Louisiana Medicare Supplements & Insurance

Many Medicare beneficiaries decide to purchase supplemental plans called Medigap policies to help off-set Medicare costs. While each state's plans offer the same benefits, most states have different purchasing laws. Louisiana Medicare beneficiaries should know these laws before they begin shopping for a Medigap.

Definition

• Medigap policies provide supplemental coverage for traditional Medicare's extra costs, such as coinsurance and deductibles.

Coverage

• In each state, the Medigap plan (lettered A through N) covers the same benefits. There is a set of minimum benefits that every Medigap plan must cover which includes an additional 365 days of hospital coverage. Plans higher in the alphabet will cover additional benefits.

Medigap Changes

• After June 1, 2010, plans E, H, I and high-deductible plan J were eliminated and the preventive care and at-home recovery benefits were taken off the market. A hospice benefit was added and two new Medigaps (M and N) were added. Anyone who had previously purchased E, H, I and high-deductible J or had one of the eliminated benefits could continue receiving it.

Federal Purchasing Laws

• The only persons guaranteed the right to purchase a Medigap under federal law are those 65 and older, within the first six months of their 65th birthdate and within 63 days of losing qualified health coverage.

Louisiana's Extended Laws

• Louisiana extends these rights to Medicare beneficiaries under 65. They have purchasing rights once they become Medicare eligible, 63 days after they lose coverage and again once they turn 65.