What To Know About Enrolling For A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan

If you are eligible to receive Medicare, you may be wondering if you should enroll in a Medicare supplement insurance plan to meet your medical needs. It will help to know what to expect when signing up for a supplement plan so that you are prepared to make a smooth transition to this different type of Medicare insurance. 

Eligibility

You should start by determining whether you are eligible for a Medicare supplement insurance plan. Each state has its own rules regarding Medicare supplement plans because insurance providers are based on a state-by-state basis. The regulations of one state do not always apply to another. 

It is common to require that you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. However, supplement plans can have additional requirements based on the type of plan you are looking for. Being familiar with how it works in your state is key to understanding eligibility.

Plan Research

With there being so many Medicare supplement insurance plans out there, you'll want to do some research to find out which one is best for you. Key things to look at include the cost of the supplement plan, the network of providers that the plan offers, and the additional benefits you will receive. Some of those additional benefits include transportation to your doctor, gym memberships, and even access to brain games to improve your mental health. 

Enrollment Periods

Medicare supplement plans are unique in how you can enroll. Unlike the private health insurance you've had in the past, you cannot simply sign up for a supplement plan at any time. They may require that you have a certain health condition, or sign up during a very specific enrollment period. If you miss the enrollment window, you may have to wait until next year when the window opens again to enroll.

Thankfully, there are exceptions to when you can enroll in a Medicare supplement insurance plan. These are known as special enrollment periods. For example, you may have recently moved to a new state and need to select a new Medicare supplement plan based on where you live. You may have recently been diagnosed with a condition that now makes you eligible for Medicare, and you are not currently in the enrollment window. 

Feeling confused about getting a Medicare supplement insurance plan? Reach out to a provider such as Mike McClure - Brightstar Insurance for more information. They'll walk you through the process and let you know what your options are.