Dear Marci,
My former employer is cutting its retiree coverage next year and then I will then only have only Original Medicare. Can I buy insurance to fill the gaps in Original Medicare?
—Perry (Chicago, IL)
Click on the blue, underlined hyperlinks for related information available through Medicare Interactive!
Dear Perry,
Yes, several insurance companies sell supplemental coverage to fill Original Medicare’s gaps. These policies are called Medigaps and they help cover Medicare deductibles, coinsurances and, depending on the plan, some additional benefits.
There are 12 different standardized Medigap plans, labeled A-L (except in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin which have their own Medigap systems). The cost of your Medigap policy will depend on the type of Medigap plan you choose and who you buy it from. All plans of the same letter cover the same set of benefits, but costs vary greatly by company (one company’s Plan A may cost much more than another company’s Plan A). It pays to shop around.
You will want to look into buying a Medigap in advance of when you will lose your retiree plan so you have no gaps in coverage. To get started, find out which Medigap plans are available in your state.
 To find out more about how the benefits of each Medigap compare to one another, visit Medicare Interactive.
—Marci
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Health Tip of the Week
The mere thought of running in cold weather sends many people into the warmer confines of the gym. Running outside during the colder months is a great way to test your endurance, stay energized, get fresh air—and once your body warms up, it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Here are some running tips to keep you safe in the coming months:
- Don’t let the frost bite: Keep tabs on your fingers, nose and ears. A little numbness is normal on really cold days, but if you notice any part of your skin turning hard, pale and staying cold, you may have frostbite. Get out of the cold immediately and warm the affected area.
- Don’t overdress: Even if you feel cold when you first head out, you will warm up as soon as you start moving and too many unnecessary layers can make a run uncomfortable. Opt for gear you can zip up or down to better regulate your temperature.
- Take it off: Remove any damp clothes as soon as you get back inside. Warm up by changing into a fleece and rewarding yourself with a hot beverage.
- Check in with your doctor: Cold air has been known to trigger chest pain and asthma attacks in some people. Sit down and talk to your doctor before you get out there and brave the elements.
For more tips on staying safe during your winter runs, visit About.com and Runner’s World. Regular exercise is only part of being healthy. To find out what preventive services are covered by Medicare, visit Medicare Interactive.
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Survey Says . . .
A new report published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that more than 21 percent of hospital stays show a mental health condition as a primary or secondary diagnosis.
The study, which used 2006 data from the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) on mental health stays at U.S. community hospitals, determined that about 60 percent of such stays were paid for by government programs (like Medicare), while only 24 percent were paid for by private insurance.
A shift in these numbers will likely be visible after 2010. Last month, Congress passed the $700 billion bailout plan and included a mental health parity provision requiring private insurance companies to put mental health benefits on par with physical health benefits. Historically, patients with insurance have had to pay much higher copayments and faced stricter coverage restrictions for mental health care than for other covered kinds of care. The provision kicks in on January 1, 2010.
To find out which mental health services are covered by Medicare, visit Medicare Interactive.
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Dear Marci is a weekly e-newsletter designed to keep you—people with Medicare, social workers, health care providers and other professionals—in the loop about health care benefits, rights and options for older Americans and people with disabilities. Dear Marci is a free service of the Medicare Rights Center.
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