What Do Maryland Residents Need to Know About Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans?
Maryland has several famous bridges that span the gap between land and sea. The Francis Scott Key Bridge is the second-longest continuous truss bridge and the Bay Bridge or William Preston Lane Memorial crosses the Chesapeake Bay. When it comes to spanning the some of the “gaps” in Medicare Parts A and B such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles in Medicare healthcare coverage, your healthcare coverage “bridge” is Medigap or a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan.
A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan covers some of the out-of-pocket costs and is available from private insurance companies throughout Maryland. In 2022, residents of Maryland 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 are newly eligible to Medicare but those enrolled in these plans have been 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.
Maryland residents looking for a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan need to first look at their specific coverage needs in order to determine if a Medigap plan might be right for them.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Maryland
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including Maryland. The statistics below outline the most popular Medigap plans selected by Maryland residents. The insurance companies that sell Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices. Each insurer in Maryland may not offer each of the available Medigap plans.
As reported by AHIP, 252,311 Maryland beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of Maryland enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 5,538 | 3,260 | 11,687 | 1,318 | 376 | 125,333 | 56,410 | 721 | 497 | 8,369 | 2,388 | 1,117 | 30 | 33,255 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 5,538 |
| B | 3,260 |
| C | 11,687 |
| D | 1,318 |
| E | 376 |
| F | 125,333 |
| G | 56,410 |
| H | 721 |
| I | 497 |
| J | 8,369 |
| K | 2,388 |
| L | 1,117 |
| M | 30 |
| N | 33,255 |
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 Maryland 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 Maryland Medicare Advantage plan, which typically covers prescriptions drugs and may also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing coverage as well gym memberships.
Learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in Maryland 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 might have throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help you compare Medicare plans in Maryland.
Maryland 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 Maryland Medicare Supplement Plan Enrollment Period?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Maryland begins the first day of the month you turn at least 65 years old. It never hurts to get a jump on knowing more about Medicare benefits. In fact, you can make important enrollment choices as early as 64 and 6 months. You also must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B in order to get a Medigap plan.
Maryland residents have a six-month period around their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. On occasion, certain younger individuals can enroll earlier in special cases. Maryland 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. 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. If you apply for Maryland 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.
How Will I Know If a Maryland Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is Right for Me?
Working with a SelectQuote licensed sales agent is a great way to stay current on the various annual Medicare plan changes made by the insurance companies. In addition, SelectQuote can help you understand the Medicare insurance options available in Maryland and help to ensure you’re getting all the available benefits you deserve. As an independent third-party company that’s equipped to help Maryland residents with Medicare Insurance needs, let SmartQuote find the right Medicare Supplement Insurance plan for you.
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.
