Supplemental Medicare Insurance
 

Okay...so I've been on medicare now for about 7 months. I think I probably need a supplemental policy to cover the expenses that Medicare doesn't cover. I think it's 20% of whatever is left over.

I looked online and found one that didn't cost anything (no monthly premium)! It was Humana Gold and it had a link where you could sign up online. I tried but after I had entered all my info it told me I wasn't eligible to join. :mad:

Has anyone here gotten supplemental insurance in addition to their Medicare coverage? I have no other insurance except Medicare and need something to cover what Medicare doesn't.

I have a Plan F . . . it is not particularly cheap but picks up all co-pays and deductibles. During years I have surgery or major medical testing it is a godsend. I could not handle the 20% on all my specialist's visits. Between my "medigap" plan and my Part D (Rx) plan, I probably pay an additional $250 a month over my Medicare premium. I have too many systems that could blow up not to have good coverage . . . at least for as long as I can afford it!

Wow....$250 a month in addition to what Medicare costs? :eek: There's no way I could afford that. I don't go to the doctor that much. Just my every-6-month visit to the Neuro and my twice a year to my PCP for my blood to be checked for my thyroid meds. But, I know that could change. Especially as I get older.

Kelly - I chose one of the Advantage plans. But, I am also on Medicaid which picks up what my Medicare plan doesn't. I don't have to pay any premiums other than the Medicare premium.

I did find several of the plans required one to be retirement age. I am not. Also, some of them said for disabled but when I checked it was only for certain disabilities. That may be why you were ineligible.

I think it was the timing of my application. I think there is a window of time that you have to obtain a supplemental policy during the year. I think I may have missed it this year.

yes, my mother learned there is a trick to getting your app in. Try during the first week of the month. Re apply as often as you need.

Many places offer decent fees, and many places offer huge fees. Keep plugging away. :hug:

I have Anthem Medicare Advsantage, premium is $14/month. It works for me because most of my charges are medicine alone. I have an MRI this week so I'll see how much it covers on it. I was very quickly in and out of the gap. My Mom had the same plan and it was terrible for her because a lot of her charges were doctor visits and lab work. She was never in the gap. So this year she chose Mecicare N. It worked because it picked up all those xray, doctor, etc. it also picked up nursing home days after Medicare 21 days. But the premiu was $119/month. It's just what you particular needs are. What workds for one may not work for another.

Kitty you have to be 65 or older to get a supplemental plan. I tried when I lost my Union ins. I had Medicare as second back then. I got a Medicare Advantage plan. It is only good in in the state I live in. Other states are paid but out of network.

If the plan has no premium, it usually has high co-pays to see a Dr. My PCP is $15.00, but all my specialists are $35.00 a visit. I have about 10 specialists. Eeek!

When I turn 65 I will get a supplementary plan to add to my Medicare disability plan.

What always bothered me was you have to wait 2 years to get Medicare Ins. when you become disabled and are under 65. What do they think? That you don't need medicine and doctors just because you are disabled?

Yes, you missed it. You should have applied when you did the Medicare. Open enrollment starts in the fall. DH has Humana Gold, and is quite pleased with it. No co pay for PCP, specalist is $25, MRI is $50. He hasn't needed hospital so I don't know how that works.

When I am old enough for Medicare in 3 years, I will get the same plan, with a rider to cover my diabetes.

His doc requires that if he travels out of this area to let the office know, and to leave a phone # of where he will be.

Even if you're Medicare eligible because of a disability? I had no idea you had to be 65 in order to qualify. :eek: I've got 15 years to wait, then! :rolleyes: