Closing the Gap: Understanding Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare, with all its intricacies and options, can often feel like a complex puzzle to solve. Understanding the ins and outs of Medicare is crucial to ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage.

At times, it can be challenging to navigate this system without leaving potential gaps in your coverage. With the right information and education in place, you can make informed decisions that will safeguard your health and financial well-being empowering you to close the gaps and secure the peace of mind you deserve.

Medicare is a vital federal health insurance program designed for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. It consists of different parts that cover specific services, but it's important to understand that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't cover all expenses. Gaps in coverage can leave you vulnerable to unexpected medical costs.

Enter Supplemental Insurance:

Medicare supplemental insurance, also known as Medigap, fills in the gaps left by Original Medicare. It is offered by private insurance companies and helps cover expenses such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. By having a comprehensive understanding of supplemental insurance options, you can protect yourself from potential financial burdens and ensure access to the healthcare services you need.*

Closing the Gaps with Medigap Plans:

Medigap plans are standardized and labeled with letters from A to N, each offering different levels of coverage. Here are some key aspects to consider when exploring Medigap plans:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Medigap plans are designed to work alongside Original Medicare and provide additional coverage for services not covered by Parts A and B. This can include costs like hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and even some medical services received while traveling abroad.
• Freedom to Choose: With Medigap plans, you have the freedom to choose any healthcare provider who accepts Medicare. There are no restrictive networks, allowing you to see the doctors and specialists of your choice without referrals.
• Guaranteed Renewability: As long as you pay your premiums, Medigap plans are guaranteed renewable, meaning you can keep your coverage year after year, regardless of any health conditions you may develop.
• Comparing Plans: While the basic benefits of each Medigap plan are standardized, costs can vary. It's important to compare plans carefully, considering factors such as premiums, deductibles, and coverage limits to find the plan that aligns with your healthcare needs and budget.

Avoiding Gaps, Securing Peace of Mind

Understanding Medicare supplemental insurance is essential to avoid potential gaps in coverage and unexpected expenses. By exploring Medigap plans, you can customize your coverage to suit your specific healthcare requirements and financial goals. Closing these gaps will provide peace of mind, knowing that you're protected from the uncertainties of medical costs.

Medicare can be a challenging landscape to navigate, but with a solid understanding of supplemental insurance options, you can ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid potential gaps. At OneDigital Advanced Health, we're dedicated to simplifying the complexities of Medicare and guiding you toward making informed decisions.

Ready to enroll? Contact a member of the OneDigital Advanced Health Team to understand your options and begin the enrollment process.

*Note: Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare can no longer cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F are no longer available to people new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. However, if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled, you may be able to buy one of these plans that cover the Part B deductible (Plan C or F). If you already have or were covered by Plan C or F (or the Plan F high deductible version) before January 1, 2020, you can keep your plan.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.