What Are the Specifics of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in California?
As one of the nation’s most populous states, there are a lot of Californians looking for answers about Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in California. Sometimes referred to as Medigap, Supplement Insurance plans fill in some of the “gaps” between things not covered by Medicare Parts A and B such as coinsurance, deductibles and copayments. Purchasing a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan can help defray out-of-pocket costs.
In 2022, Medicare Supplement insurance plans are available from private insurance companies throughout the state of California. Residents have 8 Medigap or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans from which to choose. These include basic benefits from Plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N. Medigap Plans C, E, F, H, I and J are no longer available to those who are newly eligible to Medicare but anyone previously enrolled in the plan are grandfathered into their plan.
As of 2020, Medicare Supplement Insurance plans will no longer sell Medigap Plans C or F to newly eligible Medicare members. Congress has decided that new Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible after January 1, 2020. This will only affect Medicare Supplement plans C and F as these are the only Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible. Anyone enrolled in a Medigap plan C or F as of December 31, 2019, will be grandfathered and will be able to continue to use their plan as long as they want.
California residents looking for the most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans need to first look at their specific coverage needs to determine what Medigap plans to consider.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in California
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including California. The statistics below show a sampling of the Medigap Insurance plans that are the most popular among California residents. All insurance companies selling Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices depending on where you live and the carrier. Each insurer may not offer each of the available Medigap Supplement plans.
As reported by AHIP, 1,069,299 California beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of California enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 5,692 | 2,605 | 8,896 | 1,537 | 813 | 397,589 | 55,547 | 639 | 3,611 | 42,726 | 6,667 | 2,850 | 25 | 65,880 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 5,692 |
| B | 2,605 |
| C | 8,896 |
| D | 1,537 |
| E | 813 |
| F | 397,589 |
| G | 55,547 |
| H | 639 |
| I | 3,611 |
| J | 42,726 |
| K | 6,667 |
| L | 2,850 |
| M | 25 |
| N | 65,880 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
While a Medigap policy will help pay for things like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles not covered by Medicare Parts A and B, it is important to note that your California Medicare Supplement Insurance plan will not cover benefits for prescription drugs. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to cover prescription drug costs or consider a California Medicare Advantage plan, which typically covers prescriptions drugs and can include other benefits such as gym memberships, dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan options in California by working with a SelectQuote licensed sales agent. Acting as your advocate, our licensed sales agents can guide you through the Medicare maze to better understand Medigap Plan options and answer any questions you may have throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help you compare Medicare plans in California.
California residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time. A Medigap plan can also not be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage Plan.
When Can I Enroll in California Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for California Medicare Supplement Insurance plans begins the first day of the month you turn at least 65 years old. You also must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B in order to get a Medigap plan.
California residents have six months to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan. California residents under the age of 65 can check with the Social Security Administration office for additional enrollment periods.
The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is during the initial 6 months you are eligible for Medicare. Surprise, you can get a jump on enrollment as early as age 64 ½! During this important six-month period, companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cannot use underwriting. In other words, during this timeframe your acceptance is guaranteed. However, if you apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance outside of this timeframe, California residents will be subject to a physical exam. If you apply for Medigap coverage after the first months of eligibility, a company can refuse to sell you a plan or premiums may also adjust depending on current health status and pre-existing health conditions.
How Do I Determine if a California Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is the Right Choice?
SelectQuote, an independent third-party company, specializes in helping consumers like you navigate Medicare options. Our experienced SelectQuote licensed sales agents can determine if you’re getting all the available benefits you deserve while keeping you updated on Medicare plan changes insurance companies make annually. SelectQuote is here to help Californians find the right Medicare Supplement Insurance plan to meet your needs.
To ensure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to receive, call or complete your online form today. Let SelectQuote’s personal licensed sales agents simplify the Medicare maze by comparing rates and independently shopping insurance companies to help you find an affordable option that meets your unique needs.
