Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
MARCH 2001 NICA NEWS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. What is the difference between Medicare SELECT and other Medigap insurance?A. Anyone who buys Medicare SELECT is buying one of 10 standard Medigap plans. The difference is that Medicare SELECT policies will only pay full supplemental benefits if covered services are obtained through specified health care professionals. Medicare SELECT policies are expected to have lower premiums because of this limitation. The health care professionals, called "preferred providers," are selected by the insurers. Each insurer that offers a Medicare SELECT policy, whether it be an insurance company or an HMO, has its own network of preferred providers. Except in emergencies, policyholders are required to use a preferred provider if the insurer is to pay full benefits. Medicare, however, pays its portion of covered benefits regardless of whether a preferred provider is used.
Q. Does Medicare pay for dental services?
A. Medicare generally does not pay for care in connection with the treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth; root canal therapy; surgery for impacted teeth; or other surgical procedures involving the teeth or structures directly supporting the teeth. However, Medicare does help pay for services of a dentist in certain cases when the medical problem is more extensive than the teeth or structures directly supporting them.
Q. What does the letter(s) that appears after my health insurance claim number on my Medicare card mean?
A. It is a code used by the Social Security Administration to indicate the type of benefits you are receiving. There may also be another number after the letter. Your full claim number must always be included on all Medicare claims and correspondence.