Medicare Supplements Texas – As we age, our health needs change. That’s why it’s important to find the best Medicare supplement plan in Texas that works for you. With so many options available, it can be hard to figure out which plan is right for you. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different Medicare supplements available in Texas and help you choose the plan that’s best for you. So whether you’re just starting out on your Medicare journey or are looking to switch supplements, keep reading for all the information you need!
What are Medicare supplements?
Do you already know what Medicare supplements are? If you do, skip ahead to find out the best Medicare supplements in Texas. If you don’t, it’s best to have at least a basic understanding of how Medicare supplements work, so you will know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Medigap plans (that’s another name for Medicare supplement plans) are one of the two options that Medicare beneficiaries have to supplement their benefits under Original Medicare. The other option is to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. These two types of policies work very differently, so be sure to research their differences before deciding which one is right for you.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) offers excellent healthcare benefits. Part A is your hospital insurance and will help pay for your room and board expenses if you are ever admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Part B is your outpatient insurance, and it helps with doctor’s visits, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medical equipment, and many preventive services like vaccines.
While Parts A and B have great coverage, there are still out-of-pocket expenses that you’ll be responsible for. You have deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance costs. Even for minor surgeries or short hospital stays, these costs will add up quickly. Hence, a Medicare supplement!
A Medigap plan will act as your secondary insurance policy and will start paying after Original Medicare does. The amount it pays will depend on which Medigap plan you have. One important thing to understand is that Medigap plans do not offer extra benefits. If Original Medicare does not approve the service, your Medigap plan will not approve it either. This leads many who enroll in a Medicare supplement to see additional policies such as a Part D prescription drug plan.
The Best Medigap Plans in Texas
You can see the benefits of having a Medigap plan in Texas. Now, you probably want to know which plan to choose. There are currently ten Medigap plans available in Texas: Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. You should take a look at a comparison chart and learn a little about each one, but for now, let’s take a closer look at the most popular Medicare supplements in Texas.
You can see the benefits of having a Medigap plan in Texas
You can see the benefits of having a Medigap plan in Texas
Medicare Supplement Plan F
Plan F offers first-dollar coverage. That means that it includes coverage for every expense that remains after Parts A and B have paid. Sounds pretty nice, right? The catch here is that Plan F is not available to anyone who turned 65 after December 31, 2019. The Medicare program made some changes that went into effect in 2020 that prohibited new beneficiaries from having a plan that offered first-dollar coverage.
If you were already enrolled in Plan F or if your birthday is before the cutoff date, you can still choose Plan F as your Medicare supplement. You can expect the cost of Plan F in Texas to start at approximately $140 for someone who is in their late sixties.
Medicare Supplement Plan G
Not eligible for Plan F, but looking for a supplement that offers almost as much coverage? You’ll want to learn more about Medigap Plan G. Individuals of any age can enroll in Plan G as long as they meet the standard Medicare eligibility requirements.
The only difference in Plan G is that it does not offer first-dollar coverage. Enrollees will be responsible for paying the Medicare Part B deductible. In 2022, the Part B deductible is $233. Other than that, Plan G has you covered!
Still bummed you missed the birthday deadline? Don’t be. We often find that the lower premiums of Plan G often outweigh the coverage difference. You can expect to see premiums for Plan G start around $105 per month. The cost saving of $35 compared to Plan F more than makes up for the $233 deductible you have to pay.
Medicare Supplement Plan N
Another popular Medicare supplement in Texas is Plan N. Like Plan G, there are no special eligibility requirements. As long as you are enrolled in Parts A and B, you can enroll in Plan N. Plan N does not include payment for the Part B deductible or any Part B excess charges. (Excess charges are rare, so don’t let that be the reason you ignore Plan N.)
The most notable difference in Plan N is that you’ll have copayments for office visits. Each time you see your doctor, your copay could be up to $20, and each time you visit an emergency room, your copay could be up to $50. However, your monthly premium is quite a bit lower. Average premiums for Plan N in Texas start at around $80 per month.
If you’ve enrolled in Medicare and want to learn more about your coverage, then we’re here to help. Feel free to reach out to us today and we will find a time to talk more about your specific coverage and the ways you can use it.
Many seniors receiving Medicare may still struggle to pay their out-of-pocket healthcare costs. However, they may not know that programs are available, if they qualify,
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