Issue-age pricing:	The premiums for these policies are based on your age when you purchase the policy, and the cost does not automatically increase as you get older. Premium increases may only be applied to groups of individuals. You will not be singled out because you are getting older.
Attained-age pricing:#	The premiums for these policies are based on your age each year. These policies are generally less expensive at age 65, but their premiums automatically increase as you get older.
Community rating:	These policies charge everyone the same premiums no matter how old they are.

^#Attained age pricing is not allowed in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, and Washington.

When it's time to choose:

• Find out the pricing method used for the policy you're considering.
• Understand how the premium can change over the next five to 10 years.
• Realize premiums can change because of changes in Medicare, rising medical costs and the company's experience with medical claims.

Other factors to consider beyond the premium:

• Consider the company's claims-paying ability and financial strength.
• Note the procedure for submitting claims and how promptly claims are paid.
• Ask if the company has automatic claim filing, which allows you to give permission to Medicare to send claim information directly to your Medicare supplement insurer.
• Know the general reputation of the company.

Understand your Medicare benefits
Medicare supplement insurance should work with Medicare, not duplicate it. And remember no insurance policy pays everything, nor is total coverage possible.

Some insurance experts believe you shouldn't cover all Medicare deductibles, which are predictable and often involve modest costs. Trying to find insurance for these deductibles either will increase your premium or reduce your protection against unknown expenses that may arise after a deductible is met. Here are some questions to consider to determine which coverage is right for you.

• Do you want the Medicare Part A hospital deductible of $912 (2005 amount) covered for each benefit period?
• Do you want coverage for the skilled nursing facility coinsurance of $114 a day (2005 amount) for days 21 through 100?
• Do you want coverage for emergency care received outside the United States?
• If your doctor bills are $110 or more a year, do you want insurance to cover the first $110?
• Do you want Medicare supplement insurance to help cover the excess charges—the difference between the doctor's or other health care provider's actual charge and the Medicare-approved payment amount, which is limited to 15% above the Medicare approved amount?

20519WE	R11-05