Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance: Part 3 of What You Should Know

This is the third and last post in a short series about Medicare supplemental health insurance.  You can find the first part here on our website and the second part here.

Medicare Part B Helps Cover Your Medically Necessary:

Medical and Other Services

Doctors’ services (not routine physical exams), outpatient medical and surgical services and supplies, diagnostic tests, ambulatory surgery center facility fees for approved procedures, and durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, and walkers). Also covers second surgical opinions, outpatient mental health care, and outpatient occupational and physical therapy including speech-language therapy. (These services are also covered for long-term nursing home residents).

Clinical Laboratory Services

Blood tests, urinalysis, some screening tests, and more.

Home Health Care

Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care and home health aide services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, medical social services, durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, and walkers), medical supplies, and other services.

Outpatient Hospital Services

Hospital services and supplies received as an outpatient as part of a doctor’s care.

Blood

Pints of blood you get as an outpatient or as part of a Part B covered service.

What is the Original Medicare Plan?

The Original Medicare Plan is a “fee-for-service” plan. This means you are usually charged a fee for each health care service or supply you get. This plan, managed by the Federal Government, is available nationwide. If you are in the Original Medicare Plan, you use your red, white, and blue Medicare card when you get health care. If you are happy getting your health care this way, you don’t have to change. You will stay in the Original Medicare Plan unless you choose to join a Medicare + Choice Plan.

Your costs in the Original Medicare Plan

What you pay out-of-pocket depends on:

• Whether you have Part A and Part B
• Whether your doctor or supplier agrees to accept “assignment”
• How often you need health care
• What type of health care you need
• Whether you choose to get services or supplies not covered by Medicare. In this case, you would pay for these services yourself.
• Whether you have other insurance

We hope this short series have answered some of your questions about Medicare supplemental health insurance and will assist you in making a decision. If you need more information please visit our website at www.HeritageKC.com and request more information on the Contact Us form or call us at (816) 322 6350