For most senior citizens over the age of 65, Medicare enables them to receive quality health care at an affordable price. In addition to the standardized Medigap insurance plans, there is also an option called Medicare SELECT.

They are a lower cost version of the traditional supplemental plans. The primary difference is that they work the same way a managed care plan does, such as an HMO or PPO plan. Unlike a regular supplemental plan, where you can choose which doctor to see and what hospital’s facilities to use, you must selected from an “in-network” doctor or hospital.

The carrier will only pay the full benefits if a preferred provider is used. If you choose to visit a doctor or facility that is outside the network, little or no amount will be paid towards the expenses. It is at the provider’s discretion how much they pay, if anything.

There are three things to keep in mind when considering a SELECT Medigap insurance plan. The first is that it is a Medicare supplemental health insurance product, which is almost identical to a traditional supplemental policy. The second is that the reason these plans are less expensive than the other options is that you must stay within the approved network to receive the coverage.

On the positive side, although you must choose from pre-approved providers, the lists for most areas are extensive. In many cases, your doctor may already be part of the network.

You can go online or contact the US Department of Health and Human Services for the most updated list of providers. The third thing is that, if your doctor were not in the network, you would need to see someone who is for the SELECT Medigap insurance plan to provide the coverage. If you are like many people, you do not care who you see.

However, some senior citizens have been going to the same doctor for years and are reluctant to make that kind of change. In some cases, you will need to get a referral to see a specialist or to go to an out of network facility for a specific type of treatment or procedure.

The SELECT Medigap insurance plan has many benefits. The premiums are low and there are many areas that are covered, above and beyond what the original Medicare plan covers. For those who are on a limited budget and do not mind changing their doctors, this may be the option that best suits their needs.