Making Michigan Medigap Plans Simple From Easy Medicare Advantage

Medicare supplemental (Medigap) has twelve standard plans. These plans help pay some of your costs in the original Medicare plan and some of the health care costs that the original Medicare does not cover.

A different set of benefits, fills different gaps in Medicare coverage and varies in price is what is offered by Plans A through L. The basic benefits for Medigap plans K and L are different from the basic benefits offered in plans A through J. These plans are designed to have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.

When you have a Medicare Advantage Plan such as a Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) you do not need Medigap coverage. If you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, you have different standard Medigap plans to purchase.

All Medigap plans must cover certain basic benefits. These basic benefits are as follows: Medicare Part A Coverage: *Coinsurance for hospital days 61-90 ($267 in 2009) and * Coinsurance for each day 91-150 ($534 in 2009) (up to 60 days in your lifetime) * Cost of 365 extra hospital days in your lifetime, once you've used all Medicare hospital benefits Medicare Part B coverage: * Generally, all coinsurance and co-payment amounts after you meet the $135 (in 2009) yearly deductible for Medicare Part B * The first three pints of blood

Plans F and J also have "high-deductible" options. In 2009, if you choose the high-deductible options on Medigap plans F and J, you will first have to pay $2,000 in health care expenses before the plan pays anything. This amount can go up every year. High-deductible policies have lower premiums, but if you get sick, your costs will be higher.

The basic benefits for plans K and L include similar services as plans A-J, but the cost-sharing for the basic benefits is at different levels. The annual out-of-pocket limit increases each year for inflation.

Medicare Select is a type of Medigap policy that can cost less than standard Medigap plans which is in addition to the A through L standard Medigap policies. You can only go to certain doctors and hospitals for care if you enroll in Select. You need to check with your state's insurance department to find out whether or not Medicare Select policies are available in your state.