- All companies selling Medicare Supplement Insurance in Missouri, Kansas, & Iowa can only sell the Approved Policies lettered Plans “A” through “J”. The benefits provided by these policies will be identical regardless of which insurance company you select.
- All Medicare Supplement policies currently being offered cannot be canceled by the insurance company unless you stop paying your premiums.
- Medicare Supplement policies allow you to choose any doctor and any hospital anywhere in the USA. Unlike HMO’s, you do not need a referral or pre-authorization to see a doctor or to be admitted to a hospital. They allow YOU to be in charge of your health care.
- There are no co-pays with Medicare Supplement policies when you go to the doctor, the emergency room or the hospital.
- When you first receive Part B of Medicare you have a six-month period called “Open Enrollment”. During this time you can purchase a Medicare Supplement policy without having to answer heath questions.
- All companies offering Medicare Supplement Insurance in Missouri, Kansas, & Iowa have automatic claims filing. You should not have to worry about filing a claim with Medicare or your insurance company.
- Medicare has an annual deductible of $135.00 for Part B charges. Some policies pay this deductible but you may pay more than $135.00 in additional premium each year if you select a policy that provides this benefit.
- Typically Medicare does not pay for routine Nursing Home Care. Be sure you thoroughly understand the Skilled Nursing Benefit in Part A of Medicare.
- Virtually all insurance companies will pay your claims. However, Medicare must first approve your claim. If Medicare does not approve your claim your Medicare Supplement Policy will not pay.
- Check with your doctors to see if they “Accept Assignment” before purchasing a Medicare Supplement Policy. If all of your doctors “Accept Assignment” you may not need to spend the extra money for Plans that pay for Excess Charges.
- All Medicare Supplement Policies currently being sold in Missouri must, by law, be “Issue Age”. This means that the insurance companies cannot increase your premium just because you have a birthday. (”Attained Age” policies are the ones that increase each year as you get older.)
- If you currently have a Medicare Supplement policy and switch to a different policy or a different insurance company there cannot be a waiting period imposed for pre-existing conditions. You may, however, have to answer health questions on the application. If you cannot answer the questions successfully the company will not issue the policy.
- Insurance agents work on straight commission. The more expensive the policy is that they sell you, the more money they make. Make sure the agent has your best interests in mind, not the amount of commission he/she will make.
- Know and understand all of the benefits provided by the different plans before you purchase a Medicare Supplement Policy. The information is Free and you are never under any obligation.
