Tag: Medigap F

Top 4 Questions to Ask about Medigap Insurance in TN

Before choosing a private insurance company and buy a Medigap insurance plan in Tennessee, there are some very important questions you should ask. The answers to those questions will help you a great deal when it comes to choosing the best Medigap insurance in TN, the best plan for yourself, and so on. Without much ado, here are some of those questions.

  1. What companies sell Medigap insurance in TN?

First, you must find out what private insurance companies offer Medigap insurance in Tennessee. The best place to find them is from the Department of Finance Services because here, they often maintain the most recent list of all the private insurance companies that are licensed to issue Medigap insurance policies. The list from the Department is the most trusted one.

Alternatively, you can ask your friends and colleagues who have signed up for Medigap insurance plans. You can also search online for the insurance companies near you.

  1. What Medicare Supplement insurance plans do companies offer?

Once you have the list, you can then contact each of them, compare the available options and the rates of insurance plans. This way, you will be in a position to make an informed decision. The total number of standardized plans is 12. Interestingly, not every private insurance company offers all these plans. However, all of them offer two basic plans – Plan A and Plan B. Have a list of all the companies offering the plans that provide the benefits you are interested in, and then do the comparison.

  1. Do I need a Medigap Policy if I already have Medicare Advantage Plan?

Formally known as Medicare + Choice, the Medicare Advantage plan covers everything that a Medigap policy could have covered. It fills all the gaps that are left by normal insurance cover. So, you don’t need to buy a Medigap insurance policy if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan. This is because advantage plans normally contract with Medicare to offer clients all benefits that Medicare provides. Additionally, it also offers vision coverage and other extra benefits.

  1. How much are Medigap Insurance premium?

The rates are not the same because a private insurance company will charge premium rates differently depending on the Medigap plan you sign up to. The rates also vary from company to company. Yes, the benefits that each Medigap plan offers are standardized. However, the premium rates that insurance companies charge for coverage under these plans are not the same.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans. To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

 

Qualifying For Medigap in Tennessee

If you are a Tennessee resident and are looking to qualify for a Medigap plan, then you will have to take into account a few different things. First of all, Medigap recipients must be enrolled in a Medicare program (Parts A and B) before signing up for Medigap. There two different Medicare programs available in Tennessee Medicare plan A and Medicare plan B. Additionally, in order to qualify for the Medigap supplemental insurance plan in Tennessee, patients must be 65 years of age or older.

Enrollment Period

It is advised that patients who are 65 or older sign up for Medigap during the six month enrollment period that is offered at the beginning of the month. The reason for this is because during this period, no medical underwriting is required. Patients who are 65 or older interested in Tennessee Medigap may still qualify for the supplemental insurance after the six month enrollment period is over. The problem is that after the period is over, medical underwriting might be required, which could put some patients at risk for paying a higher amount or even getting denied completely due to long withstanding medical issues that they currently have.

Coverage with Medigap

Some costs that Tennessee Medigap Supplemental Plans help with include travel expenses, cost-sharing expenses, and more. But, take note, Medigap plans in Tennessee do not cover prescription drug expenses. If you are looking for prescription drug coverage, it is strongly advised that you sign up for Medicare part D prescription drug plan. Some other costs that Medigap plans cover in Tennessee include:

  • First three pints of blood
  • Hospice care coinsurance or copayment
  • Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
  • Medicare part A deductible
  • Medicare part B deductible
  • Medicare part C deductible
  • Medicare part B excess charges
  • Medicare part B coinsurance or copayment

Comparing Rates

Now this all depends on what Tennessee Medigap plan you pick, as each plan has different levels of coverage. You can compare Tennessee Medigap plans with our chart. After you pick a plan you can enter in your zip code and compare rates.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Tennessee today.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

TENNESSEE MEDIGAP AND WHY I NEED IT

Medicare is a U.S. federal health insurance that covers certain health expenses for senior citizens and other qualifying members of the society. Since it doesn’t cover every aspect of health insurance, there is a need for supplements. TN Medigap is one of those supplements. Medigap covers expenses such as foreign health care bills that are not covered by Medicare. Medigap, however, differs from Medicare Advantage Plans.

