Among proposals aimed at reducing federal spending for Medicare, some are suggesting that Medigap insurance be restructured to increase the cost-sharing burden on beneficiaries and/or add a surcharge for those that choose plans offering "first-dollar" or "near first-dollar" coverage.   These proposals operate under the assumption that charging beneficiaries more in up-front, out-of-pocket costs will deter … Read more →

  Connecticut as of 11/15/2011: http://www.ct.gov/cid/lib/cid/Medicare_Supplement_Insurance_Rates.pdf   Find policies in your area at: http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx

Nearly one in five Medicare beneficiaries rely on Medicare Supplemental insurance policies (Medigap) to fill in the gaps of some of their Medicare coverage.  As noted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, "Medigap policies help shield beneficiaries from sudden, relatively high out-of-pocket costs due to an unpredictable medical event, and also allow beneficiaries to more accurately … Read more →

Medigap insurance (Medicare supplemental health insurance) is meant to work in tandem with the original Medicare program by paying for beneficiary cost-sharing and some other services not usually covered by Medicare. Thus, Medigap insurance serves as a key component of health insurance protection for individuals who rely upon the original Medicare program to finance their … Read more →

In 2010, as in previous years, some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and some prescription drug plans (PDPs) have decided not to renew their contracts with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the coming year.[1] This Alert will address the notice beneficiaries will receive and the rights they have depending on the circumstances … Read more →