Once you’re eligible for Medicare, you may also want to look into the Houston TX Medicare supplement plans you qualify for. Health insurance covers part of your medical expenses, saving you from paying for everything out-of-pocket. And the United States has a government insurance program that provides medical insurance for those 65 or older or with certain disabilities. This program is Medicare.
Golden Plan Choice offers the perfect Houston TX Medicare Supplement Plans for you.
Medicare is for citizens or legal residents that have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. You must also have paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years to be eligible for Medicare. It provides coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other medical services. Typically, you can start enrolling in your Medicare plans three months before your 65th birthday.
There are several parts to Medicare. Some parts come with your plan once you enroll. Other parts are optional since you’ll have to pay more for them. And a few other options and additions to your typical Medicare plan are available through private insurance agencies.
Not only can Golden Plan Choice walk you through the enrollment process, but we also offer some additional options. You may qualify for additional Medicare options, such as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements. To find out more, contact one of Golden Plan Choice’s insurance agents today.
Medicare In a Nutshell
The Medicare program is split into three different parts. These parts have easy-to-remember names: Parts A, B, and D. Each cover different types of health insurance.
- Part A – Hospital Insurance
This part of Medicare covers the costs of your hospital visits. It helps with inpatient care, nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. Part A comes free to you, so long as you enroll and pay Medicare taxes for at least ten years.
- Part B – Medical Insurance
Medicare Part B is an alternative to your typical medical coverage. It helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers. It also helps with outpatient care, home health care, medical equipment (such as wheelchairs or walkers), and preventative services (such as vaccines or screenings). This part is optional to you when you enroll because you need to pay a monthly premium for it.
- Part D – Drug Coverage
Part D helps cover the costs of prescription drugs and recommended shots and vaccines. Unlike the other original Medicare parts, Part D is an additional part that you can opt-in for through a private insurance company.
We offer plans that can help you afford prescription drugs.
Houston TX Medicare Supplement Plans
Unfortunately, Medicare plans don’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance plans come in. Also called “Medigap,” these plans cover the gaps in your typical Medicare plan. These gaps include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Like Medicare’s Part D, you can find available Medigap plans with a private insurance company. There are a variety of Medigap plans. Each one has its own ways to qualify. You can call us today to see which Medigap plans are available to you.
There are a few things to note when looking at Medigap plans.
- You must have both Medicare Parts A and B.
- Medigap can only supplement your current Medicare plan. It is not the same as a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Medigap monthly payments go to the insurance company that provides the gap coverage to you. These payments are in addition to the Medicare premiums for Part B.
- Medigap plans only cover one person.
- You’ll keep your Medigap policy so long as you keep paying the premium.
- After 2020, Medigap and drug coverage plans are separate.
- You cannot have a Medigap plan if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan.
The Difference Between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans
As you may have noticed, Medicare Advantage plans and Houston TX Medicare supplement plans are two separate entities. Although both plans offer similar coverage, they are different in essence.
Medigap covers the portions that original Medicare does not. In essence, you can see it as an extension of Original Medicare. It covers portions the Original doesn’t but also doesn’t add on any extra benefits.
On the other hand, Medicare Advantage serves as a bundle plan that puts Parts A, B, and D together. Another name for Medicare Advantage is Part C. Unlike Medigap, it does offer a few extra services that Original Medicare plans don’t have.
Most Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage and benefits that Original Medicare does not. For example, some offer coverage for fitness programs, vision, hearing, and dental services. Depending on the plan you decide on, some may even cover transportation fees for hospital visits and prescription drugs. Some even offer services that focus on specific conditions, which you’ll need to check with your insurance provider to see if you qualify.
Buying a Medigap Plan
Golden Plan Choice has over 15 years of experience in the insurance field.
Although both Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans are additional or a different way of packaging Medicare, you can’t get them through the typical Medicare program. Private insurance companies sell both types of plans.
Golden Plan Choice offers both Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. We follow the guidelines that Medicare sets for all of our plans. If you want to know more about Medigap plans that’ll better supplement your Medicare coverage, call us today.
There are several different plans available. Each one has its own parameters and ways to qualify. We can help you through the process so that you can find the best Medicare Supplement plan for you.
Contact Golden Plan Choice
The Medicare program offers health care for everyone older than 65 in the United States. Everyone who has been a resident for at least five ongoing years and has paid Medicare taxes for ten years can enroll in it. Its main parts cover hospital visits and general medical expenses. However, that might not be enough for some.
With over 15 years of experience, Golden Plan Choice knows the ins and outs of what’s covered by Medicare. That’s why we also offer various Medigap plans that’ll help you cover health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t. We also have other health insurance options, such as Obamacare plans or Medicare Advantage. Call us or visit our location today to hear about how we can help you get the Houston TX Medicare supplement plans you need.
Houston, Texas Fun Facts:
- Houston is the 4th most populous city in the U.S.
- There are over 400 events that happen every year.
- The city has four sports teams: the Rockets, Astros, Texans, and Dynamos.
- For more fun facts, visit the city’s official page.