2010 MEDIGAP (MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT) CHANGES The federal government is changing all existing standardized Medicare Supplement plans. These changes will begin with policies issued after June 1, 2010. SUMMARY OF FEDERAL MEDIGAP CHANGES FOR NEW PLANS PURCHASED ON OR AFTER JUNE 1, 2010: - Policyholders may keep their existing coverage issued prior to June 1, 2010, and will not be required to change or buy a new plan.
- Plans E, H, I, and J, will no longer be available .
- Eliminates "At-Home Recovery" and "Preventive Care not covered by Medicare" benefits.
- Plan D will have the "At-Home Recovery" benefit removed.
- Plan G will be modified to increase excess charges from 80% to 100% , and will also have the "At-Home Recovery" benefit removed.
- All plans will have a new Hospice benefit added under Basic benefits.
- Two new Plans M & N will be available with cost sharing options.
HOSPICE BENEFIT: - Medicare pays for all but very limited co-payments for outpatient drugs and inpatient respite care. Medicare provides coverage for drugs prescribed for pain and symptom management less a co-payment amount up to $5.00 when receiving hospice benefits in the home. The Hospice Benefit will pick up this co-payment amount.
- Medicare provides coverage for inpatient respite care up to 5 days less a co-payment amount of 5% of the daily benefit. The new Hospice benefit will pick up this 5% co-pay. Example: If Medicare normally pays $100 per day for inpatient respite care, the client would be responsible for the 5% co-pay ($5.00) up to five days, or $25.00. The new Hospice benefit would pay the $25.00. Research from the Department of Health & Human Services showed that only 2% of all hospice beneficiaries received respite care in 2005.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE UPCOMING CHANGES: 1. Will I be able to keep my current Medicare Supplement Plan after June 2010? Absolutely, current policyholders will be 'Grandfathered' and eligible to keep their current plan and it's current benefits. There are some plans that contain coverage that will not be available on new plans after June of 2010, as mentioned in the Summary of Changes shown above. 2. Will I be able to switch to one of the newer plans? You can switch at any time after June 1, 2010. But you do not have to. There is no reason to change if you are happy with your current plan. 3. If I purchase a new Modernized Plan after June 2010 can I go back to my original plan at a later date? No. Many plans (E, H, I & J) will not be available and some of the additional benefits you had under these plans are not available on the new plans. *The Shoemake Organization, Inc., nor it’s agents, are connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the Federal Medicare program. | 
