There are 2 category's of Medicare. There is traditional Medicare which you are calling straight Medicare and everything else is a replacement policy. There are many many replacement policies. It's important to remember that replacement policies were designed to decrease costs for the government. Traditional Medicare pays the exact same payment for a procedure or medical visit anywhere in the United States. Replacement policies require a provider of medical care to negotiate and sign a contract that agrees to much lower payments for visits and procedures than traditional Medicare pays. Usually 25 -30% lower. That is why many providers do not accept replacement policies. Every provider accepts Traditiondal Medicare. When a person who has Traditional Medicare requires a referral to a specialist or requires a medical procedure, they have access to the best specialists. A person on a replacement policy only has access to the specialist that have agreed to take the much lower rate of payment. Obviously, the best Specialist are in such demand they are not willing to work for a 30% reduced rate. The person who holds a replacement policy often does not know they are not receiving the best treatments and do not have access to the best specialists. They just accept the referral offered to them. Replacement policies might seem like a good option until you get sick and need a specialist or need a surgical procedure that is in high demand. Traditional Medicare combined with a gap policy is the best insurance coverage available.
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