With the supplements being so expensive in climbing in price every year, what is your take on hospital indemnity policies added with advantage policies?
Answered by 55 licensed agents
I believe adding a hospital indemnity plan may be a great solution to protect yourself from high copays for inpatient hospital stays and even ambulance copays. If approved for an indemnity plan, the cost are typically much lower than a Medicare Supplement and are often coupled with $0 premium Medicare Advantage Plan which is very affordable for those trying to stay within a specific budget yet still have peace of mind that a hospital stay will not hurt your wallet too much.
I believe an Advantage Plan with a Hospital Indemnity plan is a very good option. Although they get a lot of bad press, Advantage Plans can keep medical costs reasonable for most people. I have found the bigger problem with them is the networks, referral requirements and prior authorizations. So if an Advantage Plan can fit your lifestyle, but maybe not your budget, then adding an Indemnity plan to a MAPD can be a great choice.
Hospital Indemnity policies are a great tool to help offset medical costs in case of hospitalization. There are copays for days 1-8 when hospitalized and cost run from $225-$375/day. A Hospital Indemnity plan which pays directly to the client on a per day basis, not the hospital, can help offset these costs. I am happy to answer any of your questions. Bill
I have found that many of my current clients are grateful for their hospital indemnity policies when something happens and it's time to file a claim. They say it's a nice breath of fresh air to receive a check in the mail instead of a bill. Most are under $100 per month.
Hospital indemnity policies are a great way to help control cost with advantage plans. Or even with any insurance you have that has a very high deductible. There are many states going to the birthday rule for supplements so before you switched to an advantage plan check to see if your state has a birthday rule for supplements. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
I think hospital indemnity policies can offer people strong coverage and peace of mind. I would advise you to shop around and even reach out to an agent for help.
I highly recommend a Plan G. It covers hospital stays and more. You're only responsible for the first $257 of Medicare-approved medical care for the calendar year (2025). This Part B Deductible typically goes up a little bit every calendar year. A Hospital Indemnity Plan is really not necessary, if you have Plan G. If the other plans don't cover hospital stays, then yes, get the HIP.
When considering indemnity insurance products, it is essential to shop around and compare options carefully. Focus not only on premiums but also on coverage details, as these vary significantly between insurance companies.
Every Medicare Advantage plan includes a maximum out-of-pocket limit for major health events such as kidney dialysis or cancer treatment. When properly structured to benefit Medicare recipients, these supplemental indemnity products represent excellent value, particularly considering that individuals have approximately a 50% likelihood of needing such coverage during their lifetime.
These products provide substantial long-term financial benefits because Medicare Advantage plans can become quite expensive, especially when maximum out-of-pocket expenses exceed $8,000 per calendar year. In such cases, indemnity coverage pays dividends repeatedly by offsetting these significant costs.
Utilizing hospital indemnity policies in conjunction with Medicare Advantage plans can help mitigate rising healthcare costs. Here are some key points:
1. **Financial Protection:** These policies provide cash benefits for each day spent in the hospital, covering out-of-pocket expenses.
2. **Supplemental Coverage:** They fill gaps in Medicare Advantage plans, especially for those anticipating frequent hospitalizations.
3. **Predictable Costs:** Benefits are clear, helping you budget for healthcare expenses.
4. **Flexibility:** Cash benefits can be used for medical bills or other expenses incurred during hospitalization.
5. **Cost Consideration:** Weigh the premiums against the benefits to ensure they align with your needs.
I think hospital indemnity plans can make sense for some people on Medicare Advantage, especially if they want extra protection against inpatient copays and like having more predictable costs. That said, they are not a replacement for good core coverage, so I usually look at whether the Advantage plan already has reasonable hospital cost-sharing before adding another premium.
For some individuals who are worried about having a copay for Hospital Stays, indemnity policies can help by reimbursing you the copay amount or close to that amount. Keep in mind, the indemnity policies will have an added premium so you must factor that into your calculations. Most of my clients do NOT take out an indemnity policy.
Hi, Nolan Popel from the Popel Insurance Group. So the question today is, would the Medicare supplement, being so expensive and the prices going up every year, be a good option? What is our take on doing a hospital indemnity plan along with the Medicare Advantage plan?
We can always make this change during the annual enrollment, which is October 15th through December 7th. So when you buy a Medicare Advantage plan, this is like health insurance that's subsidized by the government. You have much lower premiums than having a Medicare supplement and a prescription drug plan. However, when you have lower premiums, you're going to have more responsibility when you use it.
