What is Medicare SELECT?

Medicare SELECT plans are supplemental Medicare insurance policies that help pay for the healthcare expenses not covered by original Medicare.

Medicare SELECT plans offer the same coverage as regular Medigap plans, but are more affordable. SELECT plans negotiate with a fixed network of healthcare providers, including hospitals, doctors, and specialists to keep costs down for the providers as well as the beneficiaries.

Because Medicare SELECT works within a specific provider network, it is important for beneficiaries to make certain they receive their care from accepted providers, otherwise they will have to pay for part or all of the cost themselves. There are exceptions for emergencies.

These SELECT networks usually include thousands of healthcare professionals, so finding a doctor or hospital is not difficult, but you may have to switch primary care physicians if your current doctor is not part of the network.