Medigap
Policies are additional health insurance that you buy from a private
company to pay for expenses that Medicare does not pay for. This
includes co-payments, deductibles, and health care if you travel
outside of the U.S. You pay a monthly premium for these policies.
Should
you get a Medigap policy? If you have Medicaid it is probably not
necessary. Otherwise, depending on how much medical services you
use, it is usually a good idea if you can afford it.
If
you have Medicare Part C, a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are not
eligible for a Medigap policy.
There
are many different kinds of Medigap Policies. The following link can
help you choose a policy.
If
you are going to buy a Medigap plan, the open enrollment period is
six months from the first day of the month of your 65th birthday --
as long as you are also signed up for Medicare Part B, or within six
months of signing up for Medicare Part B. During this time, you can
buy any Medigap policy at the same price a person in good health
pays. If you try to buy a Medigap policy outside this window, there
is no guarantee that you'll be able to get coverage. If you do get
covered, your rates might be higher.
For
more information, see the following link:
.
