Livingston Reporting - page 323

When looking into health insurance of any kind the rules, regulations and stipulations often make it so that every word on the policy seems foreign and a bit sketchy.  The policy is never laid on it terms that one without industry knowledge would completely understand.  Words such as co-payment, deductible, family allowance, preventative vs. routine care often times add confusion in really understanding what is being offered.  Health Insurance in general is difficult to understand and often leads us to believe we are being manipulated let alone getting into the next generation of health insurance, Medicare.  How is one to determine exactly what is being offered and to finally settle upon a policy that best fits the need with Medicare and Medigap supplemental insurance policies?

One way to gain information on recent updates and current information on Medicare and Medigap is online.  Although the internet is a terrific source of information people often find that they would like to speak with someone to make sure what they understand is exactly what is meant.  Many companies will offer information online along with a telephone number to speak with advisors who will offer guidance into the technical aspects of what is being offered.

This is especially important when it comes to Medicare Supplemental Insurance aka: Medigap Supplemental Insurance. Many insurance companies offer supplemental insurance plans for Medicare.  The one thing to remember is that with all Medicare and Medigap policies the coverage will be the exact same no matter where it is purchased.  The prices will vary due to the company sponsoring the plan.  When you purchase Medicare supplemental insurance plan g or Medicare supple insurance plan n the coverage at one company will be the exact same as another.  The difference will be the cost of the policy and this can be varied do to the level of service offered.

The great thing about many online companies is that they offer clients to compare Medicare supplemental insurance rates and plans offered by multiple insurance companies without offering up any personal information.  These same sites often offer the chance to buy Medigap supplemental insurance through them acting as a facilitator in getting you the best supplemental insurance rate and coverage to fit your exact need.  They offer online support as well as assistance free help over the phone.  Advisors that are up to date on all topics related to Medicare will assist you in obtaining the right coverage for your need at a desirable price.

Medigap Plan G, Plan F and Plan N are currently the most popular option amongst Medicare recipients.  When considering a plan that will work for your situation it is important to look at everything that is covered by the plan and as well as what is not covered. We will take a look into just one of the many Medicare supplemental plans, plan N.

Medigap supplemental insurance plan N offers one feature that many people find incredibly important in their Medicare Health Coverage; it covers the twenty percent of the doctor and hospital bills left over from traditional Medicare coverage.  The twenty percent that is covered has no limit and is often astronomical when talking about major illness or injury.  Take for instance a one hundred thousand dollar procedure.  Medicare traditionally covers eighty thousand and the recipient is left to cover the other twenty percent on his or her own. Medigap supplemental insurance plan N would be one of the many Medigap plans that cover this extra expense.  In addition plan N covers the part A yearly deductible.

However plan N does not cover the Medicare plan B deductible.  It also uses a method known as cost-sharing when handling doctor’s office visits.  This would that you either pay twenty percent or twenty dollars whichever is less when going in for an office visit.  With this plan there is also an additional out of pocket co-pay due for emergency room visits.

With any plan the options will need to be weighed.  The benefits and drawbacks should be looked at with a cost analysis to determine what scenarios are most likely to occur in your life.  Medicare supplemental insurance plans are enough different that a plan should be a best fit for your Medicare health insurance needs.

The one consistent thing about Medicare is that it is constantly changing.  The changes can be in the benefits coverage you receive with Medicare Plan A and Plan B, it can be with the rates for Medicare coverage, the deadlines for when you can sign up or switch plans.  Finding Medicare coverage that fits perfectly for your lifestyle can be a hassle in itself let alone dealing with the constants changes associated with it.  For most situations it is ideal to work with a trusted, private Medicare insurance group.  They will keep you a breast of changes and work with you to completely understand your current circumstances and changing needs.  This can not only save you time and frustration but can also help save you from purchasing coverage that doesn’t make sense for your need which in turn saves you valuable funds.

There are many changes for the 2012 calendar year with Medicare.  One change is the enrollment period of when you become eligible to enroll for drug and health plan benefits.  Another change is the period in which you can eliminate your Medicare Advantage choice and enroll instead in plain Medicare.  The new rules state that any change made to the plan will then take effect the first of the following month.

Another major change in Medicare started in 2011 and will continue into 2012.  This change involves preventative services.  This would include such things as pap smears, flu shots and other services classified as preventative.   Major expense that have previously been a patient responsibility that are now considered within the preventative category are tests such as colonoscopies, prostate screens, diabetes tests as well as bone density testing.  Even annual wellness exams are covered.  Remember however that your doctors and hospital services are still your responsibility unless you have purchased a separate Medicare Supplemental Insurance plan to cover such expenses.

Medicare Advantage has included changes to their “managed care” plan as well.  The good news is that you now qualify for extra protections from the increased out of pocket costs for certain treatments than your fellow standard Medicare participants.  The major areas in which this is seen are the areas of chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and nursing provided within the skilled care area. It is also important to know that the Medicare Advantage plan recently also set a maximum annual out of pocket expense for all outpatient and hospitalization services.

Prescription coverage has also changed.  Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage will also include some much needed relief to the pocket book. If you regularly take prescription medicine you will see a decrease in your out of pocket expenses.

Another cool change that is effect in 2012 is when participants are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid.  If placed in a long term care facility, long term services within the home or nursing home, you will no longer be required to pay any prescription drug co-payments.

Changes with in Medicare are certain.  Medicare offers many Americans health care coverage as they turn 65 which help to decrease the number of elderly citizens living without health care benefits.  Figuring out how the changes affect your individual circumstance can often be tricky.  Confusion can be eliminated with the help of professionals who are knowledgeable with the twist and turns involved inside Medicare, inevitable leading to more bang for your health care buck.