Original Medicare is a health insurance program for individuals 65 or older or people with disabilities that is funded by the government. It consists of two parts; Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Although it provides valuable coverage to West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries, it only provides basic coverage and has many gaps. There are a couple options you may choose from to help fill in these gaps: West Virginia Medicare Supplement plans, and West Virginia Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap, are health insurance plans that are designed to help cover services that Original Medicare does not cover. These plans are sold by West Virginia private insurance companies but are standardized by Medicare. Supplemental Medicare insurance plans helps make health care more affordable for Medicare beneficiaries in West Virginia. Medicare Advantage plans help to cover Part A, Part B, and Part D (prescription drug coverage). Like Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private health insurance companies in West Virginia. The advantage they have over Medicare Supplement plans is that they include prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Health Insurance Providers
How do I choose the West Virginia Medicare health plan that's right for me?
There are many things to consider when purchasing a West Virginia Medicare health plan. You must know and consider your options and evaluate the benefits that best fit your health care needs. Some things to consider when researching a West Virginia Medicare health plan include:
- Monthly premium
- Annual Deductible
- Coinsurance
- Prescription Drug Coverage
- Foreign Travel Emergency
- Skilled Nursing Coverage
- At Home Recovery
- Copayments
- In or Out of Network physicians
Medicare Health Insurance Plans
Medicare is classified into four different categories:
- Medicare Part A: Part A covers Hospital Insurance and gives financial assistance for inpatient care. Part A also partially covers skilled nurses, hospice, and home health care under certain conditions.
- Medicare Part B: Part B covers necessary medical services such as outpatient care and doctor services. Some preventative care is also covered to maintain your healthy status and minimize the chances that other illnesses might become more severe.
- Medicare Part C: Part C is a Medicare Advantage Plan. It combines Part A and Part B and in some instances, it also combines Part D. Medicare Part C plans are privately managed by insurance companies approved by Medicare. The plans cover necessary medical services, although, these plans have co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles that can vary.
- Medicare Part D: Part D provides assistance covering prescription drugs. The coverage will vary depending on the plan, but it may help lower your prescription drug costs and help prevent high costs in the future.