Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) to supplement your original Medicare individual health insurance can be a daunting task. There are plenty of plan options to choose from, and there are so many companies that offer Medigap policies. Not to mention the process of choosing and getting information about Medigap can be complicated for many senior citizens. Most senior citizens who qualify for getting Medicare Supplement insurance want to get a supplemental insurance plan with low cost. So they end up ignoring the other aspects of a plan and look for the Medicare Supplement plan with the lowest cost.

Premium is Not the Only Cost to Consider When Buying Medigap from Health Insurance Companies

According to a report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, you have to consider a lot of important factors when choosing a health insurance plan from health insurance companies. Especially if you have a fixed income for each month. For example, for individuals with good health and no previous history of illness, the main cost factor when choosing a Medicare Supplement plan will be the monthly premium payments; However, for someone with a lot of medical conditions, it is important to consider deductibles, co-payments, and additional out of pocket costs. There are different Medicare Supplement plans, such as Aetna Medigap Plan G and F, which have low monthly premium costs. However, plans with low monthly premiums tend to have higher out of pocket costs. So it is important to consider your needs and try to predict what care you will need in the future when choosing the lowest-cost plan that puts you at the lowest possible financial risk when you do need medical care.

Cost isn’t the Only Important Factor to Consider for Seniors When Choosing A Medicare Supplement Plan

In the same Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation report, senior citizens suggested factors other than cost that the senior citizens thought were important while choosing Medicare Supplement plans. These factors are as follows:

  • Does the Medicare Supplement plan you are choosing offers access to providers that are already treating you?
  • Does the plan come from a reputed company? For example, Aetna Medicare Supplement Plan G is a popular and best-selling plan.
  • Does the customer service of the company selling Medigap have good communication and gives clear and simple answers?
  • Does the plan allow you and your spouse to have the same insurance?
  • Does the plan offer coverage for the drugs you need or the healthcare you require?
  • Does the plan offer extra coverage for dental and vision treatments?

Comparing Medigap Plans Can be Difficult And Confusing for Senior Citizens

While you can find a lot of information regarding Medigap, including comparisons of plans on the Medicare website, many senior citizens find the technical information difficult to sort through, especially when receiving dozens of conflicting opinions via blogs, mailers, and infomercials. There are certain companies – websites such as The Benefit Link that can help, by providing free expert advice. There is also the option to discuss with friends, your healthcare provider, pharmacists, and relatives to get trustworthy and accurate information about Medicare Supplement plans.