Medicare Supplements 101: What you Need to Know about Original Medicare First

Written By: Richard Cantu on February 2, 2010 No Comment

When it comes to obtaining a Medicare supplement, there are numerous things that you need to understand. However, the main thing that you need to comprehend is Original Medicare itself and how it works before you can become involved in getting your own Medicare supplement policy.

Medicare started in 1965 as a government-sponsored healthcare program for seniors over age 65 and those who are disabled under certain circumstances. The policies are administered and regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS.

Anyone who has reached age 65 and is eligible for social security or railroad benefits can get Medicare, as can anyone who is disabled and has been on social security or railroad benefit plans for more than two years.

Additionally, people who have end-stage renal disease and require dialysis meet the requirements for Medicare if they qualify for social security. The objective of Medicare is to behave as health insurance for individuals who need it. The coverage is the same for all, and includes two parts:

Medicare Part A covers hospitalization expenses, home health care and hospice care.

Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, surgical services, diagnostic testing, therapies of certain kinds, medical supplies and equipment, ambulance services, and some preventative care.

However, since these insurance programs are all uniform, some people miss out on critical services that they need because they aren’t covered.

Enter the Medicare supplement. When a person has a Medicare plan of healthcare and it doesn’t cover all their medical needs, he or she will likely seek out the coverage that they need in other places. However, those who are retired or disabled are generally living on a fixed income, which makes it hard to afford the insurance and/or medical services that they need.

Often known as Medigap, this is a government-regulated supplement plan that can be obtained by anyone with Medicare insurance to cover the expenses that aren’t covered by their Medicare plan. There are different plans to pick from, and each one has different benefits and coverage types.

It is easy to consult with many resources online or an actual Medicare supplement insurance agent to figure out which plans are best for your specific needs. The supplement works by paying the leftover expenses that Medicare didn’t cover for any health services that you need performed.

It doesn’t matter how much or how little supplemental coverage you will need, because there is something for practically everyone. Once you understand Medicare and what it is lacking, you’ll be able to then go on the hunt for a Medicare supplement that should complete the puzzle.

Learn more about Medicare supplements. Stop by Richard Cantu’s site where you can find out all about Medigap and what it can do for you.