Sunday, December 28, 2008

Seniors Can Obtain Texas Health Insurance Coverage

By Jordan FeRoss

Older adults can face special challenges when attempting to obtain health insurance in Texas. Many health insurance providers are all too aware of the potential for large and numerous health care claims from this demographic and want to avoid these increased claims. The age and health history of a person will be taken into serious consideration when an insurance company considers selling a policy to an individual.

But, there are resources for older adults searching for health insurance in Texas. Individuals who worked for at least ten years may be eligible for the government program Medicare. Medicare is a comprehensive insurance program with coverage not dissimilar to private insurance plans and will cover most illness and injury costs. However, because there may still be some residual costs, those already on a very fixed income will want to investigate supplemental insurance if possible to ensure costs remain manageable.

There are other ways to qualify for Medicare, as well, such as having a serious illness or disability. A person who has been receiving income from the Social Security Administration for at least two years may also qualify for Medicare. A person whose spouse qualifies for Medicare may also qualify automatically. This is one way for older adults to get health insurance in Texas.

Though Medicare covers the majority of medical expenses, there can still be some bills the insured will need to cover. To help keep these costs down, you may choose supplemental insurance to augment your Medicare benefits. These plans are designed to work with Medicare and cover the costs the government plan does not. Similar to many group insurance plans, there are open enrollment periods for supplemental insurers and you'll want to be sure you don't miss what is often a narrow window to apply. If you do miss the open enrollment, you may need to wait until the following year before you are fully covered by your health insurance in Texas and will be charged for any uncovered Medicare claims in the interim.

If you wait until after the open enrollment period is over, you may not get all of your health coverage paid for. Of course, it's not a given that you would need the supplement. It just depends on your situation. In addition to that, there are other health insurance supplements in Texas that can be used. If you have health insurance from a retirement package, then that can be used to pay for the remaining portion.

As with many government programs, the paperwork for Medicare is complex and can be difficult to understand, particularly for older people or the disabled. These individuals can find assistance through the Texas Health and Human Services department. The agency's Web site also offers a wealth of information for anyone needing Medicare as their health insurance provider in Texas including eligibility requirements and necessary forms.

With your Medicare health insurance in Texas, you can not get prescription drugs from the private sector when you have this coverage. You need to know about this Medicare benefit because you will need to enroll when you become eligible. If you wait until after the period is over, you could face a penalty. You should get all of the information regarding Medicare so that it will help you with your health insurance needs. - 15485

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