If you have Medicare in Valparaiso, you know that it doesn’t cover everything that you need. That means spending money out of pocket when you run into something that isn’t covered or doing without, and there should be no reason why you should go without something that you need to live or live a higher quality lifestyle. Unfortunately, even with the Affordable Care Act, the medical system is ruled by capitalism and not compassion. That means that you may need to get a supplement to help you out with certain expenses. There are certain things that you should know before you choose a supplemental plan.
Who’s Going to Pay?
The first and biggest thing that you need to know is who is going to pay when a bill comes up. There have been several horror stories about seniors being caught in limbo as two or more insurance companies battle out which of the companies is responsible for paying the incurred bill. While they are arguing, the senior gets stuck with the bill or with bad credit. It is possible that a credit score doesn’t matter after a certain age, but you worked hard for that score, there is no reason that a couple of companies should ruin it for you because they cannot decide what company is supposed to be responsible. (Sometimes, the worst happens and all of the companies decide that they are not responsible, which leaves you footing the bill and wondering what you pay insurance premiums for.)
Is It Free?
The next thing you have to ask is if you can afford the insurance. You probably live on a fixed income, and that means that any additional expense can throw your entire life into a downward spiral. The additional monthly expense of supplemental insurance may be too much. However, that type of insurance could provide you with peace of mind and less stress – both of which carry real health benefits. If that is worth it to you, then you may just have to move some other expenses around in order to absorb the new expenditure. Those who are on Medicaid, or eligible for Medicaid are not covered under the Affordable Care Act. At this point it is unclear if supplemental insurances for Medicare will be covered.
Can I Get Help?
Fortunately, if you are looking at these types of insurance to supplement Medicare in Valparaiso, you can get help. If you are leery of going to an insurance company and asking them how it all works, you are not alone. There are companies who specialize in hooking people up with the coverage that the person needs. These brokers help the person look at all the plans, get the information that he or she needs, and then explain what each option offers. You are in control of the process, and you are ultimately in charge of making the decision. However, having someone who works for you and not the insurance company help you with the choices available will only make your decision better without the influence large corporation hovering over you. Everyone might like the scene in Miracle on 34th Street where Santa Claus sends a mom over to Gimbel’s for a fire truck that the son wants, even though Santa is employed by Macy’s. Unfortunately, that only happens in the movies when it comes to making a profit.