Medicare Supplement Plans in Delaware

Medicare Supplement plans in Delaware provide seniors extra insurance against the high cost of health care. Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). They pay for out-of-pocket expenses such as the Part A deductible, coinsurance, and copays. Private health insurance companies sell Medicare Supplement plans in Delaware. The plan options available to you depend on your Medicare eligibility date:

• Before Jan. 1, 2020: You can buy plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.
• On or after Jan. 1, 2020: You can buy plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N.

Because opportunities to change Medicare Supplement insurance plans are limited, you must research and compare policies before you buy. Our licensed insurance agents can help you compare plans and insurance companies. We're also happy to answer your questions about Medicare Supplement plans.

All Medigap policies cover the same essential benefits, but some also include additional benefits. Unfortunately, additional benefits mean higher monthly premiums. It will help if you balanced costs with health care need to find the best plan for you. Here is a quick look at the best plans for 2022 in terms of coverage and costs.

Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan G

• Broadest coverage available to those entering Medicare starting Jan. 1, 2020
• Medigap Plan G covers everything except Medicare's Part B deductible
• Lower premiums compared to Medicare Plan F if you're eligible for both

Medicare Supplement Plan N

• Medigap Plan N is ideal if you want broad coverage but are willing to trade some benefits for lower premiums.
• Have copays: $20 office and $50 emergency room (ER copay waived if you're admitted as an inpatient)

High Deductible Medigap Plan G

• Same benefits as Medicare Plan G
• Requires annual deductible of $2,490 before coverage starts
• Significantly lower premiums than original Plan G

The federal Medicare program protects Delaware seniors from high medical expenses, but it was not designed to pay 100% of your bills.

It's your responsibility to pay for these "gaps" in coverage. Gaps include the following:

• Medicare Part A deductible
• Part B coinsurance
• Part B excess charges
• Copayments

Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap insurance, helps pay for these out-of-pocket costs.

You must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan in Delaware:

• Be at least 65 or receiving Social Security benefits if younger than 65
• Be enrolled in Medicare Part B

Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable if you pay your Part B and Medigap insurance premiums.

No Medigap plan in Delaware includes prescription drug coverage (Part D). To get drug coverage, you have to buy a Prescription Drug Plan.

Medicare Supplement Plan F

• Medigap Plan F covers all of the gaps in Medicare benefits, including Medicare's Part B deductible.
• Must have been eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020, to qualify
• Highest premiums of all plans

Medicare Supplement Insurance cost in Delaware

Rates for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan in Delaware vary based on gender, tobacco use, and supplement plan. Here is an example of what a 65-year-old nonsmoking Delaware woman might pay for Medigap insurance in Wilmington zip code 19801:

65-Year Old Female Non-tobacco

Plan F - $146.44-$228.43

Plan G - $122.13-$198.44

Plan N - $91.88-$138.31

When can I apply for a Delaware Medicare Supplement plan?

The ideal time to apply for a Delaware Medicare Supplement plan is during six months, called your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Open enrollment starts on the first day of the month when:

• You're 65 or older and
• Enrolled in Medicare Part B

Open enrollment is the preferred time because you have guaranteed issue rights. During open enrollment, the insurance company can't do certain things:

• Refuse to sell you a policy
• Charge you more because of your health condition
• Exclude pre-existing conditions (although they can make you wait up to six months before covering)

Under age 65

Suppose you are under 65 and qualify for Medicare due to a disability. In that case, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is six months, starting from the month you first receive Medicare benefits. As a result, rates for these beneficiaries are higher than those 65 or older.

Special enrollment

If you apply for a Medigap policy outside of open enrollment, the insurance company can require underwriting, charge you more, or deny coverage altogether.

There are, however, some situations outside of open enrollment where you have guaranteed issue rights:

• You have Medicare Advantage, and your plan leaves the area or terminates its contract with Medicare
• You move out of the service area of your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan
• You lose coverage through an employer
• You join Medicare Advantage when you're first eligible for Medicare and return to Original Medicare within one year.
• You drop your Medigap insurance to join Medicare Advantage and leave Medicare Advantage within 12 months.
• Your Medigap coverage ends through no fault of your own

No Annual Election Period

Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans have an Annual Election Period where beneficiaries can change policies or insurers. However, in Delaware, Medicare Supplement plans have no Annual Election Period. So if you want to change policies or insurers, you'll probably be subject to medical underwriting.

FAQ:

When can I change Medigap plans?

You can change Medigap plans anytime, but be aware that you'll likely be subject to underwriting. Medicare Supplement insurance does not have an Annual Election Period where you can switch plans or private insurance companies and still have guaranteed issue rights.

Can I be denied Medigap coverage?

Coverage is not guaranteed if you apply for a supplement insurance policy outside the Open Enrollment Period and don't qualify for special enrollment. The Medicare insurance company can require underwriting. The insurance carrier can deny coverage if you don't pass the underwriting.

Ready to Learn More?

We help educate Medicare beneficiaries on their Medigap options and help them go through the process of reviewing and comparing plans. We work with most of the nation's top-rated Medigap carriers, such as Aetna, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, and Florida Blue Medicare plans. So give us a call today, or request a quote online to learn more about Aetna Medicare Supplement plan G and Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement plan G in your state. We educate you on the best Medicare Plans for your situation, then let you decide.