Medicare Supplement Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will Medicare supplement plan F be discontinued?

Yes, as of 2020. People will no longer be able to purchase a Supplement Plan F. Those who are on F prior to 2020 will be grandfathered in. A good substitute for Plan F is a Medicare supplement plan G, which has identical benefits with the exception of how the Medicare part B deductible gets paid.

2. Will Medicare supplement pay for nursing home?

As long as medicare is paying something towards the cost, the supplement will pick up the remaining portion. A Medicare Supplement strictly supplements Medicare A and B. So if Medicare is not paying anything the supplement won’t pay anything.

3. How much will Medicare Supplement cost me?

Rates vary by age, state, and zip code. Contact us for the most current rates.

4. Can Medicare supplement plans deny coverage?

During open enrolment which is the 1st six months from the time you take your medicare part B you cannot be denied coverage, after open enrollment you can be denied coverage.

5. Can Medicare Supplement plans be changed?

Yes, you can change everyday if you like. However if you are out of an open enrollment period, you will have to answer medical questions to change coverage.

6. When can Medicare Supplement plans be purchased?

When you have Medicare part A and B for the first time. Typically when you reach age 65, however if you take medicare early you may be able to get a supplement under the age of 65.

7. Can I change Medicare Supplement plans anytime?

Yes you are able to change Medicare Supplement plans at anytime, but if you are out of the open enrollment period you have to answer medical questions to be able to change.

8. Can you deduct Medicare Supplement premiums?

Please consult your tax advisor.

9. Can employer pay Medicare Supplement premiums?

If they want to, some do. Sometimes it is in the form of a reimbursement.

10. Can Medicaid supplement Medicare?

Some people are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and the 2 would work together.

11. What Medicare Supplement plans include silver sneakers?

There are only a few insurance carriers that offer the silver sneakers plan with a supplement. Contact us for more information.

12. What Medicare Supplement plan is the best?

The most popular plan is Plan G.

13. What Medicare Supplement covers dental?

No Medicare Supplement policies cover dental due to the fact that Medicare Supplement policies simply supplement Medicare A and B. Medicare A and B do not provide dental coverage, you have to get a stand alone dental policy.

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental and vision, however a Medicare Advantage Plan is not a supplement.

14. What Medicare Supplement plans are available?

Typically Plan F, high deductible Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N – with Plan G being the most popular.

15. What Medicare Supplement do i need?

The most popular plan is Medicare Supplement Plan G. We look at every available insurance carrier in your area that offers a Medicare Supplement plan to help you find the best rate.

16. What Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed issue?

There is open enrollment and there is guaranteed issue. Guaranteed issue is if your losing group health insurance coverage involuntarily. If you are losing group health insurance coverage involuntarily you may qualify for guaranteed issue. For example: you are 67 years old, you have Medicare A and B along with group health insurance. Your employer decides to no longer offer group health insurance and terminates your coverage. You then have a guaranteed issue period to take a Medicare Supplement with no questions asked.

17. What Medicare Supplement covers everything?

Medicare supplement plan F and plan G supplement your original Medicare so that when Medicare pays an expense the supplement picks up the difference. The difference between plan F and plan G is how the Medicare plan part B deductible gets paid. In an F plan the insurance company will pay the insurance deductible for you whether you use if or not. You still pay for it by paying higher premiums. In a G plan you pay the deductible yourself if and only when you have to use it. By paying the deductible yourself in a G plan you save more money over plan F.

18. What Medicare Supplement plans cover hearing aids?

None.

19. What Medicare Supplement cover prescriptions?

None. You have to get a stand alone part D prescription drug plan.

20. Which Medicare Supplement plan is most popular?

Plan G

21. What is Medicare Supplement plan f?

It used to be considered the Cadillac of Medicare supplement plans. However because they are taking it away in 2020, plan G has become the most popular option.

22. What are Medicare Supplement plans?

They supplement your original Medicare part A and B, so when Medicare pays an expense the supplement picks up the difference.

23. What is Medicare Supplement plan g?

Plan G supplements Medicare part A and B, so that when Medicare pays an expanse Plan G picks up the difference except for the Medicare part B annual deductible which will be $185 in 2019.

24. What do Medicare Supplement plans cover?

They supplement Medicare parts A and B. When Medicare pays an expense they pick up the difference. If Medicare does not pay an expense they won’t pick up anything.

25. Which Medicare Supplement plan covers the most?

Plan F and G.

26. Which Medicare Supplement cover acupuncture?

Currently original Medicare does not cover acupuncture, as it is not considered medically necessary. So a Medicare supplement policy will not cover acupuncture. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover acupuncture.

27. Who has the best Medicare Supplement plan?

Plans are standardized by the Government, so one carrier can’t offer a different core benefit than another. We advise people to look at the rating of the company and price.

28. Why Medicare Supplement vs medicare advantage?

Medicare supplement policies allow you to go anywhere Medicare is accepted and have very little out of pocket costs when you have to use the plan. Medicare Advantage typically requires you to see a doctor in a network and charges co-pays every time you have to use the coverage.

29. When is Medicare Supplement open enrollment?

When you take Medicare part B for the first time. You generally have 6 months from that time to enroll without having to answer any medical questions.

30. When to change Medicare Supplement plans?

You generally you want to do a plan review every year to make sure you still have the best rate you qualify for.

31. When is a Medicare Supplement guaranteed issue?

When you lose a group health insurance policy involuntarily.

32. How do Medicare Supplement plans work?

When Medicare pays an expense the supplement pays the difference.

33. How many Medicare Supplement plans are there?

There are many standardized Medicare Supplement plans, the most popular are Plan G and Plan N.

34. How to compare Medicare Supplement plans?

Contact us to do a full plan review.

35. How to find Medicare Supplement plans?

Talk to one of our licensed agents in your area to review all of the options available to you.

36. Are Medicare Supplement plans HMO or PPO?

No

37. Are Medicare Supplement plans portable?

Yes

38. Are Medicare Supplement plans guaranteed renewable?

Yes as long as you are paying your premiums.

39. Are Medicare Supplement plans the same as Medigap plans?

Yes

40. Are Medicare Supplement plans medically underwritten?

Outside of open enrollment or guaranteed issue, yes.

41. Can Medicare Supplement plans deny coverage?

Yes outside of open enrollment. If you have to answer medical questions and are dishonest on the application, coverages can be rescinded at a later date if it was proven that the question(s) was answered incorrectly.