YOU ASK:
Medigap vs PPO insurance policies: Which is better?
WE ANSWER:
Medigap is an additional insurance that is aimed to supplement the coverage provided by Medicare. This is because Medicare does not provide for everything, especially for deductibles and co-insurance.
On the other hand, a PPO or a Preferred Provider Organization is a type of health insurance that enables you to avail of medical treatment within a network of providers, or even outside the network.
Medigap provides the following features:
- Medigap provides a number of different plans that provide different types of coverages. What you can actually do is pick the plans you want in order for you to have the coverage that you need. The plans provide basic medical coverage, as well as coverage for prescription drugs, preventive care, surgery and home recovery.
- It is a coverage that is very affordable.
- Medigap will also pay for medical treatments that are commonly not covered by Medicare, particularly treatments outside of the country, as well as other elective and preventive treatments.
- Medigap insurance is sold by private insurance companies.
- This coverage works only if you have Medicare cover. In some cases, Medigap is sold only to seniors. Thus, if you are not eligible, you cannot avail of this cover.
- Medigap covers only one person. If you are married, your spouse will need to buy a separate policy.
PPOs offer the following:
- Treatments are for a predetermined amount. This is what the insurance will cover (less deductibles and co-payments).
- PPOs have a considerably wider network of medical providers as compared to Medicare and Medigap.
You should be the one who will decide which will be better for your needs. Medigap rules will vary from state to state.
Was this insurance question and its answer useful?
| Not a bit | Very useful |
Have an Insurance Question? Ask For Insurance
More questions about health insurance:
- How much is Medigap insurance?
- Is heart transplant covered by health insurance?
- Are payroll health insurance premiums taxable?
- I earn some $300,000 annually and I also enjoy a great health plan given by my employer. How will this be affected by the health care bill?
- Will I be required to buy health insurance?
- How long can my child remain on my health insurance?
- Can an employer deny an employee health insurance?
- How will health care reform affect part-time workers?
- How will Obama's health care reform affect mental health services?
- What are the benefits of the health care reform for those who have insurance?
- How will health care reform affect Medicare and the elderly?
- What do I need to know about Health Care Reform?
- I am on active military duty and I fear that my TRICARE coverage will be affected? Will it?
- What impact will the health reform law be on veteran’s coverage?
- Will the bill affect Medigap? Will Medigap be still available?
- Is medical malpractice affected by the health insurance reform bill?
- When will the health insurance reform bill be effective?
- Won’t the benefits in the health care reform result in higher taxes?
- How will the health care reform law affect health savings accounts (HSA)?
- Will all the changes in the health care reform result in an increase in my health care premiums?