Sunday, March 24, 2024

Can You Have Two Medicare Supplement Plans

Don't Miss

Note: If You Live In Massachusetts Minnesota Or Wisconsin Medigap Policies Are Standardized In A Different Way

Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement Plans (2022)

MEDIGAP DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT FOR HIGH DEDUCTIBLE POLICY OPTIONS The 2019 deductible amount for Medigap high deductible plans F & J is $2,300.00. The high deductible amount for Medigap plans F and J is updated each year and is based on the August CPI-U figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The full text of the announcement is available on the CMS website at: . This figure represents the out-of-pocket expense, excluding premiums that a beneficiary must incur before the policy begins paying any benefits. Under the high deductible option, policies pay 100% of covered out-of-pocket expenses once the deductible has been satisfied in a year. Note, the high deductible option for benefit packages F or J was added by Section 4032 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Sec. 1882 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395ss.

How Do I Switch Medigap Policies

First, confirm your application for a new Medigap policy is accepted before you cancel your current coverage. A Medigap insurer can sell you a new policy if you state in writing that you plan to cancel your present policy.

Then contact your original insurance company and ask for the steps needed to cancel your policy. You may be charged for the policy youre canceling through the end of the month.

This is different from shopping for Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription plans in Medicares Plan Finder. With those, your present plan is automatically canceled for the coming year when you sign up for a new one, so the policies wont overlap.

Keep in mind

If you decide to get coverage from a Medicare Advantage plan instead of original Medicare, you wont need a Medigap policy. In many cases, having both is prohibited.

Remember, its illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy if you have a Medicare Advantage plan unless youre in the process of switching to original Medicare and seeking to drop your Medicare Advantage plan. However, insurers can sell you a policy if your Medicare Advantage coverage will end before the Medigap policys effective date.

Likewise, if you already have a Medigap policy and then join a Medicare Advantage plan, the two types of insurance wont work together. You cant use your Medigap to pay your Medicare Advantage copayments, deductibles or premiums.

Is Medicare Part A Free At Age 65

You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

Recommended Reading: How Much Is Medicare Plan B

If Your Income Is High Or Very Low Or Youre Feeling Lucky You Might Be Able To Rely On Traditional Medicare Heres Why Most People Dont

Only 19% of Original Medicare beneficiaries have no supplemental coverage .

If youre approaching Medicare eligibility, youve probably heard about the various private-coverage options that are available to replace or supplement Medicare. These plans are popular, but are they necessary?

If you shun private coverage, can you get by on Original Medicare without purchasing supplemental coverage or using a Medicare Advantage plan?

The answer is: It depends.

Do You Need Medicare Supplement

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Not everyone needs a Medicare supplement policy. If you have other health coverage, the gaps might already be covered. You probably dont need Medicare supplement insurance if:

  • You have group health insurance through an employer or former employer, including government or military retiree plans.
  • You have a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Medicaid or the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program pays your Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. QMB is a Medicare savings program that helps pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

If you have other health insurance, ask your insurance company or agent how it works with Medicare.

Read Also: Are Colostomy Supplies Covered By Medicare

Medicare Advantage Is Growing In Popularity

The trend is undeniable. In 2021, more than 26 million people are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, accounting for 42% of the total Medicare population.1

By 2030, more than 51% of Medicare members are expected to choose Medicare Advantage plans.2

*Costs for Medicare Supplement plans vary by the state you live in and the plan you choose. Medicare Supplement plans can only be paired with Original Medicare.

  • Medicare Advantage in 2021: Enrollment Update and Key Trends, kff.org, last accessed July 13, 2021,
  • A Dozen Facts About Medicare Advantage in 2020, kff.org, last accessed July 13, 2021,
  • Explore Medicare

    This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult your doctor to determine what is right for you.

    Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Humana is also a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

    Y0040_GNHKHNSEN

    Someone You Know Is Paying Less Than You Are For The Same Medigap Plan

    Medicare Supplement plans are named with letters, such as Plan A, and standardized such that plans of the same letter name offer the same benefits. In most states, there are 10 Medigap plans Plan A through Plan N . Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own versions of Medigap. In all other states, insurance companies must offer the same standardized benefits, but they can pick which of the 10 plan categories they want to offer and they can price the plans differently.

    Any company that sells Medigap must offer at least Plan A. If the company sells more than one Medigap plan, it must next offer at least Plan C or Plan F.

    Now that you know some of the basics, try to determine why your friend pays a different amount. He may have a policy through a different Medigap insurance company. How old is your friend? Did she switch policies, or has she had the same one since she was first enrolled?

    Medigap insurers can set premiums in any of these ways:

    • Attained-age ratedThe premium is based on your current age and increases with your age.
    • Entry-age-ratedThe premium is set using your age when you first enroll.
    • No-age ratedThe premium is the same for everyone who has the same policy.

