A lot of seniors are often unsure about how to find affordable health plans that offer the coverage they need. Understandably, retirees are very concerned about the rising costs of health care and the limitations of their coverage and this is why they search for health insurance quotes and affordable alternatives.
Medicare
By the time a senior reaches the age of 65, he or she is already eligible for Medicare coverage. Some seniors can even qualify for coverage at an earlier age if they have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions. But, as you very well know, Medicare is not enough. Today’s skyrocketing medical costs have dire consequences on people seeking treatment and even some plans do not cover prescription medication.
Secondary Health Insurance for Seniors
Seniors can opt to purchase a secondary coverage to help them pay for medical services that are not covered by Medicare or those that it partially covers. Otherwise known as Medigap insurance plans, these supplemental coverage options can really come in handy for seniors.
Medigap plans are offered by private insurers and the cost depends on the specifics of the coverage as well as where you obtain your plan. Plan A is the most affordable plan and it offers the most basic coverage. Plan N requires a co-payment for your consultations, while Plan L has high deductibles.
Medigap plans are regulated by each state and the federal government mandates every private insurer to offer policies with the same benefit across all states.
Managed Health Care Plans for Seniors
Over 50% of people who have health insurance in the nation have managed care plans, which give them the benefit of lower co-payments when using in-network providers. Your options for managed care plans are:
- HMOs: Health maintenance organizations are the types of plans that require you to use medical providers from the network of the HMO, except during medical emergencies.
- PPOs: Plans under the preferred provider organizations enable you to pick your own doctors and hospitals but your deductibles and co-payments are higher.
- POS: Plans under the Point-of-Service organizations allow you to let your primary care physician manage your care and you can pick your own doctors and hospitals, however you will be paying more for their services.
Questions to Ask
Before you decide on which insurance plan to get, you need to ask some crucial questions:
- How much will you be paying every month in insurance premiums?
- How much of your care expenses will be covered by the plan?
- How much will you be paying in deductibles and co-payments?
- Are there any restrictions to your choice of doctors and medical facilities?
- Does the plan limit any medical conditions?
Finding affordable health insurance for seniors is a must to ensure you get adequate medical coverage without worrying so much about the costs.
