Which statement is false about Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans?

The statement indicating that insured members can see specialists without referrals is not true in the context of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans. While Medicare Supplement Insurance, often referred to as Medigap, is designed to cover gaps in Original Medicare coverage (such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments), it does not impose any restrictions on seeing specialists. Medicare beneficiaries generally do not require referrals to see specialists under Original Medicare, which Medigap plans complement.

However, the confusion may arise from managed care plans like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), where referrals are necessary for specialist visits. Since Medigap plans operate alongside Original Medicare, the lack of referral requirements aligns with how Medicare itself functions, emphasizing patients' freedom to choose their healthcare providers. Therefore, the assertion that insured members can see specialists without referrals aligns with the fundamental characteristics of Medicare and Medigap plans.

In summary, while Medicare allows direct access to specialists without referrals, the way that Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans work doesn’t change this fundamental access, making the statement about referral necessity inaccurate in the context of Medigap coverage.