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. I've got 15 years to wait, then!

That's for a Supplementary plan to add to Medicare that you have to be 65 years old even if disabled like us.

You can get other plans that are called Advantage plans (I believe). But just be careful. Some are for 50 years and up with no medical exam. Check with your state, each one is different. Each plan is different. Sign up times vary.

Do you have plan A and B on your Medicare card, that makes a difference too. It drove me bonkers.

Get the Medicare books, and read all you can on what's available in your state. Go to the Medicare dot gov site. Read there too. Some people say Medicare alone is good enough, I don't know. Maybe others on here live in your state and know the rules and what is available.

Once you are on Medicare you qualify for all of the Plans. Medicare is Medicare, there are not distinctions. The Enrollment period for Medicare has been Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 each year, this is changing this year. In 2011 for the 2012 year it will be Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. The disenrollment period is Jan. 1 to Feb. 14 during which you can go back to original Medicare, you can not go to a different plan until the end of the year.

I am 59 when I got my first Medicare Advantage plan. You have to be on SSD for a certain amount of months before you can get on Medicare.

It is my understanding that if you are on Medicare due to disability, you are eligible for a Medigap (supplemental) plan or a Part C (Advantage plan) regardless of your age.

If you are on Medicare due to disability, the 65 age requirement is waived.

There are time frames that must be observed but being under 65 is not an impediment to getting coverage to help pay for what traditional Medicare does not cover.

Choices of various Advantage plans vary from location to location.

Supplemental plans can be pricey for people under 65 but on Medicare due to disability.

As another poster mentioned, the best option differs from person to person.

It takes a lot of research into the various options to know what will work best for YOU.

Good luck on finding what will best suit your needs. Advantage plans are either free or cheaper than supplemental plans prior to age 65. Both are available to people on Medicare.

Oh, one more thing,........ there are some exceptions to the enrollment periods. You "MAY" be able to enroll outside of the stated enrollment periods under certain circumstances. Check it out. May get you some help NOW.

Oh, one more comment. There are some exceptions to the stated enrollment periods under certain circumstances. You "MAY" be eligible to get help NOW.