My 90 year old Mom is at home on hospice. We believe she will live for several years yet and that her hospice will renew every 6 months or perhaps she might even 'graduate'. Should we cancel her supplement? She has BCBS plan F and it's very costly. The money we save could be put to use for her caregivers.
Before canceling it, find out exactly what rights she would have to obtain Medigap again if she graduates from or revokes hospice. Don't rely on the hospice or the insurance salesperson for that answer. Contact the state's SHIP counselor or insurance department. Medicare recommends SHIP for free, independent Medigap counseling. If she cancels her plan and then graduates, then develops other health issues where she doesn't qualify for hospice, then she may be subject to underwriting and the premium price may increase a lot or not be able to get any Medigap plans at that point.
There may also be a middle ground worth investigating: see whether she can move to a less expensive Medigap policy without giving up her current coverage until the replacement is approved. Medicare specifically advises not canceling an existing Medigap policy while attempting to switch; there's a 30-day "free look" period after obtaining the new policy.
In her particular situation—90 years old, currently on hospice but potentially living several more years—I'd be very reluctant to permanently surrender Plan F solely to save the premiums until someone has verified in writing what her Medigap options would be if hospice ends. The financial savings could be substantial now, but the inability to regain supplemental coverage later could be much more expensive.
My 97-yr old Mom has BCBS supplement and I'd never have her give it up. I wish you success in finding the right solution for her situation.
Medigap is nice because it goes from State to State. So if a person tends to travel, this is what they need. Other supplimentals stay in State and won't cover you if your out of State and need hospitalization. Medigap does have cheaper plans.
Mom is not suppose to go to the hospital or see a doctor if on Hospice. So there is no need for a suppliment I guess. Is she still on Meds that Hospice does not cover, if so she needs to still carry a prescription plan. Vision or dental, not so much. You may want to see if you Counties Office if Aging has someone who can help you decide what you can do.
If they fail to meet Medicare guidelines on the disease progression they will not be "recertified" this is commonly called "graduating" out of Hospice.
They would have information that they need to help make a decision. The condition she has, the possibility she would not be recertified for Hospice, medications Hospice may not provide that you would have to pay out of pocket for.
Co-pays that the plan covers that you / she would have to pay if you were to drop the plan.