But several companies new to the business
hope to capitalize on complaints that the state's leading insurer, Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, doesn't widely advertise its
money-losing Medigap policies.
"We have real customer service
with low wait times," said Joan Budden, chief marketing officer for
Priority Health, which has new supplemental Medicare, or Medigap, plans.
Aetna and Blue Care Network, a Blue Cross subsidiary, also have new Medigap plans for 2010.
Medicare
supplemental plans are policies that help pay for doctor visits and
medical services not typically covered by basic Medicare Part A and B
coverage.
Their
appeal is that they usually have no co-pays, and they pay for care in
broader areas of a state or in another state where a person may live
part of the year.
Medigap
policies "are good for people who are frail and who have high medical
needs," said Jennifer Houghton, a Medicare specialist with the Area
Agency on Aging 1B in Southfield.
Insurers take on Blue Cross
George
Williston considered buying a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
supplemental Medicare policy. But he had such trouble finding
information about the plans on the company's Web site that he decided
to keep looking.
"I consider it a disgrace for a nonprofit organization," said Williston, 82, of Hastings, a retired nonprofit executive.
This
year, Williston and other seniors will have more choices as insurers
introduce new Medigap products to compete with Blue Cross, which is
seeking a 36.7% rate hike to offset mounting losses selling the
Medicare product.
Read more of this article.Supplemental Medicare Insurance: work with a pre-screened insurer
to find the right Medicare Advantage program for you and your medical
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