Houston, TX medicare supplemental insurance can help you cover things that your main insurance plan does not. Sometimes your Original Medicare plan does not quite cover everything you may need. Medicare insurance is great, but it does not always come through for us where we need it the most. Sometimes we need a bit more financial support for certain medical costs. For that, Golden Plan Choice has a Houston, TX medicare supplemental insurance plan that is perfect for these types of situations. Medicare Supplement is also sometimes referred to as Medigap. A Medicare Supplement plan can not only take care of services and prescriptions, but it can also help pay for co0payments.
What is Medicare
Medicare is a plan to help people who are sixty-five years or older get affordable health care. Additionally, Medicare is also available for those who are younger than sixty-five and meet certain requirements.
The basics of Medicare is it splits into a few different parts. You have Part A, which is known as Hospital Insurance. This part covers inpatient hospital visits, hospice care, and more. Part B covers services performed by doctors, outpatient care, and sometimes even preventative services. Part B may also provide for medical supplies. Part D is optional but most certainly available. Part D covers prescription drugs. While Part D may not be able to cover the entirety of the medicine depending on the cost, it will make the cost more manageable with Part D.
What is Houston, TX Medicare Supplemental Insurance
If you are not familiar with Medicare Supplement, it is an additional plan that you can add to your Orginal Medicare insurance plan. Medicare Supplement can fill in gaps that your original insurance plan does not cover. For instance, if you need help with copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, Medicare, or Medigap, can cover these remaining costs and help take off some of the financial responsibility.
However, due to some recent changes in the last few years, there need to be some clarifications about what this particular plan addition can and cannot cover.
For those who are new to Medicare, Medigap can no longer cover the Part B deductible. Consequently, Plans C and F are no longer available to people who are new to Medicare since January 1, 2020. Those who signed up for Medicare before this time frame but have not enrolled for it can still be eligible to purchase these plans. Those who have already purchased these plans before the date can still keep their plans.
What You Need to Know About Medigap
One fact about Medicare Supplement is that it can cover you when if you travel outside the United States. If you enjoy traveling or travel for business, you still want to make sure you have health coverage. Sickness and injuries can happen at any time and anywhere. Your Medicare plan can help pay for the Medicare-approved amount of health care costs. Then Medigap will pay for its portion.
In order to qualify for Medigap, you must be enrolled in Medical Parts A, and B. Part A covers hospitalizations, while Part B covers doctor visits.
When you sign up for the Medigap policy, you pay an additional monthly premium on top of what you are paying for your original plan. Medigap plans can only cover one person at a time. If you and your spouse would like to sign up for Medigap, you would both have to pay a separate premium. You will be guaranteed to renew your policy regardless of your health status. So long as you continue paying the premium, you will not be kicked off of your insurance plan.
For prescription drugs, plans that were purchased after January 1, 2020, will not cover your drug costs. In order to be covered for drug costs, you can purchase a Perscription Drug Plan or Part D. If you have questions about what premiums you are responsible for, feel free to speak with one of our representatives at Golden Plan Choice. They will be more than happy to assist you in any way possible.
What Medigap Does Not Cover
Like many other plans, Medigap does not cover everything. For instance, if you or someone you know who is looking into Medigap and stays at a long-term health facility, those costs will not be covered. These places can include nursing homes and other non-skilled care facilities. Likewise, private-duty nursing may also not be covered.
Medigap will not cover vision or dental services. However, Golden Plan Choice has great dental and vision plans. Feel free to ask for assistance if you need coverage in these areas. Additionally, because Medigap does not cover vision, this also means eyeglasses will not be covered.
Plans That are Not Medigap Plans
Perhaps you have a government insurance plan and are wondering if your plan is a Medigap plan. For those that have Medicare Advantage Plans such as an HMO, PPO, or a Private-Fee-for-Service-Plan are not considered Medigap Plans. Employer or union plans to include Federal Employees Health Benefits Program are also not considered Medigap plans. Other plans that are not Medigap plans include:
- Tricare
- Medicaid, Veterans’ Benefits
- Long-term care insurance policies
- Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban Health plans
Before You Drop Your Plan, Give Us a Call First
If there is ever a time you feel you need to drop or switch your plan, be sure to call us and speak to us about it first. Sometimes there could be a fee. There are certain times when you can switch and cancel plans. Canceling and enrolling outside of these set time periods could end up costing you a fee.
When you call Golden Plan Choice, we can speak with you about enrollment periods and when the best time to drop your coverage is if you feel that is right for you. We would hate for you to have to spend unnecessary money. Therefore, it is important to contact a specialist.
Fun Facts for Houston, TX
- Houston has many pro sports teams in basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and more.
- Westheimer Road has over 3,500 places to eat.
- Buffalo Bayou is 53 miles long.