Pasadena, TX Medicare Supplement plans are becoming more and more important to Americans above the age of 65. Medicine has come a long way over the past decade, especially in terms of advanced treatments and procedures. However, when it comes to helping patients avoid the hefty medical bills associated with major illnesses, insurance has not kept up with the innovations and rapidly increasing costs of health care. The government helps with its public health insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid.
The Medicare program offers health care coverage for those 65 or older. The program is available to every legal resident or citizen that’s lived within the United States for at least five years. You also must have been paying Medicare taxes for ten ongoing years. Once those two items are crossed off, you’ll be automatically eligible for Medicare by your 65th birthday.
Of course, what Original Medicare offers you in terms of coverage may not be enough. That’s why private insurance companies, like Golden Plan Choice, also offer additional plans. These plans can work with your Medicare insurance and better enhance it to suit your needs. Call Golden Plan Choice to speak with one of the agents today and hear more about how we can help.
The Medicare Program
Medicare insurance is a health insurance program available to people who are 65 years of age or older. Of course, there are some exceptions. Those younger than 65 with certain disabilities may enroll early as well.
As mentioned before, there are certain conditions that you need to meet before you become eligible. However, once you meet those conditions, you can enroll in the program as early as three months before your 65th birthday.
So, what does the Medicare program include in its coverage? The program splits its provisions into three different parts: Part A, Part B, and Part D.
- Part A – Hospital Insurance
Part A covers the fees you accrue during a hospital visit and those relating to it. Specifically, it covers inpatient care, nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care. Every Medicare plan has Part A in it because it comes to you free when you enroll. There are no extra payments you need to make once you enroll in the program for this part.
- Part B – Medical Insurance
This part of Original Medicare covers your basic medical expenses. It helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, or hospital beds), and various preventive services (screenings, vaccines, and checkups). When you select Part B as part of your Medicare plan, you’ll need to pay a monthly premium. That’s why Part B is optional.
- Part D – Drug Coverage
Unlike the other two parts, Part D isn’t an option when enrolling in Medicare. It’s an additional Part that insurance agencies offer that you can add to your Medicare plan. It helps cover the cost of medicine and prescription drugs, including shots and vaccines.
Introducing Pasadena, TX Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement insurance plans are insurance policies that help people pay for some of the costs that Medicare does not cover. They fill in the “gaps” that Original Medicare has. Also called “Medigap,” private insurance companies offer these Medigap plans to add to your Original Medicare plan.
So, what does Medigap cover exactly? It helps pay for the extra health care costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some plans also offer services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like health care when traveling outside the U.S.
Because Medigap comes from a private insurance company, you’ll need to pay a different monthly premium in addition to your Original Medicare payments. Medigap plans also only cover one person, so your spouse will need their own plan if you choose to get one.
How do you know you qualify for a Medigap plan? Each plan has its own specific conditions. However, the first condition is to have both Part A and Part B of Original Medicare. After that, you’ll need to speak with your insurance provider to see which specific Pasadena TX Medicare supplement plans you qualify for.
The Difference Between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans
When shopping around for additional plans to add to your Original Medicare plan, you may come across “Medicare Advantage” plans. Although they sound similar to Medigap plans, there is a fundamental difference between them.
Of course, private insurance agencies offer both types of plans. Each one follows the strict guidelines that the Medicare program sets. However, Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to the original Medicare program. On the other hand, Medigap is an addition to the original Medicare program.
Medicare Advantage plans offer all of the same benefits as original Medicare and usually include additional benefits like vision and dental coverage. Depending on the plan, it may also include a drug plan.
Medigap covers the portions that Original Medicare Parts A and B don’t. You can’t have a Medigap plan at the same time as a Medicare Advantage plan.
Contact Golden Plan Choice
Medicare is one of the public health insurance programs in the United States of America. It offers health care coverage for those aged 65 years or older. It helps cover hospital and general medical expenses for citizens and legal residents. However, your typical Medicare plan may not offer the coverage you need.
That’s why private insurance companies, like Golden Plan Choice, offer additional plans. One option is Medicare Supplement plans. Also called Medigap, these plans cover costs that Original Medicare doesn’t. Golden Plan Choice offers various Medigap plans that can help with your copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
We have over 15 years of experience and can help you navigate the different Medigap plans that are available to you. If you need help enrolling in a program or want more information before you choose, we can answer your questions. Call us or visit our location today to learn more about buying health insurance. If you’re looking for Pasadena, TX Medicare supplement plans for your Medicare coverage, call Golden Plan Choice today.
Pasadena, Texas Fun Facts:
- The city has the largest Volunteer Fire Department in the U.S.
- It has several museums, such as the Bay Area Museum and Armand Bayou Nature Center.
- Pasadena was officially incorporated in 1928 after canceling in 1923.
- For more fun facts, visit the city’s official page.