What Are Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in South Dakota?
South Dakota, otherwise known as the Mount Rushmore State, is the home of the Badlands and iconic prairies. It’s also been called a “land of infinite variety.” If you’re a South Dakota resident who is thinking about Medicare enrollment, you might be interested in the variety of Medicare plans that are available, including a South Dakota Medicare Supplement plan. Also referred to as Medigap, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan in South Dakota is a way to cover some of the “gaps” of what’s not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. This includes copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Private insurance companies throughout South Dakota offer Medigap plans.
In 2022, South Dakota residents have many Medigap or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans from which to choose. These include basic benefits in 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.
South Dakota residents looking for a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan need to first look at their specific coverage needs to determine what Medigap plan they might want to consider.
What Are the Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in South Dakota?
South Dakota residents have the option of government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. All Medigap plans are approved by the government and help to protect residents in most states, including South Dakota. See below for a view of the most popular Medigap options selected by South Dakota residents. Throughout South Dakota, insurance companies which sell Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits. However, there may be different prices depending on where you live and the insurance carrier. In addition, each insurer in South Dakota may not offer each of the Medigap plans.
As reported by AHIP, 74,489 South Dakota beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of South Dakota enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 286 | 87 | 346 | 33 | 82 | 48,865 | 21,679 | 9 | 48 | 447 | 118 | 79 | 2 | 1,889 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 286 |
| B | 87 |
| C | 346 |
| D | 33 |
| E | 82 |
| F | 48,865 |
| G | 21,679 |
| H | 9 |
| I | 48 |
| J | 447 |
| K | 118 |
| L | 79 |
| M | 2 |
| N | 1,889 |
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 a South Dakota Medicare Supplement Insurance plan does not include prescription drug coverage. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to help you with prescription drug costs or you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan, which typically includes prescription drug coverage and may also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships.
You can learn more about Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in South Dakota 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 may have throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help you compare Medicare plans in South Dakota.
South Dakota residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. A Medigap plan can also not be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage plan.
When is the South Dakota Medicare Supplement Plan Enrollment Period?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for South Dakota Medicare Supplement Insurance plans begins the first day of the month you turn 65 years old. You also must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B in order to get a Medigap plan.
South Dakota residents have a six-month period surrounding their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. 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. You might be surprised to hear that enrollment can begin as early as 64 and 6 months. During this important six-month period, companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cannot use underwriting. If you apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance outside of this window, 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 South Dakota Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Right for You?
In order to learn more about your Medicare plan options, talk to a Medicare Insurance specialist at SelectQuote. We can help to ensure you’re getting all of the available Medicare benefits you deserve while staying up to date with the annual updates made to Medicare plans. As a trusted independent company, a SelectQuote licensed sales agent will help you find the right South Dakota Medicare Supplement Insurance plan that meets 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.
