Alabama Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)

As a retiree in Alabama you may think that your inclusion in the Medicare plan that you are automatically enrolled in covers you completely. Many Americans believe that until the learn the truth—while Medicare does pay some of your medical expenses there are still deductibles and co-payments that need to be met, and simple Medicare Part A (the automatic enrollment Medicare) does not cover prescription drugs.

It is important for senior citizens to look for senior health insurance that is specific to their needs. There are Medicare Part B, Part C, and D coverages and also Medigap plans to help cover extra medical expenses not covered by the free government Medicare Part A plan.

Medicare Part A that you are automatically enrolled in does not cost you anything. It is paid for by your tax dollars however, the additional coverages are provided by private insurance companies and do have monthly premiums. The differences between the plans can be confusing at first but it is important to be able to distinguish between Part B, C and Medigap. Medicare Part D is easy to understand. That is the coverage that will pay for your prescription medicines. Like the other forms of Medicare supplement plans there is an 80/20 split between you and the insurance company.

Medicare Part B is the most commonly held supplement policy for senior health insurance. Like Part A it is administered by the government but unlike Part A it will cost you a monthly premium. Your payments can be made directly from your social security check and it operates on an 80/20 basis and covers most health care needs such as doctor's visits, outpatient procedures, some therapy and rehabilitation. Like other health insurance, this form of senior health insurance has a monthly premium. Medicare Part C is a combination of Part A, B and D so that seniors can have all of their health care needs covered by one policy with one monthly payment.

Medigap is specifically designed to help with the extra expenses such as co-payments and deductibles that might otherwise be difficult for a person on a fixed income to pay. If you cannot afford the monthly premium on Medigap you might still be eligible for help. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE 24/7 or your state Medicaid office for more information.