So you have different co-pays and percentages that you have to pay. We offer hospital indemnity plans. We think it's a nice option to go along with a Medicare Advantage plan because somebody can spend, and it doesn't have to be a lot of money, but they can get a plan to help them with the costs of the hospital co-pays, the emergency room, the ambulance, and even the outpatient surgeries.
So if you have questions about Medicare insurance, don't hesitate to give us a call, and we'd be happy to help and see if this is a good option for you.
I think adding a hospital indemnity plan can make sense depending on your core medical plans benefits. With rise in healthcare costs , these plans have become much more appealing to many consumers.
If you need to switch to a Medicare Advantage policy, then a hospital indemnity policy is recommended to lessen the amount of out-of-pocket costs if admitted to the hospital. Another option is to replace your Medicare Supplement policy with a less expensive policy, but in most cases, you will be required to pass medical underwriting.
Sorry to be vague, but this depends on different factors. IF you are in say CO, and between the ages of 65-70 one could move off a Supplement during Annual Enrollment Period to a MAPD and A hospital Indemnity. This age range is important as a Hospital Indemnity is guarantee issue at this age range. Of course factors such as your health, network of docs, all needed to be factored in before blanketly saying one is better than another. We are here to help dig into your specific needs. Set an appt and lets talk about it.
I hear what you are saying. However, a Supplement is simply the better choice than taking the risk of exposing yourself to high hospitalization costs, even with an indemnity plan. You need to take stock of yourself by assessing whether your overall health is in jeopardy based on your family’s history of longevity, if your significant other is in good health and if you can aptly afford the monthly premiums of the Medigap plans at age 65.
My personal thoughts on this matter is that hospital indemnity policies are extremely important to couple with a Medicare Advantage plan to help fill the gaps and help offset the potential out of pocket costs to the client. They are generally inexpensive and in my opinion well worth the cost.
I am a big fan of it. We have great Hospital Indemnity plans . And with the Advantage plan, with dental and vision added usually, it is a great combination to save the consumer monthly. Plus the costs do not go up as much as the supplemental costs. Its a win/win situation for the consumer. The indemnity adds piece of mind, that should anything happen that is a high copay , the client will be reimbursed so their is very little out of pocket.
I think that Hospital Indemnity Policies are a great idea in combination with Medicare Advantage. But please understand that the HIP will not cover every expense that you are exposed to in your Medicare Advantage plan. A good example is Physical Therapy. You may need 20+ PT visits at your specialist copay amount after a surgery or injury, and that really adds up. Another example would be chemotherapy / radiation treatments or yet another would be Skilled Nursing Care. These items would not necessarily be covered by a HIP but could cause you substantial out-of-pocket expense. Always talk to a licensed agent to learn what options are best for your needs before you purchase a policy.
This is a great option if all lines up for your personal situation. They function similar to the HMO or PPO plans one enjoyed at they workplace prior to Medicare
My take on hospital indemnity policies paired with Medicare Advantage plans is that it's ABSOLUTELY something I recommend and encourage to *all* of my Medicare Advantage clients, every time.
In fact, Medicare itself *allows* us to discuss the following coverage with our clients in the Medicare Scope of Appointment form that must be signed by the beneficiary every year as a compliance requirement.
The copays and coinsurance costs on a Medicare Advantage plan are generally really low for doctor visits, lab work, x-rays and urgent care, but the costs for ambulance, outpatient surgery, inpatient hospitalization and skilled nursing facility coverage add up really quickly in the event of medical events.
I make it a practice to keep track of the copays on the plans my clients select for their Medicare Advantage plans, and pair a thorough, robust, budget-friendly hospital indemnity plan for them. It's rare that my clients ever regret adding that coverage. I've heard from numerous clients who did *not* add it, that they regret the copays they've been charged after a sudden medical event.
These plans can be a good choice to pair with Advantage plans to help with Hospital, Surgical and Ambulance copays. There are many options and guarantee issue plans for people with health issues. I usually recommend them to my Medicare Advantage customers.
I think hospital indemnity paired with a Medicare Advantage plan makes a lot of sense. It is a gap solution, not a replacement. It mainly helps cover unpredictable hospital copays and can give someone peace of mind. Its an affordable way to protect yourself from some of the larger copays in an Advantage plan, while not paying the high premiums of a supplement.
