Back from church.
Medicare supplemental insurance only pays for items covered by Medicare. For example, if your doctor recommends a treatment not covered by Medicare your insurance won’t cover it either.
With my parents’ insurance (through the retired teacher’s association) it covered the deductible on the ALLOWED fees. That meant if the real fee was $1000, Medicare allowed a total fee of $500, of which they paid 80%. The insurance would pay the 20% of the $500, not 20% of $1000.
And of course, all of this is very confusing to many seniors. And lots of people who are NOT seniors.
Can you get insurance that will cover what medicare does not?
First, my private insurance covers the difference between what Medicare covers and what the doctor charges, limited to 115% of what Medicare reimburses the doctor.
I am a retired Federal employee and can choose a large menu of coverage plans. Currently, I am covered under the FS Benefit Plan {Coventry is the health provider), the same one I have used for over 38 years. My premium is the same as if I were still actively employed. If Medicare rejects all or part of my claim, I can send it to my insurance company for processing. It doesn't follow that I cannot be reimbursed for those services not payed for by Medicare. For example, my insurance pays for an annual physical, but Medicare only approves of a one-time welcome to Medicare physical exam.
With my parents’ insurance (through the retired teacher’s association) it covered the deductible on the ALLOWED fees. That meant if the real fee was $1000, Medicare allowed a total fee of $500, of which they paid 80%. The insurance would pay the 20% of the $500, not 20% of $1000.
I have better insurance. Still, there are limits to what my plan will pay beyond what Medicare would reimburse.