| Medicare Supplement plans plug the Medicare holes | | | | the other 20%. |
| so you do not have the out of pocket costs | | | | - Skilled Nursing Facility - (Medicare Part A) A |
| Original Medicare will leave you with. So let us talk | | | | medical care facility used primarily for rehabilitation. |
| about some of the common terms you need to | | | | Patients are typically in a Skilled Nursing Facility |
| be aware of with Medicare and a Medicare | | | | when they are recuperating from an accident, |
| Supplement plan: | | | | illness or surgical procedure. Medicare typically |
| Common Terms: | | | | pays all costs except $137.50 per day. Medicare |
| - California Open Enrollment - (Unique to California) | | | | will not continue to pay for this service is the |
| the ability of a Medicare Supplement member to | | | | person has a degenerative condition. In other |
| switch to another company each year on the | | | | words, the patients condition should be improving, |
| month of their birthday. This is a guaranteed issue | | | | if not, the coverage is stopped and a long term |
| option. You cannot be denied the transfer | | | | care policy or medicaid is necessary to continue |
| because of health status. | | | | to pay for these services. |
| - Original Medicare - Run by the Federal | | | | - Medicare Part D - Medicare Prescription Drug |
| government and provides both Part A and Part B | | | | Coverage. Helps cover the cost of prescription |
| coverage. | | | | drugs. Must be purchased from a private |
| - Medicare Part A - is the hospital coverage | | | | insurance company. |
| Medicare pays for. You are responsible for the | | | | - Part B Coinsurance - After the Part B deductible, |
| $1,100 deductible each benefit period (60 days) | | | | Medicare requires you to pay 20% of all Medicare |
| you enter a hospital. | | | | eligible expenses for physician, specialist, |
| - Medicare Part B - the out patient Medicare | | | | ambulance and hospital outpatient services and |
| coverage for physician, specialist and surgery | | | | supplies. |
| services. There is a $155 Part B annual deductible | | | | - Excess Charges - When your medical bill for |
| you will need to pay the beginning of each | | | | Part B services exceeds the Medicare eligible |
| calender year when you see a physician. | | | | expense. For example; if the Medicare allowable |
| - Part B premium - All Medicare beneficiaries are | | | | charge for a certain visit or procedure is $100. |
| required to pay for their Part B premium. In 2010 | | | | Medicare Part B pays $80 and the Medicare |
| the monthly premium is $96.40. If your annual | | | | Supplement pays the remaining $20, if the |
| income is higher than $85,000 your premium | | | | Medicare Supplement pays for Excess Charges. |
| increases to $110.50. (other rules apply). | | | | Some plans do not cover this extra charge. |
| - Assignment - an arrangement whereby a | | | | - Initial Enrollment Period - (IEP) Your enrollment is |
| physician or hospital agrees to accept the | | | | guaranteed if you apply for coverage before or |
| Medicare-approved amount as full payment for | | | | within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. |
| services and supplies covered under Part B. | | | | The terms above are some of the most |
| Medicare usually pays 80% of the approved | | | | common terms pertaining to a Medicare |
| amount directly to the physician after the | | | | Supplement plan and you should become familiar |
| beneficiary satisfies the Part B deductible of | | | | with these terms when purchasing a plan. Please |
| $155.00. The Medicare Supplement member pays | | | | contact a Medicare specialist for more information. |