Hurst Medigap Plans

Medicare coverage can be a critical component for living a healthy life in retirement, as well as for maintaining your financial independence during these years. Yet, as important as it is, Medicare does not cover the full range of healthcare expenses you may experience in your golden years.

To fill the holes that exist in Hurst Medicare, Medigap insurance can be purchased by individuals over 65 to supplement Medicare.

A Hurst, TX Medigap policy is designed to cover expenses such as co-payments, coinsurance and even deductibles—the so-called gaps in Medicare. Coinsurance is only covered after you have paid the deductible, unless you select a Medigap policy that also covers the deductible.

Ashford Insurance offers a selection of Medigap Plans from many top Texas carriers.

Hurst Texas Medigap insurance plans (Medicare Supplements) are standardized by the Federal Government. They are labeled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to new people with Medicare aren’t allowed to cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F are not available to people new to Medicare starting on January 1, 2020.

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. Plan A pays the Medicare hospital and physician coinsurance, the first three pints of blood, and 365 days of hospitalization beyond Medicare. Plans B through N provide these benefits and add more benefits such as coverage for Medicare deductibles, excess charges and limited preventive care, and foreign travel. You can only have one Med Sup plan. No one should try to sell you an additional Medsup plan unless you decide you need to switch policies.

Open Enrollment for Texas Medicare Supplement Insurance is at age 65 for all consumers, including those already receiving Medicare due to disability. The Open Enrollment period is a six-month period, beginning when you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, companies must sell you any Medicare supplement plan they offer. After this limited open enrollment period, companies can pick and choose whom they will cover and how much they will charge based on your health. If you have an individual or “bank group” insurance policy, becoming Medicare eligible does not require you to cancel it and purchase a Medicare supplement. Doing so may save premium costs but it is important to compare benefits before deciding which will work best.

If you are eligible for employer retirement insurance, review the plan carefully to understand what benefits are available and how it works with Medicare. Be aware that employer plans are not standardized and are not subject to the requirements governing standardized Medicare supplement policies. Also, it is important to remember, if you leave an employer plan you may not be able to go back on it.

Some Texas residents are eligible to enroll in approved Part C Medicare Advantage plans. These plans are offered by private insurance companies. Each year Medicare Advantage companies decide where they will offer their plans, what benefits will be offered, and what the premiums will be. Several include vision, dental, hearing, and wellness programs not covered by original Medicare. As noted earlier many Medicare Advantage Plans also offer prescription drug coverage. There are several Medicare Advantage plans available in Dallas, Tarrant, and surrounding counties. Depending on plan choice, a member may be responsible for paying co-payments for certain covered services. Most importantly, with a Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and stand-alone Part D Prescription Drug Plans, you must continue to pay your Part A (if any) and part B Medicare premiums.

Fill in the gaps with a Medigap policy.

As our Texas population ages, individuals inevitably encounter more medical problems that require additional, costly health care services. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like care when you travel outside the United States. Medigap policies only supplement your Original Medicare benefits, and shouldn’t be confused with Medicare Advantage Plans.

Our goal here at Ashford Insurance is to ensure you understand your options in the Medicare marketplace. We know that this can be a very tedious endeavor and every individual is different; having access to major carriers is the only way to determine what level of coverage will best suite your needs.

Are you close to turning 65?  If you or your family is hitting this milestone age soon, then it’s time to take a look at Medicare.   Do you know what it covers?  Where the gaps in coverage are?  When you are eligible to sign up?  Enrolling in Medicare can be an overwhelming and confusing experience.  Benefits may be different from those you had while you were under a private policy.

Confused?  Many People Are. It can seem overwhelming when trying to plan your future coverage and sort through the many options, especially since the choices you make can have a significant effect on your health care and your financial well-being.

Whether an “all-in-one” Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Part D plan suits you, Ashford Insurance can help. Get a quote for prescription drug plans online now at now cost to you. Or, let one of our licensed agents review your options and find the best drug insurance plan for your unique needs. Just give us a call today at 817-952-3153.