Medicare supplemental insurance, also known as “Medigap,” is a policy that private insurances sell to cover gaps in Medicare coverage. These policies help reduce out-of-pocket costs with Medicare. Some Medigap plans can also cover medical fees when traveling outside of the United States.
Introduction
Medigap helps people who have Medicare cover out-of-pocket costs, like co-payments or deductibles. Medigap does this by reimbursing you for out-of-pocket costs. There are a variety of instances where someone might get Medigap.
Medigap is useful because it pays some or all the costs Medicare doesn’t cover, depending on the level of coverage you choose. People might be interested in getting Medigap coverage because the costs that Medicare doesn’t cover can be substantial. This is especially true for people who need long-term hospitalization, frequent doctor visits, or extensive treatments.
Another reason Medigap is useful is that some Medigap plans cover emergency treatment you might need when traveling outside of the U.S. This feature of Medigap is very attractive to people who frequently travel for work or leisure.
What Medigap Plans Provide Coverage Outside of the United States?
Not all Medigap plans have foreign coverage. So, you must be very careful in choosing your plan if your goal is to get coverage outside of the United States.
Medigap plans can also differ in how much they will reimburse you for foreign medical costs. The breakdown of what plans offer which benefits are below:
- Medigap Plan C – covers 80% of out-of-pocket costs in foreign countries
- Medigap Plan D – covers 80% of out-of-pocket costs in foreign countries
- Medigap Plan F – covers 80% of out-of-pocket costs in foreign countries
- Medigap Plan G – covers 80% of out-of-pocket costs in foreign countries
- Medigap Plan M – covers 80% of out-of-pocket costs in foreign countries
- Medigap Plan N – covers 80% of out-of-pocket costs in foreign countries
Medigap plans A, B, K and L offer no coverage for medical care received in a foreign country.
What Kinds of Care Are Covered by Medigap in a Foreign Country?
Medigap will cover a percentage of emergency and necessary care given in a foreign country. Medigap will not cover preventative care in a foreign country.
So, if you plan to get regular check-ups in a foreign country, Medigap will not cover that. However, if you break a bone hiking in Switzerland, you can be sure Medigap will reimburse you for a percentage of the medical treatment cost.
Also, be advised that Medigap only kicks in once your regular insurance has covered what it’s supposed to. You will need to pay the medical costs upfront, and Medigap will reimburse you for their percentage after. In most cases, this will be 80%.
Conclusion
Medigap covers the costs of Medicare deductibles, copays, and other out-of-pocket costs. If traveling, certain Medigap plans also cover you for emergency medical services abroad. Choose the right plan for you if you intend to use this benefit.
The post How Does Medigap Work When Travelling for an Extended Time? appeared first on Ahlbum Insurance Group.
