Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance plans are health insurance programs financed by the federal government. These plans are designed to provide medical insurance for people who are 65 years or older. It also offers coverage for younger people who are disabled or who may have permanent kidney failure. Basic coverage under Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance plans includes policy payments for a fraction of your medical bills, provided that you are eligible. Most health and medical conditions are also covered under the plan ecept for some specific conditions. Eclusions to the plan include in-home care, nursing home care and assisted living care as well as treatment for some long-term illnesses and chronic disabilities. To compensate for the limitations of basic coverage under Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance plans, four other features have been added to the policies. These features will only require an individual to pay deductibles, monthly enrollment fees and co-insurance fees. Benefits of Part A Medicare include some hospice care, inpatient hospital care, nursing facility care and some in-home care. This coverage also pays for medical tests, semiprivate room, doctor's fees and food. Usually, some Medicare recipients do not have to shell out for a premium on Medicare Part A coverage. Medicare Part B coverage usually requires recipients to pay a small premium for monthly coverage. These premiums are normally used to pay for doctors' fees, outpatient hospital care, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Part B also provides coverage for pneumonia and flu vaccinations, -rays, laboratory tests, limited ambulance transportation and blood transfusions. This plan also includes coverage for wheelchairs, walkers, canes, scooters and artificial limbs. Recipients do have an option to buy Part B coverage or not. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Choice provides coverage for PPO care, HMO care and coverage from other health institutions. However, there is a limit to the choice of hospitals and doctors depending on the network of health care organizations associated with the plan. Medicare Part D is intended for coverage of prescription drugs. It also covers a deductible and a monthly premium which are required under the plan. Private health insurance companies usually devise and oversee the prescription drugs covered under their respective plans, even if Medicare Part D is regulated by the Medicare program of the federal government. As part of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance plans, private insurance companies will usually provide Medigap to recipients. Not all states however provide all 12 plans, even if federal law has designed and specified 12 Medigap plans. -- June 18, 2009 @ 10:09 am