Many people get confused between a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage policy.
Many people think that they are the same thing, but they are not.
A Supplement Policy will pay AFTER Medicare. Depending on the plan that you have chosen,
it will pay the Part A Deductible (for the hospital) and possibly the Part B Deductible (for the
doctor). It may then pay the 20% that medicare does not pay, and even possibly the extra 15%
(Part B Excess Charges), if the doctor does not accept "Assignment" (the allowable charge by
Medicare). It may also cover other things such as "Foreign Travel". When you have a
Supplement, you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
An Advantage Plan, is a contract that Medicare has with a private insurance company to
administer your benefits. It does not pay after Medicare, it pays INSTEAD of Medicare. The
premiums associated with Advantage Plans are generally lower than that of a Supplement,
however, when you go see a doctor or go to the hospital, you will have co-payments. There
are different types of Advantage Plans. There are HMO's, PPO's and PFFS (Private Fee for
Service) plans. With HMO's, you are restricted to "in Network" doctors, and will need to get
"referrals" to go see a specialist. With a PFFS plan, you can see any doctor or hospital that
takes Medicare, as long as they agree to accept it. They can accept a plan on a case by case
basis. Advantage plans are mandated to cover what Medicare covers, but they sometimes
cover things at different rates. Not every doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, will accept
an Advantage Plan, so you must check before you sign up for anything. If you go to a doctor
or hospital that does not accept your plan, you will be responsible for the entire bill. Medicare
will not pay anything.
The best idea would be to meet with a professional who specializes in these products, and see
which plan would be best for your own circumstances.
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
Many people think that they are the same thing, but they are not.
A Supplement Policy will pay AFTER Medicare. Depending on the plan that you have chosen,
it will pay the Part A Deductible (for the hospital) and possibly the Part B Deductible (for the
doctor). It may then pay the 20% that medicare does not pay, and even possibly the extra 15%
(Part B Excess Charges), if the doctor does not accept "Assignment" (the allowable charge by
Medicare). It may also cover other things such as "Foreign Travel". When you have a
Supplement, you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
An Advantage Plan, is a contract that Medicare has with a private insurance company to
administer your benefits. It does not pay after Medicare, it pays INSTEAD of Medicare. The
premiums associated with Advantage Plans are generally lower than that of a Supplement,
however, when you go see a doctor or go to the hospital, you will have co-payments. There
are different types of Advantage Plans. There are HMO's, PPO's and PFFS (Private Fee for
Service) plans. With HMO's, you are restricted to "in Network" doctors, and will need to get
"referrals" to go see a specialist. With a PFFS plan, you can see any doctor or hospital that
takes Medicare, as long as they agree to accept it. They can accept a plan on a case by case
basis. Advantage plans are mandated to cover what Medicare covers, but they sometimes
cover things at different rates. Not every doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, will accept
an Advantage Plan, so you must check before you sign up for anything. If you go to a doctor
or hospital that does not accept your plan, you will be responsible for the entire bill. Medicare
will not pay anything.
The best idea would be to meet with a professional who specializes in these products, and see
which plan would be best for your own circumstances.
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
Texas Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Specialist
http://www.TX-MedicareSupplement.com
Specialist
http://www.TX-MedicareSupplement.com
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What's the Difference Between a Texas Medicare Supplement
and a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Written by David Hecker
and a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Written by David Hecker
David Hecker * 3010 Latonia St. Longview TX 75605
Licensed in Texas, Louisiana & Arkansas
Licensed in Texas, Louisiana & Arkansas
| 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 |
*
