First Step to Choosing a Medicare Supplement
Insurance Plan When You Turn 65
You will receive a Medicare card approximately three months before your 65th birthday. This card is Red, White and Blue and it’s called Original Medicare both part A and Part B. Medicare Part A is for your hospitalization and Medicare Part B is for your doctors or outpatient services.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits or you choose to retire early and are receiving benefits from Social Security, chances are you are already in the Medicare system. If you haven’t received your Medicare Card within two months of your 65th birthday you may want to contact your local Social Security office.
Medicare Part A and Part B will start automatically the 1st day of the month you turn 65 or if your birthday is on the first day of the month you turn 65, your Medicare benefits will start the previous month on the first day. The example would be your birthday is 7/5/1948 your Medicare benefits would start 7/1/2013, if your birthday was 7/1/1948 your Medicare benefits would start 6/1/2013.
I Received My Original Medicare Part A and Part B,
Now What?
Most insurance companies allow you to apply up to six months in advance of your 65th birthday. This means that you don’t necessarily need to wait until you have your Medicare card in your possession to apply for a Medicare Supplement plan. The benefit of signing up as early as six months is that you can guarantee your initial rate for the first year.
Medicare Supplement Plans
There can be a big difference in what insurance companies charge for the exact same Medicare Supplement plan. The Federal Government regulates all of the Medicare plans across the country. What does this mean? Well, the first thing to remember is that there are ten standardized Medicare Supplement plans letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N. These are standardized Medicare Supplement plans that work with your Original Medicare Part A and Part B.
The Federal Government has actually helped the consumer in making sure that they are getting a fair comparison when shopping for a Medicare Supplement. The Plan F with Mutual of Omaha, for example, will have the same benefits that AARP plan F offers. No difference, just price! So when shopping for a Medicare Supplement you should keep these things in mind:
- How long has the Insurance Company been in business?
- What is their history of rate increases?
- Make sure you research the Medicare plans available in your area
Protect Yourself From Potentially Hefty Medical Expenses By Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Guaranteed Renewable
No worries of reduced benefits or cancelled coverage for the life of the policy, as long as the premiums are paid on time.
Portable Coverage
You are not restricted to use a network of health care providers. If you move, your coverage goes with you.
12 Month Rate Guarantee
Most companies offer a 12 month rate guarantee as long as the premiums are paid on time.
Freedom to Choose Your Doctors
You control and choose the physicians or health care providers whom you trust with your care. Not from a preset list.
Benefits Stay The Same
You always know what your benefits are with this standardized plan… No surprises or re-evaluations year after year.
30 Day Free Look
Return any policy for any reason within 30 days after the receipt for a full refund of all premiums paid.
Choose The Medicare Supplement Plan That's Right For You
| Medicare Pays | Medicare Supplement plans pay | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | Plan D | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N | Plan K | Plan L | Plan M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Part A: Inpatient Hospital Care |
||||||||||||
| First 60 days | All but $1,340 | $1,340 Part A deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | 50% | |
| Coinsurance 61-90 | All but $335 a day | $335 a day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coinsurance 91-150 | All but $670 a day | $670 a day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| After day 150 up to an additional 365 days in your lifetime | Nothing | 100% of eligible expenses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blood benefit | All but first 3 pints | First 3 pints | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
|
Skilled Nursing Facility Care |
||||||||||||
| First 20 days | 100% | Nothing | ||||||||||
| Coinsurance 21-100 days | All but $167.50 a day | Up to $167.50 a day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ||
|
Part B: Physician Services and Supplies |
||||||||||||
| Yearly deductible | Nothing | $183 | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Coninsurance | Generally 80% | Generally 20% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓*2 | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
| Blood benefit | All but first 3 pints | First 3 pints | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Excess charges | Nothing | 100% of eligible expenses | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
|
Other Benefits |
||||||||||||
| Emergency Care outside the U.S. (Foreign travel) | Nothing | 80% of eligible expenses up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000 after a $250 yearly deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Hospice benefits | All but very limited copayment/coinsurance for outpatient drugs and inpatient respite care | Medicare copayment/coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
- Some plans may not be available in your state
- Plan N pays the balance of the part B coinsurance except for up to a $20 copayment per office visit and up to a $50 copayment per emergency room visit.
- K plan has $5,240 out of pocket Limit
- L Plan has $2,620 out of pocket Limit
Medicare Advantage: Too Good To Be True?
Get answers to your questions by reading
Medicare Rights Center “Too Good to be True:
The Fine Print in Medicare Private Health Plan Benefits”