What to Know About Illinois Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans?
Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and Cubs fans understand that no good comes from a gap in the lineup. Fans want to know what to expect as an indication of how each season will go. The same is true of healthcare coverage through Medicare. Many people just joining Medicare do not know that they will probably need to find a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan to bridge some of the “gaps” between what’s left uncovered (copayments, coinsurance and deductibles) through Medicare Parts A and B.
These Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are also called Medigap, because they are there to fill “gaps,” of what’s not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. A Medicare Supplemental Insurance plan in Illinois provides help with out-of-pocket costs and the plans are available from private insurance companies throughout Illinois.
In 2022, residents of Illinois 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 in 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.
Illinois residents looking for the most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans need to first look at their specific coverage needs to determine what Medigap plan they should consider.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Illinois
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including Illinois. The statistics below offer a look at the most popular Medigap plans selected by Illinois residents. The insurance companies that sell Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices. Each insurer in Illinois may not offer each of the available Medigap plans.
As reported by AHIP, 798,778 Illinois beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of Illinois enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 3,357 | 2,974 | 16,071 | 15,559 | 1,159 | 489,652 | 195,482 | 3,058 | 908 | 6,312 | 1,989 | 1,719 | 3 | 54,871 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 3,357 |
| B | 2,974 |
| C | 16,071 |
| D | 15,559 |
| E | 1,159 |
| F | 489,652 |
| G | 195,482 |
| H | 3,058 |
| I | 908 |
| J | 6,312 |
| K | 1,989 |
| L | 1,719 |
| M | 3 |
| N | 54,871 |
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 Illinois 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 an Illinois Medicare Advantage plan, which typically covers prescriptions drugs and may also include other benefits such as dental, vision, hearing coverage and gym memberships.
Learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in Illinois 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 your Medicare plan options and answer whatever questions you might have throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help you compare Medicare plans in Illinois.
Illinois residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. A Medigap plan can’t be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage plan.
When is the Enrollment Period for Illinois Medicare Supplement Plans?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Illinois begins the first day of the month you turn at least 65 years old. There are some special cases for enrollment prior to age 65. You also must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B in order to get a Medigap plan.
Illinois residents have a six-month period surrounding their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. Illinois 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. Time is of the essence; you can enroll at age 64 and 6 months and begin to make these important choices. 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 6-month timeframe, you 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 an Illinois Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Right for You?
The annual updates to Medicare plans made by insurance companies necessitate staying current with Medicare changes. A SelectQuote licensed sales agent can help ensure you’re getting all the available benefits you deserve. As an independent trusted third-party company, SelectQuote is here to help Illinois residents explore Medicare insurance options to find the right Medicare Supplement 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.
