Now let’s compare Medigap Plan A’s coverage to Medigap Plan F’s.
Plan F coverage includes all the Plan A benefits plus skilled nursing care, Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles, Part B excess, and medical costs incurred during foreign travel.
Because it covers all the high-risk gaps left by Original Medicare, Plan F has proven to be a great tool for seniors who wisely budget their annual healthcare costs. This plan’s comprehensive coverage is designed to leave you with no out-of-pocket expense for Medicare-approved services, although there is a high-deductible Plan F option available at a lower premium.
Go figure …
Because private insurance companies are free to set their own pricing policies for Medicare supplement insurance plans, there are actually cases where one company will sell you Medigap Plan A for a higher price than another company will charge for the much more comprehensive Plan F. Especially when you add all the other Medigap plan options to the mix, it becomes obvious that you have to bear down for some serious comparison shopping before you commit to any particular Medicare insurance plan.
The same goes for Medicare Advantage or any other healthcare options you’re considering. Probably the easiest way to begin serious coverage and pricing comparison is by visiting MedicareMall’s Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medicare Plan Quotefinder. The quotefinder will allow you to compare coverage provided by various Medigap, Medicare Part C, and Medicare Part D plans. You’ll also be able to compare what various companies will charge you for the options available in your area—all in a matter of minutes.
Of course, MedicareMall is the leader when it comes to shopping the market for the best coverage at the best price. If you need help finding out what distinguishes one healthcare plan from another, 1-877-413-1556 is the number to call!
5. Carefully consider any further choices you may benefit from.
Don’t overlook other areas of your health. Your vision and the condition of your eyes can tell a lot about the overall state of your health, so you ought to consider enrolling in a senior vision plan. Senior hearing and dental plans also provide important benefits not normally covered by Medicare or Medicare supplement plans. Be sure to weigh all your options in light of your priorities and budgetary considerations, but a little too much coverage—if such a thing exists—is definitely better than too little coverage. Remember that peace of mind is priceless.
6. Stay informed and up-to-date.
Read every bit of correspondence or literature Medicare and your insurance company send you. Keep up on any changes in your coverage and costs, and be aware of any new covered services you may benefit from.
One way to keep up-to-date on any changes in Medicare from year to year is to read the latest edition of Medicare & You when it comes out each fall. As the official US government Medicare handbook, Medicare & You provides an excellent overview of the entire Medicare program including the most current information available on enrollment, Medicare choices, coverage, payment responsibilities, and government programs designed to help pay certain costs. It’s important to keep up on any changes in Medicare that may affect you, and Medicare & You is one of the best resources available to help you do that.
7. Take full advantage of Medicare preventive care services.
Be sure not to miss any of your annual “wellness” visits, which can begin 12 months after your initial “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. Each “wellness” visit focuses on developing or updating your personalized plan to prevent disease based on your current health and risk factors. Even if your only coverage is Original Medicare, you pay nothing for your yearly “wellness” visit if your health care provider accepts assignment.
Medicare preventive services include a variety of tests and screenings, and you’re well advised to take advantage of any preventive services that you qualify for and your doctor recommends. Regular checkups and diagnostic procedures are the key to detecting many health concerns in their earliest stages, when the prognosis and chances for a full recovery are best, and you shouldn’t forget that Medicare preventive services have helped save many lives.
If you follow these seven tips, you’re very likely to make Medicare work for you. But here’s one more tip you can’t go wrong following: To get the best advice about all your Medicare options, give MedicareMall a call today!
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Seven Tips to Make Medicare Work for You© 2013 MedicareMall.com