Medicare Supplement Plan Changes on and after June 1, 2010 

As the result of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), some changes are being made to Medicare Supplement Plans to become effective on and after June 1, 2010. The goal of MIPPA is to update plan benefits, eliminate unnecessary and duplicative plans, and add new plan options with higher out of pocket costs and lower premiums.

On and after June 1, 2010, these plans will be referred to as "Modernized" plans. Medicare Supplement plans in force prior to June 1, 2010, known as "Standardized Benefit Plans", will no longer be offered. However, if you already own a guaranteed renewable Standardized Benefit Plan, you can keep it as long as you continue to pay your premuims when due.

Standardized Benefit Plans, E, H, I and J will not be offered after 6/01/10. If you now own one of those, you can still keep it; however, no new ones will be sold.

Two (2) new Medicare Supplement Plans will be added on 6/01/10: Plans M and N. Plan N provides a new co-payment feature providing for $20.00 co-payments for visits to a family doc, plus $50.00 co-payments for visits to a specialist, and $50.00 co-payments for Emergency Room visits.

With these changes it makes sense to contact your Medicare Supplement agent or provider company to discuss the effect MIPPA may have on your insurance on and after June 1, 2010.