If you are above the age of sixty-five, it means you are now eligible for a Medigap Plan. Medigap is also
known as a Medicare Supplements Plan.
A Medigap is an insurance health claim given by a private insurance company to pay medical costs that
are not covered by the original Insurance. Some health costs covered by Medigap are copayments,
deductibles, and coinsurance. However, Medigap does not cover long term health costs such as dental
surgery, vision care, hearing aids, and private duty nursing. Moreover, they do not cover health costs for
individuals who travel outside the US. You can read about Medigap here.
All About Medigap Plans
There are 10 standard Medigap plans, like the Medigap Plan G. They are labelled alphabetically, from A
to N. These plans are offered according to different levels of care. The same Medigap Plans are offered
in all US states. However, in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the Plans are standardized
differently.
It is good to note that, although the Plans are the same, they are offered by different private insurance
companies at different prices.
However, there are two plans necessary for an application to a Medigap. These are Medicare Parts A
and B. These plans are part of the Original Medicare Insurance.
Medicare Part A (Hospital) covers any Medicare received at a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, hospice
care, or at home. One is eligible for Part A if:
● You are over sixty-five
● You have worked for 49 quarters (automatic enrollment in Medicare Part A)
● If you are disabled and live with disability benefits
● You are retired and receiving retirement benefits
● You are suffering from certain diseases, such as end-stage renal disease(ESRD)and amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Moreover, if you have lived in the US for more than five years, you are definitely eligible for Medicare
Part A.
The enrollment for Medicare Plan A usually begins on January 1st and ends on March 31st. You will
receive your Medicare card three months before the coverage begins.
Medicare Part A coverage
There are a lot of benefits in Medicare part A Insurance. It will cover things critical for your health. This
includes services that are part of your inpatient treatment. Some of them include medications, nursing
services, and meals. However, it does not cover private room services, unless they are medically
necessary.
There are services and supplies offered by the Medicare part A insurance, such as:
● Mental health care
● Long terms care services
● Participation in a clinical research study
● Inpatient rehabilitation services
● Critical access to hospitals
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is also part of the Original medical coverage. It is used to cover medical supplies and
services necessary for treating your health condition.
If you have enrolled for Medicare Part A, then you are automatically eligible for Medicare Part B. This
means that the same requirements for Part A are needed for Part B.
Medicare Part B coverage.
Medicare Part B usually covers:
● Outpatient services
● Preventive services, such as the flu, hepatitis shots, cardiovascular screenings, cancer and
diabetes screenings
● Ambulance services
● Medical equipment
When to enrol for Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is not necessary. About 10% of beneficiaries of Medicare opt not to take Medicare part
B. It usually comes in a monthly premium.
It is good to note that, if you delay enrolling in Part B, then your premium will rise. This will especially
occur when you were eligible for Part B, and did not sign up. Then your premium could be 10% higher
for a 12 month period.
Part B premium is usually deducted from year to year, and, depending on the amount you have enrolled
for. However, if you receive Social Security benefits, it will be deducted automatically. But, if you do not,
then you will be sent a bill every three months.
Plans C, D, F, G, K, L, and N are used to pay for nursing facility care. On the other hand, only C, D, F, G,
and M are ones that are able help pay for medical emergencies outside the US. In addition, if there is an
excess of payments in Plans F and G, they can be rolled over to Medigap Plan B.
Plan F covers the most comprehensive array of benefits, though it is the most expensive Plan. The prices
are standardized according to the carrier. On the other hand, Plan C covers what Plan F covers, but
minus the charges.
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