Medicare supplement plans are intended to fill in the gaps left by regular Medicare coverage. These plans have been around for a while but only recently have come into wide-spread use by many seniors. Medicare Supplement Plans can be tailored to fit any patient’s particular medical needs, and can often provide the same or better quality of care than regular Medicare does. In order to find a good Medicare supplement plan, you will need to talk with both Medicare itself as well as with an independent Medicare supplement insurance company.
Medicare supplement plans cover services that Medicare doesn’t pay for. These are not part of the basic Medicare program. They can be tailored to meet the special needs of your particular situation, and are designed to help make Medicare easier to afford for the senior you are. Medicare supplement plans fill in the “gaps” left by Medicare coverage and can be purchased by the individual rather than through an insurance company. Medicare doesn’t cover everything, so there are plenty of things that Medicare supplement plans can cover. Many times, this is done through a Medicare Part D provider, though some plans are sold as independent specialty plans.
Medicare supplement plans are not regulated by federal law. Each state is responsible for deciding their own rules and regulations regarding them, so it is important to be aware of the laws in your state before making a selection. Most states have rules that require insurance companies to sell Medicare supplement plans to people ages 19 and older, but there are no legal restrictions on how the plans themselves may be sold. It is wise to talk with both a Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B insurance company and a Medicare supplement specialist before making a selection.