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Texas Medicare insurance should be easy. Get the help and benefits you deserve today.

Archive for April, 2012

Are There Claim Forms to Fill Out With Texas Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

If you are currently enrolled in a Texas Medicare Supplement Insurance plan or are considering purchasing one, you may have some questions about the claims process. It’s probably a good idea to learn a little about how the process works, and what you’re responsibilities are in the event you need medical care. Remember, even Medicare makes mistakes and you need to know what’s going on in the event something happens. Take some time to review the information below and you’ll be prepared and informed when and if you face the claims process.

The Claims Process

Medicare and Medicare supplement policies and procedures can be a bit challenging. With so much information to digest, it’s hard to keep up. Nevertheless, when you visit the doctor for treatment, you need to know how the claims process works so you’ll know what to do weeks later if a bill arrives in your mailbox.

Generally, when you have a Medigap policy, the doctors and hospitals where you receive medical treatment are responsible for submitting Medicare claims to your insurance company.  After Medicare pays, your insurance company pays the Medicare supplement portion. It’s called the Medicare “Crossover System” and it ensures claims are paid promptly and efficiently.

Usually, it’s a very simple procedure. The first time you visit your doctor, you show your Medicare supplement card. The information is stored electronically and any time in the future you need treatment, your information is on file and claims are submitted automatically. 

In Texas, it’s required for insurance companies to pay claims promptly. In the off chance your insurance company refuses to pay for Medicare approved services, you or your doctor have the right to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).

Extra Charges are Your Responsibility

You’d like to think all your medical services are covered, but unfortunately, even with Medicare supplement insurance, that is simply not the case. Most Medicare supplement policies pay only for services Medicare decides are “medically necessary”. If you are unsure what these exact services are, you can look in your Medicare Summary Notice. If you do receive a bill for services, you will need to review your notice statement to find out if you owe anything extra. All medical providers and doctors that accept Medicare should know beforehand if a procedure is approved by Medicare and the rule of thumb is if it’s an approved charge the supplement is required by law to start paying its share. Fairly simple and less worrisome., easy actually.

Choose Your Provider Wisely

The good news is, regardless of who you buy your Medigap policy from, the claims process works the same and you will not be involved in the procedure at all. In fact, most filing is done electronically, making it even easier for everyone involved. While the claims process is the same, individual companies are not. Make certain to choose reputable, dependable and trustworthy companies for providing your Medigap insurance. Stay with the household names you recognize and avoid unknown, unreliable starter companies. With the major carriers like United of Omaha or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas you get peace of mind that claims will be paid on time and without a dispute.

In Texas, there are no claim forms to fill out with Medicare supplement insurance. Thanks to the Medicare crossover system and electronic filing, all the paperwork is completed for you, making it possible for you to concentrate on nothing but feeling better.

For more information or to obtain your instant quote on visit our homepage.

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Are Medigap Plans Available in Texas for All Seniors?

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Now that your 65, you’re most likely eligible for Medicare and Medicare Supplement insurance, also called “Medigap”. Medigap is a powerful tool to have at your side when dealing with the costs of medical care, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. With deductibles, copays and coinsurance, even with Medicare, going to the doctor can cost a small fortune. But are there Medigap plans available in Texas for all seniors? Read some information and be prepared when it comes time for selecting the coverage you need.

Why Medigap Insurance?

Medicare supplement fills in the “gaps” that Original Medicare doesn’t pay for like deductibles, coinsurance and copays. In some cases, Medicare Supplement pays for services Original Medicare doesn’t pay at all like benefits while in a foreign country.  A Medigap plan can save you money by eliminating some or all of your out-of-pocket expenses.

In Texas, there are several different plans available- ten to be exact. Plans are identified by letters of the alphabet and are made up of different combinations of benefits. Plan “A” for instance offers minimal coverage, while Plan “F” offers comprehensive coverage, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses completely. There are a variety of combinations, which is why it makes sense to review each plan carefully to ensure you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Medicare Select is also available in Texas as a way to help seniors save a little money on premiums. With a Medicare Select plan, you still receive the same coverage as a standard plan, but you pay less in exchange for using hospitals and health care providers in a plan’s specified network.

