TX Medicare - Supplemental Insurance Plans (Medigap)
Today there are over 24 million people living in the Lone Star State. Close to the national average, over 10 percent of Texans are 65 years of age or older. If you are already a Texas senior or will be joining this group soon then enter your zip code above to compare Medicare Insurance plans, premiums and benefits that are appropriate for you. Medicare enrollment materials and kits are available in the Enrollment section. Consult with a Medicare Supplemental Advisor for answers to any questions you may have.
When to Enroll in a TX Medicare - Supplemental Insurance Plan
If you are turning 65 soon, you need to be covered under Original Medicare Part A and Part B to receive a Medicare Supplement Insurance Policy in Texas. You qualify for Part A, Hospital, when you or your spouse has worked for 40 quarters (ten years). Part B, Doctors, is provided to you at a monthly cost that increases for those in higher incomes. If you are already receiving social security payments when you turn 65, then you should be automatically enrolled into Part A and Part B. It’s ok to call to confirm with Social Security. If you will not be receiving social security payments when you turn 65, then you may want to call to make sure you are going to be enrolled into Part A and Part B soon. If you have not received anything in the mail then call Social Security for information at 1-800-772-1213. As long as you are eligible, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B up to three months before and three months after your 65th birth month.
You are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Supplemental plan six months before your 65th birth month. During this enrollment period, you can not be denied coverage and will not have to answer any health questions. Although you will not receive your policy until you are covered under Medicare Part A and Part B, some insurers will still allow you to complete your application and the insurer will lock your rate for not only the six months before your Part B effective date, but also the twelve months after your effective date. For most of us, your Part B effective date is the 1st of the month in which you were born. For those born on the 1st of the month, then your Part B effective date is moved up to the 1st of the previous month. Contact a Medicare Supplemental Advisor at (800) 590-3570 for more information on these and other important Medicare Enrollment dates.
TX Medicare Supplemental Insurance policies do not work with any other type of health insurance, including Medicare Advantage Plans, employer/union group Medicare coverage, Veterans Administration benefits, or TRICARE.
Texas Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan Comparisons
Texas seniors are eligible to compare Medicare premiums and switch their current TX Medicare Supplement plan to a new TX Medicare Supplement plan at any time during the year. As long as you can answer the health questions then getting approved into a new plan is a way to reduce your premiums. Every year, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans choose not to renew their existing Medicare contracts. If your TX Medicare Advantage Plan provider sent you a non-renewal notice this year, then that notice will serve you to enroll into a TX Medicare Supplement plan without having to answer health questions. Contact an Advisor for other conditions that are important to understand for your benefit.
TX Medicare Excess Charges
Several states have mandated that Medicare providers are not able to charge more than what Medicare allows. That means that for those providers that accept Medicare cannot charge Excess Charges. The states include Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. In all other states, providers are able to bill up to 15% of what Medicare Allows directly to the Medicare Beneficiary (you). Medicare Supplement Insurance policyholders with Plans F and Plan G have coverage for Part B Excess Charges.
Texas Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Standardization and Modernization
In 1990, the Medicare Supplement Plans were standardized into 15 plans labeled Plan A through Plan L. Then in June of 2010, the Medicare Supplement Plans were “Modernized” to streamline under utilized benefits. Today, there are 10 plans labeled Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M and Plan N. All benefits have been standardized according to the plan letter. So even if you live in a different county or state, Plan F in Houston, TX, has the same benefits as Plan F in Dallas, TX. Plan F is standardized across all states. Also the Texas Mutual of Omaha Plan F has the same benefits as the Texas AARP United HealthCare Plan F. A key differentiator is the premium that each company charges for their Plan F. Talk to a Medicare Supplemental Advisor to discuss other important factors in selecting a health care company. Other providers of Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans include AARP, Mutual of Omaha, Gerber Life, United HealthCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Assured Life, New Era Life and Genworth.
TX Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
One of the differences in a TX Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan and a TX Medicare Advantage Plan is that Part D Enrollment into a credible coverage prescription plan is not included with Medicare Supplemental Plan. While some Texas Medicare Advantage Plans have Part D Prescription Drug coverage included, Texas Medicare Supplemental Plans do not. And even though you do not take prescription medicine, you may want to pick up a low cost Part D plan in order to have availability to lower cost prescription drugs when you need them. And, by enrolling in a Part D Plan when you are eligible, you will avoid penalties for not having a plan in the future. Please call Medicare Supplemental Advisors for more information on this subject.
One of the benefits of have a separate Part D Prescription Drug Plan in Texas is to have the ability to calculate and compare the different drug formularies that have the lowest possible cost per year based on your generic and/or brand name drugs that are specific to you. Not just the formulary that comes with a TX Medicare Advantage Plan. With a separate Part D plan, we can review your plan every year during the annual open enrollment period and determine which plan best for you and your current formulary. Contact us or complete the form in Part D with your prescription name and dose per day to get a list of approved Part D companies that best meet your prescription requirements. As part of our service to you, we will be happy to help you find a plan tailored to cover your prescription drug formulary.
Medicare Supplemental Advisors.com is an informational website. Please consult with a Licensed Medicare Supplemental Advisor in order to confirm your selection of the best plan and rates. Medicare Supplemental Advisors is an independent agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the United States Government or with the Federal Medicare Program.