For one to be eligible for Medicare, there must be a history of tax payment. Medicare comes in different plans. Medigap plans are only available for persons with Medicare plans A and B. In Tennessee, there are over 806,000 persons registered for Medicare Plan A and/or Plan B. This is according to data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2017.

Medigap Plans To Choose From

Medigap, just like Medicaid also comes in plans which include Plan Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. These plans come with specific coverage and make the payment out-of-pocket medical bills for senior citizens and persons with disabilities and others an easier process.

In Tennessee, all the ten standardized Medigap plans are available. The most popular Tennessee Medigap Policy is Plan F which has 161,323 enrolees as stated by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). This is distantly followed by Plans G, C, and N with 28,332, 17,876, 16,112, and 6,659 enrolees respectively. This data is according to an AHIP publication in 2015.

Issue- Age, Attained-Age, or Community

Medigap plans are either priced based in issue-age, attained-age or community. The premiums of attained-age rated plans increase as the insured gets older. For issue- age rated plans, increase in premiums may be as a result of inflation and other factors, but not age. However, the initial premium is based on age. Community-rated plans are offered at the same premium for everyone independent of age and other factors. Most of the plans in Tennessee are attained-age rated.

Medigap plans in Tennessee also include options for under 65s. The Kaiser Family Foundation states that all insurance companies must offer Medigap plans for persons being covered by Medicare plans under 65. This is, however, offered at a different premium rate. Please contact us for more details on this.

Medigap for Public and Education Sectors

In 2015 alone, 272,860 residents of Tennessee registered for a Medigap plan, according to AHIP. This is in the light The Tennessee Plan, a special Medigap plan that is state-sponsored and offered to retirees from the public and education sectors that have access to Medicare Part A. The Tennessee plan also has special benefits for those who spent at least 15 years in the public or education sector. These retirees get reduced premiums which have been extended to their spouses from 2015.

The different private insurance companies in Tennessee offer Medigap plans that vary in terms of premium, pricing and services covered.  And with the Tennessee plan, residents of TN get to enjoy better health care insurance service.

Learn more about Tennessee Medigap plans & rates at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans today.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

 

 

Tennessee State Medigap Facts

  • There are over 1.2 million residents receiving Medicare benefits in 2015 – That is 19% of the entire state population
  • 21% of beneficiaries that became eligible in 2013 were disabled
  • A little less than 1.0% of recipients that started receiving benefits in 2013 were diagnoses with End State Renal Disease (ESRD)

Choosing the Correct TN Medigap Insurance for Your Needs

When you are shopping for Tennessee Medigap Insurance rates & Plans it is critical that you get as many quotes as possible from as many companies as you can.  While there are only ten standardized policies across the board, companies will charge different rates for the same plans.  Also, know that plans offering lower monthly premiums have higher deductibles.

Choosing The Right Plan for You

In addition, you may pay more depending on where in Tennessee you reside as prices can vary from county to county. All ten of the plans offer different benefits and it is imperative that you select the one that will best fit your need.  If you spend a lot of time in the hospital and need to purchase a great deal on medical supplies, then you will benefit for a plan with a low deductible.

Shopping for Supplemental Insurance in Tennessee with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition

If you are shopping for Medigap plans in Tennessee and have a pre-existing condition you will want to familiarize yourself with each company’s guidelines regarding coverage of individuals who suffer from a pre-existing health problem.  Some companies require that beneficiaries wait six months until coverage for the condition can begin while others only require a two or three  month waiting period.  This waiting period can be avoided all together by enrolling in a Supplemental Insurance Plan during your open enrollment period, otherwise known as OEP.  This is the period between the first day of the month in which you turn sixty five and are enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B.  The time frame for your Open Enrollment Period, OEP, is six months.

 

Medicare can be confusing, we often joke at the office that you could have a whole college course on the subject. Jokes aside, if you need help we can recommend a plan that meets your requirements and save you money! Give us a call at 888-452-7949 or visit our website at emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.

 

How to Buy Medigap Insurance In Tennessee

Tennessee Medigap insurance can be a tricky subject, eMedigap plans is here to help you. In this blog we will give you the basic knowledge of Medigap without overwhelming you.