I believe this a great alternative to a supplement, for people with a tighter budget. The cost of a Hospital Indemnity plan is very affordable and price does not change every year like a supplement, as long as you continue to pay the premium. These plan fill in the gaps of Medicare Advantage plans and pay you the benefit money to help offset the cost of the copays, deductibles and max out of pocket.
For some seniors, hospital indemnity plans can be a helpful alternative to expensive supplements. When paired with a Medicare Advantage plan, they can help offset hospital copays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs by paying cash benefits directly to you after a qualifying hospital stay. The key is making sure the coverage and premium actually fit your health needs and budget.
Yes, supplements are increasing in price now more than in the past, due to higher utilization due to covid. As for matching a hospital indemnity plan with an Advantage plan, that depends on the hospital co-pay of the Advantage plan. If it's a high co-pay, that might be a good idea, depending on the cost of the indemnity plan. Bear in mind, hospital stays are rare, so do the math with the indemnity plan cost compared to a hospital stay over say, a 10 year time period, to see if it makes sense.
Hospital Indemnity plans will cover those out of pocket expenses and the things Medicare just does not cover. This way you are more likely to go to the doctor/hospital when you feel ill because you know you have something in place to cover your expenses. Also, the hospital indemnity plans I use do not go up in price like Medicare and Supplements do. If you cannot afford or dont want to pay for a Supplement you can have Supplement-like protection at a fraction of the cost.
Adding a hospital indemnity plan will not offset the cost of a Medicare Supplemental plan, by doing so you are adding the already high cost of the supplemental plan itself. However, adding a hospital indemnity plan can be beneficial dependent upon the actual Medicare Advantage plan you have as quite a few of theses plans have no additional monthly premium. When adding a hospital indemnity plan it can help with the cost of hospital copays.
I fully believe in selling my clients on Hospital Indemnity plans that cover all of the hospital copays for about $21 per month.
There are also indemnity plans that cover ambulance costs, cancer and heart attack coverages, etc. I personally have a policy that includes targeted cancer treatment in addition to indemnity coverages, cancer and heart attack lump sum coverages. I pay $88 per month for all of these coverages.
Why pay for a supplement when you can get a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage and all of these extra indemnity coverages for $88 per month?
Hospital Indemnity policies are a great addition to the advantage plans. There are even some available that will help to offset the cost of you prescription medications by giving back so much. Some will do the same for office visits.
I think that IF the cost of the Medicare supplement has become too expensive, the option of a Medicare Advantage plan coupled with a Hospital Indemnity policy, written properly, is a good alternative. However, a thorough NEEDS analysis should always be done.
It is a must! If you have an advantage plan then you should have a hospital indemnity plan without a doubt! It is the only way to protect yourself or your family from a large out of pocket cost!
Hospital indemnity policies, when paired with Advantage policies, can offer a strategic layer of financial protection, especially as supplement costs rise annually. It's a proactive approach to managing potential out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring peace of mind for healthcare needs.
Hospital indemnity plans are an excellent way to reduce costs. And it shows that you really are thinking about how to utilize everything that is available. Good on you for looking now at what options are available.
I am not a huge advocate of Medicare advantage plans. The out-of-pocket when you start to use the plan and should you have hospital stays or far more expensive than Medicare supplement plans. However, should someone want to be in a Medicare advantage plan the use of a hospital indemnity policy in conjunction with the advantage plan would be advantageous.
If a Medicare recipient can plan for and cover the cost of a Medicare Supplement, that will always, in my opinion, win out over Medicare Advantage plans in terms of overall medical coverage. However, not everyone can afford the monthly premiums for a Medicare Supplement. Medicare recipients on Advantage plans would do well to get an indemnity policy. These plans would cover at least some of the major out of pocket expenses the Advantage plan does not cover. Some additional protection is better than the bare minimum offered through a Medicare Advantage plan on its own.
As the costs of healthcare and supplemental insurance continue to rise, adding a hospital indemnity policy to your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is a strategy that can help mitigate some of those expenses. Here's a breakdown of the key considerations:
Understanding Hospital Indemnity Insurance with Medicare Advantage:
Supplemental Coverage: Hospital indemnity insurance acts as a supplement to your existing MA plan, meaning it helps cover expenses that MA plans might not fully cover.
Cash Benefits: These policies pay a fixed cash benefit directly to you for each day of covered hospitalization due to illness or injury. This is distinct from traditional health insurance, which pays providers directly.
Flexible Use: You can use these cash payments to cover various costs, including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, transportation, childcare, groceries, and even essential bills while you recover.
