The Best Medicare Supplement Plans Explained

A quick look at the best Medicare supplement plans

• Best for extra plan benefits: Humana | Skip to review
• Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm | Skip to review
• Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare | Skip to review
• Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield | Skip to review

What is a Medicare supplement plan?

A Medicare supplement plan, also known as Medigap, is extra insurance a person can buy from a private health insurance company to help pay for costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) do not cover.

Each Medicare supplement plan type offers different benefits, so people should buy one that meets their needs, and covers their residing state.

There are many variables that a person must consider before deciding on a Medigap plan, and even the plan that may seem like the best option may not offer everything the person requires. Benefits vary based on state, health history, and more.

HelloMedicare is a service that helps people find the supplement plan that works best for them and their needs.

Below, we look at what Medicare Part A and Part B cover and what Medicare supplement plans cover.

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)

Medicare Part A helps cover a person’s:

• hospital stay
• nursing care
• hospice care
• healthcare at home

Medicare Part B (medical insurance)

Medicare Part B helps cover:

• services from doctors and other healthcare professionals
• outpatient care
• healthcare at home
• medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment
• preventive services such as screenings, vaccines, and yearly wellness visits

Medicare Part B only covers around 80% of medical costs, therefore signing up for a Medigap plan can cover the other 20% a person would pay out of pocket.

Medigap is automatically renewed yearly if the person continues to pay their premium to the private health insurance company.

Medigap policies do not cover healthcare costs for a person’s partner, therefore each person must buy a separate Medigap policy.

What do Medicare supplement plans cover?

Medicare supplement plans can help cover expenses that Medicare does not cover. These include:

• copayments
• coinsurance
• deductibles

Some plans may also cover emergency medical care when people travel outside the United States.

What is not covered in Medicare supplement plans?

Medigap plans do not cover:

• long-term care
• vision or dental care
• hearing aids
• glasses
• private-duty nursing
• prescription charges

The best Medicare supplement plan providers

DISCLAIMER ON MEDIGAP PLANS

There is no average or estimated price for any Medigap plan. Each plan varies by state, health condition, insurance company, and a variety of other factors. To get a quote for your premium, contact your chosen insurance company, HelloMedicare, or State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), which can help find the best plan for you.

Below we take a look at the best Medicare supplement plans.

Best for extra plan benefits: Humana

• Location availability: 48 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
• Plans offered: A, B, C, F, G, K, L, N
• Rewards/perks: SilverSneakers, meal delivery, 24/7 nurse access, vision and hearing discounts

According to Humana, not only does it offer plans to various locations, but it also offers a range of plans to fit many budgets.

Its additional coverage surpasses what most competitors’ plans offer including:

• cost-sharing vision and hearing discount
• SilverSneakers, a free fitness program for older adults
• meal delivery service
• 24/7 call access to a registered nurse

Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm

• Location availability: 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C.
• Plans offered: A, C, F, G, N
• Rewards/perks: no information available

Unlike other competitors, State Farm does not advertise additional perks; therefore, its Medicare supplement plans may be better suited for people looking for more straightforward coverage.

The company offers its customers plans A, C, F, G, and N. Some of these plans may only be available to customers who joined Medicare before a specific date or live in a particular state, so a person should check the State Farm website before signing up.

Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare

• Location availability: all 50 U.S. states
• Plans offered: A, B, C, F, G, K, L, N
• Rewards/perks: Renew Active Fitness Program, AARP programs for brain health, dental, vision, and hearing programs

AARP by UnitedHealthcare, UHC, offers customers a range of plans enriched with specific perks, discounts, and access to other UHC health insurance coverage.

Unlike some insurers who offer customers Medicare supplement plans, this company pays 100% of Part A coinsurance and up to 100% of Part B coinsurance, which may benefit people who use or may later need extensive medical care or hospital services.

The company also offers medical benefits for foreign travel, which may benefit people who spend time in different states or countries.

Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Location availability: all 50 U.S. states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
• Plans offered: A, B, C, D, F, F+, G, G+, K, L, M, N
• Rewards/perks: discounts on fitness memberships, 24/7 on-call medical advice and online doctor, online behavioral health therapy

Unlike other Medicare supplement plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers every type of plan in most locations nationwide. Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the best range of Medigap plans nationwide, covering all 50 U.S. states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Additionally, its Medicare supplement plan includes benefits that match and surpass the supplement’s requirements. These include:

• discounted fitness memberships
• discount programs
• online behavioral health therapy
• health screening
• nationally recognized quality care through Blue Distinction Centers

Comparison table

Below we compare the best Medicare supplement plan providers in this article.

How to choose a Medicare supplement plan

Medical needs and financial situations vary from one individual to another. A Medicare supplement plan that is suitable for one person may not suit another.

Below are some important things for a person to consider when choosing a Medicare supplement plan:

• Additional benefits the plan covers: Some plans offer more benefits than others, such as fitness programs and help with dental, vision, and prescription costs.
• Geographical coverage areas: Some plans may only cover certain states. People should check to make sure that the plan they wish to purchase is available in their home state.
• Budget: Provider costs vary between companies. It is important that a person ensures that their chosen plan not only meets their needs, but they deem plan costs affordable.
• Annual health expenses: Treatment costs for medical conditions vary. A person may wish to choose a supplement plan that covers some or most of these expenses.
• Chronic conditions: People with chronic conditions may need additional care. They may want to look for a supplement plan with more covered costs such as nursing care, in-home care, or access to an online doctor.
• Foreign travel: If a person travels abroad regularly, they may wish to consider a plan that includes emergency coverage overseas.
• The type of coverage a person already has: It is important that people consider what their current coverage offers, if applicable, while looking for additional coverage. For example, a person who holds a veteran discount may need to receive care in a non-veteran affairs facility that their veteran insurance plan does not cover.

Important dates to consider

People should consider the cut-off dates below when enrolling in a Medicare supplement plan.

• A person can enroll in Medicare starting the 3 months before and ending 3 months after their 65th birthday.
• A person can enroll in Medigap up to 6 months after their 65th birthday, as long as they are already enrolled in Medicare Part B.
• People who did not enroll for a Medicare plan when they were first eligible can do so from January 1 to March 31.
• People wishing to add Part D to their Original Medicare plan can do so between April 1 and June 30.
• People can enroll in, drop, or change their Medicare Part C or Part D plan during the open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
• Under some circumstances, a person may qualify for a special enrollment period. If this is the case, they have 8 months to enroll in a plan.

Summary

Medicare supplement plans, or Medigap, help people with additional costs that Original Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover.

Financial cover and costs differ within and between plans, and not all plan benefits are available in all U.S. states.

Before choosing an appropriate Medicare supplement plan, people should consider their financial situation and healthcare needs. They should also consider the enrollment cut-off dates.