Medicare Advantage Plans & Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans & Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Medigap Cost

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As individuals approach the age where they qualify for medicare, they begin to wonder about . Medigap is a supplement policy that pays for the portion of medical bills that medicare itself doesn't cover. As with so many things of an insurance nature, delivering an exact budgeted amount for this supplement is difficult. Consider some of the factors that have an effect on this monthly or yearly expenditure.

According to Weiss Ratings, the for the most popular supplemental coverage is $1,813 yearly for a woman who is 65 years old. Plan F is the plan of choice for many retirees. Age does make a difference in the coverage cost in addition to where a person lives.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Ratings Explained

Medigap insurance policies are rated in three different ways. The first is issue-age rated, which means that the is dependent on the age at issuance, and the amount will not increase as the covered individual gets older. There is no assurance, though, that the cost will not go up due to inflation or other factors.

Community rated means that there is no consideration of age, and every new member who insures under this kind of policy pays the same amount. Of course, the insurance company has the right to adjust all premiums based on inflation and other factors.

The third rating is called attained-age rating. When a person obtains a policy of this type, the cost is based on his or her age on the policy's start date. As the covered individual ages, premiums increase. The of a new policy of this type might be substantially lower than under the other two ratings in the beginning, but it stands to become very expensive if the person lives for many years.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Price Comparisons

There can be significant price differences for the same coverage from one insurance company to another. Shopping prices for the lowest monthly premiums involves two important parts.

The first part is being sure what type of coverage is being quoted. Although there are rules, some variations may exist from one insurer to the next. The second part is the rating structure in which the premiums are based.

Other factors also determine what insurance coverage will cost, much the same as with standard insurance policies. Non-smokers get better rates than those who smoke. Females pay lower premiums for their than males do. Married couples receive lower premium rates than single individuals. Anyone who allows the insurance company to withdraw the funds automatically from their bank account each month gets a reduction in cost, too.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Deductibles

Deductibles make a big difference in the cost of any insurance plan, and they may be effective on a yearly basis as well as per occurrence. A separate deductible is charged for foreign emergencies when the insured is out of the country.

Medigap Insurance Policies - Open Enrollment

When initially obtaining a policy for Medigap, it is important to do it during the open enrollment period or during the time of the guaranteed-issue right. The premium for the supplemental insurance cannot be varied during these times based on health status. Two states, New York and Connecticut, have continuous open enrollment programs.

The best advice for anyone concerned about and looking for medigap coverage is to shop around and compare prices. This could save you a large sum of money over the years. The rates are not government imposed, so there is competition with the insurance companies and you can find many to choose from on the internet.

Our website has a world of up to date information concerning medigap and medicare. You should visit to stay well informed on this important subject. http://www.medigapcost.com

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