Medigap Health Insurance for Seniors in Missouri

Medigap is a type of health insurance for senior citizens enrolled in the Original Medicare Plan (Medicare Parts A and B). It provides coverage for the out-of-pocket expenses which Medicare doesn't cover, such as hospital stays, co-insurance, and deductibles.

There are fourteen standardized Medicare supplemental insurance plans in Missouri, referred to by letters A through L, with Plan A consisting of the most basic benefits and offering the lowest premium. All subsequent Medigap plans contain at least the benefits of Plan A, plus additional benefits and benefit structures to meet the different needs and budgets of senior citizens.

Medicare supplemental insurance plans in Missouri are sold by private health insurance companies. The plans are federally legislated and 'standardized', however, so that any Medigap plan you see at one company will be identical to a plan of the same title at a different company.

Insurers are permitted to set their own premiums for Medigap policies, however, and they may also choose to include additional benefits which they provide as a separate service. For example, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri offers various additional benefits for its senior Medicare policy holders, such as vision, dental, chiropractic, and massage discounts with participating providers.

It's important to use the right evaluation criteria when choosing a Medicare supplemental insurance plan in Missouri. Four critical questions to learn the answers to are:

• Does this company sell the Medigap plan best suited to my needs?
• Is the policy premium competitive?
• Is it an established and trusted company?
• Do they offer additional benefits beyond the standard Medigap plan, including great customer service?

You are eligible for a Medicare supplemental insurance plan in Missouri if you are a senior resident of the state (aged 65 or better) and already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You may also qualify if you are under age 65, but have certain types of disabilities, or if you have end-stage renal disease, and you're enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.