For seniors living in the Delaware Valley, open
enrollment provides opportunities to apply for the best Medigap plans Philadelphia and New Jersey have to offer – as well as other coverage
under Medicare Advantage Plans. The ideal time to enroll in a supplement plan
is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is a six-month period
beginning when you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Still,
for some people, the first Medigap policy they choose doesn't turn out to be
the best for them. Therefore, applying for a new Medigap policy may make your
coverage even more efficient.
Medicare Parts A and B, often called Original
Medicare, offer beneficiaries proper protections for hospital and hospice care
(Part A) and medical and preventive care (Part B). However, Original Medicare
doesn't cover copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or premiums required to receive
services, such as skilled nursing facility coinsurance or Part B preventive
care coinsurance. As a result, many seniors add a Medicare Supplement plan to
their Original Medicare benefits.
Each Supplement Plan offers different benefits
and premiums. You become eligible for Medigap when you are both 65 or older and
enrolled in Part B. It is also the best time to enroll in a Medigap policy
because you have a guaranteed right to purchase a plan, even if you have a
pre-existing condition or any health issues. You may also not be charged more
for a policy than a person in your plan who is healthier.
However, sometimes you enroll in coverage and
later on decide it's not the one you wanted so you'd like to switch. Your
second Medigap plan might be even better for you in the long run.
Switching and re-enrolling in a different plan
is a big decision to make, and you need to consider various factors. Most
important is that the new plan you choose suits your needs and budget. It's a
significant decision that will affect you in the long run. But when done
carefully and for good reasons, you have little to lose and much to gain. It's always best to seek information and
ask questions. Independent insurance agencies who represent many carriers and
don't charge you fees are often excellent resources for information before you
make a significant decision about your coverage.
Comments
Post a Comment