Best practices when shopping for Medicare supplemental insurance

Before you turn 65, you'll want to have a plan in place that prepares for health costs. Seniors who turn 65 are eligible to enroll in a Medicare supplemental insurance plan, which pays for the expenses associated with care. As this enrollment period only lasts the six months after you turn 65, it's important to prepare ahead of time. 

When it comes to the variety of Medicare supplemental insurance plans, you could find it difficult to determine which plan is right for you. There are a number of different parts to choose from, and you might be unsure how to navigate this marketplace. Here are a few tips to ensure you find the right Medicare supplemental insurance coverage:

  • Assess your needs: While it might sound obvious, it's important to thoroughly analyze what it is you want out of your health care. There are various parts to choose from when it comes to Medicare supplemental insurance. Medicare Part A is known as hospital insurance, covering "inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and some home health care," according to Medicare.gov. Part B covers "doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services." However, Part C combines aspects of Parts A and B, while Part D covers prescription drugs. Knowing these different options beforehand will ensure shopping for a plan runs smoothly, as it will also help you determine exactly what you want.
  • Talk with a financial professional: Medicare supplemental insurance is a large aspect of retirement planning if you choose to take advantage of it. Retirement is often cited as the No. 1 financial concern for Americans, especially as the golden years draw closer. In order to adequately plan for the road ahead, it's important to talk with a financial expert. From deciding when you should cash in on an employer's retirement plan to which Medicare supplemental insurance is best suited for you, experts are paramount in helping you plan for a comfortable retirement. 
  • Find helpful tools: When shopping for anything, it's important to compare the aspects of an item along with its price. And while determining the best value for Medicare supplemental insurance can be a challenge, tools are available to help. Side-by-side comparisons of the different aspects of Medicare supplemental insurance, along with clearly listed prices, make determining which plan is right for you easier than if you had to compile all this information on your own. 

MySeniorHealthPlan.com is one of these resources. Providing up-to-date information on health insurance news along with honest and non-biased comparisons of the top insurance providers, those shopping for Medicare are given the confidence they need to make an informed decision. 

To maximize your Senior Health Insurance benefits, visit MySeniorHealthPlan.com for quick, simple and easy information.

Pete Blasi