    Read Also: Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home For Dementia Patients

    Consider Premiumsand Your Other Costs

    To see how a Medicare Advantage Plan cherry-picks its patients, carefully review the copays in the summary of benefits for every plan you are considering. To give you an example of the types of copays you may find, here are some details of in-network services from a popular Humana Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida:

    • Hospital stay$100 per day for the first 4 days
    • Emergency Room â $120 copay
    • Diagnostic radiologyup to $100 copay
    • Lab Servicesup to $50 copay
    • Outpatient x-raysup to $50 copay
    • Outpatient surgery â up to $100 copay

    As this non-exhaustive list of copays demonstrates, out-of-pocket costs will quickly build up over the year if you get sick. The Medicare Advantage Plan may offer a $0 premium, but the out-of-pocket surprises may not be worth those initial savings if you get sick. The best candidate for Medicare Advantage is someone whoâs healthy,â says Mary Ashkar, senior attorney for the Center for Medicare Advocacy. âWe see trouble when someone gets sick.â

    Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Medicare Advantage And Regular Medicare

    When Can You Have Amedicare Advantage And Medigap At The Same Time

    Medicare Supplement Plans / Benefits & Hidden Risks

    There are some specific situations where you can temporarily have a Medicare Advantage and Medigap plan at the same time while youâre in transition from one type of coverage to another.

    If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, and decide youâd rather drop the plan and return to Original Medicare, you might be able to buy a Medicare Supplement plan:

    • If you enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plan when you were first eligible for Medicare
    • If youâre within your first year of having the Medicare Advantage plan. This is called your Trial Right.

    If you had a Medicare Supplement plan and dropped it to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time:

    • If you decide to return to Original Medicare within the first year of being enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plan, you can buy the same Medicare Supplement plan.

    If youâre enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and the plan stops providing Medicare coverage in your area, or you move out of the planâs service area:

    • You can switch back to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.
    • You can then buy any Medigap Plan A, B, C, F, K, or L thatâs sold in your state.
    • An insurance company cannot deny your application for one of the above Medigap plans, nor charge you more if you have a health condition. However, in some cases the insurance company can impose a waiting period of up to six months before it covers your pre-existing condition.

    You May Like: How Do I Report A Lost Medicare Card

    Con’s Of A Medicare Supplement

    While you get a lot of benefits from Medicare Supplement plans, there are some downfalls:

    Cost: Medicare Supplements can be expensive, but they generally cover more in depth services that reduce out of pocket costs. Furthermore, you can expect Medicare Supplement plans to increase in cost as you age.

    Qualifying For A New Plan: In the majority of states, but especially in Michigan, you can only avoid medical underwriting during your initial enrollment period or if you meet a rare Special Enrollment Period criteria. This means that you can be denied a Medicare Supplement if you fall outside of these time periods.

    Medical underwriting can be a scary thought. However, most conditions that are controlled can be covered. This includes conditions like AFIB, Diabetes, Arthritis, or certain heart conditions.

    Underwriting criteria differs between insurance companies. While you might be a denial with one, another might approve you.

    Open Enrollment For People Age 65 And Older

    The open enrollment period for Medicare supplement plans is a six-month period during which you may buy any Medicare supplement plan offered in Texas. During this period, companies must sell you a policy, even if you have health problems. The open enrollment period begins when you enroll in Medicare Part B. You must have both Medicare parts A and B to buy a Medicare supplement policy.

    You can use your open enrollment rights more than once during this six-month period. For instance, you may change your mind about a policy you bought, cancel it, and buy any other Medicare supplement policy.

    Although a company must sell you a policy during your open enrollment period, it may require a waiting period of up to six months before it starts covering your preexisting conditions.

    Preexisting conditions are conditions for which you received treatment or medical advice from a doctor within the previous six months.

    Read Also: When Do You Stop Paying Medicare And Social Security Taxes

    What Does A Medicare Supplement Cover

    As we noted above, Medicare Supplements cover gaps in Medicare parts A and B. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

    • Medicare Part A deductible
    • Medicare Part B co-insurance
    • Routine hearing, vision, and dental services

    The primary difference between Medicare Supplement letters is to what degree they offer coverage. I included a graphic in the previous section of this article that laid out the most common plans.

    You can find what level of coverage you receive in each plan.

    When Is The Best Time To Enroll In A Medicare Supplement

    What Is The Deductible Amount For Medicare Part B If You Have Plan F

    To be eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan, you must enroll in Original Medicare. To qualify for Original Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least five years and any of the following:

    • Age 65 or above
    • Collect Social Security Disability Income benefits for at least two years
    • Diagnosed with ESRD or ALS

    After enrolling in Original Medicare, the best time to sign up is during your six-month Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. This enrollment period begins on the first day of the month your Medicare Part B goes into effect.

