Georgia Medicare Supplemental Insurance Overview

Medicare supplemental insurance (also called Medigap) is designed to fill in the coverage gaps left by Medicare A and B. Medigap plans are sold through private insurance companies. Federal and State Law in Georgia allow health insurance companies to offer all ten of the standard Medicare supplemental insurance plans for seniors, plus the two standard high-deductible policies.

Insurance companies in Georgia are able but not required to offer up to twelve Medicare supplemental insurance plans. Medicare supplemental plans in Georgia, and throughout the U.S., are labeled with letters A through J. Each letter represents a different Medigap benefits package. Plan A consists of the most basic Medigap benefits, with each subsequent plan consisting of those benefits, plus at least one other benefit. Medigap plans are standardized, meaning that all insurance companies selling policies to seniors in Georgia must offer exactly the same benefits for each policy letter.

For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia must offer the same Medicare supplemental benefits in its Medigap Plan B as all other health insurance companies offer in their Plan Bs, such as Humana Insurance Company, which also serves Georgia residents.

Most seniors in Georgia are eligible for Medicare SELECT, which offers lower monthly premuims than traditional Medigap plans. Medicare SELECT is a form of insurance coverage with nearly identical benefits to Medigap insurance policies. However, Medicare SELECT coverage requires seniors to select from a predetermined network of health care providers in Georgia and around the nation. In contrast, regular Medigap plans allow seniors to choose any health care provider, hospital, or treatment center they prefer.

Medigap Supplemental Health Insurance Policies A-J for Seniors in Georgia

The following basic benefits must be offered in all Medigap policies A-J:

• The first three pints of blood in each calendar year, unless that blood is replaced.
• The total cost of in-hospital care beyond the standard 150 days covered by Medicare, until a maximum of 365 lifetime days.
• Co-insurance for days 61-90 in the hospital ($265 per day in 2008), as well as co-insurance for your 60 lifetime reserve days.
• Co-insurance benefits of 20% for charged approved by Medicare after Medicare's Part B annual deductible of $135 has been reached.