Perspective               

Under-65 Use Medigap Policies Less Often

A study done by Mathematica Policy Research Inc. showed that only 9 percent of people with Medicare under age 65 have insurance that fills gaps in Medicare, often called Medigap insurance, compared with 22 percent of people with Medicare over 65. The under-65 Medicare population is made up of people who qualify for Social Security disability payments and who become eligible for Medicare after two years. These people with disabilities make up 13 percent of the total number of people with Medicare and are expected to account for 16 percent by 2015.

Mathematica says that people under 65 who get Medicare because of disability have lower incomes and often cannot afford to purchase a Medigap. Also, most people under 65 are not guaranteed the right to buy a Medigap policy. People with disabilities also have trouble getting information about Medigap insurance because they are less likely to be part of support groups. Additionally, education and marketing about insurance coverage are primarily aimed at seniors and not people with disabilities.

The study also said that organizations that serve people with disabilities work separately from those organizations that serve seniors. By working together, they could combine their knowledge and resources to develop better ways of meeting the information needs of all people with Medicare.

If you are a person with a disability with Medicare and you need information about Medigap insurance, call 1-800-MEDICARE, that's 1-800-633-4227, for your free booklet, 2001 Guide To Health Insurance For People With Medicare. You should also go to "Medigap Compare" at Medicare's Web site, www.medicare.gov. This interactive site will give you information on companies that sell Medigap plans and if they offer them to people under 65 with disabilities and/or with End-Stage Renal Disease.

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