    When you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan during this time, you have guaranteed issue rights. This means pre-existing conditions cannot affect your admittance to the plan. Carriers cannot decline your coverage based on your health history. You may still enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period window, but you may be subject to health questions.

    Don’t Miss: What Is Original Medicare Mean

    What Else Should I Know About Having Medicare Advantage And Medigap At The Same Time

    • Generally, in the situations above, you can apply for a Medigap plan starting 60 days before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends. You usually have until 63 days after your coverage ends to buy a Medigap plan.
    • If you drop your Medicare Advantage plan, return to Original Medicare, and try to get your former Medigap plan back â you might not be able to do so unless you have one of a âtrial rightâ or guaranteed-issue right such as those mentioned above.
    • If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and someone tries to sell you a Medicare Supplement plan, thatâs illegal. Tell your state insurance department if someone does this.

    Please note that you must pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium no matter whether you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan. Of course, you also need to pay any premium your plan may charge.

    Trying to juggle Medicare coverage options can be complicated. Do you have questions? Feel free to give us a call and speak with a licensed eHealth insurance agent. To check out the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans available where you live, just click the Browse Plans button on this page.

    The product and service descriptions, if any, provided on these eHealth web pages are not intended to constitute offers to sell or solicitations in connection with any product or service. All products are not available in all areas and are subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

    Does Owning A Home Affect Medicare

    Medicare, as a rule, does not cover long-term care settings. So, Medicare in general presents no challenge to your clear home title. … If you are likely to return home after a period of care, or your spouse or dependents live in the home, the state generally cannot take your home in order to recover payments.

    Also Check: What Is Medicare Plan J Coverage

    What Is Not Covered By Medicare Supplement Plans

    Medicare Supplement plans do not cover anything Original Medicare does not cover. These plans are a proper secondary coverage to Original Medicare. Thus, the plans only pay after Original Medicare pays its portion. Each Medicare Supplement plan covers a different percentage of costs. You can see these costs in the comparison chart above.

    For example, the most notable benefits that do not receive coverage are dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drugs.

    However, you are not out of luck for these benefits when you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. Beneficiaries often enroll in stand-alone dental, vision, and hearing plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage alongside their Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement coverage.

    Explore Our Plans And Policies

    Medicare Supplement Plan G vs F vs N

    Back to Knowledge Center

    *State variations apply. Discount not available in HI, ID, MN, and VT. For residents of WA, the discount is referred to as Spousal Premium Discount, and only applies to spouses. Discount percentage varies by state.

    1 After the Part B Deductible has been met.

    2 Insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Loyal American Life Insurance Company or Cigna National Health Insurance Company. In Kansas, insured by Cigna National Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company and Loyal American Life Insurance Company. American Retirement Life Insurance Company is not available to residents of Kansas. In Pennsylvania, Maryland North Carolina and Utah, insured by Cigna National Health Insurance Company domiciled in Ohio. In New Mexico, Idaho and Ohio, insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company

    View State Disclosures, Exclusions, and Limitations

    View Kansas disclosures, exclusions, and limitations

    Notice for persons eligible for Medicare because of disability:

    In the following states, all Medicare Supplement plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare because of disability: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

    Tennessee Medicare Supplement Policy Forms

    MS-SITE-MedSupp2022

    You May Like: Does Medicare Automatically Start At 65

    Is Medicare Free At Age 65

    You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

    What Is Medicare Advantage

    Medicare Advantage gives you an alternative way to get your Original Medicare coverage. Under this program, you get your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private, Medicare-approved insurance company.

    Most Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage . Many Medicare Advantage plans cover other benefits, such as routine vision, hearing, and/or dental care, and health/wellness programs.

    Read Also: Does Medicare Complete Cover Dental

    Changing Medicare Supplement Plans

    The best time for you to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, is when you turn 65 and are covered under Medicare Part B. This six-month period, known as your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, typically starts on your 65th birthday if youre already enrolled in Part B. During this period, youre guaranteed acceptance into any Medicare Supplement plan available in your area without submitting to a complete medical review or being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. If you choose not to get Medicare Part B right away, then your Medigap Open Enrollment Period may also be delayed and will start automatically once youre at least 65 and have Part B.

    Your health status when enrolling in a Medigap plan can play an important role in which Medigap plan you choose, and your age at the time may determine how much you pay for it.

    Like anything else, your needs are subject to change, so the plan you originally chose may not cover all of your needs for the rest of your life. There are numerous reasons for switching Medicare Supplement plans some common ones are described below.

    More articles

    Popular Articles