Supplemental Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage is essential for all Americans, and the uninsured face greater health and financial costs. Yet some people covered by health insurance plans do not have adequate coverage for their personal or family needs. This is where supplemental health insurance becomes useful.

People who use supplemental health insurance

Different demographic groups benefit from supplemental health insurance. The senior population is one group that frequently purchases supplemental insurance to cover hospital and prescription drug costs and to supplement Medicare. Medicare, prior to recent legislation in Congress, only covered basic needs and often required a broader range of services. Today, even with increased prescription drug coverage, Medicare recipients who can afford supplemental insurance often do so to make their hospitals visits more comfortable and to obtain more diagnostic and screening measures.

Supplemental health insurance, whomever it serves, also provides more choice in doctors rather than a set list. Another situation where supplemental insurance is a big help is for patients with illnesses that require specific ongoing treatment, such as medical equipment for the home, home nursing care, regular hospital visits, and pricey medications.

Many people with military health coverage opt for additional health insurance plans to fill in the gaps not covered to their satisfaction by the military plan. Military health insurance requires on the whole that patients use only military doctors and civilian doctors who work at military facilities. With a referral for special conditions, and a co-pay, patients are permitted to visit recommended doctors in the area. For conditions not addressed in a military hospital, doctors will refer patients outside but include that care in the military plan.

Military patients and dependents with chronic conditions who want a second opinion, or those who prefer to use outside facilities often purchase supplemental health insurance to provide that. The military system can be unwieldy and time-consuming, making outside insurance very attractive.

Anyone considering supplemental health insurance should carefully compare what is offered to ensure they are not paying twice for the same services. It helps to shop around and examine different plans so you do not pay more than you need to. By not reading the fine print, you may subject yourself to excessive payments.

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