As a senior, navigating the world of Medicare Supplement Plans can be overwhelming. There are many options to choose from, and each one has its own unique benefits and limitations.
Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic plan, covering basic medical expenses such as hospital stays and doctor visits. It's also the most affordable option, but it doesn't cover as much as some of the other plans.
Medicare Supplement Plan F is one of the most comprehensive plans, covering almost all out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays. However, it's also the most expensive option.
There are ten Medicare Supplement Plans in total, each with its own set of benefits and costs.
Top Medicare Supplement Plans
AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers a lot to like, including lower-than-average premiums for Plan G, nationwide availability, and extra benefits. Their low complaint index and excellent financial strength rating make them a reliable choice.
Their policies come with free gym membership and healthcare discounts, which is a nice bonus. However, their high-deductible Plan G premiums are expensive.
UnitedHealthcare's community pricing model charges everyone similar premiums at the beginning, regardless of age, and raises premiums at the same rate for everyone. This approach may be more attractive to some people.
AARP membership is required to buy a policy, which costs $16 a year. But you can get discounts on premiums for making electronic payments from your bank account and having multiple household members enrolled.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers all 10 types of Medicare Supplement plans, which is more than any other provider. Their average Plan F premium is lower than the industry average.
Blue Cross Blue Shield's extra benefits are competitive, including premium discounts, a 24/7 nurse line, routine hearing exams, and discounts on health products and services.
Here's a comparison of some of the top Medicare Supplement plans:
Plan Comparison and Selection
To find the right Medicare supplement plan, you can use Medicare's interactive website tool, the Online Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Database.
This tool allows you to compare Medicare supplement plans quickly and easily, making it easier to find a policy that works for you.
Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, are designed to fill the gaps left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B). They are sold by private insurance companies as individual insurance policies and are regulated by the Department of Insurance.
Here are the key benefits to compare when selecting a Medicare supplement plan:
- Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period
- Medicare Supplement Options for Medicare beneficiaries Under Age 65
- Buying a Medicare Supplement Policy
- Online Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Database
Writers
Writers play a crucial role in helping you navigate the complex world of Medicare Supplement Insurance. They are responsible for creating reports that provide valuable information to consumers.
You can access these reports in two formats: Word document and Excel.
Online Premium Comparison
Medicare's online premium comparison tool is a game-changer for those looking to find the best Medicare supplement plan.
This interactive website tool allows you to compare Medicare supplement plans quickly and easily, making it a huge time-saver.
With this tool, you can find a Medigap policy that fits your needs and budget.
Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, are designed to fill the gaps left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
You can compare the benefits of different Medicare supplement plans, including Medicare Supplement Plan A through N.
Here are some key things to know about online premium comparison:
- Medicare's online premium comparison tool helps you find the best Medicare supplement plan for you.
- Medicare supplement plans are sold by private insurance companies and are regulated by the Department of Insurance.
- These plans are available to Medicare beneficiaries who want to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
Humana Benefit of Illinois
Humana Benefit of Illinois offers a range of policy plans for individuals. Their customer service phone number is (888) 310-8482.
If you're over 65, you can choose from Individual Policy Plans A, F, G, *High G, and N. However, they don't offer Group Policy Plans for this age group.
If you're under 65, you have the same Individual Policy Plans available as those over 65: A, F, G, *High G, and N. Unfortunately, Group Policy Plans are not an option for this age group either.
Here are the policy plans available from Humana Benefit of Illinois:
Keep in mind that premium rates listed are for Preferred (Non-Smoker/Not eligible for Medicare due to disability/Guaranteed Acceptance).
National Health
National Health offers a range of policy plans for individuals and groups, but there are some limitations to consider.
Their customer service phone number is (888) 376-3300, and you can also reach out to them via email at [email protected].
If you're over 65 and looking for an individual policy plan, National Health offers options A, F, High F, G, and N. However, they don't offer group policy plans for this age group.
For under 65 individuals, National Health offers the same policy plans as for those over 65: A, F, High F, G, and N. Unfortunately, group policy plans are not available for this age group either.
It's worth noting that National Health didn't provide any explanation or restrictions for their policy plans.
For your interest: Tufts Health Plan
Compare Anthem Benefits
Anthem offers a range of benefits with its Medicare Supplement plans, including a SilverSneakers fitness program that's perfect for seniors who want to stay active.
You can also get discounts on prescription medications with the ScriptSave/WellRx prescription savings program, which can help you save money on your prescription costs.
Anthem's SpecialOffers discounts on vitamins and weight loss programs can also provide you with additional savings on health-related expenses.
If you're looking for a Medicare Supplement plan that offers a range of benefits, Anthem is definitely worth considering.
Here's a comparison of Anthem's benefits with its Medicare Supplement plans:
Keep in mind that Anthem's Medicare Supplement plans come with a range of premiums, and the costs can vary depending on your age and location.
