Medicare Supplements are a popular add-on to Medicare coverage. Seeing what they’re for, what they cover, and what the options are can influence if they are right for you.
Purpose
Medicare Supplement plans are not insurance plans in and of themselves. They are individual policies issued by private carriers designed to help you save more on medical expenses
For example, if you go to the hospital, you pay a deductible and coinsurance (if staying beyond 60 days). Here is how a Medicare Supplement can save you:
- Part A deductible – Normally, when you’re first admitted as an inpatient, your coverage doesn’t start until you’ve paid $1,632 per benefit period. Six Medicare Supplement plans cover this entirely (B, C, D, F, G and N).
- Hospital coinsurance - you pay this if you stay in the hospital for longer than 60 days. From days 61-90, you pay $371 per day. If you were to stay every day during this span of time, a Medicare Supplement plan can save you up to $10,759. If you stay an additional 60 days where the daily coinsurance is $742, you spare yourself the extra $44,520.
The plans
There are 10 Medicare Supplement plans that offer a range of coverage. These plans are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.
Supplement plan A offers the most basic coverage, paying all remaining costs for expenses such as Part A coinsurance for hospital stays, first three pints of blood, Part B coinsurance or copayment, and hospice coinsurance or copayment. Plan F is the most extensive of all plans because it covers everything.
Not all plans are available to those new to Medicare. Plans C and F are only available to those who turned 65 prior to January 1, 2020. Supplement plans cannot cover Part B deductibles anymore. For someone wanting the closest option, Plan G may be the closest alternative.
When Medicare Supplements may be a good choice
Medicare Supplements are not your only choice when it comes to taking your Medicare coverage the extra mile. Medicare Advantage and Medicaid are alternatives, and while they might be the ideal policies for some, Medicare Supplements may work even better for others.
One may choose a Medicare Supplement plan over Medicare Advantage for these reasons:
Medicare Supplements can be used in any healthcare facility that accepts Medicare. You can get this supplemental coverage in any part of the U.S.. Your coverage isn’t limited to a small network in your area
You prioritize greater savings on out-of-pocket costs over coverage for extra services you may not need
Medicare Contact
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We’ll take care of the rest
At Heritage First, we want you to experience lower out-of-pocket costs by helping you find a Medicare Supplement plan. This process can begin today by calling us at 816-931-0375 or scheduling an appointment with us on our site.
Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Heritage First. Heritage First is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. The AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Heritage First are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. AEWM and Heritage First are not affiliated companies.
Any and all other services related to Medicare are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by AE Wealth Management, LLC.
