Wellness

[Winkk]

On 1/5/2015 Tinkrbl44 said:

Whenever you have ANY type of health insurance/ Medicare coverage, you need to show the relevant cards, at least for the first time.

Many doctors' offices will record the information and use that for future visits. It's up to the patient to notify them of any future changes.

I don't know why she would think she can get coverage .... and then not provide the information!

I know. She doesn't seem to be grasping the Medicare concept. I told her how does the doctor know that you have supplemental insurance if you don't tell them. She said that when she signed up for supplemental she thought that insurance company would notify Medicare. My advantage plan is so much easier.

[Tinkrbl44]

On 1/5/2015 Wink said:

On 1/5/2015 Tinkrbl44 said:

Whenever you have ANY type of health insurance/ Medicare coverage, you need to show the relevant cards, at least for the first time.

Many doctors' offices will record the information and use that for future visits. It's up to the patient to notify them of any future changes.

I don't know why she would think she can get coverage .... and then not provide the information!

I know. She doesn't seem to be grasping the Medicare concept. I told her how does the doctor know that you have supplemental insurance if you don't tell them. She said that when she signed up for supplemental she thought that insurance company would notify Medicare. My advantage plan is so much easier.

The supplemental insurance company might tell Medicare, but SHE needs to tell the physician's office ..... tell her it's just like health insurance ... you need to PROVE you have it!

[millieshops]

My experience has been that I need both cards, but that could be because all the doctors I use are in my gap policies preferred provider plan. The benefits are then co-ordinated and I get statements so that I know what, if any, extra dollars I'm liable for.

I'm 8 years into Medicare now and have been fortunate not to have had to go outside my plan to find good doctors and hospitals, but I always ask when I call any new office whether they accept my plan and even when I make an appointment with a doctor I've used before but not recently, I ask if they still accept my plan. For me, it's financially beneficial to stay within the plan as long as the doctor /hospital is good.

I've always assumed that if a doctor would not accept my plan, the staff would not need that card.

[orphan annie325]

You should always present all insurance cards when going to the Doctor's office. After the first claim goes through Medicare, you should be setup for automatic crossover filing from Medicare to your supplemental insurance. If not, contact Medicare to provide your supplemental information.

With regard to the comment about your physician not accepting medicare supplement insurance, as long as they accept Medicare, you can use your supplement insurance. The only difference comes with a Medicare Advantage plan since you need to use a network physician. Med Sup plans do not work with a network.

I am providing this info based on 22 years working with AARP medicare supplement insurance co and it is what I carry now that I am retired.

[Winkk]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

[151949]

On 1/5/2015 millieshops said:

My experience has been that I need both cards, but that could be because all the doctors I use are in my gap policies preferred provider plan. The benefits are then co-ordinated and I get statements so that I know what, if any, extra dollars I'm liable for.

I'm 8 years into Medicare now and have been fortunate not to have had to go outside my plan to find good doctors and hospitals, but I always ask when I call any new office whether they accept my plan and even when I make an appointment with a doctor I've used before but not recently, I ask if they still accept my plan. For me, it's financially beneficial to stay within the plan as long as the doctor /hospital is good.

I've always assumed that if a doctor would not accept my plan, the staff would not need that card.

I was not aware that a medicare supplement plan could be an HMO or PPO type plan. I was under the impression they had to cover any doctor/provider that takes medicare. Medicare advantage plans are typically HMO/PPO plans but when you have those you do not use your medicare card at all bec ause you are covered fully by the advantage plan and medicare does not pay anything.

[kittymomNC]

I have my supplemental plan with United Health Care, and they state that supplemental plans allow you to go to any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. When I go to a new doctor, they always make a copy of my Medicare Card and my Supplemental Card, and then I don't have to show them again. However, if anything did happen to change, I would need to notify them.

I've been on regular Medicare with a Supplemental policy since I started, and I've never had to pay a penny out of pocket for any doctors, overnight hospital stay, tests, etc. I only pay my premiums. I get a statement from Medicare periodically telling me what has been filed and the status of each claim... it also states whether or not it has been filed with my supplemental company. To my knowledge, Medicare forwards the claim to United Health Care after they have made their payments. United Health Care then makes their payments directly to the doctors/hospital, and I get a periodic statement from them as well.

[kittymomNC]

On 1/5/2015 Wink said:

On 1/5/2015 Tinkrbl44 said:

Whenever you have ANY type of health insurance/ Medicare coverage, you need to show the relevant cards, at least for the first time.

Many doctors' offices will record the information and use that for future visits. It's up to the patient to notify them of any future changes.

I don't know why she would think she can get coverage .... and then not provide the information!

I know. She doesn't seem to be grasping the Medicare concept. I told her how does the doctor know that you have supplemental insurance if you don't tell them. She said that when she signed up for supplemental she thought that insurance company would notify Medicare. My advantage plan is so much easier.

It's really no different than your Advantage plan as far as notifying the doctors. When you go to a new doctor, you would have to give them the information for your Advantage plan. When she goes to a new doctor, she just needs to give them both cards (Medicare and supplemental) - two cards instead of one. If they make a copy like my doctors' offices do, she doesn't have to do anything else. The doctor's office files with Medicare, and then Medicare files with her supplemental. She will receive periodic EOB's from Medicare showing what claims have been filed, the status, and whether they've been filed with her supplemental. The supplemental company should also send her a periodic EOB.

[cascol]

Whenever you go to a doctor for the first time, always show them whatever coverage cards you have. Some doctors will ask to see them again or ask you if there has been any change at the beginning of the new year. Some people switch plans. Always let them know if there are any changes.

[RinaRina]

On 1/5/2015 woodstockillinois said:

I am on a medicare advantage program which I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always shoe both insurance cards. I always recommend a medicare advantage program, if they have to go out of the program to get you the right help, they do. No questions asked. Good luck.

Is that supplemental insurance? Sorry, I'm just learning this stuff. I'm not 65 yet.

Thanks.