2018 Best Medicare Supplement Plans WNY

Medicare supplement insurance is private health insurance that helps pay for health expenses (copayments, coinsurance and deductibles) that are not covered by Original Medicare.
It fills in the gaps of Medicare coverage and saves patients from potentially high bills and excess charges.
While Medicare provides good protection for basic health care costs, it does not cover 100% of your medical expenses.
After you meet your Part B deductible ($183 in 2017), Medicare will pay for 80% of Medicare-approved health care expenses.
As the patient, you will be responsible for paying the remaining 20%, which is where having a Medigap policy can help.
A Medigap policy supplements the gap in coverage left by Medicare and protects you against the risk of potentially high medical bills.
When you have Original Medicare Parts A and B, you have an unlimited 20% coinsurance and a couple of deductibles and large hospital copays.
Medigap or Medicare Supplements cover all or most of those gaps for you. Thy still allow you to use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
Plans f and g are the most popular.

What is the Difference in Medigap and Medicare Advantage?

These are the two very important, and distinct, options you have when you go on Medicare.
Medigap plans supplement Medicare, whereas Medicare Advantage plans take the place of Medicare.
Medicare Advantage is a “privatized” version of Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans have lower premiums in exchange for a lower level of coverage and more restrictions (i.e. networks, annual plan changes, pre-approvals, etc).
You have to be approved to get a Medigap plan if you are not in your initial open enrollment period or a valid “guaranteed issue” period.
This makes your initial selection important, as you can be stuck in an Advantage plan, unable to qualify for a Medigap plan if you have pre-existing conditions.

Medicare will only cover 80% of your medical costs.
It also has deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance that you’re responsible for.
Medicare Supplements can cover these extra costs as well as include additional benefits & coverage.
It’s smart to educate yourself on all the different plans available before you decide.

Need a Medicare Supplement Quote Online in Western New York?

Call 716-565-1300