Choosing the Best Companies
To find the best Medicare Supplement insurance companies, Investopedia staff researchers consulted research from market intelligence and consulting firms, such as Kaiser Family Foundation and Chartis Group.
They identified nine Medigap companies that met their baseline standards for availability, financial strength, and customer satisfaction.
Investopedia used a quantitative model to score each company based on criteria deemed most important when choosing an insurance provider.
The criteria were weighted as follows: Costs (38%), Financials (30%), Plan Types (17%), Customer Satisfaction (10%), and Nationwide Availability (5%).
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Here's a breakdown of the weighted criteria:
UnitedHealthcare, for instance, offers Medicare Supplement plans in all 50 states and has a lower-than-average premium for Plan G.
However, its high-deductible Plan G premiums are expensive, and its loss ratio is lower than that of some competitors.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare also offers extra benefits, such as a free gym membership and discounts on dental, vision, and hearing care, but requires AARP membership to buy a policy.
Plan Comparison and Selection
Medicare Supplement Plan G is one of the most popular plans, offering broad coverage for most people. It pays for out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, except for the Medicare Part B deductible.
You can also consider adding benefits like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, or hearing coverage to your plan. Anthem standalone plans, including Prescription Drug (Medicare Part D) plans, are available for an additional premium.
California offers an Innovative Plan F that includes preventive benefits for vision and hearing, including frames, lenses, and hearing aids, as well as 24/7 NurseLine access. This plan is worth exploring if you're looking for a comprehensive coverage option.
Anthem Prescription Drug plans and Anthem Dental and Vision plans are also available to add to your Medicare Supplement coverage.
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Enrollment and Coverage
You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in California anytime if you already have Original Medicare Part A and Part B. The best time to enroll is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, starting the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older.
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is six months from the date a beneficiary is enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, beneficiaries are guaranteed the ability to buy any of these plans from any company that sells them.
Companies cannot deny coverage or charge more for current or past health problems. However, the insurance company may impose a pre-existing condition waiting period, but it cannot be longer than six months.
If you have prior creditable coverage, the waiting period must be waived. Creditable coverage is when the beneficiary has been covered by insurance or Medicaid for six months prior to the effective date of the Medicare supplement insurance policy.
If this caught your attention, see: Medicare Part C vs Medigap
You can also enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, starting three months before you turn 65, and ending three months after the month you turn 65.
To enroll, you will need to contact the insurance company that sells the specific policy that you wish to purchase, or you may contact an agent who sells the specific policy you want.
Here are the key enrollment periods to keep in mind:
- Medigap Open Enrollment Period: six months from the date you enroll in Medicare Part B
- Initial Enrollment Period: three months before you turn 65 to three months after the month you turn 65
Remember, the best time to enroll is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
State-Specific Information
In California, you must have Original Medicare Parts A and B to sign up for Medicare Supplement.
To get a Medicare Supplement plan, you'll pay a monthly premium that can help control costs.
Medicare Supplement insurance plans in California are standardized by the federal government, and each plan is named with a letter, like A, F, G, and N.
Washington National
Washington National offers a range of Medicare Supplement Plans, including A, F, G, High F, and High G. These plans are available to individuals who are 65 or younger.
If you're looking for customer support, you can reach out to Washington National at (800) 852-6285 or email them at [email protected].
Here are the Medicare Supplement Plans offered by Washington National:
- 65 Over Individual Policy Plans: A, F, G, *High G and N
- Under 65 Individual Policy Plans: A, F, G, *High G and N
It's worth noting that Washington National does not offer Medicare Supplement Plans to groups of people.
Types in California
In California, you'll need to have Original Medicare Parts A and B to sign up for Medicare Supplement. To get started, you'll need to have these two parts in place.
Medicare Supplement insurance plans are standardized by the federal government, which means each plan is named with a letter, like A, F, G, and N.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Medicare Supplement?
Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement, covering nearly 5.3 million people in 2023. It offers a standardized set of benefits, making it a top choice for many Medicare recipients.
What is the least expensive supplemental insurance for Medicare?
The least expensive supplemental insurance for Medicare is High-deductible Plan G, which costs an average of $49 per month. This affordable option helps bridge the gap in Medicare coverage, but details and eligibility vary.
What Medicare Supplement plan has the highest level of coverage?
Medigap Plan F offers the highest level of coverage, covering Medicare deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for Medicare-approved services. This comprehensive plan leaves you with no out-of-pocket expenses for eligible services.
Sources
- https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/05-health/03-medsup/list-of-companies.cfm
- https://www.investopedia.com/the-best-medicare-supplement-insurance-companies-8764684
- https://www.humana.com/medicare/medicare-supplement-plans
- https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-supplement-medigap-plans
- https://www.anthem.com/ca/medicare/medicare-supplement-plans-medigap
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