There is nothing more disheartening to find out your Medigap Plan has been discontinued. Before you get too upset, the Federal government has laws that give you guaranteed issue rights for Medicare Supplement when this happens. These guaranteed rights for your Medigap Plan allows you to purchase Medigap policies without taking into consideration any pre-existing or current conditions. The Medigap companies are required by law to sell you a Medigap policy. If you have a Medigap Plan that has been discontinued, you still can be covered for the additional expenses Medicare doesn’t cover. You will have to complete an application but you can’t be denied coverage.
Starting June 1, 2010, news changes to Medigap policies took place. Medigap Plans E, H, I, and Plan J are no longer available to be sold. However, if you were already enrolled in one of these plans, you can keep your plan. You will enjoy the same benefits of these Medigap plans but you must keep the premium current in order to take advantage of them. With the new changes, you should during your 30 day trial period you are offered every year to investigate the new plans to see if they fit your needs better.
Under the new rules, new Medicare Supplement policies are available. Medigap Plan M and Plan N are new choices. Medicare Supplement Plan N has a $20 co-payment for doctor visits plus a$50 co-payment for visits to the emergency room. You have to meet the $155 deductible before the co-pay kicks in. Medicare Supplement Plan M covers 50% of the Medicare Part A deducible and none of the Medicare Part B deductible. Both Medigap Plan M and Plan N will reduce the Medigap Plan F and D premiums.