Medicare

[Happy Camper]

If medicare is your secondary insurance does it pay the amount of money you owe after the primary insurance pays?
For example if you see your dr. and the primary insurance pays 80% and you are left with a 20 dollar bill does medicare then pay that 20 dollars?
Thanks

[drz]

Most policies require Medicare be your primary insurance when you are eligible for it. In these cases a supplemental policy will usually cover what Medicare allows for your co-pay. A secondary insurance pays its normal amount deducting what Medicare has paid from the benefits you are allowed under your policy. The big difference is that a supplemental only pays if procedure is allowed under Medicare and then only covers the co-pay part. A secondary policy will cover things Medicare doesn't cover and is much better deal for you. The amount of deductibles for the policy can vary.

If Medicare is actually your secondary insurance they probably allow their usual benefits after deducting whatever your primary insurance insurance paid so then it might not pay anything extra in most cases.

[crackers]

wow, as a brit i have no idea or understanding of what drz has just said.it all seems so complicated,or is it just me?us weggies should avoid stress but that all seems very stressful to me.

john.

[beeinformed]

Most policies require Medicare be your primary insurance when you are eligible for it. In these cases a supplemental policy will usually cover what Medicare allows for your co-pay. A secondary insurance pays its normal amount deducting what Medicare has paid from the benefits you are allowed under your policy. The big difference is that a supplemental only pays if procedure is allowed under Medicare and then only covers the co-pay part. A secondary policy will cover things Medicare doesn't cover and is much better deal for you. The amount of deductibles for the policy can vary.

If Medicare is actually your secondary insurance they probably allow their usual benefits after deducting whatever your primary insurance insurance paid so then it might not pay anything extra in most cases.

Hi,

Are the "medigap" plans called "supplemental plans" and do they also don't cover medical expenses that a "secondary plan" does? Could you please give examples of what 'secondary plans" cover as opposed to "medigap plans"? Thanks DRZ! :smile1:

[drz]

Hi,

Are the "medigap" plans called "supplemental plans" and do they also don't cover medical expenses that a "secondary plan" does? Could you please give examples of what 'secondary plans" cover as opposed to "medigap plans"? Thanks DRZ! :smile1:

Here is a site with info on Medicare medigap supplemental plans done by government.
Find a Medigap Policy in Your Area Home (http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1)
maybe it will help explain things for you?Find a Medigap Policy in Your Area Home (http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1)