If you are looking to purchase Medigap insurance in the state of Tennessee, then you might want to take a few things into consideration. First of all, to qualify for Medigap supplemental insurance in Tennessee, you must be aged 65 or older. You must also already be enrolled in a medicare type A or type B plan. Medigap insurance is a supplemental insurance plan, which means it doesn’t stand alone. It must be purchased as an add-on to Medicare, not instead of a Medicare plan. Another factor is that Medigap insurance does not include prescription drug coverage, so if you are looking for prescription drug coverage, then you will need to obtain the medicare part D prescription drug plan. Some costs that Medigap insurance pays for includes copayments, deductibles, as well as additional out-of-pocket expenses related to medicare plan A or B.

Doing your Medigap Research

If you are looking to purchase the best Medigap supplemental insurance plan available in Tennessee, then it is best if you become very familiar with the Medigap plans that are available. There are many options for figuring this information out, and it starts with the internet. Do a general Google/Bing search for viable Medigap insurance plans in the state of Tennessee. Another option is to go to our website and visit our Tennessee Medigap plans page. We have a lot of information and we even have a free Medigap quote tool. After you have done your research on the different plans available for Medigap insurance, then it is best if you contact an experienced Medigap insurance agent at 888-452-7949. We will be able to direct you further as to the differences of each plan, and determine what the most optimal plan happens to be for you. It’s important for you to understand that prices vary from state to state and even from county to county.

 

Plan for your tomorrow with eMedigap Plans

One thing seniors have to worry about is who they give their information to, but not us! We are licensed insurance agents, dedicated to helping you save money. Call us and let us give you a free Medigap recommendation! We have been in the Medicare industry for over 14 years. You can reach us at 888-452-7949 or visit our website at www.eMedigap-Plans.com.

Medigap in Tennessee

Tennessee has several options for Medicare coverage, but they are different depending on the region of the state which you live in. In Tennessee, most insurance companies can only sell standardized Medigap policies. Most states do this because they like to have an easily regulated system. While each of the plans have its own merits and has stipulations that allow only some people to qualify, these stipulations and plans are consistent for all seniors throughout the United States. These policies are identified by letters. It is important to note that the pricing on each of these policies differs depending on your age and location. Medigap plan F offers a high-deductible option. The benefits in any Medigap plan A through N are the same for any insurance company.

Medicare advantage options from Health Spring, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, and Humana are good in areas of the state in which their network is strong. In particular in the metro areas, but in much of the state and for those who wish to limit their liability, Medigap insurance is the obvious choice.

A Medigap plan in Tennessee covers some of the costs not paid for by original Medicare (Part A and B). These costs might include copayments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Medigap plans do not include prescription drugs in their coverage. If you are interested in adding prescription drug coverage to your plan, you may want to consider enrolling in Medicare part D. This is a prescription drug plan. You can think of this as sort of a “add on plan”. Low-income beneficiaries may qualify for savings programs in the state of Tennessee. These programs offer discounts on some of the health expenses Medicare doesn’t cover.

Private insurance companies must have contracts with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Prescription drug plans. Depending on the terms of the contract between the plan and Medicare, not every plan is available statewide or in all service areas. Each year, the company must renew its contract, so the availability of a plan in a specific service area is subject to change. You will get to keep your plan until you decide to switch.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Tennessee today.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

 

Should I research Medigap before buying a policy in Tennessee?

As your open enrollment period begins in Tennessee you might receive a lot of attention to sign up for Medigap or more commonly known as Medicare Supplemental Insurance. If you are not sure when the open enrollment starts, it automatically starts the month you turn 65 and have both Medicare part A and part B. If you miss this enrollment period, you still might be able to get a plan, but it will cost you more money.

Researching Medigap, a key to finding the best plan!

We recommend you do your own research before you talk to someone about Medigap. That way you know a little bit about the topic and know what the agent is talking about. This also allows you to pick the right plan for you; of course you can also get the agents opinion. You can find a lot of great information on our blog and you’re more than welcome to contact one of our Tennessee agents at 888-452-7949.

