Am I Eligible For Medicare Supplemental Insurance?
Since health insurance is state regulated, there may be laws in your state that supersede these federal regulations. The best thing for you to do is contact an insurance carrier in your state, or an agent that sells Medicare supp products. You can find a list of agents in your state that sell Medicare supplemental products by visiting our Medicare Supplemental directory for Tennessee. You might also contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. 10 CommentsLeave a comment |
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I am 60 years old and am receiving Medicare benefits as the primary insurance. I am on Medicare because of a kidney transplant. Is it possible for me to get Medicare supplemental insurance?
According to the Guide to Medicare, published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, you can get a Medicare supplemental plan if: 1) you join a plan in your service area, 2) you have both Medicare Part A and Part B, and 3) you do not have End-Stage Renal Disease. There are exceptions to this rule that are explained on page 63 of this publication 
I am 58 and have been on long term disability for 3 years. I became eligible for and obtained medicare parts A and B last year. I have contacted three different insurance carriers (blue cross blue shield, colonial penn, and aarp), I was told by all three that I am not eligible until I reach 65 to obtain supplemental insurance. After arguing with each of them I finally said please just send me information and I will try from there. None of them have sent me any correspondence of any kind. What else can I do?
Comment by willie — June 23, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Did these insurance companies provide you with a specific reason as to why you are not currently eligible for a Medicare supplemental plan? Med supp plans are available to persons under the age of 65 that are permanently disabled and meet other qualifications. There are circumstances that can prevent you from being eligible, and I suspect that one of the circumstances applies to you, which is why they deferred you to the age of 65. There are typically several questions on a Medicare supplemental insurance application in which a “yes” answer to can affect your pre-65 eligibility.
Comment by admin — June 23, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
I need some helpful information. My mother-in-law, age 90, has been getting “secondary insurance”, not supplemental insurance, from her former employer. She just received notice that the plan she’s been on is going to be discontinued and the only option they offer retirees has services centered near and around the employer (which is 200+ miles from where she now lives). THe POS of service they offer to people who live “out of area” is almost $600/month for an individual. I didn’t know she had secondary instead of supplemental insurance. At her age, is she able to apply for supplemental insurance through a provider given that she’s had coverage (secondary) up to this point in time. The former employer gave her only a little over a week to accept or reject their offer so timely help is very important. THANKS for what light you can shed on this for us.
Comment by KMM — May 12, 2009 @ 9:22 am
KMM,
This first thing to do, if you haven’t already, is get her enrolled in Medicare Part B. Page 23 of the Medicare and You Guide discusses special enrollment for Medicare Part B
http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf
You can also contact SS at 800-772-1213 for additional information.
However, depending on the level of coverage she needs, and the availability of providers in her area, premiums for Medigap insurance could be as high as the $600 per month. Advantage plans will be less costly, but you will be limited to select providers. So, maybe the first step should actually be finding this out.
In which state does she reside? Maybe we can point you in the right direction.
Comment by admin — May 12, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Re #4. She lives in the state of Wisconsin. Any additional direction you can provide will be helpful. THanks.
Comment by KMM — May 12, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
I am unable to locate a Medicare advisory committee in Wisconsin, so I would suggest contacting a couple of insurance companies directly for Medigap pricing to see if it makes sense to get Part B and a Medigap plan instead of continuing on the retirement plan. Here are a few of the larger companies with options available in Wisconsin
http://www.humana-medicare.com/humana-contact-us.asp
http://www.anthem.com/medicare/
https://www.securehorizons.com/contact/index.html?link=Contact
Comment by admin — May 12, 2009 @ 4:02 pm
What is the number one best and most comprehensive Medicare Health Insurance supplemental available for a person under the age of 65 who has a disability? My wife is covered under my private group health plan, but I am the primary holder. The only reason why we were able to get coverage in the first place was because we got coverage from HIPAA and ERISA while I was applying for disability benefits. I am concerned that my wife will be dropped from the policy if I go and switch plans to a Medicare health insurance supplemental plan. How can I do this but still keep my wife covered. Any experience that you may have on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Comment by Richard — June 28, 2009 @ 5:56 am
I hv recently been approved for social security disability due to mental health conditions. I am 57. I have been enrolled in the Medicare part A &B, but I take several medications daily and need coverage to help pay for my meds and limit my out of pocket cost.
What would be the next step in finding out what I am allowed to do regarding…supplemental coverage? Can I buy private supplemental coverage on my own or does it need to be Medicare related? I am so confused and any information would be most helpful and appreciated.
Comment by bren — August 9, 2009 @ 7:27 am
Bren, at 51 and on full mental health disability I am told that no one is able to cover me for my 20 percent co-pay. That I am uninsurable and a “high risk”. I feel discriminated against as I am no more a high risk then someone 65 or older that can qualify. You can buy into part d for meds………if your income is low then Social Security may indeed pay the premiums……….also, astra Zenaca and other makers of meds will offer low income prices if you qualify with “their” income limits……..hope this helps…… I currently have over 2k out in my 20 percent co-pays……….I just pay what I can………..I do not qualify for medicaid. Good luck.
Comment by James — September 9, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Bren, good luck finding any. I am 51 on full disability due to a mental health issue. No one will provide me with a policy to cover my 20 percent co-pay. As I (and others) are considered “high risk” policies. I do not qualify for medicaid so I am stuck paying in full my co-pays. Part D you may be able to get assistance from medicare on that if your income is low………also Aztra Zenaca and other makers of meds offer programs for low income persons. But todate I have yet been able to find anyone that will say yes to a policy for me……….let alone one that is affordable. I feel discriminated against………..as I am no more of a high risk then anyone over the age of 65 IMO. Good luck.
Comment by james — September 9, 2009 @ 2:49 pm