You're probably knee deep in the process to make sense of all the different Medicare supplement plans available in Ohio.
You've been counting down to this moment for a couple years and now that it's finally hear, the panic might start setting in.
For the last six months you haven't been able to turn around without someone trying to remembering you how old you're getting.
While it's possible you've been looking forward to this healthcare relief milestone, it still doesn't mean you haven't been fighting the urge to slap the age reminders across the face.
Then you have to finish it off by trying to swim through a sea of murky information that rarely helps you get to the other side.
Well, that's exactly what I want to help you do today.
We're going to take a look at all the moving parts of you Ohio Medicare supplement plan G, what it covers and how you can expect it to work when you need it most.
Let's get started.
What are the First Parts of Medicare?
Before we can even talk about plan G, we have to know how the first two parts of Medicare work as plan G will be picking up the slack from there.
Medicare Part A
This is going to be responsible for all your in-hospital treatment. You plan G supplement will cover the deductible for Part A.
This means that you won't have any money coming out of your pocket for that hospital visit.
Medicare Part B
This is going to handle all of your outpatient procedures that don't require you to be admitted into the hospital.
You'll have a smaller deductible here for Part B, this is where you need to pay attention, Plan G supplement will NOT cover this deductible.
However, because it's so low, you can normally save more money going with Plan G over the more popular Plan F. So you actually walk away a head in the deal.
Medicare Part B (Excess Charges)
Medicare sets the “reasonable” costs for all medical services.
Some, if not most, doctors accept what is called “Medicare assignment,” basically the amount Original Medicare considers full payment.
However, there are some doctors who think they're special and want to charge more than the amount Original Medicare approves.
That means you'll end up with an extra bill from that doctor to pay, or in more fancy insurance terms, Medicare Part B Excess Charges.
Your Medicare Supplement Plan G will cover those “excess” charges at 100 percent. Or again, in less fancy terms, you won't have to pay anything for those bills.
Skilled Nursing Facility
Medicare requires that you have been in a hospital for at least 3 days and entered a Medicare-approved facility within 30 days after leaving the hospital to be eligible for skilled nursing care.
From there your first 20 days good to go. Your 21st through your 100th day will be subject to a small deductible, which will be picked up by your Plan G supplement.
On the 101st day you will start to the full cost for any continued skilled nursing care.
Benefits for emergency medical care while traveling abroad
This is one of the more popular questions and or concerns people have when I talk to them about their coverage.
The key word in this benefit is “emergency” as this will exclude any non emergency services while in another country.
That means if fall down some stairs and break your ankle during a trip to Italy with your granddaughter, you have some coverage. If you just run a doctor around the corner for a sinus infection, not so much.
In reality, that's the way you want it, because the big time money comes from those emergency services, not a random doctors visit.
Hospice Care
Obviously, you have bigger things to worry about if you need this coverage. Maybe not bigger things, but you're definitely more concerned about squeezing in as many good times as you have left when someone starts talking about hospice.
Knowing that you don't have to worry about these expenses should help maximize those final good times.
The Bottom Line
Nine times out 10 plan G is going to be a solid choice to supplement your standard Medicare coverage.
The biggest challenge standing in the way is having to not listen to all your friends tell you how great their Plan F is.
Next Step
Let's answer your final questions about getting a Medicare Supplement Plan G in Ohio.
