Medicare Supplement Plan G: The Not So Bad Looking Sister of Plan F

You ever see twin sisters hanging out together and just by looking at one of them you can tell one of them is a little more put together? She just carries herself a little better, seems to have more confidence, a little more charisma. Then you meet them and you realize that the one that carried herself a little better seemed a little more high maintenance than her sister.

Meet Medicare supplement plan F and Medicare supplement plan G. At first glance, plan F is the clear cut winner. They both provide excellent coverage of gaps in regular Medicare coverage. In fact, plan F covers all the deductible, coinsurance, co-pay, and excess charge gaps in Medicare so that with this plan you should not have to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses. Plan G, works nearly identically (hence the twin analogy) but does not cover the Medicare part B deductible, which is your outpatient services (doctors visits, etc).

So, why would someone want to go with plan G over plan F? Easy. It costs less. In fact, in many cases you can save enough over the course of the year to be able to cover your part B deductible ($162 in 2011) and still come out ahead by up to $100 a more for the year.

Also, as you get older the difference in price tends to get a little more noticeable. You could eventually see a $200 or more saving each year on a plan G (after you've met the Part B deductible).

So, you might not have the absolute best equipped Medicare supplement with plan G but you'll get the best value from plan G (combination of benefits and premium) in most cases.

How to Treat Burns Immediately

Burns need to be treated as soon as possible. Major wounds that affect a significant part of the body can be fatal. These wounds have to be attended as soon as possible by health professionals. Smaller wounds, however, can be treated at your home. You just need to know what remedies you can take.

The first thing that you are going to do is to try to cool down the affected area. Putting the affected body part under running water can be effective. Be sure to make the water run as slowly as possible. High pressure can worsen the condition. Take note that the burnt part may be sensitive and a little pressure can also create an open wound if there wasn't one already present.

Be cautious when you are using ice to cool your burns. Since your sensation on the burnt part might be affected, you might not be able to have accurate perception. You can cause your skin to suffer from frostbite from keeping your skin exposed to very low temperatures for an extended period of time.

You have to know when you need to call for help. Minor wounds can be treated at home. There will be no need for you to rush to the hospital or call an emergency service. Signs of a minor wound will include redness and pain on the affected part. You can continue cooling the burnt part and apply appropriate creams afterwards. Second degree burns will require the intervention or medical professionals. You will see that there will be blisters forming on a second degree burn. If the affected area is quite large, be sure to seek consult as soon as possible. You have to be alarmed if the burnt part is already charred or is already black. This is already a third degree type of burn and immediate action is required. Call your local emergency service or rush to the hospital as soon as possible.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans - What Are Your Choices?

Living on a fixed income is challenging, to say the least. When sudden financial needs come up, like unexpected trips to the hospital or expensive new prescriptions, will financial chaos erupt? So, how do you figure out which Medicare supplement insurance, also known as "Medigap" insurance, is best for you?

Supplemental insurance providers are required by law to offer no more than 14 plans, with each plan covering specific expenses. Information is available for 12 standard Medicare supplement insurance plans. It's important to take your time and shop around to get the plan that is best for you, that best serves your needs.

You need to understand what Medicare covers so you can figure out what you need in the way of supplemental insurance coverage. Medicare costs include Part B (doctor) costs, Part B deductible, Part A (hospital) costs, Part A deductible, Part B extra charges, at home recovery, foreign travel emergency, skilled nursing home costs, prescription medication, blood work and preventive care.

Determine what you need and can afford. Coverage for a healthy individual will be different than someone with a pre-existing condition. Ask questions to clearly understand what is available and what you need. Recently something new has been offered called Medicare Advantage. These plans may or may not have a premium to pay. You can opt for the no premium plan for lesser coverage or go for the premium plan that will cover more.

When you buy a Medigap policy, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B for which you will pay $93.50 (in 2007) per month. Medigap insurance must follow federal and state laws which protect the consumer. The front of a Medigap policy must clearly identify it as "Medicare Supplement Insurance." Costs vary by company, but the coverage is similar.

Medicare Supplement or Medigap Plans: Ways to Find Coverage Without Losing Your Mind

Just a quick glance at a government manual about choosing a Medicare Supplement policy can be enough to send you to the doctor with a headache. That's not even including the additional information that is out there specifically about Medicare and the basic coverage that it affords. If you are interested in learning more about Medigap plans but are intimidated by the technical language or are unsure of where to begin your search, there are a few factors to take into consideration. With a methodical approach to researching your health care options, and a few professional tools to guide you, the process can be much simpler than you would think at first.

A great way to get started, before even turning to professional help or conducting specific research into the differences between Medigap plans, is to make a list of personal priorities that you have for health care. There are specific benefits to each plan that deserve to be looked at, but it can focus your search and keep you from losing your mind if you go into this search with a clear head and a laundry list of what it is that you want to ideally find in a policy.

With this in mind, it's then possible to start sorting through each Medigap policy by comparing them side by side. You could make your own chart according to the features that you are looking for in Medigap plans, or you could start off by looking at charts that have already been created. These are readily available online, either through independent medicare supplement consultants or through the federal Medicare website. Search engines can also be a useful tool.