What Do Rhode Island Residents Need to Know About Medicare Supplement Insurance?
With approximately 1,003 persons per square mile, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. In states big and small throughout the country, US residents about to turn 65 years old will soon need to start thinking about enrollment in Medicare Insurance. If this is your first experience with signing up for Medicare, you should know there are some “gaps” left by Medicare Parts A and B. However, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan can help to bridge some of the “gaps” for expenses that are not covered, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are also commonly referred to as Medigap because they help with filling in the “gaps” of what’s not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan in Rhode Island is available from private insurance companies throughout the state.
In 2022, residents of Rhode Island have many 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 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.
Rhode Island residents looking for a 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 Rhode Island
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including Rhode Island. The statistics below offer a look at the most popular Medigap Supplement plans selected by Rhode Island residents. The insurance companies that sell Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices depending upon the insurance carrier and your location. Each insurer in Rhode Island may not offer each of the available Medigap plans.
As reported by AHIP, 51,442 Rhode Island beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of Rhode Island enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 803 | 142 | 19,975 | 44 | 37 | 20,424 | 3,029 | 9 | 101 | 764 | 150 | 149 | 1 | 5,743 |
Source: AHIP.Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 803 |
| B | 142 |
| C | 19,975 |
| D | 44 |
| E | 37 |
| F | 20,424 |
| G | 3,029 |
| H | 9 |
| I | 101 |
| J | 764 |
| K | 150 |
| L | 149 |
| M | 1 |
| N | 5,743 |
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 Rhode Island Medicare Supplement Insurance plan does not cover prescription drug coverage. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to help you with prescription drug costs. Another option to consider is a Rhode Island Medicare Advantage plan, which typically includes coverage for prescriptions drug and may also include other benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships.
To learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in Rhode Island, you can work 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 Rhode Island.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Medicare Supplement Plans Enrollment Period?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Rhode Island 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 get a Medigap plan.
Rhode Island residents have a six-month period surrounding their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan in Rhode Island. Those 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 as you can enroll at age 64 and 6 month. 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 a Rhode Island Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Right for You?
As an independent third-party company which specializes in helping consumers understand the ins and outs of Medicare, SelectQuote is here to help you understand the Medicare insurance options available to you. Our personal licensed sales agents will help you get all the available Medicare benefits you deserve and can also let you know about any updates to plans made by insurance companies annually. As a trusted Medicare specialist, SelectQuote will help you find the right Rhode Island 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.