Who’s Eligible?

Fortunately, most Texans who are 65 or older are eligible for Medigap simply because they’re enrolled in Original Medicare- Parts A and B.  However, there are some cases where you may not be eligible or you may not need Medigap insurance. If for some reason you decide not to accept Part B, then you are not eligible to purchase a Medigap plan. If you have group insurance through an employer, have a Medicare Advantage plan or are receiving Medicaid, you may not need additional coverage.

Shop Wisely

Shopping around for Medicare Supplement insurance is tricky enough with all the different companies and all the different plans available. Luckily, Medigap plans are standardized by the government. This means that every insurance company that sells Medicare Supplement must provide the same plans, containing the same basic benefits. In other words, a Plan “F” offered by one company must contain the same basic benefits as a Plan “F” offered by a different company.

Simply because plans are standardized does not mean different insurance companies will be the same. There are stark differences in cost, dependability and reliability that must be taken into consideration. You may be able to find a great plan for less, but be wise when choosing coverage and stay with household names you know and trust for delivering benefits on time and when you need them most. Companies like United of Omaha or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas have worked hard to gain the trust of Texans by providing coverage they can depend on.

Become familiar with the Medigap plans offered in your area. Read about the different types of coverage and how specific plans may or may not save you money. Choose your provider carefully and make the most of Medicare Select  for saving money on premiums. Luckily, with several different options to choose from, if you’re eligible, there is most likely the right Medigap plan available in Texas for you.

For additional information or to obtain an easy to read Medicare Supplement Quote visit our website.

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Is Your Texas Medicare Supplement Plan Still Within Your Budget?

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

Times are tough for everyone and a few dollars saved here and there can really add up at the end of the month. While medical benefits are not an area you’re willing to make sacrifices in, there are some money saving strategies available to help save you money in the long run. How about your Texas Medicare Supplement plan? Is it still within your budget? Learn how to choose a policy that not only makes sense for you medically, but provides coverage you can afford, leaving more money where it belongs- in your pocket.

Medicare Supplement Plans are Not Created Equal

Regardless of what you may have heard, all Medicare Supplement or “Medigap” plans are not created equal. In Texas, there are ten different plans to choose from. Each plan is identified by a different letter of the alphabet and each offers different combinations of benefits. Some plans offer minimal coverage, while others are designed to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses completely. The right plan can significantly reduce or increase the amount of money you need to pay to visit your doctor.

Look for Flexibility With Pricing

There are alternatives available where you can get the coverage you need, but for less money.  For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas offers a reduced premium Medicare Select option that provides the same benefits but for less cost. By agreeing to use participating hospitals, you can save money.

Budget conscious plans offer another alternative. High deductible plans have a cost sharing feature that offers low cost premiums with the coverage you need to feel safe and secure. Plus, there are always low cost basic Medicare Supplement plans that provide just the minimum benefits.

Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Low Prices

While cost is a major consideration when it comes to your Medicare Supplement insurance, try not to sacrifice quality for the cheapest rate. Luckily, Medigap plans in Texas are standardized.  Meaning a plan “F” sold by one insurance company must include the same benefits as a plan “F” sold by another company. This makes comparison shopping a bit easier, but does not guarantee the insurance companies will provide benefits the same way.

In addition to cost, there are some pretty important differences between insurance companies that you must take into consideration. While you may be able to find cheap rates for the same Medigap policy, remember that dependability, stability and name recognition will most certainly impact a company’s ability to deliver benefits when you need them most. Be smart when selecting your insurance provider and stay with names you know and trust to get reliable, dependable coverage.

Medicare Supplement insurance can potentially save you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. With deductibles, coinsurance and copays, a few trips to the doctors can leave you financially strapped. Make sure to get the best deal by looking for flexibility with pricing, don’t sacrifice quality for low prices and select only dependable, reliable providers you know and trust.

For more information or to obtain real time quotes on a Texas Medicare Supplement Plan visit our easy to use website.

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