Information on Affordable Medicare Supplement Plans Ohio

Seniors on Medicare are undoubtedly interested in an excellent way to get additional information about affordable Medicare Supplement plans Ohio. The program is called OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program), and it is designed to offer resources and services to Ohio seniors on Medicare.

OSHIIP, which was founded in 1992, is administered by the Ohio Department of Insurance and funded by both a federal grant and Ohio. Trained volunteers help people interested in or already receiving Medicare to better understand their Ohio health insurance not only by handing out publications and working information sites, but also by counseling Ohio residents about their options for affordable health insurance in Ohio. In the past 14 years, Ohio residents have saved over three million dollars on health insurance costs thanks to OSHIIP.

OSHIIP provides information about Medicare coverage for seniors, as well as those under the age of 65 with disabilities; health plans with Medicare, such as HMOs; supplemental insurance with Medicare; savings programs to use with Medicare; long-term care insurance and health care insurance when you’re being taken care of at home; and health insurance for retirees.

This informational program about affordable health insurance in Ohio is also a member of several organizations, as well as being similar to a network of nationwide state-sponsored health insurance programs.

If you are one of the many Ohio residents on Medicare, or are a family member or friend of an Ohio resident on Medicare, check out OSHIIP. You will learn more about this affordable health insurance in Ohio, as well as how to continue saving money on the cost of health insurance in Ohio. Contact the Ohio Department of Insurance for more information about OSHIIP; or, if you live near an Ohio state health department, give them a call or drive down for a visit for informational pamphlets and brochures about OSHIIP as well as to set up an appointment with an OSHIIP volunteer.

As the annual enrollment period begins, it is a good time to examine the difference between Original Medicare, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage. Let’s start with original Medicare. That is a plan by the Federal Government to people 65 and over (you can also qualify if you are under 65 if you are disabled). A nice plan, but it does not cover everything. There are “gaps” in the plan. Enter Medicare Supplements or Medigap coverage. They are the same, designed to cover the “gaps” in Medicare. With Medicare supplements, they are offered by private insurance companies, but unlike individual plans for under age 65, these are the same with every carrier. In other words, “PLAN G” is the same with Mutual of Omaha, as it is with United National Life, as it is with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. So you do not have to think well Blue Cross is better coverage or Aetna’s plan is better, they are the same. There are different plans that cover more or less. For example “PLAN F” pretty much covers everything. PLAN G, covers everything EXCEPT for your outpatient deductible which is $162. Of course, the more coverage, the more you pay in premium.

Now let’s talk about Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans, are sometimes referred to as MA plans. These are also offered by Private Insurance Companies, but they get some funding from the Federal Government. These plans vary from County to County as far as what is offered and the premium. In some counties, you can get a $0 premium plan. Some it is $100 for the same plan. A plan might be offered in say Will County, Illinois, but not in DuPage County. It varies that much. Also, often times the Out of Pocket Maximum is significant. Some plans are $6700 out of pocket, some are $3000 out of pocket. That might be the biggest question to ask is what is my Out of Pocket Maximum, on this plan? Then could I afford that if something happened. Also with Medicare Supplement, your doctors and hospitals will accept the plan if they take Medicare Patients. With a MA plan, depending on your plan, the doctor could treat you today and not tomorrow ( normally, that is with a Private Fee For Service (PFFS) plan).

I would say a Medicare Supplement Plan is better coverage in every situation, that being said premium sometimes can force you to a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you only have Original Medicare because you cannot take on the premium of a supplement, then the MA plan is a good way to go. Medicare Advantage plans are often times know as Medicare Part C.

Prescription plans are known as Part D. Some MA plans come with Part D, normally known as a MAPD plan. Supplement plans do not come with Part D and need to be added. Before purchasing a Part D plan you should ask your broker which Part D plan covers you the best. Each of them are slightly different either by premium or classification of the medicine.