Health Insurance for Senior Citizens

Once you cross 65, you are a senior citizen. That brings a lot of benefits with it, but it is also a time to re-evaluate your health insurance requirements. No matter how healthy you may feel, the fact is that your body is no longer the same as it was 10 years ago. Being a senior citizen does not mean that you must slow down or stop doing the things that give you pleasure and add value to your life. That being said, not looking at your health coverage to see if it provides you with the protection you now need, is a big mistake. Here are a few basic facts you need to know about health insurance for seniors.

The Options

Your Original Medicare may not be enough for you as you grow older. Fortunately, in California, there are ways by which you can add on supplementary coverage to give you the health insurance protection you need.

• Medicare Advantage Plans: These are plans offered by Medicare-approved private insurers. They include Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA), Special Needs Plans (SNP), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) andPrivate Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS). If you are enrolled in any of these plans, they become your primary insurance in place of the basic Medicare. Most of these plans also include prescription medication coverage. It is important to note that these plans are county-specific so there may be cost and coverage variations depending on which part of California you are in.

• Medicare Supplement Plans: These plans, which are offered by private insurers, pay for part or all of Medicare’s deductibles and co-payments. There are 10 different plan options available and some may cover costs not covered by Medicare such as foreign emergency travel.

• Prescription Drug Plans: These are stand-alone plans that add prescription drug coverage to the Original Medicare to cover the cost of not just drugs but also biologicals, vaccines and some other medical supplies that do not come under Medicare.

There are several insurance companies offering these plans and each plan has numerous options available. It is important to study the various plans and coverage options in detail to avoid making mistakes that could leave you without the coverage you want when you need it the most.

Make the Right Decisions

Finding the right Medicare supplement plan or plans that will give you the coverage you need can be confusing. Your current health and medical history will be different from others in your age group. Following the general advice available online and in magazines about the insurance you should have when you turn 65 could lead to problems in the future. Trying to do what other seniors are doing may not be right for you. You may need more health insurance or you may be paying for coverage you do not really need. Being sure that you are as protected as possible and are not paying more than you need to will go a long way in making your senior year's golden ones. The best way to ensure this is to ask a health insurance professional for advice and guidance on the type of health coverage you need.