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Medicare Supplement Plan Additions and Changes

The two new Medicare Supplement Plans include Plan N and Plan M. Plan N will offer similar benefits to Plan F along with a $20 co-payment for doctor visits and a $50 co-payment for visits to the emergency room. Plan N will cost about 70 percent of Plan F.

Medigap Plan M also offers similar benefits to the current Medigap Plan F. However, Medigap Plan M will cover only 50 percent of parts A and B deductibles. Medigap Plan M will cost about 85 percent of Medigap Plan F.

All Medicare Supplement Plans will have a hospice care benefit added to them. Also, Plan G will have 100 percent coverage for excess charges; it currently has 80 percent coverage for such charges.

Medicare Supplement Plans Being Eliminated

Plans E, H, I, and J will no longer be offered beginning in June 2010. The preventative care and at-home-recovery benefits will also be eliminated from Medigap policies.

Seniors are advised to review their Medicare plans to see if they will be effected by the changes or if they can get lower rates with the new plans. They may also wish to consider obtaining Medicare Part D to cover some costs of medications. Medicare Part D helps to reduce the cost of many medications, but may not be used in conjunction with some Medicare Plans. Therefore, it is recommended that all Medicare subscribers review their options with an advisor that can provide specific information and advice on a case-by-case basis to Medicare subscribers.

More Changes to Medicare

In addition to the changes to Medicare Supplement Plans, there will be more changes to the Medicare program, in general. Some of these changes include increased rates for deductibles and other benefits. Also, many insurance companies are no longer offering some Medicare options, including PFFS plans, in order to offset the increasing expenses for healthcare providers and insurance carriers.

All Medicare subscribers are encouraged to review all changes to the Medicare options that may be available to them. Open Enrollment for changes to Medicare Plans begins on November 15 and ends on December 31, 2009 for the 2010 year.



About the Author
By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Our professional MediGap advisors look forward to the opportunity to help you get the best insurance for your healthcare needs.