Should you support Medicare Plan J or compare other plans?
Often used as a supplement to Medigap Plan J, Medicare Supplement Plan J covers certain expenses that are not covered by Medicare basic coverage. Unfortunately, Plan J is no longer available (valid May 31, 2010). However, the plan will remain in force for those individuals who were enrolled in it by June 1, 2010. In addition, there is a separate annual deductible of $ 250.
What is the J Cover plan?
As with any Medicare Advantage or Medigap Insurance plans, Plan J covered certain gaps in Medicare Part A and B. This includes:
• home restoration
• caring for qualified nurses
• emergency assistance when traveling abroad
• Excess of expenses / expenses of part B
• Medicare Insurance (Part B)
• Deductible Parts A and B
• up to $ 120 of preventative care that Medicare does not cover
What the plan does not cover
Unfortunately, there are certain health problems that are not covered by Plan J (according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), including:
• Dental care
• Points
• Hearing Aids
• long-term care at home
• care for individuals
• eye care
The bottom line is that the elimination of Plan J was resolved from the need to modernize the entire Medicare insurance infrastructure.
Default removal
It was often mentioned that Plan J was simply eliminated by default, since there were two benefits that were similar to those covered by Plan F. Plan F was often considered the most comprehensive of all MA / Medigup plans. Two specific benefits that set plan J apart from plan F are home rehabilitation and preventive care. Medicare and Medicaid Services eliminated these two coverings due to lack of use. Therefore, Plan J was excluded due to this duplication.
Additional considerations
It is important to note that the existing Plan J policy holders who are not affected by the above will be subject to what is called a “closed business unit”, which means that after the effective date June 1, no new policies will be proposed. There is a reasonable assumption that Plan J coverage rates will increase as a result of the above. While it makes sense for some, the impact on existing policy holders remains to be seen. This is a good idea for those who have a plan J, to evaluate the current available Medigap Plans and compare the benefits and promotions with what they are currently paying. They may be surprised to learn that they can save money and get comparable benefits for Plan J.
