your application can be denied, or you could be charged more because of your health.

So, if you wait until after you get sick or injured to buy Medigap, you could miss your chance for easy and affordable coverage. Your local Medicare Supplement broker in Highland, Indiana can explain how this timeline works and help you make the right choice before the window closes.

If you are healthy, then what is the point of Medigap?

Many people think that Medigap is only for those who are always at the doctor’s office. But that is not the primary purpose of Medigap. Medigap is designed to protect people from the big and unexpected medical costs, not only routine doctor visits.

Medicare does not cover everything so the bills can increase quickly in a serious medical situation. A long hospital stay or surgery could leave you with thousands of dollars to pay on your own. Medigap can cover those costs, which means they won’t all fall on you.

Even if you are healthy today, life can change at any moment. You may not think about your Medigap plan when things are going well but you will be glad you have it when you need it.

What if you already have decent health coverage?

Some people already have good health benefits through a retiree plan, TRICARE, VA benefits or a plan from a past employer. If that is you, you may not need Medigap at all. But you should still know what your current plan covers and where it lacks.

Every health plan is different. Some plans let you visit almost any doctor while others restrict you to a specific network. Some plans have limits on the amount you will pay each year while others don’t. For example, if you have Original Medicare, you can visit almost any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare. But a Medicare Advantage plan can have limitations on which doctors and hospitals you can use.

If you’re trying to decide whether to stick with the plan you have now or switch to a new one, your local Medicare Supplement broker in Highland, Indiana can help you compare options. You don’t want to pay for more coverage than you need, especially if some of it overlaps.

Looking for a Medicare Supplement broker in Highland, Indiana?

If you have questions about Medigap, or if you just want to walk through your options with an expert, you can always talk to a Medicare Supplement broker in Highland, Indiana. At Senior Care Insurance Services (SCIS), our licensed agents are here to answer your questions and help you make a confident choice. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our agents.