Research all the Medigap plans

With 10 Tennessee plans to choose from you have some thinking to do. We get a lot of calls that ask what the most popular plans are and we would have to say Plan F and Plan G are the most popular plans. However, you might not need all the coverage and could save some money by going with a different plan. Here is a Medigap plan chart to visually help you.

I’ve researched online now what?

Once you have read about Medigap plans, we would suggest contacting one of our US based licensed agents. Our agents are free to talk to about Medigap, friendly and have a ton of experience with all the plans. If you want a ballpark price on one of the plans you can also fill out or free online quote tool. This tool allows you to compare plans based on price.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Tennessee today.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

Tennessee Medigap Can Ease Your Pain

Tennessee Medigap plans are available for those eligible for Social Security benefits, have turned the age of 65 and have enrolled in Original Medicare.  Medicare is insurance that is provided by the United States federal government to those who qualify.  Although Medicare pays a large portion of medical expenses, this medical insurance doesn’t pay 100% of the costs of medical services and supplies.

melton-lake-Tennessee

The remaining out of pocket costs left over is the responsibility of the insured.  This is known as a gap in coverage; the portion of medical expenses that Medicare does not pay.  Many of those who receive Social Security benefits and Medicare benefits may be on a fixed income so the reaming costs left over after Medicare pays what it allots can be a financial burden.  Private medical insurance providers recognized a need for a product that would benefit those enrolled in Medicare.

Tennessee Medigap Plans

Tennessee Medigap supplemental insurance plans provide some coverage for those out of pocket costs that Medicare doesn’t pay for including deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance.  Medigap does not pay Medicare Part B premiums that are required by Medicare.  Many participants may elect to have this premium deducted from their monthly Social Security benefits.  Private insurance companies must follow Federal and State laws for Medigap coverage.

The government has established certain criteria that these insurance companies must meet.  Every Medigap plans in the U.S. must cover certain basic expenses.  This legislation provides protection to Medicare recipients.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services have created ten letter plans of coverage that standardizes Medigap.  Each of these categories may offer a different combination of coverage’s but private insurance companies must adhere to the basic guidelines.

Tennessee Medigap Policies – Eligibility and Enrollment

To enroll in one of the Tennessee Medigap policies you must already be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.  Open enrollment is defined as the 6 month period of time that starts the first day of the month when a participant turns 65 and is enrolled in Medicare Part B.  During this time frame, those that apply for Medigap coverage cannot be denied due to previous health conditions and the costs for those with health problems cannot be inflated.  It is important to understand that Medigap is an individual policy meaning that married couples must each have their own individual plan.

Tennessee Medigap Insurance Rates

There are ten different lettered plans that a person can choose, Tennessee Medigap insurance rates from person to person can vary greatly. The rates will depend on the plan and company chosen to provide insurance provider.  Those who elect to have one of the TN Medigap policies will be billed directly from the private insurance company.  Those who elect to have one of the TN Medigap policies will be billed directly by the private insurance company.  This payment will go to the insurance company of choice not to the government.  Medigap is not a government sponsored coverage although it is regulated by the government.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  The Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers at eMedigap Plans will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Tennessee today.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

Tеnnеѕѕее Medigap Plаnѕ

Medigap plans in Tennessee are designed to help Medicare beneficiaries pay for costs associated with Original Medicare Part A and Part B which includes copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. When Tennessee residents turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B in the state of Tennessee there is a six month open enrollment period where a person cannot be denied for any Medigap plan. However, if a person has a pre-existing condition, a six month waiting period may be enforced. It is critical to enroll during this open enrollment period. Plan ahead! Open enrollment means a simpler enrollment process and potentially lower premiums.

There are ten Medigap plans available in Tennessee. Every plan offers basic benefits although some of these plans pay different percentages of these basic benefits.

