%20policy%20is%20the%20coverage%20you%20buy%20to%20help%20cover%20the%20gaps%20in%20your%20Original%20Medicare%20insurance.%20Only%20you%20can%20decide%20if%20a%20Medigap%20policy%20is%20the%20way%20for%20you%20to%20supplement%20your%20Medicare%20coverage%20and%20which%20Medigap%20policy%20to%20choose.%20Be%20sure%20to%20compare%20available%20Medigap%20policies%20to%20see%20which%20one%20meets%20your%20needs,%20suggests%20Alan%20Weinstock,%20insurance...){kind=link}
How To Choose A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan
A Medigap (also known as Medicare supplement insurance ) policy is the coverage you buy to help cover the gaps in your Original Medicare insurance
. Only you can decide if a Medigap policy is the way for you to supplement your Medicare coverage and which Medigap policy to choose.Be sure to compare available Medigap policies to see which one meets your needs, suggests Alan Weinstock, insurance broker at http://www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com. And keep in mind that not all insurance companies offer all of the Medigap policies currently available. Plus different insurance companies may charge different amounts for exactly the same Medigap policy. With all this being said, where do you start?
Finding the Right Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan for You
Medigap premiums vary by insurer, area of the country and benefit package selected. To find out which insurance companies sell Medicare supplement insurance in your state, you can:
Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free assistance and a Medigap rate comparison shopping guide
Visit www.medicare.gov and select Compare Health Plans and Medigap Policies in Your Area
Find a good insurance broker such as the people at http://www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com who offer assistance to Medicare beneficiaries in the state of California
If you conduct the research yourself, plan on speaking to more than one insurance company. Otherwise a good insurance broker can provide you the important details about various carriers and their Medigap plans. Youll want to find out about things such as a companys financial strength, whether they are licensed to provide insurance in the state and whether they use medical underwriting.
Steps You Need to Take to Get the Medigap Coverage You Want
Once you have chosen the insurance company and Medicare supplement insurance policy that is right for you, youll need to actually submit your application and payment.
Youll want to request a clearly worded summary of your Medigap policy, recommends Weinstock. Once you receive it, read it carefully to make sure you understand it and be sure to ask questions.
Make sure to specify when you want your Medicare supplement insurance to become effective (usually the first of the month after you apply) and that you get your policy within thirty (30) days. If it doesnt arrive, contact your insurance company or broker. If it still hasnt arrived after sixty (60) days, call your State Insurance Department.
Finally, keep in mind that you only need one Medigap insurance policy. It is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a second policy unless you are cancelling your current policy. However, dont cancel just yet. Be sure to get the new one in place before cancelling your old Medigap policy. You have a thirty-day free-look period beginning the day you get your new Medigap policy to decide if you want to keep it.
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