Aarp Medicare Supplement Coverage
Georgia Medicare Plans – Choosing the Best Medigap Policy – Three Common Mistakes Seniors Make
Georgia seniors need to know 3 things when choosing the best Medigap policy. Never pay too much for the same plan. Find the best VALUE. Brand names don’t matter.
These guidelines may seem obvious, even insulting. But you would be surprised how often GA seniors make these simple mistakes when buying a Medicare supplement plan.
I mean, why would anyone EVER pay too much?
Paying More Does Not Give You a Better Medigap Plan
Seniors on a fixed income need to watch every penny like a hawk. Paying too much is not only foolhardy but it sends a message that you are not careful with your money. This can make you an easy target for an overzealous Medigap insurance agent.
All Medicare supplement rates from the same carrier are identical when shopping for the same plan. You do not get a lower rate by calling the carrier vs. buying from an independent agent.
What you do get when buying direct is the opportunity to introduce yourself to a different person every time you call. The answers they give may be right or they may not be.
Of course this assumes you even get to speak to a human rather than a voice mail.
And calling the carrier direct almost always starts with “Press 1 for English” . . .
Medicare supplement plan F is the most popular plan in Georgia, but that does not mean it is the plan you should have. Georgia seniors of Medicare age will often call around or go online looking for the best rates.
Medicare Supplement Plan F is Popular But May Not Be Best For You
You will not find the best rates when you do the following:
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Call a carrier and ask how much they charge for Medigap plan F
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Calling agents that advertise as representing a specific company, such as Blue Cross
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Calling AARP
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Using an online quote engine such as the one at Georgia Medicare Plans
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Asking your neighbor what they bought and how much they paid
The best Medicare supplement plan rates can be found by talking to an independent agent that handles Medigap plans from several carriers. A knowledgeable agent will explain all your options and help you find the best Medigap plan for your needs and budget.
When you pay more you don’t get more. It simply means you paid too much.
Finding the Best Medicare Supplement Plan Value
It is true that all Medicare supplement plans with the same letter (A, D, F, G, etc.) are standardized and offer exactly the same benefits. There is no difference in a Medicare supplement plan F from Blue Cross of Georgia vs. the same plan from AARP.
The only difference in those two plans is price.
If one has a higher premium than the other, why would you EVER pay more for the same policy?
When you call a carrier, or a senior organization, or an agent and ask “How much is Medigap plan F” you will get an answer to your question. But did you ask the RIGHT question?
The answer is no.
Asking the wrong question will not give you the answers you need to make a sound decision.
Joe Did Not Ask the Right Questions
Joe called several Medigap insurance companies and several insurance agents and asked everyone the same thing.
How much is Medicare supplement plan F?
Everyone he called gave him the same answer. The premium for that Medigap plan is $X.
Joe even went online looking for Medicare supplement plan rates and what he found was most sites don’t offer rates but they will take his information, sell it to several agents, and then his phone will ring off the hook night and day.
Joe failed to ask the right question.
If Joe really wanted to save money he should have called an independent insurance agent and asked “Which Medicare supplement plan delivers the best VALUE for my needs and budget?”.
A good insurance agent will take the time to explain the merits of Medicare supplement plan F and compare it to the other gap plans. Only when you understand what you get for your money will you know if you have found the best overall value.
Is Blue Cross Better Than Gerber Medicare Supplement Plans?
No question, Blue Cross of Georgia is a well known brand of health insurance. Seniors everywhere know and trust the Blue Cross brand.
But is a Blue Cross Medicare supplement plan better than a Gerber Medigap plan?
Only if it is less expensive.
Your doctor doesn’t care who issues your Medigap coverage. If your doctor accepts Medicare assignment that is all you need to know.
When you see your doctor they file your claim with Medicare. Once Medicare reviews and approves the claim they file it with your Medigap carrier that is on record.
Your doctor never knows, nor do they care, who is paying your supplemental insurance benefits.
The best plan is the one with the lowest rate, not the policy with the biggest name.
If you have Royal Neighbors, Aetna, United Healthcare, Gerber or Blue Cross you may have the wrong plan and could be paying too much. You will never know until you ask an independent insurance agent which plan is right for you and how much you should be paying for your Medigap plan.
About the Author
Georgia Medicare Plans offers Medicare supplement plans at affordable rates from all the major Georgia carriers. We only recommend plans we would buy for ourselves or our family. You can always pay more but you don’t get more, you simply paid too much. We are your number one resource for information on Medicare supplement plans. Our senior clients are all over Georgia. At Georgia Medicare Plans we have easy answers to your tough questions.
San Jose Medicare Supplements Insurance,AARP,Anthem,Medicare Advantage Plans, San Jose, CA