Frequently Asked Questions
About Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance

The decision of which insurance company you choose for Medicare Supplement insurance can come down to the company's financial strength, pricing options, personal service, customer service and experience. At Physicians Life Insurance Company, you can count on us for all of these.

Pricing Options

You want to make sure you can afford your coverage now and in the future. It's important you know insurance companies can set prices in different ways for Medicare Supplement insurance. The way prices are set determines how much you pay now and in the future. While many companies' prices will go up, it's our goal to help minimize those increases as much as possible. When you join our family, we want you to be with us for life, so we price our products so you can afford your coverage now and in the future.

Personal Service

We know that insurance can be confusing. That's why we want you to be as educated as possible. Our experienced, professionally trained agents take care to understand your needs, explain things clearly, and help guide you to an insurance coverage that's right for you.

Financial Strength

We consistently receive some of the highest financial strength ratings in the nation. In fact, one industry analyst, AM Best, gives us an “A Excellent.” Our strong financial base allows us to be there when you need us — so you can rely on us to service your insurance policy today and in the future.

Customer Service

Customers come first. We want ours to be happy and know they can contact us with all of their questions. Each and every day we work to create satisfied customers. You'll be glad to know that 95% of our customers are satisfied with us, according to our 2022 Physicians Mutual® Customer Satisfaction survey conducted by Wiese Research Associates.

Experience

For more than 119 years, our Physicians Mutual family has helped Americans find the right coverage at the right price.* We're committed to helping seniors make some of the most important decisions they'll ever make. When you're ready to discuss insurance, you can rely on us for the straightforward guidance you need.

*Physicians Life Insurance Company is a member of the Physicians Mutual family and has been in business since 1970.

As part of the Physicians Mutual family, we want you to have the coverage you need, when you need it. We pride ourselves on being a family you can count on. You deserve simple answers from a company you can count on today.

Do you have questions about Physicians Life Insurance Company? Call us anytime, we're happy to help! 1-800-228-91001-800-228-9100.

Our Innovative Plan G is an exclusive plan you won’t find anywhere else.¹ It was designed to help our customers save money.

Here’s how it works: If you have medical expenses within the first three calendar years, you’ll pay your share of health care expenses up to a plan deductible. If you don’t go to the doctor often, you may not even reach your full deductible. After those three calendar years, the plan deductible goes away and the only deductible you’ll have is for Medicare Part B — and you’ll continue to save on premiums.²

1. The Innovative Discount Rider works hand-in-hand with our Plan G.
2. Your deductible automatically goes away January 1 following your third calendar year.

Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) insurance can help cover medical expenses not covered by Medicare. Because it pays in addition to your Medicare benefits, Medicare Supplement insurance can help reduce the amount of money you must pay on your own and can help protect your retirement savings.

The Basics

If Medicare does cover a service, you could still have out-of-pocket expenses you must pay such as deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance. Medicare Supplement insurance can help lower your out-of-pocket medical costs.

Plus:

• It allows you to choose your own Medicare-approved doctors and hospitals — A referral is not needed by Physicians Life, but always check with Medicare to see if service is covered or needs a referral.
• Your coverage is guaranteed renewable as long as you pay your premiums on time.
• Even if you move or travel within the U.S., your coverage stays with you.
• If you have open enrollment or guaranteed issue rights, your coverage is guaranteed — there are no health questions to answer.

Do you have questions about Medicare Supplement insurance? Call us anytime, we're happy to help! 1-800-228-91001-800-228-9100.

1. “Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, (Released in September 2020 in the “Older Americans 2020 Key Indicators of Well-Being”). Data is inflation-adjusted to 2017, using Consumer Price Index.”

No. Medicare does not cover most dental care¹ — which often surprises people who are retiring. You'll need to find a seperate dental insurance policy to help cover your dental care. Be sure to look for dental insurance that has great coverage for retirees.

1. "Dental Services," Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare.gov, accessed June 22, 2022

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans can add or remove providers from its provider network during the year. And your provider can also choose to leave the plan's network at any time.¹ Something to keep in mind when you’re comparing Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage.

1. “Understanding Your Medicare Advantage Plan’s Provider Network,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare.gov, December 2021

No. Medicare typically doesn't cover 100% of your out-of-pocket costs for medical bills.¹ As great as Medicare is, it was never intended to pay for everything. To help cover these out-of-pocket costs, many people get a Medicare Supplement plan.

1. "Why Doesn't Medicare Reimbursement Cover 100% of My Medical Bills?" eHealth, ehealthinsurance.com, March 4, 2022

The average annual out-of-pocket costs for a Medicare enrollee is $18,620.¹ You can help cover these out of-pocket-costs with a supplemental plan. Talking to an agent is one of the best ways to help you decide what's best for your needs and situation.

1. “Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, (Released in September 2020 in the “Older Americans 2020 Key Indicators of Well-Being”). Data is inflation-adjusted to 2017, using Consumer Price Index.”

Yes. There are no networks with a Medicare Supplement plan.¹

1. “Medigap & Travel,” Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare.gov, accessed on June 22, 2022

No. If you need this type of coverage, you will need to enroll separately in Part D. It's important to review your drug coverage annually because drug plans and prescription drugs change from year to year.*

* We do not sell Medicare Part D plans.

Yes. If you don't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up — and the longer you wait, the more it may cost.¹ Don't miss important deadlines like these!

1. "Part B Late Enrollment Penalty," Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare.gov, accessed June 22, 2022

Yes. If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you are automatically enrolled when you turn 65.

Even if you have Medicare, there may be costs you must pay on your own. Medicare Supplement insurance (also called Medigap) from Physicians Life Insurance Company can help. This is private insurance you can buy to help pay bills Medicare may not cover.

Do you have questions about how Medicare works? Call us anytime, we're happy to help! 1-800-228-91001-800-228-9100.

Seven months. You can enroll three months before you turn 65, during the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after. A total of seven months.

Medicare is a health insurance program provided by the federal government for:

• People 65 or older
• People under 65 with certain disabilities
• People of any age with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Since Medicare is federally run, eligibility guidelines are normally the same throughout the country.

Medicare pays for many health care services, but there are still costs you must pay on your own. To help lower your out-of-pocket expenses, consider Medicare Supplement insurance from Physicians Life Insurance Company. This important coverage can help pay medical expenses not covered by Medicare, such as coinsurance, co-payments and deductibles.

Do you have questions about Medicare? Call us anytime, we're happy to help! 1-800-228-91001-800-228-9100.