Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Standards Have Change as of June 1, 2010
Written by David Hecker
As you may know, all Medicare Supplements are standardized by the Federal Government. There are currently ten
plans, lettered A,B,C,D,F,G,K,L,M & N. Each standardized Medigap policy must offer the same basic benefits no matter
which insurance company sells it. Cost is usually the only difference between Medigap policies with the same letter
sold by different insurance companies. CMS has recently changed these standards. These changes apply to plans that
are effective on or after June 1, 2010. Here is an overview of the changes.
1. They have added Hospice coverage as a Basic ‘‘Core’’ benefit to all plans. This coverage had already been
added as a basic benefit in plans ‘‘K’’ and ‘‘L’’.
2. They removed coverage for “Preventive Care NOT Covered by Medicare” (as in plans E and J). CMS came to
the conclusion that Medicare Part B has changed to cover many more preventive services, and the usefulness of this
benefit was greatly reduced, covering only part of an annual physical after Medicare covered the initial physical. They
also removed the “At-Home Recovery” (as in plans D, G, I and J). They said that this benefit was confusing and difficult
to understand and administer, and changes to Medicare had made this benefit less meaningful.
3. They created a new plan D, which is the same as the current plan D except that the At-Home Recovery benefit
was taken out.
4. They created a new plan G, which is the same as the current plan G except that the 80% Medicare Part B Excess
charge benefit is being replaced by a 100% Medicare Part B Excess charge benefit, and the At-Home Recovery benefit
was taken out.
5. They eliminated plans E, H, I and J, as they now duplicated existing Plans.
6. They created a new plan M, which is the same as plan D but with a 50% coinsurance on the Part A deductible.
7. They created a new plan N which is the same as plan D with the Part B coinsurance being paid at 100%, minus a
$20.00 copay per doctor visit and a co-pay of $50.00 for an emergency room visit, unless the person is admitted to the
hospital.
8. Insurance companies are not allowed to deny a potential customer a policy or charge a higher rate for the policy
based on their genetic information. They are prohibited from requesting or requiring an individual or family member to
undergo a genetic test.
These changes to the Standardized Plans are only for plans with an effective date after June 1, 2010. If you currently
have a plan that was effective before June 1, 2010, your plan will remain the same.
Written by David Hecker
As you may know, all Medicare Supplements are standardized by the Federal Government. There are currently ten
plans, lettered A,B,C,D,F,G,K,L,M & N. Each standardized Medigap policy must offer the same basic benefits no matter
which insurance company sells it. Cost is usually the only difference between Medigap policies with the same letter
sold by different insurance companies. CMS has recently changed these standards. These changes apply to plans that
are effective on or after June 1, 2010. Here is an overview of the changes.
1. They have added Hospice coverage as a Basic ‘‘Core’’ benefit to all plans. This coverage had already been
added as a basic benefit in plans ‘‘K’’ and ‘‘L’’.
2. They removed coverage for “Preventive Care NOT Covered by Medicare” (as in plans E and J). CMS came to
the conclusion that Medicare Part B has changed to cover many more preventive services, and the usefulness of this
benefit was greatly reduced, covering only part of an annual physical after Medicare covered the initial physical. They
also removed the “At-Home Recovery” (as in plans D, G, I and J). They said that this benefit was confusing and difficult
to understand and administer, and changes to Medicare had made this benefit less meaningful.
3. They created a new plan D, which is the same as the current plan D except that the At-Home Recovery benefit
was taken out.
4. They created a new plan G, which is the same as the current plan G except that the 80% Medicare Part B Excess
charge benefit is being replaced by a 100% Medicare Part B Excess charge benefit, and the At-Home Recovery benefit
was taken out.
5. They eliminated plans E, H, I and J, as they now duplicated existing Plans.
6. They created a new plan M, which is the same as plan D but with a 50% coinsurance on the Part A deductible.
7. They created a new plan N which is the same as plan D with the Part B coinsurance being paid at 100%, minus a
$20.00 copay per doctor visit and a co-pay of $50.00 for an emergency room visit, unless the person is admitted to the
hospital.
8. Insurance companies are not allowed to deny a potential customer a policy or charge a higher rate for the policy
based on their genetic information. They are prohibited from requesting or requiring an individual or family member to
undergo a genetic test.
These changes to the Standardized Plans are only for plans with an effective date after June 1, 2010. If you currently
have a plan that was effective before June 1, 2010, your plan will remain the same.
Texas Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Specialist
http://www.TX-MedicareSupplement.com
Specialist
http://www.TX-MedicareSupplement.com
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David Hecker * 3010 Latonia St. * Longview TX, 75605
Licensed in Texas, Louisiana & Arkansas
Licensed in Texas, Louisiana & Arkansas
David Hecker is a Licensed Insurance Agent based in Texas. He specializes in Medicare Products. He is licensed
in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. He can be reached at (903) 918-9091 or Toll Free (877) 454-4959. E-mail:
dhecker@tx-medicaresupplement.com or on the web at: http://www.tx-medicaresupplement.com
in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. He can be reached at (903) 918-9091 or Toll Free (877) 454-4959. E-mail:
dhecker@tx-medicaresupplement.com or on the web at: http://www.tx-medicaresupplement.com
| Important! All information is kept strictly confidential. Information is only used to provide you with the most accurate information possible. It is NOT sold or shared with anyone! |
* Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
| * Licensed Insurance Agent dealing primarily with Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies |
*
