Washington Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)

Medicare supplemental insurance is available to the senior citizens of the state of Washington through private insurance companies. While basic Medicare is automatically begun the moment an individual reaches a certain age other plans including the non-private government administered Medicare Part B must be applied for. Although Part B is a basic Medicare supplemental insurance provided by the government there are still monthly payments to be made that are deducted from social security income checks. All of the Medicare supplemental insurance plans have gaps that interrupt payment between basic care and catastrophic illness and to offset those gaps there is a health insurance for seniors called Medigap. This program pays for those gaps in coverage as well as helping to cover the deductibles and co-payments.

None of the Medicare supplemental insurance covers prescription medication, however, except Medicare Part D unless it is combined with other Medicare insurance in a group policy offered by a private insurer sometimes called Medicare Advantage. It is helpful to combine all of the supplements into one policy because it keeps all of the payments in one lump sum to be paid at one time. This makes it easier for seniors to remember to pay them and easier to do the paperwork necessary to get reimbursements or coverage for specific medical bills.

In order to find out more about Medicare supplemental insurance seniors can go online or call the Medicare offices at 1-800-MEDICARE. The phone line is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For those that cannot afford extra Medicare coverage there is help available through Medicaid and your Medicare case worker can help you determine if you qualify.