• Here is the address of a site that will provide ratings and costs on medigap insurance policies. http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/tax_edu/teletax/tc410.html

• Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap Insurance) & it's Cost -- We have been asked a number of times to provide information on the cost of medigap insurance. WITH YOUR HELP we can make this happen. Please supply the name of the Insurance Co., your age, whether your are male or female, the cost (annual, semi-annual, or monthly), the plan type (A, B, C, D, E, F) which identifies the benefits, quality of service (excellent, good, fair, poor) in payment, year insurance is active, and area of the country you live in.

  INSURANCE CO.	PLAN	AGE	GENDER	YEAR	COST/yr	LOCATION	SERVICE
  AARP	F	65	Male	1996	$1,659	Los Angeles
  GARCO	F	65	Male	1996	$1,234	Los Angeles
  Pioneer Life		70	Male	1996/7		No. Calif.	excellent

• MEDIGAP Insurance Costs Soaring -- according to a Associated Press report October 24, 1996. Families USA, a liberal advocacy group on health care issues, analyzed premium increases between 1995 and 1996 for Medigap in 35 states for Prudential and Blue Cross Blue Shield, the two companies that underwrite more than 50 percent of the $12 billion Medigap market.

  In California, Prudential’s basic plan rose 37% from $552 in 95’ to $774 in 96’. Their most popular plan, with more benefits increased premiums in California by 39% from $1,161 in 95’ to $1,614 in 96’. Elsewhere increases ranged from 40% in Hawaii to 26% in South Carolina.

  Premiums for Blue Cross-Blue Shield increased less than Prudential’s but increases for Medigap commonly ranged from 20 to 40 percent. It is reported that other companies such as Mutual of Omaha, Bankers Life, and Pioneer Life start out with lower rates than Prudential at age 65, but increase rates substantially at ages 75 and 80.

  With the average Social Security benefit for a single person totaling $724, the new premium increases of 20, 30, and 40 percent in one year, will put a substantial squeeze on their budget and many will opt out of the Medigap market. It is claimed that one reason for the premium increases is that the government does not cap hospital outpatient charges for Medicare beneficiaries.

• I was wondering if there is a list of insurance companies that have medigap plans. Also what is their cost and what does there plans cover. If there is a list I would be interested in receiving it.Thank you. Please e-mail information to Webmaster -- and I will see that other seniors as well as Barbara Morris bgmorris@usa.nai.net gets this information.

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