What to Know About North Carolina Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
Tarheels, Durham Bulls and the Carolina Mudcats know no good comes from a gap in the sporting lineup. The same can be said about the potential “gaps” in healthcare coverage through Medicare. Many North Carolina residents who are close to their 65th birthday may not know a lot of details regarding Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. In short, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is a way to bridge some of the “gaps” between what’s left uncovered by Medicare Parts A and B, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Also referred to as Medigap, these plans are available from private insurance companies throughout North Carolina.
In 2022, residents of North Carolina have many 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 enrollees have been 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.
North Carolina residents looking for a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan need to start by looking at their specific coverage needs to determine what Medigap plan they should consider.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in North Carolina
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including North Carolina. The statistics below offer a look at the most popular Medigap Supplement plans selected by North Carolina residents. The insurance companies that sell Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices depending upon your location and the insurance carrier. Each insurer in North Carolina may not offer each of the available Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.
As reported by AHIP, 510,098 North Carolina beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of North Carolina enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 2,677 | 2,139 | 8,924 | 1,542 | 904 | 274,058 | 160,051 | 285 | 2,298 | 18,561 | 1,764 | 1,061 | 76 | 33,613 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 2,677 |
| B | 2,139 |
| C | 8,924 |
| D | 1,542 |
| E | 904 |
| F | 274,058 |
| G | 160,051 |
| H | 285 |
| I | 2,298 |
| J | 18,561 |
| K | 1,764 |
| L | 1,061 |
| M | 76 |
| N | 33,613 |
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 North Carolina Medicare Supplement Insurance plan will not cover benefits for prescription drugs. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan in order to receive prescription drug coverage or you may want to consider a North Carolina Medicare Advantage plan, which typically includes prescription drug coverage and may also include other benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships.
Learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
North Carolina residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. A Medigap plan in North Carolina can’t be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage plan.
When is the North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plan Enrollment Period
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in North Carolina begins the first day of the month you turn 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 enroll in a Medigap plan.
North Carolina residents have a six-month period surrounding their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan in North Carolina. North Carolina 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 before your 65th birthday. During this important six-month period, companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cannot use underwriting. In other words, during this window 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 a North Carolina 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 share annual update information and also help to ensure you’re getting all the available benefits you deserve. As an independent and trusted third-party company which helps consumers understand their Medicare options, SelectQuote is here to help you explore your Medicare insurance options to find the right North Carolina Medicare Supplement Insurance plan to meet your Medicare 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.
