Medicare Supplements Made Easy Network Updated on May 17, 2012

Medicare Gap Insurance

Turning 65 is not always such a bad thing.

If you've worked forty quarters and are a US citizen, you are eligible for what's referred to as Medicare. Medicare is a government-run health insurance program for citizens 65 and older. The concept is that Medicare will cover 80% of all costs pertaining to doctors and hospitals, leaving you with the remaining 20% to cover. Of course, 20% may not seem like too much to cover, especially if you've never had any major health issues. However, Medicare leaves you exposed to more than just the 20%, and when you consider major procedures, such as open heart surgery, rounding out at roughly $100,000.00, 20% can be financially devestating.

Now that we know Medicare leaves you responsibiity for the remaining 20% that Medicare doesn't cover, let's go over the other gaps it leaves you exposed to. If you take a look at your red,white, and blue Medicare card, you will see that you have both Part A and Part B. Part A, or your hospital coverage, leaves you with an $1100.00 deductible for every 60 days you enter the hosptial. With an unfortunate medical condition, you could potentially see that $1100.00 mulitple times a year. That's a pretty penny. Furthermore, Part B, or your doctor coverage, leaves you with an $162.5 annual deductible. As you can see, making sure you have the best medicare gap insurance is extremely important.

As far as ways to cover the costs Medicare leaves you exposed to, there is only one good decision- purchasing a Medicare gap insurance policy. Medicare gap insurance is designed to pick up most, if not everything, Medicare leaves you exposed to. Medicare gap insurance does not require a network, allowing you to go anywhere in the US, and also does not require referrals, giving you free reign. There are several different letter plans available to choose from.

The most popular Medicare gap insurance policy is referred to as Plan F. Plan F, which requires an affordable monthly premium, covers absolutely everything, leaving you with no copays and no deductibles. The only cost you're responsbile for is your monthly premium. Plan N is another popular Medicare gap insurance policy. Under a lower monthly premium than Plan F, the only copays you are responsible for are $20 to see your doctors, $50 for emergency room, and you must fulfill the Part B deductible of $155 annually. Another popular Medicare gap insurance policy is Plan D. Plan D's monthly premium is in between Plan N and Plan F, and is identical to Plan F except you must fulfill the Part B annual deductible of $155. Choosing any three of those Medicare gap insurance plans will put you in an ideal spot to sheild against high medical costs.

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