Will you lose your Medicare and supplemental insurance if you do not enroll in the Medicare Advantage plan?

An Essential Guide to Medicare Supplemental Insurance?

In the United States, there are many Medicare beneficiaries who find themselves in need of Medicare supplemental insurance to cover certain health care needs that are not adequately covered by Medicare. Also known as Medigap, these private forms of health insurance are considered essential for many citizens who depend upon Medicare, particular those who happen to have serious preexisting conditions. Medicare supplemental insurance currently plays a very important role in the health care industry. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 20% of current Medicare beneficiaries are now paying for some form of Medicare supplemental insurance. Here is an inside look at the world of Medigap that can help you figure out what kind of Medicare supplemental insurance is right for you. In order to enroll in a true Medigap program, it is necessary for an individual to qualify for Medicare assistance. Just like any health insurance program, there is a period of open enrollment for Medicare supplemental insurance that a citizen needs to take advantage of. In the case of Medicare supplemental insurance, an individual needs to apply for a Medicare supplemental insurance plan within six months of becoming eligible for Medicare. For most citizens of the United States, this means that a person needs to find the right Medigap program for him or her within six months of his or her 65th birthday. Thankfully, consumers can now rest assured that Medicare supplemental insurance plans have been approved by professional organizations. In order to be considered a Medicare supplement insurance plan, it is necessary for a provider to be approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services have organized Medicare supplement insurance plans into a dozen different categories that make finding the right Medigap plan for you easier than ever. It is important to shop around when it comes to approved Medicare supplement plans, as some Medigap plans can actually be more expensive that a full service health insurance plan. Nevertheless, there are some excellent Medicare supplemental insurance plans available provided that you are willing to put in the time and energy necessary to find the Medigap plan that you need.

Should you enroll in Medicare if your spouse has insurance?

yes

What are the options for voluntary benefits insurance that employees can choose to enroll in?

Voluntary benefits insurance options that employees can choose to enroll in include life insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and supplemental health insurance.

Should you enroll in Medicare Part B when you are still working and covered by employer health insurance?

Yes, because there will probably be a penalty for late enrollment, and your employer's health insurance will probably require you to enroll in Medicare.

Can you buy Medicare supplemental insurance if you have Medicare carve out coverage?

Please explain your question more thoroughly if my answer does not suffice. I am unsure of what you mean by Medicare Carve Out Coverage. You can buy a Medicare Supplement at any time once you have received your Medicare Part A and Part B. If you do not enroll within 6 months of your Part B effective date you would be subject to underwriting. You can not join a Medicare Supplement if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan as this is not allowed by Centers for Medicare. You would be required to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan prior to the Medicare Supplement effective date. If you had coverage through an employer, you would not need Medicare Supplement coverage as your employer coverage would be primary and then Medicare would be secondary for your out-of-pocket costs covered by Medicare.

Will Medicare pay for Kidney Dialysis?

absolutely! If you have stage IV Kidney disease, you cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, but FFS Medicare does cover dialysis.

Does an employee with existing group health insurance have to enroll into Medicare at age 65 buy a supplemental plan then drop the group health insurance?

You have a choice to stay in your employer's plan or join Medicare. When you do stop working and lose your group health plan, make sure you enroll in Medicare within 8 months. You could also enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital coverage), and postpone enrolling in Part B (physician coverage) until you are done with your group health plan. Part A does not cost you a monthly premium. You would be over-insured, but the Part A benefit is available to you at age 65, whether you have other coverage or not.

What are the voluntary insurance benefits offered by this company?

This company offers voluntary insurance benefits such as life insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental health insurance that employees can choose to enroll in.

Why can't you opt out of medicare if you already have your own insurance?

There is no law requiring one to enroll in Medicare. However, many private insurers require this.

Do you have to enroll in medicare when you turn 65 if i am covered on my wifes work insurance?

The law does not require enrollment in medicare. However, private insurance plans often contain a significant penalty for failing to do so.

How do you get a supplement insurance to Medicare when you are under 65?

If you are on Medicare due to disability or End Stage Renal Disease(is this the reason you have Medicare under age 65?), you will need to look into a Medicare Advantage Plan instead of a Medicare Supplement also called Medigap. This is what Medicare says: If you are a person with Medicare under age 65 and have a disability or ESRD, you might not be able to buy the Medigap (also called "Medicare Supplement Insurance") policy you want, or any Medigap policy, until you turn age 65. Federal law doesn't require insurance companies to sell Medigap policies to people under age 65. However, some states require Medigap insurance companies to sell you a Medigap policy, even if you are under age 65. For more info on Medicare Supplements: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/02110.pdf For more info on Medicare Advantage Plans: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf IMPORTANT NOTE: You must enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan before December 31, 2008 or you will need to wait until November 15, 2009 to enroll.

How would doctor know if you have Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

If you have Original Medicare only, then you would provide your doctor with a copy of your Original Medicare card so that he/she has the correct information to bill Medicare. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage with a private insurance company, they will issue you an ID card indicating the name of your plan and your ID number. You would no longer show your Original Medicare card to your doctor, but instead show him your Medicare Advantage ID Card. Medicare would have assigned the right to administer your benefits over to the private company and they would no longer process claims they might receive from your doctor. Your new ID card will provide information on where to bill for services rendered. Keep in mind that most Medicare Advantage Plans require you to use network doctors so you should make sure your doctor is within the network your looking to join before you enroll. Otherwise you would most likely be responsible for the entire bill.