Medicare Part A

  • Basic benefits

Medicare Part B

  • Basic benefits and Medicare Part A deductible

Medicare Plan C (Medicare Advantage Plan)

  • Basic benefits, skilled nursing, Medicare Part A and Part B deductible, foreign travel emergencies

Medicare Plan D

  • Basic benefits, skilled nursing, Medicare Part A deductible, foreign travel emergencies

Medigap Plan F and F Prime

  • Basic benefits, skilled nursing, Medicare Part A and Part B deductible, Medicare Part B excess at 100%, foreign travel emergency

Medigap Plan G

  • Basic benefits, skilled nursing, Medicare Part A deductible, Medicare Part B excess at 100%, foreign travel emergency

Medigap Plan K

  • Basic benefits at 50%, hospitalization and preventative care at 100%, skilled nursing at 50%, Medicare Part A deductible at 50%, out of pocket limit at $4,640

Medigap Plan L

  • Basic benefits at 75%, hospitalization and preventative care at 100%, skilled nursing at 75%, Medicare Part A deductible at 75%, out of pocket limit at $2,320

Medigap Plan M

  • Basic benefits, Medicare Plan B coinsurance at 100%, skilled nursing, Medicare Part A deductible at 50%, foreign travel emergency

Medigap Plan N

  • Basic benefits, Medicare Plan B coinsurance at 100% except office visit co-pays of $20.00 and emergency room visits at $50, skilled nursing coinsurance, Medicare Part A deductible, foreign travel emergency

In addition, Medicare Advantage has extra coverage which includes hearing, vision, dental, and a wellness program which makes most residents to go for the offer. Medicare Advantage is sometimes called Medicare Part C and it works by replacing Medicare Parts A and B of traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage programs also includes prescription drug coverage which is not available in Medigap policies except the fact that Medicare Advantage recipients can only see doctors within preferred networks.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans. Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Tennessee today. To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

Comparing Medigap Plans in Tennessee

With a per capita income of $19,993 and an average cost of $20,000 for Medicare plans that unfortunately do not have a wide enough coverage for all circumstances, the average Tennessee resident is clearly not getting a good deal for his money. That’s why we have Medigap in the picture.

Medigap is an alternative health policy offered by private companies to cover for the lapses of the government established Medicare. Basically, what Medigap does is to cover for those things that Medicare does not cater for, such as co-payments, deductibles, and health expenses incurred outside the USA.

To apply for Medigap coverage, you must be covered by Medicare Plan A or B. The Medigap is sold by underwriters licensed to do so. A Medigap policy covers just one person; no group packages. It also does not cover some aspects of healthcare such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental care, private duty nursing and long term care. Medigap is available to persons above 65, young persons who have been eligible for social security for at least 2 years, and persons suffering from terminal renal disease.

Borrowing from Medicare’s lingo, Medigap has 10 plans, namely, A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Each plan comes with unique offers to fit the needs of different persons. The offers range thus:

  • Medicare Part A Coinsurance
  • Medicare Part B Coinsurance
  • Medicare Part A Deductible
  • Medicare Part B Deductible
  • Skilled Nursing Care Coinsurance
  • Copayment
  • Charges for the First 3 pints of blood
  • Medicare Part B excess charges
  • Foreign Travel Exchange

For instance, if you subscribe for Medigap Plan B in Tennessee, you get coinsurance for Medicare Part A and B for up to a year after Medicare benefits are finished, skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, and first 3 pints of blood, amongst other things. Other plans also vary in what they offer, thus ensuring that you the subscriber, gets a package that is exactly what you need, nothing more, nothing less. But it should be noted that the Plans are universal across all states, since they are still regulated by federal and state laws. However, we offer the best prices on Medigap insurance policies.

As a Tennessee resident, you are eligible for Medigap if you are registered for Medicare Part A and B, and also 65 and above. Medigap plans are available in over 99 counties of Tennessee namely Van Buren, Jackson, Coffee, Bedford, Sumner, Houston, Rutherford, and Cheatham, just to name a few.

Already, there are over a 160,000 Tennessee residents enrolled for Medigap, and joining their swelling ranks is a piece of cake. The best time to apply is before you turn 65. This way you have guaranteed pick from the 10 available Medigap plans. The application process is also much easier. Anything later than this might result in fewer options and you might be stuck with a plan that doesn’t exactly suit you.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Tennessee today.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888.404.5049 today!