Filling Coverage Gaps: While MA plans cover many expenses associated with hospital stays, they often leave you with out-of-pocket costs such as daily hospital copays, ambulance fees, and skilled nursing facility costs. Hospital indemnity can help bridge these gaps and ease financial stress.
Potential Benefits of Combining Hospital Indemnity and Medicare Advantage:
Financial Protection: Provides a safety net against unexpected hospitalization expenses, giving you peace of mind.
Cost Management: Helps you manage the costs associated with hospital stays, especially with the rising healthcare costs and potential fluctuations in MA plan coverage.
Flexibility: Allows you to use the cash benefit for various expenses, both medical and non-medical, based on your individual needs.
Affordability: Generally, these policies tend to have lower premiums compared to other types of supplemental insurance.
Important Considerations:
Hospital Indemnity is NOT Health Insurance: It's crucial to remember that hospital indemnity insurance is a supplemental plan and does not replace your primary health
Hospital indemnity can be a good add on to a Medicare Advantage plan because it gives you cash to help cover big hospital copays, turning unpredictable bills into a smaller predictable premium. It tends to make the most sense if your Advantage plan has higher hospital costs and you’d struggle to pay a several thousand dollar bill, but may not be worth it if you’re healthy, have low copays, or can comfortably pay those costs yourself.
I believe the hospital indemnity policy is a good investment in keeping out of pocket costs down. Each company has a little different benefits so careful consideration would be recommended. You can usually customize the coverage to fit your Medicare Advantage policy very closely.
I like the hospital indemnity plans. Most have guarenteed issue periods as well. If your using the advantage plans a lot it might be a good option for you.
I think it is a great alternative to paying for rate increase on a medsup. The rates are usually locked in at your current age so no 10% yearly increase. Can most times get more coverage Like cancer hospital and stc for less than a medsup and rx plan. Just depends on the person and they're goals.
One way to avoid to annual increasing costs of Medicare supplement plans is getting a Medicare Advantage (Part C)plan and adding a hospital indemnity plan with it.
A hospital indemnity plan can be a valuable addition to an advantage plan. These plans provide a cash benefit for each day you are hospitalized, which can cover out-of-pocket costs like co-payments, deductibles, or even non-medical expenses like transportation or household bills while you are in the hospital. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you have extra financial support during a hospital stay.
If you choose a Medicare Supplement plan, you can still consider a hospital indemnity plan. It would work similarly by providing a cash benefit for hospital stays, helping to cover any additional costs that may arise, even though your Medigap plan helps with many of the out-of-pocket expenses associated with Medicare.
Ultimately, the choice between a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicare Supplement plan depends on your healthcare needs, preferences, and financial situation. Adding a hospital indemnity plan can provide extra financial protection regardless of which option you choose. It's important to evaluate your specific needs and consider how these plans can work together to provide comprehensive coverage for your personal healthcare.
Hospital Indemnity policies are a great option to pair with Medicare Advantage plans to help pay some of the higher financial risks, such as hospital stays, associated with Medicare Advantage plans. Do be mindful that even though Hospital Indemnity plans help pay some of those large costs associated with Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage plans aren't right for everyone and it is important to consider network requirements and other factors before making a change.
Relevant question. With Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premiums skyrocketing, combining a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan with a Hospital Indemnity (HI) policy is a popular, cost-effective alternative. The Trade-Off on Advantage plans has always been absorbing out of pocket costs up to max out pocket vs. a supplement.
This combination generally results in lower total premiums but requires you to use the MA plan's network of doctors (HMO/PPO), unlike Medigap, which offers national network freedom.
Bottom Line: It's a powerful way to secure protection against high hospital bills while maintaining a budget-friendly monthly premium.
Hospital indemnity plans pay you directly—a flat cash benefit—when you’re admitted to the hospital. That money can be used however you need: to cover copays, travel for family, lost income, even groceries .
While I typically avoid responding to a question with another question, the decision to pair a hospital indemnity policy with a Medicare Advantage plan depends on several key factors. Most notably, the applicant’s current health status and age play a significant role, as does their budget and tolerance for out-of-pocket expenses.
That said, combining a hospital indemnity plan with a Medicare Advantage plan can be a highly effective strategy for certain individuals. It offers meaningful protection while potentially reducing monthly costs by $50 or more. Additionally, hospital indemnity premiums tend to remain more stable over time, especially when compared to the annual rate increases often seen with Medicare Supplement plans.