If you have original Medicare, you may be subject to excess charges. This means that the doctor or hospital can charge you more than the Medicare-approved amount for a service. Excess charges usually only apply to services that are not covered by original Medicare, such as dental care or eye exams. In most cases, you will not have to pay these charges if you have supplemental insurance.
How Do I Avoid An Excess Charge?
The best way to avoid an excess charge is to make sure that you understand what original Medicare covers and does not cover. If you are unsure about whether or not a service will be covered, you can ask your doctor or hospital in advance. You can also contact Medicare directly to find out more information.
What Are My Rights If I Am Charged An Excess Fee?
If you are charged an excess fee, you have the right to appeal the charge. You can contact Medicare or your supplemental insurance company to file an appeal. Be sure to do this as soon as possible, as there may be time limits on appeals.
Excess charges can be confusing and frustrating, but it is important to know that you have rights and options if you are charged one. If you have any questions, be sure to contact Medicare or your supplemental insurance company for more information.
Did You Know?
- You may be able to get help paying for your excess charges if you have a limited income and resources. For more information, contact your state Medicaid office or the Social Security Administration.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will not be subject to excess charges. This is because Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that original Medicare covers.
- You may be able to get help paying for original Medicare deductibles and coinsurance through a Medicare Savings Program. For more information, contact your state Medicaid office or the Social Security Administration.
- You may be able to get help paying for original Medicare Part B premiums through a Premium Tax Credit. For more information, contact the Internal Revenue Service.
- You may be able to get help paying for prescription drugs through the Extra Help program. For more information, contact the Social Security Administration.
- You can get more information about original Medicare and excess charges by visiting the Medicare website or contacting Medicare directly.
- You can also get more information about supplemental insurance and how it can help you pay for excess charges by visiting the websites of some of the leading supplemental insurance companies. These include AARP, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare.
Do I Have to Pay Excess Charge If I Have a Supplement Plan?
No, you do not have to pay the excess charges if you have a supplement plan. A supplement plan is health insurance that helps pay some of the costs that original Medicare doesn’t cover. This includes deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. It may also cover services original Medicare doesn’t cover, like dental, vision, and hearing. A supplement plan doesn’t replace original Medicare. You’ll still need to pay your Part B premium. You must have original Medicare before you can enroll in a supplement plan.
Supplement plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They have different names depending on the company, but all plans must follow the same rules set by Medicare. This means that no matter which company you choose, you’ll get the same basic benefits. The only difference will be in how much you pay for the plan and how well the company works with your doctor or health care provider.
Supplement plans are a good way to help cover some of the costs that original Medicare doesn’t cover. If you’re thinking about enrolling in a supplement plan, contact one of the leading supplemental insurance companies.
- Mutual of Omaha
- Cigna
- Aetna
- AARP
- Humana
- GPM
- Lumico
Keep in mind that these plans off the exact same benefits. So price and rate of increase is the main thing to keep in mind. If you would like to compare some plans. Please give us a call. We have a software that can shop all these carriers side by side. This way you can see who is offering the best price in your area.