What Should I Know About Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Hawaii?
We’re guessing you’ve heard the phrase bridging the gap. What you might not realize is there’s a very real necessity to bridge the gap between what’s covered with Medicare insurance and what is not covered. This is easily done with Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Hawaii.
Known as Medigap, Medicare Supplement Insurance plans fill some of the “gaps” from the coverage provided by Medicare Parts A and B, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan assists with out-of-pocket costs and is available from private insurance companies throughout Hawaii.
In 2022, residents of Hawaii have 10 Medigap or Medicare Supplement 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 enrollees of these plans are grandfathered into them.
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.
Hawaii residents looking for the most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans need to first look at their specific coverage needs to determine what Medigap plans they should consider.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Hawaii
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including Hawaii. The statistics below offer a view of the most popular Medigap Supplement plans selected by Hawaii residents. All insurance companies sell Medigap plans and offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices depending on where you live and the carrier.
As reported by AHIP, 12,083 Hawaii beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of Hawaii enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 105 | 53 | 269 | 25 | 9 | 7,878 | 954 | 18 | 44 | 447 | 409 | 71 | 0 | 1,758 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 105 |
| B | 53 |
| C | 269 |
| D | 25 |
| E | 9 |
| F | 7,878 |
| G | 954 |
| H | 18 |
| I | 44 |
| J | 447 |
| K | 409 |
| L | 71 |
| M | 0 |
| N | 1,758 |
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 Hawaii 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. Hawaiians can also consider a Hawaii Medicare Advantage plan, which typically covers prescriptions drugs and may also include gym memberships and other benefits, such as dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in Hawaii by working with a SelectQuote licensed sales agent. SelectQuote acts as an advocate for you. Our licensed sales agents can guide you through the Medicare maze to better understand Medigap plan options and answer any questions you might have throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help you compare Medicare plans in Hawaii.
Hawaii residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. A Medigap plan in Hawaii can’t be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage plan.
When is the Hawaii Medicare Supplement Plans Enrollment Period?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Hawaii 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.
Hawaii residents have a six-month timeframe around their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. Hawaii 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. There’s no reason to wait until your 65th birthday. You can begin making these important changes at age 64 and 6 months. During this important six-month period, companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cannot use underwriting during this time. In other words, during this timeframe your acceptance is guaranteed. However, if you apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance outside of this 6-month timeframe, Hawaii residents will be subject to a physical exam. If you apply for Medigap coverage after the first six 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.
Is a Hawaii Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Right for You?
SelectQuote can help ensure you are getting all the available benefits you deserve. As a trusted independent third-party company which specializes in helping consumers understand the ins and outs of the available Medicare plans in your area, we can ensure you’re current and up to date with the annual updates to Medicare plans made by insurance companies. We’re here to help Hawaii residents find the right Medicare Supplement Insurance plan to meet their 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.
